ModernMates Desk by Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball
About the Item
- Creator:Conant Ball (Manufacturer),Leslie Diamond (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:Dorchester, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU837821279592
Conant Ball
While the Conant Ball Company was initially known for its reproductions of period furniture in the Colonial style, the Massachusetts manufacturer eventually garnered national recognition as a leader in the production of solid rock maple dressers, tables and other pieces as well as for its popular modernist collections such as its large Sierra line designed by Colman Zola and its American Modern collection created by Russell Wright.
In the 1800s, the small town of Gardner, Massachusetts, saw a boom in start-up furniture factories. There was Westminster transplant Nichols and Stone, Standard Chair of Gardner Inc. — a maker of American Craftsman-style furnishings — Heywood-Wakefield, which moved into the manufacture of furniture with steam-bent wood frames and cane or wicker seating, and later, what was once the largest chair in the world was built in the city to attract tourists and to sell …chairs.
Conant Ball’s first product was its chairs — there were inviting chairs with woven cane seats and the company later earned acclaim for its Windsor designs. But before it got its name in 1909, there was a chair shop called Jackson & Greenwood. Abner and Leander White purchased the modest-sized business and renamed it A. White and Co. John Conant and his brother Charles joined later and it eventually operated under the name Conant Brothers and Co. Later, the firm’s name changed again with the addition of Carlos Ball, who helmed the company’s Boston location. Between Conant’s and Ball’s passings in 1891 and 1909, Charles Brooks and a succession of family members took the company into the 20th century as Conant Ball Co.
Conant Ball’s comely mid-century modern furniture — its low-profile lounge chairs, sleek tables and more — owe to partnerships with designers such as Leslie Diamond and Russel Wright.
Diamond and Wright created a variety of solid wood furniture including dining room chairs, side tables and dressers. The former created a line called ModernMates that featured solid birch office chairs, nightstands and dining chairs with curved spindle backs, while Wright, who had created some Art Deco furnishings for Heywood-Wakefield, designed charming, light-colored maple furniture called American Modern for Conant Ball. The name is said to have been given to him by his romantic partner — in 1927, Wright married artist and sculptor Mary Einstein. Under her guidance, Wright's attractive, functional designs for the home gained renown, leading to commissions by prestigious companies like the Steubenville Pottery Company.
Conant Ball’s momentum slowed in 1986 and ownership changed hands once more. By 1990, the firm would no longer produce furniture under its own name.
Find antique Conant Ball tables, chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dorchester, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Birch ModernMates Office Chair by Leslie Diamond for Conant BallBy Leslie DiamondLocated in Dorchester, MAPart of Leslie Diamond's ModernMates line for Conant Ball, this birch chair turns the form of a classic Windsor chair to home office use with a swiveling seat on casters...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Maple Chair by Russel Wright for Conant BallBy Conant Ball, Russel WrightLocated in Dorchester, MARussel Wright designed this solid maple armchair for Conant Ball, inspired by the round frame and spindles of the classic American Windsor. One chair remains available.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Rosewood and Mahogany Roll-Top Desk by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward WormleyLocated in Dorchester, MADesigned in 1957 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, this handsome mahogany desk features a generous writing surface bookended by two rosewood roll-top doors. Three shallow drawers are tucked below, the center one with small divisions at front. A hinged panel...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for BerniniBy Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in Dorchester, MAGianfranco Frattini designed this gorgeous rosewood rolltop desk, model 804, for Bernini in the early 1960s. What appears to be a compact chest of ten...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome, Aluminum
- Ebonized Predictor Group Desk by Paul McCobb for O'Hearn Furniture CompanyBy O'Hearn Furniture 1, Paul McCobbLocated in Dorchester, MAThis hard-to-find desk is a Paul McCobb design for his Predictor series, manufactured by O'Hearn Furniture only from 1951 to 1955. The ebonized maple case sits on slender canted legs. To the left a door conceals three drawers, the lower of which is file-deep. To the right three narrow but long drawers feature round brass pulls. To the back is a narrow shelf...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Macassar Ebony Executive Desk by Bodil KjaerBy Bodil KjaerLocated in Dorchester, MABodil Kjaer designed the prototype for this impressive modernist desk in 1959 for the Massachusetts Institute Technology. This iteration of her work desk, a small reissue in 2007-200...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsStainless Steel
- 1950's Mid Century Desk and Chair Conant Ball Modern Mates by Leslie DiamondBy Conant Ball, Leslie DiamondLocated in New York, NYArchitectural Mid Century desk, with original chair, designed by Leslie Diamond, for Conant Ball, as part of their hugely successful Mod...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood
- Dresser or Chest of Drawers by Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball ModernMatesBy Conant Ball, Leslie DiamondLocated in San Diego, CAStylish and functional seven-drawer dresser or chest of drawers by Leslie Diamond for the ModernMates collection manufactured by Conant Ball of Massachusetts, circa 1950s. The dresse...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBirch
- Mid Century Sideboard by Leslie Diamond for Conant BallBy Conant Ball, Leslie DiamondLocated in Waxahachie, TXBuilt in the 1950s by Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball. Beautiful 2 piece birch sideboard. • American craftsmanship meets beautiful materials and functionality in this sideboard with...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball American Modern Dresser, A PairBy Russel Wright, Leslie Diamond, Conant BallLocated in Garnerville, NYA handsome pair of solid maple five drawer dressers designed by Leslie Diamond for Conant-Ball's American Modern line. Circa 1950-60. The dressers feature tapered block feet, drawer dividers in the second drawer, deep drawers for maximum storage, sturdy maple construction, and recessed channel handles...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball Solid Birch Chest of Drawers, Newly RefinishedBy Leslie Diamond, Conant BallLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern five-drawer solid birch highboy dresser By Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball "ModernMates" Collection USA, 1950s ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBirch
- Leslie Diamond Conant Ball Mid Century Birch Record CabinetBy Conant Ball, Leslie DiamondLocated in Countryside, ILLeslie Diamond Conant Ball Mid Century Birch Record Cabinet This record cabinet measures: 32 wide x 15 deep x 31.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call r...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMetal