While most postwar furniture designers were looking to the future, Dan Johnson found inspiration in the past. The mid-century modern maverick is remembered for his beautiful armchairs, lounge chairs and dining tables with designs that are reminiscent of ancient Rome.
The American furniture designer began his career in the late 1940s by creating solid wood pieces like desks and dining chairs for California furniture manufacturer Hayden Hall. By the early 1950s, he was designing chairs and tables for American furniture importer and producer Selig. In 1955, Johnson moved to Rome on an apartment design commission. While there, he launched Dan Johnson Studio with the goal of bringing a modern approach to the Roman furniture of antiquity.
The pieces from this era of Johnson’s career are characterized by their sculptural metal designs. His most famous work was the elegant Gazelle line, sold in America by Selig. It features dining tables, coffee tables and multiple chair designs that involve a green “Pompeian Verde” patina, metal framing and traditional caning techniques. Due to a high manufacturing cost, the production line was limited and is highly exclusive today.
Another popular design by Johnson for Selig in the 1950s was the Viscount chair. More typical of the mid-century style, it was made with a wood frame, polished brass accents and orange leather upholstery. In the 1960s, Johnson designed a similar aluminum chair for American furniture manufacturer and distributor Shelby Williams, this one with blue upholstery.
Johnson died in 1978. The Gazelle armchair is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and Denver Art Museum, and a prototype of the Gazelle lounge chair is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Interior designers regularly use Johnson’s furniture for upscale outdoor spaces in California and New York.
On 1stDibs, find Dan Johnson seating, tables, desks and more.
Elegant Modern Dining Table attributed to Dakota Jackson
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Modern Dining Table, attributed to Dakota Jackson, unsigned, American, circa 1990s. It measures 54" length and can expand to an impressive 90" length with both of it's two le...
Wood
$11,050 / set
H 29 in W 54 in D 36 in
Rare Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, USA, c. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing the exquisite vintage expanding dining table from the renowned designer Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. This timeless set, part of the lauded Irwin Collection, showcase...
Mahogany
$12,995 / set
H 36 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by the legendary Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture’s celebrated Irwin Collection, this exceptional mid-century modern dining set embodies the refined simplicity and timeless ...
Brass
$2,273Sale Price|70% Off
H 29.14 in W 66.15 in D 48.04 in
Vintage Fold-out Dining Table Tom Robertson for McIntosh, 1960
By A.H. McIntosh Furniture, Tom Robertson
Located in Markington, GB
Stunning XL midcentury modern dining table from the 1960s. The table comfortably seats six (6) when extends. It features one extension leave that sits underneath the table. Table me...
Wood
Seven Piece Dining Set by Young Manufacturing
By Young Manufacturing Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Full mid-century modern dining set by Young Manufacturing. Six chairs and round table with leaf. Arm chairs:40.25h, 23.25w, 23.25d Side chairs: ...
Walnut
$2,583
H 29.14 in W 66.15 in D 33.86 in
1960s–1970s Schreiber Mid-Century extending dining table with 4 matching dining
By Schreiber
Located in London, GB
A Schreiber Mid-Century extending dining set, comprising a teak effect Formica dining table and four matching dining chairs upholstered in the original black leatherette. Schreiber ...
Faux Leather, Formica, Beech
Mid-Century G Plan Dining Table and Six Chairs
By G Plan Furniture
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Stunning 1960s G Plan Fresco Dining table with six chairs by Victor Wilkins Beautiful solid teak extending circular-to-oval dining table with six matching Fresco dining chairs. Desig...
Teak
$2,131 / set
H 29.14 in W 55.91 in D 53.94 in
1960s Mid-Century dining table and dining chairs by Schreiber Furniture
By Schreiber
Located in London, GB
Founded in 1957 by Chaim Schrieber, Schreiber furniture is an interesting British success story. The Company was one of the biggest names in furniture in the 70s, rivalling G Plan a...
Faux Leather, Formica, Beech
Dining Set for Six by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A drop-leaf console table opens to seat, six (6) for dining. Set complete with two banquette chairs and four side chairs.
Walnut, Upholstery
$2,273
H 29.14 in W 55.91 in D 53.94 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960’s dining table and chairs set by Schreiber Furniture
By Schreiber
Located in London, GB
Founded in 1957 by Chaim Schreiber, Schreiber furniture was a British success story. The company was one of the biggest names in furniture in the 70s, rivalling G Plan, White & ...
Faux Leather, Formica, Beech
Renzo Rutili "American Translation" Model-38 ½ Table for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Renzo Rutili
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Stained-Elm Wood, Birchwood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and...
Wood, Birch, Walnut
Expertly Restored-Edward J. Wormley Model-5964 Expanding Dining Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 29.25in H x 48in -108in W x 48in D 4x Leaves - 15in each Materials: Walnut Wood, Brass Sabots ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Centu...
Brass
Expertly Restored-MidCentury Modern Butterfly-Leaf Dining Table by Peter Hayward
By Peter Hayward, Vanson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: African Teak Wood, Walnut Wood Dimensions: 28in H x 64in - 76in W x 34in D ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture i...
Wood, Teak, Walnut
Bruno Mathsson "Maria Flap" Teak & Beech Dining Table for Karl Mathsson
By Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 28.50in H x 58in - 110in W x 35.50in D Period Style: Swedish Modern Materials: Walnut Wood, Beech Wood, Brass Hardware ________________________________________ Transform...
Brass
Danish Modern Expanding Teak Dining Table by Faarup Mobelfabrik
By Faarup Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 28.50in H x 68in W - 105in W x 35.50in D 2x Extension Leaf 18.50in ________________________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern ...
Teak, Wood
Expertly Restored - Danish Modern Expanding Teak Dining Table with Draw-Leaves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adorable Danish Modern teak dining table manufactured and designed in Denmark circa 1960s. Made from a solid teak wood base, this exemplary Mid-Century design features two draw leave...
Teak, Wood
