The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
$1,900 / set
H 47 in W 27 in D 33 in
Contemporary Modern Rouillard Solo High Back Red Lounge Chairs, a Pair
Located in Secaucus, NJ
This gracious yet ultra contemporary modern Solo High-back lounge chairs are comfortable and appropriate for residential and commercial use. The eye-catching bold curves and strong ...
Steel
$8,000 / set
H 26.97 in W 30.12 in D 21.46 in
Pair of Side Chairs from Entelechy Series by John Portman for Saporiti
By Saporiti
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of exceptionally rare Mid Century Modern Dining or Side Chairs designed by John Portman for Saporiti in 1974. The chairs were part of the Entelec...
Steel
$1,650 / set
H 30.32 in W 23.63 in D 22.45 in
Red Mid-century Modern Armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi, Italy 1960s
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Almelo, NL
Red Mid-century Modern Armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi, Italy 1960s Gastone Rinaldi designed this beautiful and iconic pair of rare armchairs in 1954, Italy. The shape of the armchairs is sculptural, unique, and extraordinary: the two soft armrests merge to form a backrest with filigree contours without restricting the seat's comfort. The legs of the chairs are very finely designed and create a wonderful symbiosis with the organically shaped seat. Gastone Rinaldi found contour-soft and ergonomic shapes and projected them onto his designs. Both lounge chairs have the original vintage fabric...
Fabric
Mid-Century Pair of Armchairs in Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, velvet, stained beech, Czech Republic, 1960s These well-proportioned armchairs are clear in their appearance with angular shapes and striking lines dominating...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Angular Armchairs in Red Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, velvet, stained beech, Czech Republic, 1960s These well-proportioned armchairs are clear in their appearance with angular shapes and striking lines dominati...
Fabric, Beech
$800 / set
H 30 in W 19 in D 21 in
Gerd Lange Red Dsm400k Nova Chairs for Atelier International - a Pair
By Gerd Lange, Atelier International
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of stackable dining chairs with glossy red moulded plastic seats on tubular chrome legs designed by Gerd Lange for Atelier International, 1980s. Originally designed in the 1960s...
Chrome
Red Eberto Carboni Delfino Armchairs, Italy 1950s
By Eberto Carboni
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional first-generation pair of “Delfino” chairs for Arflex. never seen in their unrestored state with all original factory wool felt fabric with no fading. the foam is dried ou...
Metal, Brass
$925 / item
H 28.25 in W 24.75 in D 21.5 in
Red Mid-Century 1401 Lounge Chairs by Wim Rietveld for Gispen
By Wim Rietveld, Gispen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century '1401' lounge chairs designed by Wim Rietveld for Gispen of the Netherlands, priced individually. Each chair combines a black enameled tubular steel frame with angled spl...
Metal
$4,400 / set
H 33 in W 22 in D 20 in
Pair Heavy Solid Stainless Steel Formed Bend Frame Side Lounge Chairs Red Uphols
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair heavy solid stainless steel formed bend frame side lounge chairs red upholstery. Super high quality metal work bending welding and polishing of stainless steel. Bauhaus Le Corb...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Arm Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern side chairs feature a solid dark mahogany frame and plush red upholstery. Unique design has stylish cut...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Eero Saarinen Executive Armchairs for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Eero Saarinen Executive Armchairs for Knoll. Vintage production, reupholstered in 1998. All screws and self leveling glides intact. No rips in the textile. Cleaned and presen...
Metal
Danish Modern Occasional Living Room Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic Scandinavian design at its finest. Minimalist elegant, occasional armchairs. Perfect for the living room or dining table. Efficient in their form with eye catching lines. Ful...
Textile, Wood
Pair of Bridge Chairs by Carlo Tamborini for Pallucco
By Carlo Tamborini, Pallucco
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 2001 and produced by Pallucco in 2002, the Bridge is a Carlo Tamborini-designed stackable chair with a metal frame and plastic seat and back. The Bridge chair is very similar to Tamborini's later collaboration with Piero Lissoni that became the Lizz chair...
Metal
Restored Penguin Lounge Chairs by Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of matching Penguin lounge chairs designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen. Superb example of Danish modern elegance. Birch wooden backs have been expertly refinished to showcase the beautif...
Metal
Set of Four Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Dining Chairs in Red
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 4 Herman Miller Eames vintage fiberglass dining chairs in vibrant red. The shock mounts have all been re-adhered with new adhesive. The self leveling nylon glides are intact a...
Steel
Charles Pollock Desk/Office Chair for Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classics and iconic mice turn modern desk chair. Designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll. All original component intact and functioning. Heavy and solid, and extremely comfortable. Ori...
Metal
