Pair of Mid-Century Modern Cherner Chairs for Plycraft
View Similar Items
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Cherner Chairs for Plycraft
About the Item
- Creator:Norman Cherner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.25 in (79.38 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. age appropriate wear, edge dings, finish stains, scratches.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5017116427941
Norman Cherner
Norman Cherner was an influential designer who explored postwar technological innovations and how to incorporate them into furniture production and architecture. And while its history is complicated, his Cherner chair is one of the most successful examples of mid-century modern molded plywood seating.
Born in New York City, Cherner was an architect and a prolific designer who taught at Columbia University’s Teachers College. An enthusiast of the Bauhaus, he gave lectures in the late 1940s on the principles of the legendary German design school at the Museum of Modern Art.
Cherner was fascinated with the concept of cost-efficient design, and this extended into his pioneering ideas for prefabricated housing. His philosophy was that a modular home should be a complete design concept that included economical furniture and lighting. He published several DIY books, such as How to Build a House for $6,000. Cherner caught the interest of a housing cooperative in upstate New York and was contracted to design and oversee the construction of prefabricated housing in the town of Ramapo. The U.S. Department of Housing assembled a pre-built Cherner home for exhibition in Vienna.
But he is best known for his chair.
In the 1950s, one of George Nelson’s designers, John F. Pile, created the Pretzel chair. It had structural problems and proved too costly to make at Herman Miller, where Nelson was director of design. Production was subcontracted to Massachusetts company Plycraft, but the agreement didn’t last long owing to a dispute between the furniture manufacturers. Based on a recommendation from Nelson, Plycraft sought out Cherner to redesign the chair so that it would be durable and affordable to produce.
Cherner submitted his redesign only to be told that Plycraft had shelved the project. However, Plycraft secretly began producing what would become the Cherner chair under a different name — and Cherner later stumbled across his seat in New York. Cherner sued Plycraft and won. The chair became instantly popular after being featured in a Norman Rockwell illustration for a Saturday Evening Post cover in September of 1961.
Other noteworthy Cherner designs include his Konwiser furniture line, Multiflex storage units and tube lighting. The Museum of Modern Art praised his Konwiser collection as “some of the most progressive furniture designs available to the American public.”
In 1972, Plycraft discontinued production of his chair, and Cherner died in 1987. In 1999, his two sons founded the Cherner Chair Company and began making furniture based on their father's original designs for armchairs, chairs — including the Cherner chair — tables and credenzas.
Find vintage Norman Cherner furniture on 1stDibs today.
- Antique Demijohn, Carboy or JimmyjohnLocated in New York, NYWhether you like to call them, carboy or demijohn or jimmy john, they all refer to the same glass containers. Carboy originates from the Persian word; qarabah. Demijohn comes from the French; dame-Jeanne, or Lady Jane and derives from the 17th century and refers to any glass vessel, with a large body, capable of holding from 5 and 16 gallons of liquid, with a small neck and presumably encased in wicker. In England, demijohn refers to an imperial gallon...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Country Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Pair of original Norman Cherner for Plycraft side-chairs, Mid-Century ModernBy Norman ChernerLocated in Clifton Springs, NYNice pair of Norman Cherner side chairs, manufactured by Plycraft. One chair has original Plycraft sticker and the date of inspection label. Second chair is missing Plycraft sticker...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Vintage Norman Cherner Plycraft Wood Leather ChairsBy Norman ChernerLocated in Pasadena, TXPair of vintage Norman Cherner plycraft bent wood leather chairs Norman Cherner studied and taught at the Columbia University Fine Arts Department ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Bentwood Side Chair By Norman Cherner For PlycraftBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, ply bentwood, side chair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft in a dark walnut finish. This iconic mid-century modern chair that is striking from every angle can be use...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsBentwood, Plywood
- Norman Cherner Mid Century ChairBy The Cherner Chair Company, Norman ChernerLocated in Countryside, ILNorman Cherner mid century chair The chair measures: 17 wide x 20.5 deep x 32 high, with a seat height and chair clearance of 18 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Norman Cherner Mid-Century Modern Matching Side ChairsBy Norman Cherner, PlycraftLocated in Buffalo, NYIconic set of 3 vintage midcentury Norman Cherner chairs. They have normal age appropriate wear as they should given their age, almost 65 years old! Classic Modernist design. Extreme...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Lovely Pair of Norman Cherner Plycraft Pretzel Chairs, Mid-Century ModernBy Norman ChernerLocated in Pemberton, NJLovely pair of labelled Norman Cherner Plycraft pretzel armchairs. This pair has a pickled white finish and bone colored faux leather in nice vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Wood
