Armchair by Plycraft
View Similar Items
Armchair by Plycraft
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 22991stDibs: LU4917125858862
Plycraft
While the history of Plycraft is marred by scandal and lawsuits, the American furniture manufacturer produced charming lounge chairs and other seating during the mid-century modern era that are sought after by collectors today.
Paul Goldman founded Plycraft in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1953 — he had secured military contracts for the manufacturing of bentwood products during World War II and was able to move into the commercial market thereafter. While Plycraft counted fiberglass boats among its early offerings, its primary focus switched to furniture when what we now call mid-century modernism hit its stride and more designers began to explore the possibilities of bentwood furniture thanks to the revolutionary work of Alvar Aalto and Michael Thonet. Goldman was Plycraft’s principal designer, but George Mulhauser and Norman Cherner were also enlisted to create furniture for the brand.
In 1952, a designer named John F. Pile, who was working in the studio of Herman Miller design director George Nelson, conceived what he called the Pretzel chair in walnut and birch. Pile’s seat, which was inspired by European modernist design, proved too costly to manufacture and it had structural problems. So the illustrious Michigan furniture maker subcontracted Plycraft to produce the Pretzel chair — an agreement that was short-lived owing to a dispute between Plycraft and Herman Miller.
Goldman subsequently tapped Norman Cherner — an innovative architect, designer and professor at Columbia University who was recommended by Nelson — to create an iteration of the Pretzel chair that would be stronger and cost-efficient to manufacture.
Cherner submitted a comfortable, curvaceous update to the Pretzel chair in molded plywood but was told by Plycraft that the project was being scrapped and his drawings shelved. Months later, Cherner was shocked to stumble upon his redesigned chair in a furniture showroom in New York under the Plycraft name. Cherner sued Plycraft and won — the Cherner chair later appeared in a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
In the late 1950s, designer George Mulhauser created the Mr. Chair for Plycraft, an adjustable, tilting, swivel armchair with a matching ottoman. Mulhauser was also a designer in George Nelson’s studio and is credited with having conceived the iconic Coconut lounge chair for Herman Miller. With its tufted leather seat and shell crafted from a single sheet of plywood, the Mr. Chair lounge — part of a line of seating for which Mulhauser was commissioned — bears a resemblance to the now-legendary Eames lounge chair, which was designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Mulhauser’s chair was very successful for Plycraft. A model was even spotted on an episode of Star Trek.
- Pair of ArmchairsLocated in New York, NYPair of Russian neoclassical parcel-gilt mahogany armchairs Each armchair made during the Empire period in Russia. The mahogany veneered frame with gilded details. With unusual tu...Category
Antique 19th Century Russian Empire Armchairs
MaterialsGiltwood
$18,500 Sale Price / set32% Off - Pair of Silver Gilt Arm Chairs by Tommi Parzinger for Charak ModernLocated in New York, NYPair of silver gilt high back arm chairs with new upholster, the out swept arms carved with arrow detail.Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Mahogany ArmchairsLocated in New York, NYEach Russian neoclassical mahogany arm chair with an open fretwork back, having arms extending out and curving down to an upholstered seat over tapered legs with stretcher. The whole...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
$7,500 Sale Price / set40% Off - Presidential Chair by Jorge ZalszupinBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Polish-Brazilian architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin (1922 - 2022) for L'Atelier, circa 1960s. Constructed with Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood Veneers in an unusual bent...Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Nube Seat by River ValadezBy River ValadezLocated in New York, NYGlazed ceramic. Signed and inscribed within the piece.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chairs
MaterialsCeramic
- “Cobra” sculptural green lacquered chair, by Alasdair CookeBy Alasdair CookeLocated in New York, NYA unique Art Deco inspired chair by the renowned artist Alasdair Cooke, it features the artist's exceptional and quite elaborate art of lacquer...Category
1990s French Modern Chairs
MaterialsLacquer
- Plycraft Style Midcentury Walnut ArmchairBy PlycraftLocated in Countryside, ILPlycraft Style midcentury Walnut armchair. This chair measures: 23.5 wide x 23 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- 1970s Mid Century Pretzel Armchairs by Plycraft, PairBy PlycraftLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century pretzel armchairs designed by Norman Cherner and manufactured by Plycraft in the United States circa 1970s. These Pretzel armchairs are made from molded plywood, formed b...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Mid-Century Modern "Pretzel" Armchair by Norman Cherner for PlycraftBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid-Century Modern "Pretzel" armchair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Birch, Bentwood
- George Mulhauser for Plycraft Green Sultana Swivel ArmchairBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in South Bend, INA rare and stylish Mid-Century Modern "Sultana" swivel armchair or club chair By George Mulhauser for Plycraft USA, 1960s Measures: 23"W x 21"D x 23.5"H. Seat height 15.5"; arm he...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut, Bentwood, Lacquer
- George Mulhauser for Plycraft Yellow Sultana Swivel ArmchairBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in South Bend, INA rare and stylish Mid-Century Modern "Sultana" swivel armchair or club chair By George Mulhauser for Plycraft USA, 1960s Measures: 23"W x 21"D x 23.5"H. Seat height 15.5"; arm he...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut, Bentwood, Lacquer
- George Mulhauser for Plycraft Red Sultana Swivel ArmchairBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in South Bend, INA rare and stylish Mid-Century Modern "Sultana" swivel armchair or club chair By George Mulhauser for Plycraft USA, 1960s Measures: 23"W x 21"D x 23.5"H. Seat height 15.5"; arm height 24.5". Red lacquered walnut...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut, Bentwood, Lacquer