Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York City-born modernist designer drew on the work of Le Corbusier and Auguste Rodin, studied art with the likes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann and counted legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. among his clients. For decades, Bennett created and filled spaces that were elegant, minimalist and deeply appealed to everyone who laid eyes on them.
Bennett left home and school at the young age of 13. He found work in Manhattan’s Garment District, and within a few years, Bennett traveled to Europe on behalf of a clothing manufacturer to gather ideas for modern garments. He lived abroad as a young man, and when he returned to New York, during the early 1940s, he assisted fashion entrepreneur Hattie Carnegie as a window dresser.
Bennett would also go on to share a sculpture studio with artist Louise Nevelson. He ventured into the world of jewelry design, creating necklaces, bracelets and other pieces with Richard Pousette-Dart. The Whitney Museum of American Art exhibited his sculptures, and it wouldn’t be long before the Museum of Modern Art included Bennett’s personal adornments with accessories by the likes of Alexander Calder, Harry Bertoia and Anni Albers in its 1946 “Modern Handmade Jewelry” show.
Bennett didn’t take the plunge into interior design work until he was 30 years old — his inaugural project was an apartment in Manhattan and his clients were family members. He had no formal training in architecture or decorating — and would ultimately design a mere handful of houses in his life — so for his inviting leather office chairs, marble-topped tables and sleek storage cabinets, Bennett relied only on what he learned in the fashion world. Soon, every time he redecorated his own home — an elaborate apartment comprising former maids’ quarters in New York City’s magnificent Dakota building — it earned splashy coverage in the newspapers.
Bennett’s client list eventually included David Rockefeller and Chase Manhattan Bank, Tiffany & Co., Sasaki, Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, and others, and during the 1970s he became in-house designer for Brickel Associates, a role that would endure for more than two decades. His work is on permanent view at the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ward Bennett seating, decorative objects and more.
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Leather and Wood Sofa, C 1970s, Signed
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, produced in the United States in the 1970s. Signed with Ward Bennet Designs for Brickel Associates tag...
Wood, Leather
Cartouche Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Reupholstered in Raf Simons Kvadrat Vidar fabric
Fabric
$9,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ward Bennett Tufted White Leather Sofa (two available)
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Stunning 7ft Ward Bennett tufted sofa on walnut plinth base. Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York City-born modernist designer drew on the work of Le Corbusier and Auguste Rodin, studied art with the likes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann and counted legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. among his clients. For decades, Bennett created and filled spaces that were elegant, minimalist and deeply appealed to everyone who laid eyes on them Rare restored Ward Bennett sofa in a rich white leather, by GARRETT...
Leather
Ward Bennet, Sofa, Aluminium, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and light grey fabric sofa designed by Ward Bennet and produced by Lehigh Leopold, USA, c. 1950s. 18” seat height
Aluminum
Pair of Rare 7 ft. Ward Bennett Plinth Base Tufted White Leather Sofas
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of stunning 7ft Ward Bennett tufted sofas on walnut plinth bases. Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York Cit...
Leather
Ward Bennett, Sofa, Fabric, Aluminium, USA, 1950s
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and light grey fabric sofa designed by Ward Bennet and produced by Lehigh Leopold, USA, c. 1950s. 18” seat height.
Aluminum
Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bumper desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Task Chair Bronze 4-star swivel conference room chair in a green tweed fabric....
Fabric
$16,750 / set
H 32 in W 23.5 in D 24.5 in
Set of 8 Deep Green Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Armchairs
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Looking for something that can complement everything in the house? Offered is a rare find, Ward Bennett MR11858 armchairs for Brickel Associates, circa 1970s. Simplicity and elegance...
Velvet, Wood
Tufted Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from premium top-grain leather, this sofa boasts a rich caramel hue that invites warmth into any living space. The intricate button-tufted detailing on the backrest provides ...
Leather
$16,750 / set
H 32 in W 23.5 in D 24.5 in
Eight All Black Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates Armchairs
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of eight all black Ward Bennett armchairs for Brickell Associates. Simple construction is all of solid wood. Newly lacquered frames, impeccably joined barrel-back and sloping arm...
Wood, Velvet
$4,500
H 30 in W 27.5 in D 30 in
Ward Bennett for Brickell Newly Caned "Sled" Lounge Chair, Circa 1970
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original Chromed Steel & Cane Lounge Chair by Ward Bennett for Brickell. Featuring the vintage low chromed x frame, with newly natural and unstained cane seat, curved back, cover...
Chrome
$1,137
H 29.53 in W 61.82 in D 31.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern banana shaped sofa with curved armrests, made by Danish cabinetmaker in the earl...
Fabric
Lacquered Empire Style Sofa, Leopard Upholstery, Wood, USA, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Great statement piece with white lacquer wood finish and leopard printed upholstery. Loads of drama for either a simple or layered decor.
Fabric, Wood
$2,350
H 30.5 in W 23 in D 24.5 in
Ward Bennett For Brickel Associates Ebonized Ash & Cane "Landmark" Lounge Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dayton, OH
This vintage lounge chair is a variation of Bennett's famous Landmark design, originally designed in 1964 to emulate classic English forms. Structured with a fluid bentwood ash frame...
Cane, Ash
Huge Sofa Set by Norman Bel Geddes, 1950s, USA
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Extremely rare huge sofa set by Norman Bel Geddes from the 1950s. We have the set from the possession of a US soldier stationed in Germany or Roth after...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s. Organically shaped Mid-Century Modern sofa made by Danish master carpenter in Denmark in the 1940s or 1950s. Striped ...
Wool, Oak
$400Sale Price / item|88% Off
H 32 in W 24 in D 24 in
1 Ward Bennett For Brickel Fabric Upholstered Arm Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
A more traditional take on Ward Bennett's Banker chairs. Designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel. Cherry frames with rich floral upholstery. 4 available. 24 x 24 x 32
Fabric, Cherry
Vintage Serpentine Sofa with Plinth Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Vintage Serpentine Sofa with Plinth Base, a timeless addition to any living space. Crafted with utmost attention to d...
Textile, Wood
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Postmodern Sofa
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Great postmodern sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This sofa is bordered in Ash with outward bowing arms and back. Great form and rare sofa. Matching chairs avail...
Upholstery, Ash
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Postmodern Sofa
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. Great form with slightly bowed out arms and back, it’s equal parts stylish and comfortable, this sofa utilizes a smaller ...
Upholstery
Ward Bennett Cartouche Sofa for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare Cartouche sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. Sofa features a straight body accentuated by curved sides. Currently upholstered in what appears to be the original moha...
Upholstery
Tufted Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Curved Tufted Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Gently curved classic design. Button tufted pin stripe fabric. Walnut legs. See lounge...
Fabric
Vintage Midcentury Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Sofas
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
These sofas are absolutely stunning! Classic sofas, model no. 2092, designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, American, 1970s. A timeless design with deco and modern sensibili...
Upholstery, Wood
Ward Bennet Button Tufted Sofa, 1970s
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Small button tufted sofa No. 2903 in dark brown leather by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, American 1970's. This is an iconic sofa by one of t...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
71″ Ward Bennett Regency Style Sofa for Geiger
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
71? Ward Bennett Sofa for Geiger Ward Bennett As a young man, Mr. Bennett undertook various studies in the Fine Arts including drawing at the Porto Romano...
Walnut
Ward Bennett Cartouche Sofa for Brickel Associates, 1980
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Culver City, CA
This sofa is absolutely stunning! Designed by Ward Bennet this sleek, curvy sofa or settee is a subtle statement piece that is impossible to not notice. The sofa, named the Cartouche for its sleek oval shape would look incredible in any type of modern, Mid-Century Modern, or contemporary environment. This piece is so stylish and incredibly versatile-- it would effortlessly and elegantly also lend itself to Hollywood regency, boho chic, or even a traditional environment. The sofa is upholstered in a hybrid, very low pile boucle, that has a very light and subtle tone on tone pattern. this sofa is photograohed with an Adrian Pearsall brutalist side table...
Bouclé
1970s Ward Bennett Sofa for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Clean lined sofa, designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates sofa model no. 2092 with back pleat Professionally upholstered in a green vel...
Velvet
Sold
H 25 in W 84 in D 30 in
Art Deco Style Curved Black Mohair Sofa by Ward Bennett for Brickell, 1990s
By Ward Bennett
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a simply marvelous, curved, Art Deco style sofa, upholstered in a stunning black mohair, by Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates, circa 1990s. In excellent ...
Mohair
Ward Bennett Elegant Tufted Leather Sofa, 1970s, 'Signed'
By Lehigh Furniture Company, Ward Bennett
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Elegant tufted sofa in dark brown leather with walnut plinth legs by Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture, American, 1970s (original label on bottom). The leather has been cleaned and p...
Leather, Walnut
Ward Bennett Tuxedo Sofa
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Tuxedo sofa by Ward Bennett. Deep red mohair over walnut plinth base.
Fabric, Wood