Stendig Co. played a pivotal role in introducing modern European furniture to the American market, thanks to the business acumen of founder Charles Stendig.
Around 1950, the Brooklyn, New York–born Stendig (1924–2024) worked for Raymor, a purveyor of modern china and accessories that is best known for distributing designer Russel Wright’s American Modern line of ceramics. While at Raymor, Stendig focused on the company’s less popular pieces that were made in Italy and Scandinavia, recognizing their potential for the American market. In 1955, he left the company and decided to establish Stendig Co.
That year, a chance encounter with a Finnish trade representative led him to furniture company Asko — one of the largest companies operating in Scandinavia. Asko invited him and Joseph Carreiro, a professor at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts), to help refine their designs.
At Asko’s production facility in Finland, Stendig met several renowned Finnish designers such as Ilmari Tapiovaara, Tapio Wirkkala and Eero Aarnio, the iconic Ball chair creator. Stendig’s trip there was a success, and Stendig Co. began importing Finnish furniture to the United States.
In 1956, the first Stendig Co. showroom opened in Manhattan. A year later, during a trip to Zurich, Stendig came across a Bauhaus–inspired furniture store featuring pieces by Swiss designers Kurt Thut, Hans Eichenberger and Robert Haussmann, the store’s co-owner. Following a meeting with Haussmann, Stendig became the retailer’s exclusive U.S. distributor.
Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Stendig Co. imported and sold furniture from influential European designers, including Swiss designer Bruno Rey, Italian architect and industrial designer Vico Magistretti and Hungarian-American architect and designer Marcel Breuer, creator of the Wassily lounge chair.
By the late 1960s, Stendig Co. moved its headquarters to an expansive space on Manhattan’s East Side and opened showrooms in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, each home to the company’s striking collection of mid-century European armchairs, sofas, dining room chairs, coffee tables and other furnishings. Stendig’s founder was by then representing Italian manufacturers Poltronova and Gufram and bringing revolutionary works of Italian Radical design to American shores.
In 1971, Charles Stendig sold the company to Burlington Industries. He retired in 1976. Today Stendig’s European imports are coveted by interior designers and vintage furniture collectors, and he will be forever known as the man who introduced modern European design to the United States.
Find a range of vintage Stendig Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
Baron Lounge Chairs by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, Cream Leather, 1970
By Robert Haussmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Baron lounge chair by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, Cream Leather, 1970. Original leather with beautiful patina. Sofa is sold in separate ...
Leather
Stendig, Low Slipper Chairs, Gray Boucle, Painted Wood, Switzerland, 1960s
By Stendig Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Stendig, Mid-Century Modern, Gray Bouclé, Slipper Chairs, Switzerland, 1970s A pair of finely constructed good condition Stendig tagged and labeled side chairs. Each in a comfortabl...
Fabric, Wood
Pair Stendig Arm Chairs, Switzerland, New Luxurious Boucle, Mid-Century Modern
By Stendig Co., Charles Stendig
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Stendig arm chairs, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid-Century Modern A rare pair of Stendig made in Switzerland arm chairs in a new sheep...
Chrome
Robert Haussmann for De Sed 'DS-201' Armchairs in Leather
By De Sede, Robert Haussmann
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Robert Haussmann for De Sede, armchairs, model 'DS-201', chrome-plated steel, leather, Switzerland, designed in 1957 A design by Robert Haussmann that features a cubic shaped struct...
Chrome, Steel
1960s French Toile Barrel Back Wood Castors Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning chairs you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it bei...
Brass
$6,950Sale Price|36% Off
H 38 in W 72 in D 48 in
'Joe' Lounge Chair by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova, 1970s, Signed
By Poltronova, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful patinated leather "Joe" lounge chair by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova is covered in a gorgeous and soft light brown / ...
Leather
$7,800
H 24 in W 28 in D 35 in
Fabio Lenci Hyaline Adjustable MCM Lounge Chair Glass Black Leather 1970s MINT!
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Fabio Lenci, Milo Baughman, Pace Collection
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Italian Mid-Century Modern super comfortable adjustable sling upholstery hyaline chair by Fabio Lenci, 1974.
Leather, Glass
$5,950Sale Price|21% Off
H 27.25 in W 36 in D 42 in
Soriana Lounge Chair in Grey Leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Atelier International, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian designed 'Soriana' lounge chair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina and distributed in the United States under license in the 1960s and 1970s by Atelier Internati...
Chrome
$3,480
H 26.5 in W 26.5 in D 32.5 in
Robert Haussmann for De Sede RH-304 chrome and 1970s lounge chair by Stendig
By Robert Haussmann, Stendig Co., De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Robert Haussmann for De Sede RH-304 chrome and 1970s lounge chair with Stendig tags. Great condition–chromed steel caging and original upholstery in such a satisfying, groovy warm p...
Chrome
$2,412 / set
H 37.8 in W 29.14 in D 37.01 in
WK Möbel leather lounge chair with ottoman by Robert Haussmann, 1970
By Robert Haussmann, WK Möbel
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
An extraordinary lounge chair that combines sculptural elegance with a seating comfort that is as sophisticated as it is unusual. The generously upholstered seat shell, finished in b...
Leather
Mid-Century Lady Chair, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in czechoslovakia - made of wood, fabric - good original condition
Fabric, Wood
$2,195
H 25.5 in W 27.5 in D 32 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern American Walnut Armchair & Rocker New Cushions
By Viko Baumritter
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Mid century modern pair of chairs, armchair rocker and a armchair. In very good original condition. Straps to hold cushions in place are tight...
Fabric, Walnut
$6,529 / set
H 29.5 in W 28 in D 28 in
A Pair of Robert Haussmann for De Sede DS-201 Mid Century Tan Leather Chairs
By Robert Haussmann, De Sede
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
Pair of Robert Haussmann for De Sede ‘DS-201’ Chairs in Tan Leather – 1957 Design, in original Condition Designed by renowned Swiss architect and designer Robert Haussmann for the pr...
Chrome
$1,821 / item
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century White Boucle Armchair, GFM 142, Edmund Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful white boucle Armchair GFM-142, designed by Edmund Homa, a polish architect, designer of Industrial Design and interior architecture, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk. The armchair was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska furniture factory from solid beech wood. The GFM-142 armchair is regarded one of the best polish armchair design from the previous age. The armchair has been thoroughly renovated. The tension belts have been changed, new upholstery foams, boucle upholstery it's Italian boucle of the highest quality. A boucle fabric whose uniqueness is added by its particularly pronounced weave. The fabric is made of recycled polyester. It is characterised by high resistance to light. The fabric is composed of yarns of one colour but of different thicknesses. Isla perfectly combines with smooth structures, we can easily match it with multicoloured weaves. The fabric fits Scandinavian and rustic style, combined with chrome or black accessories...
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
$2,850
H 34 in W 35.5 in D 33.5 in
Cognac Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair by Robert Haussmann for De Sede
By De Sede, Stendig Co., Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Cognac Leather and Chrome Architectural Lounge Chair, designed by Robert and Trix Hausmann for De Sede, Switzerland, circa 1970s. Imported to the US by Stendig and signed with Stendi...
Metal
New White Linen Upholstery Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Newly upholstered in white linen most likely Paul McCobb Design mid century modern lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut, Raw Linen
$5,910Sale Price|40% Off
H 37 in W 45.5 in D 72 in
Italian Chrome Tufted Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Stendig
By Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lounge chair and ottoman by Stendig is quite the show stopper. It features overlapping curvilinear supports in chrome that attach to the base of each piece. It may look like a...
Chrome
New Upholstery Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
New upholstery Mid-Century Modern lounge chair.
Upholstery
De Sede Robert Haussmann Model RH 302 Lounge Arm Chair, Leather + Chrome
By Le Corbusier, Stendig Co., De Sede, Robert Haussmann
Located in Decatur, GA
Exquisite model RH302 lounge chair designed by Robert Haussmann. Built by De Sede in Switzerland and imported to the states by Stendig circa 1960. This model does not surface in the ...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 26 in D 39 in
Mid Century Modern Mr Lounge Chairs in Leather by Mies Van Der Rohe for Stendig
By Stendig Co., Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A lovely classic pair MR lounge chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe and produced by Stendig circa 1970's These feature chromed steel cantilever chair frames with gray leather seat c...
Chrome
Sold
H 34 in W 35 in D 35 in
Pair De Sede Robert Haussmann Model RH 302 Lounge Arm Chairs, Leather + Chrome
By De Sede, Le Corbusier, Stendig Co., Robert Haussmann
Located in Decatur, GA
Exquisite pair of model RH302 lounge chairs designed by Robert Haussmann. Built by De Sede in Switzerland and imported to the states by Stendig ci...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 34 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Robert Haussmann Stendig Steel Cased Pair Lounge Chairs 1950s
By Stendig Co., Robert Haussmann
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a lux looking pair of steel cased lounge or club armchairs, designed by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, made in Switzerland, circa the 1950s. In excellent vin...
Steel
Sold
H 37 in W 45.5 in D 72 in
Midcentury Button Tufted Chair & Ottoman in Chrome & Graphite Mohair by Stendig
By Stendig Co.
Located in New York, NY
This bold and sophisticated ottoman and chair was realized by the esteemed furniture maker, Stendig, in Italy, circa 1970. They feature overlapping curvilinear supports in lustrous c...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.5 in W 30.75 in D 25.5 in
Pair of Marcel Breuer for Stendig Chrome Frame with Leather Wassily Chairs
By Stendig Co., Marcel Breuer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Marcel Breuer Wassily chairs. After the early production there are two acceptable versions of this chair. These mfr. by Stendig and the Knoll chairs. Both have excellent qual...
Chrome
Pair of Midcentury Tufted Leather Lounge Chairs by Stendig
By Stendig Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage armchairs makes for a stylish and comfortable addition to any seating arrangement. Tufted black leather upholstery is nicely complimented by hardwood l...
Leather
Pair of Stendig Club Chairs
By Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Nice square pair of red/orange club chairs on raised chrome legs. Original fabric still usable but shows wear. Our upholsterer can redo chairs in your fabric! Chrome very nice condit...
Chrome
Pair of Stendig "Cumulus Group" Leather Lounge Chairs
By Sergio Mazza, Giuliana Gramigna, Stendig Co.
Located in Highland, IN
This impressive pair of large Italian club chairs are quite rare and have terrific provenance. Designed by Sergio Mazza and Giulano Gramina as part of the "Cumulus Group" they were i...
Leather, Wood