Though much of Arthur Umanoff's furniture is marked by a no-frills simplicity common in American mid-century modern design, his work is anything but one-note. Over the course of a prolific career, Umanoff designed everything from case pieces to candleholders to magazine racks to dining chairs in iron, leather, walnut, wicker and more. With furnishings for a broad range of manufacturers throughout the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, Umanoff continued a thread of sculptural elegance and textural sensitivity through his designs.
After graduating from Pratt Institute in the early 1950s, Umanoff experimented mostly with wood furniture before landing a job at Post Modern Ltd, a New York manufacturer of wrought-iron furniture. There he produced furnishings that married wrought iron with wood and plastic, creating functional pieces free of utilitarian bulkiness.
Umanoff continued his experimentation with mixed materials through a partnership with Shaver Howard, for whom he designed wine racks in combinations of iron, leather and wicker.
When Shaver Howard bought Boyeur Scott, Umanoff conceived several furniture designs for the brand, including the 1964 Granada collection, whose curlicue iron bases, visible through glass tops, stand out as some of his most ornate and decorative work. Indeed, much of Umanoff’s oeuvre is far more simplistic, like iron-and-pine armchairs for The Elton Co. or low-backed, slatted-seat barstools with slender iron legs for Raymor.
Umanoff was fluent, too, in the more sumptuous modernism of the era: In the mid-1960s, he designed the 2405 and 4449 armchairs for Madison Furniture Industries. Popular in offices, the walnut-framed, leather-upholstered seats, which could have been mistaken for the seductive Scandinavian modern seating of the era, were reportedly the jumping-off point for Captain Kirk’s iconic seat on Star Trek.
Even as he is among the mid-century modern designers you may not know, with work across such a range of styles and manufacturers (most no longer in business), Umanoff, who died in 1985, leaves a legacy that is fascinatingly diverse and at times enticingly elusive, making his work intriguing objects for collectors.
Find vintage Arthur Umanoff bar stools, tables, benches and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Wine Rack by Arthur Umanoff, Professionally Restored, Like New
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Kansas City, MO
Freestanding wrought iron wine rack / holder designed by Arthur Umanoff, 1960s. Professionally restored and powder coated in a black satin finish. The only evidence of any wear are t...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Chicago, IL
Wrought iron and leather strapped wine rack.
Wrought Iron
Vintage Arthur Umanoff Iron and Leather Four-Bottle Wine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century American Modern wine rack by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard composed of eight saddle-leather strap holders and wrought iron frame. Very good, original, vintage shape wi...
Iron
Vintage Wrought Iron Seven-Bottle Wine Holder by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arthur Umanoff wine rack (1950s USA) in painted wrought iron. Tabletop version, accommodating 7 bottles. Very good, vintage condition with light, age-commensurate wear and a couple o...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Seventeen-Bottle Wine Holder
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Arthur Umanoff wine rack in painted wrought iron. Can be used as a tabletop or floor rack, accommodating 17 bottles. Pictured with this wine rack is the smaller, 7-bottle hold...
Wrought Iron
Small Arthur Umanoff Wine Bottle Holder for Shaver Howard
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St. Louis, MO
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard, butcher block top, 9 bottle wine holder with iron frame and bottle supports. Often attributed to Paul McCobb, this piece was designed by Arthur Uman...
Iron
Arthur Court Rabbit Hinged Ice Bucket or Wine Cooler
By Arthur Court
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Whimsical Arthur Court rabbit hinged ice bucket or wine cooler, realistically cast and modeled figure of a standing rabbit, with gemstone eyes, hin...
Aluminum, Brass
$320Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4 in Dm 1.5 in
Set of Four Vintage "Mercedes Benz" Gear Shift Knob Bottle / Wine Stoppers
Located in San Diego, CA
A fun set of four vintage "Mercedes Benz" gear shift knob bottle / wine stoppers, circa 1980s. Each stopper measures approximately 1.5"D x 4"H; the bodies a...
Stainless Steel
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.5 in W 17.5 in D 14 in
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Magazine Rack in the Style of Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century solid walnut magazine rack in the style of Arthur Umanoff for American Woodcraft, circa 1950s. This sturdy foldable magazine rack is finely crafted piece is in very good ...
Walnut
From $1,462 / item
+ 3 moreH 83.86 in W 15.75 in D 5.12 in
Opinion Ciatti Ptolomeo Vino Vertical Wine Rack Large
By Bruno Rainaldi, Opinion Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ptolomeo Vino is the bottle holder version of Original Ptolomeo, the famous free-standing bookshelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, winner of the Compasso d’Oro 2004 and soon became an icon of contemporary design. A glass of our favourite wine and that book that we are engrossed in. Very often our moments of greatest relaxation are imagined in the company of a good book and an excellent glass of wine. Launched at the 2018 Salone del Mobile, Ptolomeo Vino becomes the “summa” of this suggestive idea, representing the transformation of the famous Original Ptolomeo bookshelf...
Steel
$645Sale Price|25% Off
H 16.5 in W 18.75 in D 12.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Magazine Stand, Iron & Brass, 1960s, Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff, Tony Paul
Located in Round Top, TX
A striking mid-century iron and brass magazine stand, designed in the distinctive style of Tony Paul and Arthur Umanoff. This piece boasts a sculptural, open framework composed of sl...
Brass, Iron
$173 / item
H 3.55 in W 3.55 in D 5.12 in
“Marblelous Wine Holder” White Carrara Marble Minimalist Handmade Wine Holder
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Marblelous Wine Holder is a sculptural wine stand carved from solid Carrara marble, designed to elevate the presentation of a special bottle while celebrating the natural beauty ...
Carrara Marble
Arthur Umanoff 39 Bottle Wine Rack with Round Top
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Highland, IN
Ready to hold 39 wine bottles, this iron wine rack by Arthur Umanoff has a delightful curved top echoing the round shape of the bottle holders and a terrific graphic quality.
Iron
Christofle, Paris, Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler, Folio
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A fine and very smart champagne bucket / wine cooler made by the top-notch French silversmith, Christofle of Paris. The design is "Folio" made in the 1980s, a modernist design with a nod to the Art Deco era a design that is most fashionable today. Excellent condition and looking like it has rarely been used. Spanning 10" handle to handle x 8" x 8 1/8" tall. Just back from our silversmith's workshop where it has been professionally cleaned and polished, restoring it to it's former glory. Beginning in 1830, when Charles Christofle...
Silver Plate
$8,950Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 66.5 in W 14 in D 10.75 in
Arthur Umanoff Iron Room Dividers w 140 Leather Wine Bottle Holders, 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ultimate entertaining piece, this Arthur Umanoff four section wine rack system and room divider which also incorporates an artful array of one hundred forty leather wine bottle holders, two wicker baskets, ten butcher block wooden shelves, and all contained within four individual black iron frames, this magnificent room divider or wall unit is the ideal companion to any entertainment home or creative studio. Designed in 1954 by Arthur Umanoff and produced in low quantities by Shaver Howard throughout the late 1950s, this collector's item works equally wonderfully as a room divider or against a wall, it can be placed together in one continuous unit, angled for a corner, or separated - the four individual sections can be scattered throughout a room, home or office. Consider the many ways you can use this fantastic Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard room divider wall unit. Whether placed to divide a room or against a wall, this sizable piece can hold a large collection of wine, up to 140 bottles in the leather bottle holders that are have style similarities as designs from Jacques Adnet, 2 wicker baskets in the style of Franco Albini can hold drink accessories, glassware and tools, and the 10 wooden butcher block shelves can hold bottles of liquor, trays with condiments and mixers, recipe books...
Iron
$2,250
H 42 in W 41.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Slat Dry Bar for Shaver Howard, 1950's
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Features Umanoff's signature vertical wood slatting and a minimalist black iron base that eliminates "utilitarian bulkiness". Designed for both style and utility, it includes a dura...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Cocktail Dry Bar or Server for Raymor
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury Arthur Umanoff bar for Raymor. Wrought iron base, oak slats, rush and Formica top. Overall nice original condition, oak restored, wrought iron base repainted, top in very ...
Wrought Iron
From $1,380 / item
+ 3 moreH 61.03 in W 15.75 in D 5.12 in
Opinion Ciatti Ptolomeo Vino Vertical Wine Rack Small
By Bruno Rainaldi, Opinion Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ptolomeo Vino is the bottle holder version of Original Ptolomeo, the famous freestanding bookshelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, winner of the Compasso d’Oro 2004 and soon became an icon of contemporary design. A glass of our favourite wine and that book that we are engrossed in. Very often our moments of greatest relaxation are imagined in the company of a good book and an excellent glass of wine. Launched at the 2018 Salone del Mobile, Ptolomeo Vino becomes the “summa” of this suggestive idea, representing the transformation of the famous Original Ptolomeo bookshelf...
Steel
Mid Century Modern Wrought Iron Wine Rack by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Redding, CT
Mid Century Modern Wrought Iron Wine Rack by Arthur Umanoff This free standing 67 bottle rack was Manufactured by Shaver Howard It Measures: 72" H x 17” W x 12 3/8” D
Iron
Arthur Umanoff 48 Bottle Wine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Denton, TX
Combination of iron and leather wine display that holds 48 bottles.
Iron
Wrought Iron Seven-Bottle Wine Holder by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arthur Umanoff wine rack (1950s USA) in painted wrought iron. Tabletop version, accommodating 7 bottles. Pictured with this wine rack is the larger, 17-bottle holder (each sold sepa...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack, circa 1955
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Arthur Umanoff wine rack, circa 1955.
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Seven-Bottle Wine Holder
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Arthur Umanoff wine rack composed of painted wrought iron construction. Tabletop version, accommodating 7 bottles.
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 66.25 in W 26.75 in D 10.88 in
Arthur Umanoff Mid-Century Modern Leather and Iron 40-Bottle Wine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional and rare 40-bottle wine rack designed in 1954 by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. The rack features an iron frame with rows of leather slings for holding wine bottles...
Iron
Nine Bottle Iron and Leather Wine Rack by Arthur Umanoff, circa 1960
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural iron and leather wine rack by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. Featuring a solid iron frame with original saddle leather straps to hold nine bottles. The unique design ca...
Iron
Sold
H 13.75 in W 12.75 in D 7.75 in
American Mid-Century Modern Nine Bottle Capacity Wine Rack by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid iron nine bottle capacity wine rack. With solid wood cutting board, circa 1950s. Designed by Arthur Umanoff California design.
Iron
Sold
H 19 in W 14 in D 10 in
Iron and Leather Wine Rack with Butcher Block Top by Arthur Umanoff, circa 1960
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning iron and leather wine rack by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. Featuring a solid iron frame with saddle leather straps to hold 12 bottles and topped with a butcher block. T...
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Style Iron Wine Rack in Orange Powder Coat
By Arthur Umanoff, Paul McCobb
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful iron wine rack attributed to Arthur Umanoff. Freshly powder coated in tangerine orange. Holds 67 bottles.
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Tall Iron Wine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Kansas City, MO
Excellent iron and steel 1960s wine rack designed by Arthur Umanoff.
Iron, Steel
Arthur Umanoff Iron Wine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Kansas City, MO
44" tall 1960s Arthur Umanoff wine rack.
Iron, Steel