While most postwar furniture designers were looking to the future, Dan Johnson found inspiration in the past. The mid-century modern maverick is remembered for his beautiful armchairs, lounge chairs and dining tables with designs that are reminiscent of ancient Rome.
The American furniture designer began his career in the late 1940s by creating solid wood pieces like desks and dining chairs for California furniture manufacturer Hayden Hall. By the early 1950s, he was designing chairs and tables for American furniture importer and producer Selig. In 1955, Johnson moved to Rome on an apartment design commission. While there, he launched Dan Johnson Studio with the goal of bringing a modern approach to the Roman furniture of antiquity.
The pieces from this era of Johnson’s career are characterized by their sculptural metal designs. His most famous work was the elegant Gazelle line, sold in America by Selig. It features dining tables, coffee tables and multiple chair designs that involve a green “Pompeian Verde” patina, metal framing and traditional caning techniques. Due to a high manufacturing cost, the production line was limited and is highly exclusive today.
Another popular design by Johnson for Selig in the 1950s was the Viscount chair. More typical of the mid-century style, it was made with a wood frame, polished brass accents and orange leather upholstery. In the 1960s, Johnson designed a similar aluminum chair for American furniture manufacturer and distributor Shelby Williams, this one with blue upholstery.
Johnson died in 1978. The Gazelle armchair is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and Denver Art Museum, and a prototype of the Gazelle lounge chair is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Interior designers regularly use Johnson’s furniture for upscale outdoor spaces in California and New York.
On 1stDibs, find Dan Johnson seating, tables, desks and more.
Highback Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson in Velvet, C. 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in Westport, CT
A striking pair of vintage lounge chairs designed by Dan Johnson in the 1950s, showcasing the clean architectural lines and refined craftsmanship of mid-century American design. The ...
Brass
Dan Johnson Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs with Iron Frame, USA
By Dan Johnson
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Dan Johnson in the 1950s, made by Pacific Iron. The chairs boast a sculptural iron frame and an upholstered seat and back. The first few photos are AI generated and show ...
Iron
American Designer, Lounge Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and off white fabric lounge chair, designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 16" Arm Height (inches): 21.38" All items ship from High P...
Iron
Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production)
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production) Designer: Dan Johnson Model: Cantilever Lounge Chair Production Date: 2002 (period-correct limited production) Origin: L...
Metal
Dan Johnson, Slipper Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and off white fabric slipper or lounge chair, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s. 15” seat height
Iron
Lounge Chair in Walnut and Fabric 1950s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge Chair, walnut, fabric, Europe, 1950s A beautifully proportioned lounge chair with a sculptural wingback silhouette and inviting, rounded lines. Upholstered in richly textured...
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Bamboo Lounge Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
1950s Bamboo Lounge Chairs with original green finish. Chairs have casters in the front. Chairs need to be recovered, we can help.
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
$8,900 / set
H 34.75 in W 29.25 in D 30 in
Italian Designer, Lounge Chairs, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of dark-stained wood and brown beige velvet lounge chairs designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 34.75” x 29.25” W x 30” D Seat height: 15”
Velvet, Wood
Space Age Leather Cantilever Lounge Chair, 1960's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This 1960's lounge chair embodies the sleek, futuristic aesthetics of space-age design. Upholstered in premium grey eco-leather, it features a sculptural, ergonomic form that offers ...
Metal
Milo Baughman Mid-Century Cantilever Lounge Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern lounge chairs feature an incredibly heavy chrome frame with elaborate orange vinyl upholstery. This extremely comfortable pair have overstuffed ...
Chrome
$3,150 / set
H 34 in W 20 in D 29.26 in
French Wrought Iron Sling Chairs, Sunbrella Fabric, Vintage 1950s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of 1950's French black wrought iron sling chairs. Newly powdered coated black frames and new zebra print Sunbrella fabric Sling seat. The...
Wrought Iron
Dan Johnson Viscount Chair
By Dan Johnson, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Signature wrap-around brass arms curve continuously from back to front, creating the sculptural silhouette that defines Dan Johnson's 1950s Viscount design. Newly reupholstered in cognac leather while retaining the original espresso-finished wooden frame. The espresso finish shows authentic patina and wear consistent with a vintage piece of this age. Warm cognac leather contrasts with the aged brass arms and dark wood frame, creating a layered palette of browns and metallic tones. The Viscount chair...
Brass
$1,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.25 in W 22.5 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Orange Slice Iron with Sailcloth Lounge Chairs by Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare to find radar chairs by Maurizio Tempestini with Sailcloth as the seating material. Actual sails were cut and installed professionally. Chairs need a good cleaning ...
Iron
Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman, Knoll, USA, 1950s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An early production Eero Saarinen womb chair and ottoman, made by Knoll, USA, 1950s. Newly upholstered in luxurious pure Alpaca fabric (brown / grey) with a structure of fibreglass, black enameled steel frames and first edition feet / glides. Fast shipping worldwide. When asked by Florence Knoll to design 'a chair that was like a basket full of cushions - something she could really curl up in', Eero Saarinen produced the Womb chair...
Steel
$4,900 / set
H 38.25 in W 30 in D 34 in
Paolo Buffa Style, Wingback Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Stamford, CT
Paolo Buffa Style, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Wingback Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Italy, 1950s Pair of modernist lounge chairs by an unknown maker and produced in Italy in the mi...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Designer, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Velvet, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beige velvet and wood lounge chairs designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Fabric stains on arm rests. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.0"H x 37.5"W x 36.0"D Seat Hei...
Velvet, Wood
$3,847
H 28.25 in W 27.5 in D 32 in
Milo Baughman Style Midcentury Chrome Cantilever Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman style midcentury chrome cantilever lounge chairs - pair Each chair measures: 27.5 wide x 32 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat he...
Chrome
Dan Johnson, Lounge Chair, Cowhide, Iron, Wood, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-dyed cowhide, black-lacquered iron and wood lounge chair designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Selig, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood arms and metal frame consistent with age ...
Iron
Dan Johnson Iron Lounge Chair with Bent Walnut Plywood Armrest
By Dan Johnson
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production lounge chair by Dan Johnson 1960s. The lounge chair is constructed of iron with sculpted walnut armrest and upholstered in a new Perennial fabric.
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair By Dan Johnson For Pacific Iron
By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your decor with this rare, mid-century modern, lounge slipper chair by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron. This chair features a sleek, minimal, wrought iron frame finished with ba...
Metal
Set of Oak, Mohair and Bronze Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson, C. 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in Westport, CT
Immerse yourself in mid-century modern elegance with this exquisite pair of lounge chairs by renowned designer Dan Johnson, crafted circa 1950-1959. These chairs boast a sturdy oak f...
Bronze
California Modern Lounge Chair by Dan Johnson for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair designed by California-based designer Dan Johnson and produced in the mid-1950s by Selig. The lightweight wire frame has a square seat- and back cushion and angled legs....
Metal
Dan Johnson, Lounge Chair, Iron, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in High Point, NC
A beige velvet and black-lacquered iron lounge chair, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new velvet. 15" seat height
Iron
Sold
H 30 in W 26.93 in D 32.25 in
Dan Johnson, Slipper Chair, Metal, Fabric, Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s
By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A fabric and black-lacquered metal slipper chair designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s.
Metal
Dan Johnson High-Back Lounge Chair with Brass Accents for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High-Back lounge chair designed by Dan Johnson for Selig and manufactured in Denmark circa 1950’s. Featuring a beautifully carved walnut-stained beechwood frame with five slats accen...
Brass
Dan Johnson Iron Lounge Chair with Walnut Armrests for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Iron Lounge Chair with Walnut Armrests by Dan Johnson is a beautiful and unique piece of furniture that combines industrial materials with warm, natural wood. The chair has a sle...
Iron
Dan Johnson Leather Sling Chair
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson leather sling chair, Tubular bent steel with leather sling, newer production from a rare series from the 1950's, exact period correct ...
Steel
Wrought Iron Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, lounge chair set by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron features an armchair and slipper chair with minimal wrought iron frames with ...
Wrought Iron
Dan Johnson Aluminum Chaise Lounge by Brown Jordan
By Dan Johnson, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic design of this lounge, by Dan Johnson is timeless. Brown Jordan reissued this chair with his design... a compliment to any outdoor setting, by the pool, or garden. Dan ...
Aluminum