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.
Nicos Zographos Coffee Table in Polished Steel With Glass Top
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Peabody, MA
A coffee table in solid stainless steel with thick glass top circa 1970s by the Greek born industrial designer and architect Nicos Zographos (1931-2024). His postwar furniture design...
Steel
$2,500
H 16.5 in Dm 40 in
1970s Round Chromed-Steel and Glass Coffee Table attributed to Roger Sprunger
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a sculptural coffee table, manufactured circa 1970s. It features a heavy chromed-steel base and retains its original glass top. The upswept U-shaped base can be inverted to c...
Steel, Chrome
$1,416
H 16.93 in Dm 27.96 in
Midcentury Chromed Steel Italian Coffee Table with Smoked Glass Round Top, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful coffee table in chromed steel with smoked round glass top. This fantastic item was produced in Italy during the 1960s. This atomic-style Italian coffee table features a ...
Steel, Chrome
$3,000
H 17 in Dm 36.25 in
1995 Nicos Zographos Round Coffee Table in Stainless Steel w/ Glass Top 36"
By Zographos Designs Ltd., Nicos Zographos
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a TA.35.36G Round Coffee Table, initially designed by Nicos Zographos in 1960. This particular piece was produced by Zographos Designs Limited in the USA in 1995. The sophist...
Steel
Round Mid-Century Chrome Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique circular coffee table features brass-plated chrome finish with heavy Mid-Century construction, and an inlaid glass top. Elegant modern design makes this a stylish additio...
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern "x" Base Circular Chrome Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern circular coffee table features a heavy "X" shaped base with 1" thick green glass. The unique design assures sturdiness without sacrificing style in...
Chrome
$3,400
H 14 in Dm 42 in
Bauhaus 3/4" Thick Glass Top Round Stainless Steel Base Coffee Center Table MINT
By Nicos Zographos, Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bauhaus 3/4" Thick Glass Top Round Stainless Steel Base Coffee Center Table MINT!
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$2,700
H 17 in Dm 42 in
Vintage Minimalist Nicos Zographos Round Glass and Stainless-Steel Coffee Table
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Secaucus, NJ
A stunning Minimalist round glass and stainless steel coffee table designed by Nicos Zographos in 1960 and remains a current timeless and elegant design today. Zographos' signature ...
Stainless Steel
$1,250
H 16 in Dm 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Geiger Metal Series Round Clear Glass Top Coffee Table
By Geiger International, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Secaucus, NJ
High-End quality Metal Series round occasional table by Geiger International, the beautifully Modern Minimalistic design with simple clean lines and elegant materials make this table flow with grace in any period or style environment and among Mid-Century classic design, offering beauty and function for decades to come. In the style of Poul Kjaerholm. Specification: Top is 1/2" thick clear glass Brushed Metal Base Four Adjustable Metal Gliders...
Metal
Smoked Glass Round Top X-Base Coffee Table
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern smoked bronze glass round top coffee table. Barcelona style.
Steel
Presidential Seal with Calvin Coolidge Signed Document
Located in Houston, TX
Signed document signed by Calvin Coolidge with an attached president seal. There is a photo of Calvin Coolidge on top of the document. The second signature is by Frank Kellogg. The w...
Paper
