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Stendig Co. Sofas

American

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.

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Creator: Stendig Co.
"Bastiano" Sofa & Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stendig
By Stendig Co., Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Three Piece "Bastiano" Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stending, 1960s. Original Labels Intact. Set Includes Three-Seater Sofa + Two Armchairs. Newly Reupholstered in a Beige Cott...
Category

1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Stendig Co. Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Stendig Living Room, Sofa, Pair of Cube Chairs, New Boucle, Switzerland, Labeled
By Stendig Co., Charles Stendig
Located in Stamford, CT
Sofa & Pair Cube Chairs by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled A rare Mid Century Modern living room ret in prist...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Stendig Co. Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Modern Sofa by Stendig, New Luxurious Boucle, Switzerland, 1950s
By Stendig Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Sofa by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled. A rare Mid Century Modern sofa by Stendig, made in Switzerland, in a new sheepskin style boucle, thick and rich with fully redone cushions. The box form mid century modern design is supported by a group of heavy chrome circular disk like feet. This sofa has a matching pair of box chairs, fully redone to match, sold separately. Seat height 18 inches. lhSX 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 (b. 1924) 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. 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...
Category

1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stendig Co. Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Baron Sofa by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, Cream Leather, 1970
By Stendig Co., Robert Haussmann
Located in Chicago, IL
Baron Sofa by Robert Haussmann for Stendig. cream leather, 1970. Original leather with beautiful patina. Pair of chairs are sold in separa...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stendig Co. Sofas

Materials

Leather

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Pair of 1970s Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll Black Leather Mirror Sofa Settee
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Pair of 1970s Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll 2-seat sofa settee. This pair is made in black leather and mirror. All original collectors condition. The Mirror Sofa...
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Mid-Century Modern French Three-Seat Sofa by Gérard Guermonprez, 1970s
By Gerard Guermonprez
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Mid-Century Modern French three-seat sofa with original velvet fabric designed by Gérard Guermonprez. The sofa presents some wear consistent with age and use. It can become a set ...
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Mid-Century Modern Italian Three-Seat "Coronado" Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian three-seat flamingo pink velvet "Coronado" sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B. Project from 1960s The sofa can come as a living room set together with its pair ...
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Rare Kassel Living Room Suite by Paul Bode
By Paul Bode
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare, complete set designed by Paul Bode for Deutsche Federholzgesellschaft, Kassel in 1955. Consisting of sofa, two chairs and table, the fabric is a striped green velour with the t...
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Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Bouclé Wool, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” living room set for Cassina, three-seater sofa and two lounge chairs, bouclé wool and chromed steel, Italy, 1969, set of three. Although technically d...
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Afra & Tobia Scarpa Bastiano Sofa, by Gavina, Italy 1960
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
A classic and chic three-seat sofa from the Bastiano series, designed by the iconic Italian designer duo Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, circa 1960. This sofa has a solid rose...
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Coronado Leather Armchair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italy, 70s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lucija, SI
Coronado armchair in black leather, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Produced by B&B Italy in the 70s. In good condition with some signs of use on the leather. All visible on the p...
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Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Bouclé Wool, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” three-seater for Cassina, bouclé wool and chromed steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. Its most notable feature, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
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Bastiano Four Seater Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina
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Afra and Tobia Scarpa Early "Soriana" Sofa for Cassina, 1970s
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Mid Century Robert Haussmann for Stendig RH-304 De Sede Chairs Set of 8
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Previously Available Items
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Mid-Century Modern De Sede 600 Nonstop Curved Leather Sectional Sofa in Cognac
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De Sede NON STOP Sofa, Rare Matched Pair or One Monumental 34 Element System
By Stendig Co., De Sede, Mario Bellini, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
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Mid-Century Modern Robert Haussmann for Stendig Steel Cased 3-Seat Sofa, 1950s
By Stendig Co., Robert Haussmann
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenal, three-seat, steel cased sofa, designed by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, made in Switzerland, circa 1950s. In excellent vintage condition, but ...
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De Sede DS-600 'Non Stop Sofa' in Tan Suede, 19 Sections, Signed
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Stendig Leather Tuxedo Loveseat, Made in Switzerland
By Stendig Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous leather tuxedo loveseat by Stendig. The sofa features high grade burgundy leather and chrome feet. The leather has some patina and is nicely...
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Stendig Leather Tuxedo Loveseat, Made in Switzerland
By Stendig Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
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Stendig Leather Tuxedo Love Seats, Pair
By Stendig Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of leather tuxedo love seats by Stendig. The sofas feature high grade burgundy leather and chrome feet. The leather has some patina an...
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Stendig Leather Tuxedo Love Seats, Pair
Stendig Leather Tuxedo Love Seats, Pair
H 26.5 in W 61.75 in D 33 in
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By Ubald Klug, Stendig Co., De Sede
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An uncommonly found leather chaise designed by Ubald Klug for De Sede in the 1960's. This "Terazza Sofa" features its original light brown leather. Nice u...
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De Sede DS600 Non Stop Sofa in Black Leather, 22 Elements
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Located in BROOKLYN, NY
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Paolo Piva for Wittmann Leather Sofa and Lounge Chairs, Austria, circa 1980
By Stendig Co., Wittmann, Paolo Piva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful leather sofa and pair of lounge chairs in excellent condition by Paolo Piva for Wittmann, circa 1980. Imported by Stendig and retaining their original labels under each pie...
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Stendig Co. sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Stendig Co. sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Stendig Co. sofas, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas by Stendig Co. were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, and Metropolitan Furniture. Prices for Stendig Co. sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,500 and can go as high as $23,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $14,248.

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