Pair of Rare Barstools by Plycraft
View Similar Items
Pair of Rare Barstools by Plycraft
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Manufacturer)
- Attributed to:Lou App (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.75 in (90.81 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Seat Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1985
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Although tight, one joint has spread a bit and could stand to be taken apart and reglued.
- Seller Location:Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: 26611stDibs: LU169527000103
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 Barstools by Jerry Johnson, 1970sBy Jerry JohnsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAImagine seating that screams disco-era glamour with a twist of laid-back California cool. These aren't just seats; they're thrones for the hip and trendy. Picture the gleaming, tubul...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsChrome
$1,213 / set - Pair of Legacy Barstools by Charleston ForgeBy Charleston Forge 1Located in Pasadena, TXPair of Legacy Barstools by Charleston Forge A pair of Charleston Forge wrought iron and leather barstools. Forged heavy black wrought iron with c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Campaign Stools
MaterialsWrought Iron
$3,900 / set - Pair of Tubular Chrome Barstools, 1980sLocated in Philadelphia, PAHey there, party animals! Check out these bad boys – a duo of black vinyl barstools with more curves than a convoluted plotline. Straight outta the '80s, these stools are like the sh...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage Pair of Teak Barstools by Erik BuchBy Oddense Maskinsnedkeri, Erik BuchLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful Pair of Vintage Teak barstools by Erik Buch. leather isnin great shape. features rosewood footrests. 2 pairs available.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsRosewood, Teak
$2,250 / set - Pair of French Provincial Style BarstoolsLocated in Sheffield, MAPair of French Louis XV Provincial style carved wooden bar stools with rushed seats and cabriole style front legs.Category
Late 20th Century French Provincial Stools
MaterialsRush, Wood
$2,400 / set - Pair of Apertura Barstools by Kipp Stewart for Summit FurnitureBy Kipp StewartLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn early and rare pair of Aperture barstools in teak by Monterey, California, designer, architect, and artist Kipp Stewart for Summit Furniture. Impr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsTeak