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 Lehigh Leopold, Ward Bennett
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 Bennett Scissor Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
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 Brickell Club Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a distinctive look to your seating area with this sleek club chair model no.Q2083 by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, 1960s. Featuring a tub form with tapered sides and plush rounded back with a central channel, the gold mohair chair...
Mohair
Pair Ward Bennett Model 1516 Armchairs
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
For your consideration is this rare pair of armchairs model 1516 by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. Each beautifully constructed chair is of exceptionally high quality and featu...
Leather, Wood
Sleek Ward Bennett for Lehigh Naugahyde Barrell Back Desk Chairs
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Furniture Company
Located in Hudson, NY
Ward Bennett amazingly sleek designed office chair on aluminium star base. 3 available. All good condition with the exception of the naugahyde upholstery. All have some small tears a...
Aluminum
Stunning & Rare John Hutton for Donghia 'Block Island' Sofa of Wicker & Mahogany
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Hudson, NY
A very rare example from the limited production Block Island collection designed by John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia. The chocolate colored version is very rare- only a few were p...
Wicker, Cane, Mahogany
French Deco Modernist Leather and Steel Arm Chairs Machine Age 4 available
By Emile Guillot
Located in Hudson, NY
Very heavy chairs. Stunning French Modernist chairs with a beautifully patinated leather arm detail. Solid steel frames with solid black metal detail on the frame. These chairs are ...
Steel
Stunning Pair Blue Velvet Flat Bar Nicos Zorophos Swivel Chairs w.Steel X-Base
By Zographos Designs Ltd., Nicos Zographos
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning pair of deep blue velvet armchairs. The steel x base frames are absolutely stunning. Solid, lovely chairs in good condition. Ready for use.
Steel
Rare Nicos Zographos Black Leather -Brushed Aiiminum Parsons Club Chairs 4 AVAIL
By Zographos Designs Ltd., Nicos Zographos
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning black leather Nicos Zogrophos club chairs. Priced per chair. 4 chaiors available. Nicos Zographos made his name during his time at the renown architecture firm Skidmore, Ow...
Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Roger Lee Sprunger for Dunbar Elegant Leather Office Chairs 10 Available
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Hudson, NY
10 available- Priced per chair Absolutely stunning butter soft leather Roger Sprunger for Dunbar office chairs on smooth gliding casters. All original chairs are in very good condit...
Metal
