Rare Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Walnut and Aluminum Armchair, circa 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Shelby Williams (Retailer),Dan Johnson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.75 in (78.11 cm)Width: 24.88 in (63.2 cm)Depth: 23.25 in (59.06 cm)Seat Height: 18.63 in (47.33 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Replacements made: Swivel springs replaced. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Leatherette in used vintage condition with edge wear, ticking to the seat and some discoloration to the seat. Minor scuffs to painted aluminum. Swivel works beautifully, a very comfortable chair.
- Seller Location:Shippensburg, PA
- Reference Number:
Dan Johnson
While most postwar furniture designers were looking to the future, Dan Johnson found inspiration in the past. The mid-century modern maverick is remembered for his beautiful armchairs, lounge chairs and dining tables with designs that are reminiscent of ancient Rome.
The American furniture designer began his career in the late 1940s by creating solid wood pieces like desks and dining chairs for California furniture manufacturer Hayden Hall. By the early 1950s, he was designing chairs and tables for American furniture importer and producer Selig. In 1955, Johnson moved to Rome on an apartment design commission. While there, he launched Dan Johnson Studio with the goal of bringing a modern approach to the Roman furniture of antiquity.
The pieces from this era of Johnson’s career are characterized by their sculptural metal designs. His most famous work was the elegant Gazelle line, sold in America by Selig. It features dining tables, coffee tables and multiple chair designs that involve a green “Pompeian Verde” patina, metal framing and traditional caning techniques. Due to a high manufacturing cost, the production line was limited and is highly exclusive today.
Another popular design by Johnson for Selig in the 1950s was the Viscount chair. More typical of the mid-century style, it was made with a wood frame, polished brass accents and orange leather upholstery. In the 1960s, Johnson designed a similar aluminum chair for American furniture manufacturer and distributor Shelby Williams, this one with blue upholstery.
Johnson died in 1978. The Gazelle armchair is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and Denver Art Museum, and a prototype of the Gazelle lounge chair is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Interior designers regularly use Johnson’s furniture for upscale outdoor spaces in California and New York.
On 1stDibs, find Dan Johnson seating, tables, desks and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Shippensburg, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Pair of Patinated Oak “Wishbone” Arm Chairs by Hans Wegner circa 1960sBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Shippensburg, PAPAIR OF PATINATED OAK "WISHBONE" ARM CHAIRS Designed by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, Denmark circa 1960s Item # 204JIP27P A lovely pair of Hans Wegner's iconic "Wishbone" arm...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak
- Vintage 1970s Mies van der Rohe MR20 Leather and Chrome ArmchairBy Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Shippensburg, PACHROME STEEL AND LEATHER MR20 ARMCHAIR Designed by Mies van der Rohe, circa 1970s Item # 205RSJ14P An iconic chair by Mies van der Rohe, this fine chromed steel and saddle leather MR20 armchair remains in excellent vintage condition. Likely manufactured in the 1970s, it retains the original leather and a vibrant chromed surface. Note the lack of exposed screw joinery and the seamless rail, as opposed to the lower quality and generally later variations with screws at the shoulders. The chair features a wonderful "spring" when sitting in it, almost simulating a rocking chairs motion. The brown leather lacing is replaced. These were acquired as a set of 3 chairs from an individual estate and are being sold individually. The images reflect shots for the leather condition for each of the three chairs - if you have a preference of one chair versus another, reach out and we can make sure the correct chair is selected (if still available). If you need more than one chair, check the "available" quantity to see how many remain available or just reach out for details if you need more than one. We also may still have available a pair of MR black leather...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Vintage Circa 1950s Leather and Oak “Safari” Arm Chair by Wilhelm KienzleBy Wilhelm KienzleLocated in Shippensburg, PALEATHER AND OAK "SAFARI" CHAIR Designed by Wilhelm Kienzle in 1928, manufactured by Wohnbedarf, Switzerland circa 1950 Item # 301XUJ28D-3 Designed in 1928 by Wilhelm Kienzle, the "S...Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Authentic Leather and Oak “Safari” Arm Chair by Wilhelm Kienzle circa 1950By Wilhelm KienzleLocated in Shippensburg, PALEATHER AND OAK "SAFARI" CHAIR Designed by Wilhelm Kienzle in 1928, manufactured by Wohnbedarf, Switzerland circa 1950 Item # 301XUJ28D-2 Designed in 1928 by Wilhelm Kienzle, the "...Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Pair of Mogens Hansen MH195 Black Leather Armchairs with Ottoman StoolLocated in Shippensburg, PAPAIR OF MH195 LOWBACK ARMCHAIRS WITH OTTOMAN BY MOGENS HANSEN In top-grain black leather with blonde beechwood frames last quarter of the 20th century Item # 306LIK27P This very ni...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- British Campaign Mahogany “Knock-Down" Antique Armchair Johnstone & JeanesBy Johnstone, Jeanes & Co.Located in Shippensburg, PAA RARE VICTORIAN CAMPAIGN MAHOGANY AND LEATHER METAMORPHIC ARMCHAIR England, circa 1840-60; seat stamped "JOHNSTONE & JEANES / 67 NEW BOND ST / LONDON / 6572" Item # C103901 An extraordinary metamorphic armchair by the firm of Johnstone & Jeanes of London, this quality Campaign seating piece would almost certainly have been accompanied by a carrying case to ensure its safe transit, as most of these break-down chairs were designed to be brought out when needed and safely stored thereafter. By depressing small tabs...Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Aluminum Armchair - rare variationBy Dan Johnson, Shelby WilliamsLocated in Chicago, ILCast aluminum chair designed by Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams. Manufactured by Crucible Products. This appears to be a early variation where no wood arms were ever attached. As T...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Crucible ChairBy Shelby Williams, Dan JohnsonLocated in BROOKLYN, NYDan Johnson for Shelby Williams Crucible Chair having cast aluminum and wood frame on upholstered seat and back. Beautiful lines on this seldom found chair. In amazing original vinta...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Bronze
- Aluminum Gazelle Armchairs by Shelby Williams, Set of FourBy Shelby WilliamsLocated in Van Nuys, CAA set of four circa 1950 aluminum Gazelle chairs made by Shelby Williams with original seat coverings. These chairs are masterfully crafted of cast aluminum frames that are sculpted and taperd into an iconic and graceful form with dark stained armrests and original factory gold vinyl upholstery. We have 2 additional Gazelle Armchairs...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Shelby Williams Gazelle Cast Aluminum and Vinyl Chair, circa 1960sBy Shelby WilliamsLocated in New York, NYChic, architecturally designed side, desk, dining chair, by Shelby Williams, circa 1960s. The chair is structurally sound and sturdy, showing only light wear, normal and consistent w...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Dan Johnson “Viscount” Cognac Leather and Brass Accent Armchair for SeligBy Selig, Dan JohnsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid Century Modern “Viscount” armchair designed by Dan Johnson for Selig in Denmark circa 1950’s. This elegant design features a newly refinished wa...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Completely Restored Dan Johnson for Viscount Mid-Century Brass Armchair 1950sBy Dan Johnson, KodawoodLocated in St. Louis, MODan Johnson "Viscount" for Kodawood, distributed by Selig, armchair or desk chair, circa 1950s. Refinished in dark ebony stain with new foam, orange leather and polished brass. Arm h...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass