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.
Buffalo Leather Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll, c. 1988, Signed
By Robert and Trix Haussmann, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This phenomenal buffalo leather three-seat sofa is by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll International (designed in 1988) and signed with Knoll decking fabric and Knoll Made in Ital...
Aluminum
'Bracket-Back' Model #133 Mahogany and Leather Sofa by Dunbar, c 1955
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible model #133 leather sofa by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar features gorgeous medium brown leather and Mahogany 'bracket back' legs, perfect for floating the sofa in the roo...
Leather, Wood
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill 'FK-6720' Leather Sofa, 1960s
By Jørgen Kastholm, Preben Fabricius, Alfred Kill International
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For those who love beautifully distressed leather, this three-seat sofa designed by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International in the 1960s is a fantastic col...
Steel
Loveseat Sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani Italy, c 1970, Signed
By Claudio Salocchi, Sormani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This newly reupholstered loveseat sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, circa 1970s, features a graceful chrome frame with nubby white bouclé fabric. Signed with 1960s/ 1970s Sormani label as shown in photo gallery. *Note, we have the matching pair of club chairs available in another listing. The graceful frame shares a design quality with Cassina's LC2 / LC3 design by Le Corbusier, as they are 'buckets of cushions' in similar fashion and comfort. However this Sormani sofa features some unique subtle details, such as the slight "twist" in the rear legs (see photos). Signed with a Sormani label, this particular rare design is attributed to Claudio Salocchi. While there were several other famous designers who created works for Sormani in this time period, the style best matches Salocchi's work. For collectors looking for something unique and rare within a collection of 1960s/ 1970s Italian designs, this pair two-seater couch is an amazing opportunity. This Cassina LC2 / LC3 loveseat...
Chrome
'New York' Settee by Katavolos, Littell and Kelley for Laverne Intl, c. 1952
By Laverne International, Douglas Kelly, Ross Littell and William Katavolos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare collectors piece is the 'New York' settee sofa by William Katavalos, Ross Littell and Douglas Kelley for Laverne International (Erwine & Estelle Laverne), designed in 1...
Steel, Chrome
'Bounty' Leather Loveseat by L. Davanzati for The Pace Collection, 1980s
By Pace Collection, Lorenzo Forges Davanzati, Elam
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely example of the 'Bounty' series two-seat loveseat / settee by The Pace Collection in the early 1980s, this deep seated channel-tufted loveseat sofa was designed by L. Davantazi produced by Elam and retailed by The Pace Collection. Perfect for a cigar, whiskey or wine lounge or any space that can use something a bit modern yet still refined and classy. *Note, we have the matching club lounge chair and three-seater couch in another listing. Last two photos show the entire set. See our other listings or contact us for more details if you wish to create a living room or office / hotel lobby set. This channel-tufted leather love seat retains its original supple leather upholstery in an intriguing deep burgundy-brown color, almost like dark-cognac with beautiful lightly aged leather patina. The sumptuous seats are encased in a dark colored lacquer, providing an attractive modern contrast with the rich and elegant leather. This two-seater sofa has casters for ease of relocation according to occasion and mood or to better suit a view. The back is finished with tufted leather making this loveseat look incredible when floating in a room with the back exposed. Curved Art Deco styled arms lend 1980s juxtaposition and character to any room. Similar in style to the Saratoga Sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 1970s, but at a fraction of the price. Plus something you don't get with the Saratoga sofa is the refined style of the elegant channel-tufted leather cushions on this Bounty loveseat sofa by The Pace Collection. The Pace Collection also offered the highly sought after collection by Guido Faleschini such as the Tucroma chair which is an interior designer and 20th century Modern design collector's favorite go to chair. Another example is the wild 1970s bed that featured interior design magazine covers when Lenny Kravitz home was featured with the Mariani bed...
Leather, Lacquer
Rare Leather sofa Designed by Tim Bates for Pieff, England, circa 1970s
By Pieff and Co., Tim Bates
Located in Praha, CZ
- UK, circa 1970s - marked by manufacturer - good original condition with patina - renovated and repaired pillows, down parts completely changed,see the pictures - one rubber part no...
Steel, Chrome
Percival Lafer Sofa, Re-upholstered in Leather, Mid-Century Modern, Brazil 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
A rare and beautifully preserved sofa by Percival Lafer, one of Brazil’s most celebrated modernist designers. Known for his innovative use of exotic woods and deeply comfortable upho...
Leather, Wood
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood and Leather by Michel Arnoult, c. 1960s
By Michel Arnoult
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Michel Arnoult in the 1960s, this sofa reflects the designer’s commitment to clarity of structure and functional modernism. The frame is crafted in solid Imbuia hardwood,...
Leather, Hardwood
Leather Sofa by Ole Wanscher for A.J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa with a raised, tight back and sloping arms, retaining the original tan leather upholstery, on rosewood legs.
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This Cromwell 3-seater leather sofa was designed by Arne Norell during the 1960s. It is a timeless design and as popular today as it was 60 years ago when it was launched. The sofa is upholstered with high-quality natural leather in shades of earthy brown. The slender form with slightly tilted sides has a modernist character. It has loose seat cushions, backrests and side cushions. The legs were made of oak wood. This Cromwell sofa...
Leather, Wood
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Beige Leather, Percival Lafer, 1967
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Designed as the “MP-13” model, this sofa reflects the disciplined material dialogue characteristic of Brazilian modern seating in the 1960s. The composition is anchored by a structur...
Chrome
