Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York City-born modernist designer drew on the work of Le Corbusier and Auguste Rodin, studied art with the likes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann and counted legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. among his clients. For decades, Bennett created and filled spaces that were elegant, minimalist and deeply appealed to everyone who laid eyes on them.
Bennett left home and school at the young age of 13. He found work in Manhattan’s Garment District, and within a few years, Bennett traveled to Europe on behalf of a clothing manufacturer to gather ideas for modern garments. He lived abroad as a young man, and when he returned to New York, during the early 1940s, he assisted fashion entrepreneur Hattie Carnegie as a window dresser.
Bennett would also go on to share a sculpture studio with artist Louise Nevelson. He ventured into the world of jewelry design, creating necklaces, bracelets and other pieces with Richard Pousette-Dart. The Whitney Museum of American Art exhibited his sculptures, and it wouldn’t be long before the Museum of Modern Art included Bennett’s personal adornments with accessories by the likes of Alexander Calder, Harry Bertoia and Anni Albers in its 1946 “Modern Handmade Jewelry” show.
Bennett didn’t take the plunge into interior design work until he was 30 years old — his inaugural project was an apartment in Manhattan and his clients were family members. He had no formal training in architecture or decorating — and would ultimately design a mere handful of houses in his life — so for his inviting leather office chairs, marble-topped tables and sleek storage cabinets, Bennett relied only on what he learned in the fashion world. Soon, every time he redecorated his own home — an elaborate apartment comprising former maids’ quarters in New York City’s magnificent Dakota building — it earned splashy coverage in the newspapers.
Bennett’s client list eventually included David Rockefeller and Chase Manhattan Bank, Tiffany & Co., Sasaki, Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, and others, and during the 1970s he became in-house designer for Brickel Associates, a role that would endure for more than two decades. His work is on permanent view at the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ward Bennett seating, decorative objects and more.
Ward Bennett for Brickel Sofa
By Ward Bennett, Brickfield Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ward Bennett for Brickel Sofa This sofa measures: 69 wide x 31 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 22 inches About Photos: We take our photos in a con...
Upholstery, Wood
Ward Bennett, Sofa, Fabric, Aluminium, USA, 1950s
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and light grey fabric sofa designed by Ward Bennet and produced by Lehigh Leopold, USA, c. 1950s. 18” seat height.
Aluminum
$9,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 84.25 in D 29 in
Ward Bennett Tufted White Leather Sofa (two available)
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Stunning 7ft Ward Bennett tufted sofa on walnut plinth base. Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York City-born modernist designer drew on the work of Le Corbusier and Auguste Rodin, studied art with the likes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann and counted legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. among his clients. For decades, Bennett created and filled spaces that were elegant, minimalist and deeply appealed to everyone who laid eyes on them Rare restored Ward Bennett sofa in a rich white leather, by GARRETT...
Leather
Tufted Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Curved Tufted Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Gently curved classic design. Button tufted pin stripe fabric. Walnut legs. See lounge...
Fabric
Mid Century Modern Ward Bennett Style Sofas for Reupholstery
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Ward Bennett Style Parlor Sofas on Chrome Bases in Original Burgundy Leather - Set of 2 Item does not have maker's label. Selling for reupholstery.
Chrome
Ward Bennett Style Mid Century Green Mohair Sofa Settee
By Ward Bennett
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ward Bennett Style Mid Century Green Mohair Sofa Settee This sofa measures: 61 wide x 29 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches Great Vintage Condition - Mohair h...
Upholstery, Wood, Mohair
$25,000 / set
H 30.5 in W 84.25 in D 29 in
Pair of Rare 7 ft. Ward Bennett Plinth Base Tufted White Leather Sofas
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of stunning 7ft Ward Bennett tufted sofas on walnut plinth bases. Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York Cit...
Leather
Ward Bennet, Sofa, Aluminium, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and light grey fabric sofa designed by Ward Bennet and produced by Lehigh Leopold, USA, c. 1950s. 18” seat height
Aluminum
Ward Bennett Scissor Chair
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scissor chair by Ward Bennett. This 1982 production of a 1960s design. It features an oak frame with caramel leather upholstery. Dimensions 23.5” width x 27.5” depth x 34.5” height;...
Leather, Oak
Ward Bennett Desk Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A tilting desk chair with bronze base designed by Ward Bennett. Height adjustable. Reupholstered in a Holly Hunt fabric.
Bronze
Ward Bennett I-Beam Granite Coffee Table, 1970
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Ward Bennet steel I-Beam steel and Granite coffee table, circa 1970. Original
Granite, Steel
Pair Ward Bennett Armchairs For Brickel Associates, 1970
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Ward Bennett Armchairs for Brickel Associates, 1970’s. Chair have been newly reupholstered in black mohair. Chairs have a black lacquer frame. Measure 32.5” tall 23.25” wide 2...
Mohair
Set of 6 Ward Bennett Black and Aluminum Dining Chairs, 1960
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 6 Ward Bennett Black Naugahyde and Aluminum Dining Chairs, 1960. Original condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Ward Bennett Dining Table/Desk is in separate listing...
Aluminum
Ward Bennett Frosted Glass and Aluminum Dining Table/Desk, 1960
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Ward Bennett Frosted Glass and aluminum legs Dining Table/Desk, 1960. Chairs are sold in separate listing. Measures 28.25” tall 78” long 30.25” deep
Aluminum
Teddy Bear Sofa, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Teddy Bear Sofa, 1970's. Fabric is original, with no rips, tears or stains. Made by Schweiger. Measures 100" long, 37" deep, 27.75" tall, seat height ...
Velvet
Morrison Naugahyde Sofa, 1960
Located in Chicago, IL
Morrison Naugahyde sofa, 1960. Original naugahyde. Measures 93" long, 32" deep overall height 32", seat height 16", seat depth 22" arm height 21".
Naugahyde
