Pair of Dan Johnson for Selig Black Lacquered High-Back Lounge Chairs, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Dan Johnson (Designer),Selig (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.75 in (93.35 cm)Width: 25.63 in (65.11 cm)Depth: 30.25 in (76.84 cm)Seat Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Frames: nicks/chips to lacquer throughout, mostly on edges and bottom of legs, w/ some retouching; minor slat/frame gap on one; brass rods w/ dark patina. Cushions: one photographed flipped showing back slat marks. More photos provided upon request.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU955033880732
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.
Selig
As an importer and producer, the Selig furniture company helped popularize timeless and elegant postwar designs in the United States.
Selig created Danish-inspired chairs, sofas and other furnishings for the home that were cutting-edge, contemporary and airy. The brand was also among the first to introduce Scandinavian and European modern styles to Americans in the 1950s and 60s. The company imported and manufactured furniture known for its extraordinary design and style using high-quality, enduring and seductive materials.
Selig was founded in 1931 by Mandell Selig and Samuel Wexler. The pair started the business during the challenging economic times of the Great Depression prior to World War II. By the 1960s, under the leadership of Wexler's son, Robert, Selig peaked with manufacturing factories in five American cities.
Selig’s importing business had a meaningful impact on Italian furniture manufacturers. Wexler, the junior, had a hand in advancing and growing the manufacturing sector of the country’s Udine region. Due to this contribution, the Italian government saw fit to knight Robert Wexler with the title of “Cavaliere.”
After nearly four decades of influencing seating and lounging preferences in the United States with sophisticated mid-century modern and Scandinavian modern furniture — including its own chrome rocking chairs and leather club chairs — Selig sold to Simmons, the mattress company, in 1970, thus dissolving. Much of what they produced and imported is still available despite no longer being manufactured, and many collectors seek original Selig furniture.
On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage Selig furniture that includes lounge chairs, armchairs, tables and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pair of Mid-century 1950s Wrought Iron Hoop Chairs Black/White UpholsteryLocated in San Francisco, CAA wonderful pair of mid-century modern hoop chairs/loungers. Wrought iron frames with hairpin style legs, with a Black and White fabric cover/seatin...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Maple Chest of Drawers, 1946–47By Hayden Hall 1, Dan JohnsonLocated in San Francisco, CAA rare 1946–1947 mid-century modern three-drawer chest or dresser in maple by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall. Early piece in a prescient contemporary-looking minimalist geometric style...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood, Maple
- Pair of Neoclassical Style Michael Taylor for Baker Spoon Back Slipper ChairsBy Baker Furniture Company, Michael TaylorLocated in San Francisco, CAOffered here is a pair of neoclassical style spoon back slipper chairs designed by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture. Black frames with beig...Category
Vintage 1950s American Neoclassical Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Mattiazzi Black Quindici Lounge Chair, 2018By Ronan and Erwan BouroullecLocated in San Francisco, CAA commanding black-on-black upholstered MC15 Quindici lounge chair by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Mattiazzi, introduced at the 2017 Milan Furniture Fair. Minimalist statement piece...Category
2010s Italian Minimalist Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Ash, Lacquer
- Knut Sæter for Vatne Møbler Rosewood and Upholstery Lounge Chair, 1976By Vatne Møbler, Knut SæterLocated in San Francisco, CAA very handsome 1976 rosewood and upholstery model 934 low-back lounge chair by Knut Sæter for Vatne Møbler of Norway, and originally retailed by Copenhagen in San Francisco. Featur...Category
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Foam, Rosewood, Fabric
- Sven Ivar Dysthe for Dokka Møbler Teak and Nickel Armless Lounge Chair, 1960sBy Sven Ivar Dysthe, Dokka MoblerLocated in San Francisco, CAA rare teak and nickel armless version of the model 1000 AF lounge chair by Sven Ivar Dysthe for Dokka Møbler of Norway. Designed in 1959, this example dates from the 1960s with ultr...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNickel, Steel
- Dan Johnson, Lounge Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950sBy Dan Johnson, Pacific IronLocated in High Point, NCA black-painted iron and off white fabric lounge chair, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s. 16” seat heightCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Set of Oak, Mohair and Bronze Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson, C. 1950sBy Dan JohnsonLocated in Westport, CTImmerse yourself in mid-century modern elegance with this exquisite pair of lounge chairs by renowned designer Dan Johnson, crafted circa 1950-1959. These chairs boast a sturdy oak f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of Chrome Strap Barrel Lounge Chairs by Finn Andersen for SeligBy Finn Anderson, SeligLocated in New York, NYVery stylish pair of lounge chairs with exposed chrome strap frames and tweed upholstered seats and backs. Extremely well constructed, in very good original condition, upholstery sho...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
- Dan Johnson, Slipper Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950sBy Pacific Iron, Dan JohnsonLocated in High Point, NCA black-painted iron and off white fabric slipper or lounge chair, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s. 15” seat heightCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Poul Jensen for Selig Mid-Century Walnut Z Lounge ChairBy Poul Jensen, SeligLocated in Countryside, ILPoul Jensen for Selig mid-century walnut z lounge chair. This chair measures: 30 wide x 33 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/chair clearance 22.25 inches. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Dan Johnson Walnut and Brass Viscount Chair by SeligBy Dan JohnsonLocated in Wilton, CTThis Dan Johnson Viscount chair is in its original condition. It has a lovely patina and has kept its structural integrity due to its fine workmanship. Upholstered in its original bl...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass