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.
$8,500
H 26.5 in W 84 in D 34 in
Fabulous Steelcase Fiberglass Leather Space Age Modern Sofa William Andrus
By Steelcase
Located in Pemberton, NJ
One of the iconic designs of the Space Age modern movement is this awesome and uber rare Steelcase fiberglass, leather and Lucite sofa. Previously...
Leather, Fiberglass, Lucite
Sofa by Tito Agnoli, 1969
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare set consisting of three armchairs and two corner elements was designed by Tito Agnoli for Arflex. The seating combination can be arranged in various ways. The dimensions ar...
Leather
$2,350
H 26.5 in W 72 in D 30 in
Vintage 1960s "Pod" Three-Seater Sofa by Carl Eric Klote for Overman of Sweden
By Overman, Carl Eric Klote
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic example of Scandinavian modern design, this rare 1960s "Pod" three-seater sofa was designed by Carl Eric Klote for Overman of Sweden. Celebrated for its sculptural silhouet...
Leather
Okay Three-seater Sofa by Adriano Piazzesi 1970s
By Adriano Piazzesi
Located in VENLO, NL
Italian “Okay” three-seater sofa designed by Adriano Piazzesi in the 1970s. The sofa features tufted cognac-colored skai leather with elegantly curved chrome supports on the sides, f...
Chrome
3 seater lounge sofa by E. Cobianchi for Insa, Italy 1970
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
E. Cobianchi leather three-seater sofa, a beautifully sculptural piece that reflects the soft, generous forms typical of Italian design. Upholstered in its original rich cognac-brown...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Modern 1960s Sofa by Viko Baumritter
By Viko Baumritter
Located in New York, NY
This floating 1960s sofa was manufactured by Viko Baumritter , an American furniture Company that later became Ethan Allen. The sofa has a metal frame and metal splay legs with a fau...
Metal
Franco Albini Sofa mod. DV33 for Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Franco Albini (1905-1977) lived in Milan where he stuied Architecture at the Politecnico. He started his career at Gio Ponti's studio, with whom he collaborated before getting in tou...
Fabric, Wood
$7,488Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
1970s Modular Lounge Sofa by Giuseppe Munari for Poltrona
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Giuseppe Munari for Poltronona – Modular Lounge Sofa, Italy, 1970s Velvet, leather, fabric, chrome-plated steel – The refined modular icon Step into the quietly confident world of 1...
Velvet, Ivory, Mohair, Upholstery
Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofa with Walnut Base, 1975
Located in Austin, TX
Sofa, Mid-Century Modern, from Italy with brown and black corduroy upholstery. This piece is in the style of Mario Bellini and is extremely comfortable. It is supported by a walnut b...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Sofa by Arthur Elrod
By Arthur Elrod
Located in Pasadena, CA
Elegant and glamorous sofa designed by Arthur Elrod for the Cody House in Palm Springs, circa 1960s. Re-imagined in a chic metallic gray linen. A pair o...
Fabric
