Known for traditional Chinese designs with a California style twist, furniture manufacturer Tropi-Cal elevated rattan and wicker furnishings to modern and timeless interior art from the 1950s to 1970s.
The company was founded in 1954 by entrepreneur and designer Danny Ho Fong who was born in China in 1915 and moved to the California coast in 1936. His son, Miller Yee Fong, was born in Los Angeles in 1942 and started an architecture practice after graduating from the University of Southern California in 1964. He would later join his father to become Tropi-Cal’s principal designer.
In the 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Tropi-Cal was popular nationwide for its sleek, mid-century modern designs. They combined natural materials with a unique, refined style. The furniture — from high-backed, cane dining room chairs and triangular-based rattan dining tables, to comfortable, basket-weave club chairs — was lightweight, functional and sculptural in form.
Tropi-Cal’s furniture garnered considerable critical acclaim with several pieces now in museum collections. The Wave lounge chair, designed by Danny Ho Fong in 1966, is in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Miller Yee Fong’s Lotus chair, designed in 1968, is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Today, Tropi-Cal is known as Fong Brothers Company. It continues the firm’s legacy of producing high-quality, traditional furniture with modern, sophisticated designs.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Tropi-Cal seating, tables and more.
Pair of Kurt Østervig Bar Stools for Brande Møbelindustri
By Brande Møbelindustri, Kurt Østervig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of teak stools by Danish born designer Kurt Østervig for Brande Mobelindustri, c.1960s, Denmark. The stools feature a round seat and curved seat back. Each stool has four long s...
Brass
Pair of Wrought Iron Bar Stools by Maurizio Tempestini, USA, 1950s
By John Salterini, Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of wrought iron bar stools designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini, c.1950s, USA. The stools feature a "wire-back" design with a striking geometric W-shaped support a...
Wrought Iron
Set of Three Square Frederick Weinberg Wrought Iron Stools
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Minimalist set of three foot stools by Frederick Weinberg c.1950s, USA. Each stool features a slender profile in wrought iron and cream upholstery and four hairpin legs. Dimensions ...
Wrought Iron
Stacking Stool for Marble Imperial Furniture
By Marble Imperial
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stacking stool for Marble Imperial Furniture, 1960's, USA. The stool features new leather upholstery in either purple or tan and a walnut frame. The stool can be stacked for easy sto...
Leather, Walnut
Michael Van Beuren Woven Side Table
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based desiger, Michael Van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example, c.1950s, Mex...
Rattan, Pine
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group, Winchendon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of highly desirable and rare Paul McCobb nightstands from his Planner Group collection for Winchendon, c.1950s. The pair features an exposed wrought iron frame, single maple dra...
Iron
Vintage Pair of English Midcentury Faux Bamboo Walnut Stools with Rush Seats
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English vintage walnut stools from the mid-20th century, with faux bamboo bases and rush seats. Created in England during the midcentur...
Faux Bamboo, Rush, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Stools Attributed to Tony Paul, United States, 1950s
By Tony Paul
Located in Firenze, IT
An exceptional and highly collectible pair of mid-century modern three-legged stools (often used in modernist interiors as organic side tables or sculptural planters), attributed to ...
Rattan, Nutwood
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Pair of Stools
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful and interesting pair of iron and cane stools by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. Can also be used as side tables.
Metal
Pair of Caned Stools with Iron Frame, Carlo Hauner, Brazilian Modern, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner in the 1950s and produced by Forma, this elegant pair of stools exemplifies the lightness and structural clarity that defined Brazilian modernism in the post...
Iron
Pair of Mid Century Modern Stools by Umberto Mascagni, Italy 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Mid Century Modern stools designed by Umberto Mascagni. They feature wooden frame, white colored leatherette upholstery, brass feet and green ...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Vintage Modern Karl Springer–Style Upholstered Stools – A Matched Pair
By Karl Springer
Located in Trenton, NJ
This matched pair of upholstered stools showcases the clean lines and sculptural presence characteristic of vintage modern design. The fully wrapped upholstery and softly rounded leg...
Fabric, Wood
