The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Pair Of Gardner Leaver For Steelcase Lounge Chairs
By Steelcase, Gardner Leaver
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair mid century modern lounge chairs designed by Gardner Leaver and manufactured by Steelcase. Brown leather tufted seat and ...
Stainless Steel
$7,000 / set
H 30 in W 30.5 in D 32.5 in
1998 Pair of 455 Series Lounge Chairs by Gardner Leaver and John Portman
By Steelcase, Gardner Leaver
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a handsome pair of Series 455 Swivel Lounge Chairs, initially designed by Gardner Leaver and John Portman for Steelcase in 1971. This pair dates to 1998, and the listed price...
Steel, Nickel
$6,500 / set
H 31 in W 30.5 in D 34.25 in
Pair of Gardner Leaver for Steelcase Model 451 Swivel Lounge Chairs, 1974
By Steelcase, Gardner Leaver
Located in Hamburg, PA
A handsome pair of Model 451/455 swivel lounge chairs by reknowned designer Gardner Leaver for Steelcase Inc. Originally conceived around 1968 for John Portman’s iconic Midnight Sun ...
Stainless Steel
$3,298 / item
H 30 in W 30.5 in D 32.5 in
Vintage 455 Lounge Chair By Gardner Leaver and John Portman for Steelcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed in 1971 by Gardner Leaver and architect John Portman (the man behind some of America's most dramatic hotel atriums) the Series 455 is what happens when someone who thinks in...
Steel
$1,200Sale Price / set|59% Off
H 30.5 in W 22.5 in D 30.5 in
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming pair of streel-frame arm chairs built in 1965 by Steelcase Inc. Chairs feature angular, black-painted steel frames, walnut armrests and new saddle-brown vinyl embossed with a classic, western-inspired, paisley motif. With their architectural lines, unique upholstery...
Metal, Steel
$3,850 / set
H 29.5 in W 31 in D 34 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs, Leather, Steel Base, American, 1980s
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs, leather, steel base, American, 1980s American designers of the period include Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb, Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, Edward Wormley, Hans Wegner, or George Nelson. Mid-century square form lounge chairs by an unknown American...
Steel
Pair of Otto Zapf Lounge Chairs for Knoll
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of leather lounge chairs by Otto Zapf for Knoll International, c.1990s, USA. The plush lounge chairs feature original deep camel leather uphols...
Leather
Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen Moduline Lounge Chairs by France & Son
By France & Søn, Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen
Located in Highland, IN
These handsome leather Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen "Moduline" lounge chairs are as comfortable as they are rare. Designed as part of a seating group for France & Son, we think this version w...
Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Vinyl Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful pair of vintage modern armchairs with metal legs and tufted green vinyl upholstery. The wonderful design offers maximum comfort w...
Metal
Steelcase Coalesse "Bob" Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Steelcase Coalesse Bob Lounge Chairs with Headrests. Featuring flared arms, and a polished aluminum base. Sure to add style to any profession...
Metal
Published Pair of Nino Zoncada Lounge Chairs
By Nino Zoncada
Located in Hanover, MA
***September Sale*** Published pair of 1950's Italian lounge chairs by Nino Zoncada for Framar in original dark brown skai (faux leather) upholstery, sculpted side arms and standing jauntily on tapered black enameled steel legs with brass feet tips. Giovanni "Nino" Zoncada was active in designing the interiors and furnishings on many of the greatest transatlantic ocean liners of the mid-20th century, frequently in collaboration with Gio Ponti and Gustavo Pulitzer. Some of these ships are listed here: Stella...
Brass, Steel
Pair of Jacques Adnet Air France Boardroom Chairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Hanover, MA
Incredibly handsome pair of chairs for dining, desk or occasional seating with dramatic Star Trek base and original black faux leather over internal fiberglas or ABS shell. Accordin...
Chrome
Pair of Selig 'Octet' Lounge Chairs
By Selig
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of octagonal shape lounge chairs produced in 1979 by Selig Manufacturing for their "Octet" collection of modular seating. The Octet upholstery is constructed with tight channel...
Upholstery
Pair of Ernst Schwadron Lounge Chairs
By Ernst Schwadron, Knoll
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of shapely down filled lounge chairs designed by Austrian emigre Ernst Schwadron and retailed through Rena Rosenthal inc. New York in the...
Mahogany
Tetrad Solo Leather 1970’s Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Robert Haussmann, De Sede, Tetrad
Located in Hanover, MA
Tetrad UK from their Solo range, late 1970’s through early 1980’s caramel brown leather lounge armchair and ottoman, in the style of De Sede model Ds-P by Robert Haussmann with its ...
Leather
Pair of Early Knoll Model 71 Saarinen Chairs
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of early model 71 Saarinen executive chairs by Knoll in ivory vinyl with polished stainless steel legs and all original glides. Labels absent but there's the presence of the out...
Stainless Steel
