Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
About the Item
- Creator:Norman Cherner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.25 in (79.38 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 8
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition. Refinished and reupholstered. Minor surface scratches and wear.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU871817996442
Norman Cherner
Norman Cherner was an influential designer who explored postwar technological innovations and how to incorporate them into furniture production and architecture. And while its history is complicated, his Cherner chair is one of the most successful examples of mid-century modern molded plywood seating.
Born in New York City, Cherner was an architect and a prolific designer who taught at Columbia University’s Teachers College. An enthusiast of the Bauhaus, he gave lectures in the late 1940s on the principles of the legendary German design school at the Museum of Modern Art.
Cherner was fascinated with the concept of cost-efficient design, and this extended into his pioneering ideas for prefabricated housing. His philosophy was that a modular home should be a complete design concept that included economical furniture and lighting. He published several DIY books, such as How to Build a House for $6,000. Cherner caught the interest of a housing cooperative in upstate New York and was contracted to design and oversee the construction of prefabricated housing in the town of Ramapo. The U.S. Department of Housing assembled a pre-built Cherner home for exhibition in Vienna.
But he is best known for his chair.
In the 1950s, one of George Nelson’s designers, John F. Pile, created the Pretzel chair. It had structural problems and proved too costly to make at Herman Miller, where Nelson was director of design. Production was subcontracted to Massachusetts company Plycraft, but the agreement didn’t last long owing to a dispute between the furniture manufacturers. Based on a recommendation from Nelson, Plycraft sought out Cherner to redesign the chair so that it would be durable and affordable to produce.
Cherner submitted his redesign only to be told that Plycraft had shelved the project. However, Plycraft secretly began producing what would become the Cherner chair under a different name — and Cherner later stumbled across his seat in New York. Cherner sued Plycraft and won. The chair became instantly popular after being featured in a Norman Rockwell illustration for a Saturday Evening Post cover in September of 1961.
Other noteworthy Cherner designs include his Konwiser furniture line, Multiflex storage units and tube lighting. The Museum of Modern Art praised his Konwiser collection as “some of the most progressive furniture designs available to the American public.”
In 1972, Plycraft discontinued production of his chair, and Cherner died in 1987. In 1999, his two sons founded the Cherner Chair Company and began making furniture based on their father's original designs for armchairs, chairs — including the Cherner chair — tables and credenzas.
Find vintage Norman Cherner furniture on 1stDibs today.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Atlanta, GA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Wendell Castle Dining Chairs Set of EightBy Wendell CastleLocated in Atlanta, GASet of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Wendell Castle, American, circa 2010s. Signed with Wendell Castle's branded monogram on the leg. Wendell Castle licensed several of his designs for the Wendell Castle Collection...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Mahogany
- Set of Eight Tall Back Asian Inspired Dining ChairsLocated in Atlanta, GASet of eight tall back Asian inspired dining chairs, originally retailed through John Stuart NYC, American, circa 1960s. Gently curving ba...Category
2010s Dining Room Chairs
- Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph LaurenLocated in Atlanta, GASet of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...Category
Vintage 1960s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Set of Six Rattan or Bamboo Dining ChairsLocated in Atlanta, GASet of six rattan or bamboo dining chairs, American, circa 1960s. They retain their warm original patina. This came from an estate with the matchi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBamboo, Cane, Rattan
- Paul McCobb Dining Chairs Set of Six Refinished & ReupholsteredBy Paul McCobbLocated in Atlanta, GASet of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs, designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture's Directional Line, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reuphols...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Set of Six Dining Chairs Designed by Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Atlanta, GASet of six dining chairs, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1950s. This set has been completely restored in an ultra-deep brown lacquer with ivory bouclé upholstery. The...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Arne Vodder Teak Dining Set with Eight Chairs for SibastBy Arne VodderLocated in Brooklyn, NYTeak Danish modern six-leg table and eight matching chairs by Arne Vodder for Sibast. Measure: Oval table expands from 78" to 117" with two leaves. Perfect large-scale dining set wit...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Verner Panton "Pantonova" Dining Set of Dining Table and Six ChairsBy Fritz Hansen, Verner PantonLocated in Kansas City, MOVery rare Verner Panton Pantonova dining table and chairs, made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971. Cognac color leather seat pads. Set includes table, m...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Dan Wenger Dining Set of Three Chairs and TableBy Dan WengerLocated in Berlin, DEHere we offer a set of three Dan Wenger designs dining chairs and glass top table. The leather can be chosen in black, cognac, red and dark brown. Frame is lacquered in black. Chairs...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of Six Midcentury Dining Chairs in Maple, ItalyBy Augusto RomanoLocated in Albano Laziale, Rome/LazioA set of six Italian dining chairs with a sublime organic design in maple attributed to Augusto Romano and re-upholstered in black velvet. The chairs have supreme craftsmanship and a...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Maple
- Pierre Gautier-Delaye French Set of Table with Set of Six Dining ChairsBy Pierre Gautier-DelayeLocated in Waalwijk, NLPierre Gautier-Delaye, set of dining table with set of six dining chairs, solid beech, France, 1950s This French dining room set is designed by Pierre Gautier-Delaye. This lovely se...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsBeech
- Andre Arbus Bleached Fruitwood Draw -Leaf Dining Table and Eight Dining ChairsBy André ArbusLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAn Andre Arbus bleached fruitwood draw -leaf dining table and eight dining chairs, circa 1935. The rectangular parquetry top with matching leaves, ...Category
20th Century Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFruitwood