Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Murphy Miller for Plycraft c 1950’s
About the Item
- Creator:Murphy Miller Inc. (Designer),Plycraft (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950’s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original, vintage estate condition, shows some cosmetic flaws as per description and images.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU978736830612
Plycraft
While the history of Plycraft is marred by scandal and lawsuits, the American furniture manufacturer produced charming lounge chairs and other seating during the mid-century modern era that are sought after by collectors today.
Paul Goldman founded Plycraft in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1953 — he had secured military contracts for the manufacturing of bentwood products during World War II and was able to move into the commercial market thereafter. While Plycraft counted fiberglass boats among its early offerings, its primary focus switched to furniture when what we now call mid-century modernism hit its stride and more designers began to explore the possibilities of bentwood furniture thanks to the revolutionary work of Alvar Aalto and Michael Thonet. Goldman was Plycraft’s principal designer, but George Mulhauser and Norman Cherner were also enlisted to create furniture for the brand.
In 1952, a designer named John F. Pile, who was working in the studio of Herman Miller design director George Nelson, conceived what he called the Pretzel chair in walnut and birch. Pile’s seat, which was inspired by European modernist design, proved too costly to manufacture and it had structural problems. So the illustrious Michigan furniture maker subcontracted Plycraft to produce the Pretzel chair — an agreement that was short-lived owing to a dispute between Plycraft and Herman Miller.
Goldman subsequently tapped Norman Cherner — an innovative architect, designer and professor at Columbia University who was recommended by Nelson — to create an iteration of the Pretzel chair that would be stronger and cost-efficient to manufacture.
Cherner submitted a comfortable, curvaceous update to the Pretzel chair in molded plywood but was told by Plycraft that the project was being scrapped and his drawings shelved. Months later, Cherner was shocked to stumble upon his redesigned chair in a furniture showroom in New York under the Plycraft name. Cherner sued Plycraft and won — the Cherner chair later appeared in a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
In the late 1950s, designer George Mulhauser created the Mr. Chair for Plycraft, an adjustable, tilting, swivel armchair with a matching ottoman. Mulhauser was also a designer in George Nelson’s studio and is credited with having conceived the iconic Coconut lounge chair for Herman Miller. With its tufted leather seat and shell crafted from a single sheet of plywood, the Mr. Chair lounge — part of a line of seating for which Mulhauser was commissioned — bears a resemblance to the now-legendary Eames lounge chair, which was designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Mulhauser’s chair was very successful for Plycraft. A model was even spotted on an episode of Star Trek.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cohoes, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen c. 1960'sBy Alf Svensson, Fritz HansenLocated in New York, NYChic architectural Mid Century lounge chair and ottoman designed by Alf Svensson for Fritz Hansen, made in Denmark circa 1960's. This example is in very good, clean, ready to use co...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs by Baughman for James Inc. C. 1950sBy The James Furniture Company, Milo BaughmanLocated in New York, NYIconic midcentury chairs, from Milo Baughman, for James Furniture Inc. These lounge chairs feature a voguish, and sophisticated design, angular and architectural, while still being r...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid Century Lounge Chair after Wormley c 1950'sBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in New York, NYExceptional sophisticated Mid Century lounge chair in very good, clean, original, ready to use condition. The chair features a caned back which supports the upholstered vinyl cushio...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Cane, Walnut
- Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin circa 1970sBy Milo Baughman, Thayer CogginLocated in New York, NYRare scoop form lounge chair and ottoman designed by Milo Baughman, produced by Thayer Coggin, circa 1970's. The chair is upholstered in faux leather vinyl, with button tufted surfac...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsUpholstery
- Swivel Chair by Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in New York, NYRare and unusual form not often seen, designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. Swivel upholstered chair in orange vinyl with bent ply shell, c...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Plywood
- Pr. Mid-Century Lounge Chairs Attributed to Directional Ca 1950'sBy Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in New York, NYPr. stylish lounge chairs made inn the 1950's, attributed to Directional Furniture Company, in the manner of Paul McCobb. Both chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, they were reu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- 1960s Modernist Tilt / Swivel Lounge Chairs Designed by Murphy Miller, PlycraftBy Murphy Miller Inc., PlycraftLocated in Buffalo, NYA stunning pair 1960s lounge chairs by Murphy Miller. Button tufted upholstery, these gently used swivel lounge chairs boasts winged walnut armrests and original vinyl upholstery. Ni...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Murphy MillerBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Brooklyn, NYA stunning 1960s lounge chair by Murphy Miller. This gently used swivel lounge chair boasts winged walnut armrests and vinyl upholstery. A vintage gem th...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut
- Vintage Plycraft Lounge Chair and OttomanBy PlycraftLocated in Pasadena, TXVintage Plycraft lounge chair and ottoman Mid-Century Modern swivel lounge chair and matching ottoman by Plycraft. Tufted caramel...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Plycraft Mid Century Mr Chair and OttomanBy PlycraftLocated in Countryside, ILPlycraft Mid Century Mr Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 33 wide x 30 deep x 40 high, with a seat height of 15 inches and arm height/chair clearance of ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid 20th MCM Mr. Chair Lounge Chair & Ottoman by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous Mid Century Modern “The Mr. Chair” lounge chair & ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft comprised of walnut bentwood frames or shells, tan vinyl or faux leather, black pa...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- George Mulhauser for Plycraft Mr. Chair Wingback Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1960sBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Deland, FLAttention collectors! Equal parts comfort and style this iconic wingback Mr. Chair, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. In 100% original, vintage condition this ground-breaking model is practically as good as it gets for purists searching for an authentic wingback set. The shell, constructed of audaciously-shaped bent walnut plywood, has become instantly recognizable and timeless. The original Naugahyde perfectly offsets the rich walnut woodgrains and is sure to make a BOLD statement in any space it inhabits. Able to recline to a position of the sitter's preference via the hand-screwed adjuster as well as swiveling 360 degrees this extraordinary lounger is as versatile as it is visually captivating. Perfect in both the home or office settings this Mr. Chair set can blend seamlessly against a myriad of design backdrops from MCM to Modern to Minimalism. Buy it as is or have us re-upholster the chair in a fabric of your choosing. Message us prior to checkout to discuss upholstery options and make this exceptional Mr. Chair yours today. ---Dimensions--- Chair Width: 32 in / 81.28 cm Chair Depth: 32 in / 81.28 cm Chair Height: 41.5 in / 105.41 cm Seat Height: 15 in / 38.1 cm Arm Height: 24 in / 60.96 cm Ottoman Width: 25.5 in Ottoman Depth: 21 in Ottoman Height: 18.5 in Condition Details: Save for a few minor veneer repairs this exceptional lunge chair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel