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.
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair This chair measures: 22 wide x 20.5 deep x 27.75 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clearan...
Brass
Set of Four Dining Chairs in Chenille and Bronze by Dan Johnson, C. 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Shelby Williams
Located in Westport, CT
A rare set of four Crucible Dining Chairs by Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams, circa 1950s. Fully restored by Stamford Modern, the walnut frames are refinished in a rich dark walnut, ...
Bronze
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair - Pair
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair - Pair Each chair measures: 22 wide x 20.5 deep x 27.75 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair ...
Brass
1 Vintage Walnut Johnson Furniture Dining Chair
By Johnson Chair Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage dining chairs by Johnson Chair Co Chicago reminiscent of Jens Risom design with solid walnut wood frame construction. Johnson Chair Co is the...
PVC, Walnut
$1,429 / set
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 17.33 in
Set of Four Dining Chairs Designed by Oswald Haerdtl, 1950s
By Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of beechwood, fabric - A year ago reupholstered - Manufacturer: Ton Bystrice pod Hostýnem - Good condition.
Fabric, Beech
$25,000 / set
H 32 in W 18 in D 18 in
Mid-Century "Gazelle" Armchairs by Dan Johnson, in Aluminum and Cane
By Dan Johnson
Located in New York, NY
A rare pair of Gazelle Armchairs, created by American designer Dan Johnson (1918-1979). According to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Dan Johnson was a mid-twentieth centu...
Aluminum
$1,900 / set
H 37.41 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in
Set of Four 1950s Italian Dark Stained Exotic Wood Dining Chairs
By Carlo Ratti
Located in Rome, IT
This set of four dining chairs was produced in Italy during the 1950s and reflects the clean, sculptural lines typical of Italian mid-century design. The chairs are crafted from dark...
Faux Leather, Wood
$1,795 / set
H 31 in W 19 in D 19 in
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Fittings Upholstered Dining Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Upholstered Seat Dining Chairs. One captain and five side chairs. Sky Blue Upholstery. Measures 19 " in width, 19 " in depth and 31" in heig...
Brass
Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production)
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production) Designer: Dan Johnson Model: Cantilever Lounge Chair Production Date: 2002 (period-correct limited production) Origin: L...
Metal
$2,895
H 28 in W 22 in D 20 in
Dan Johnson “Viscount” Cognac Leather and Brass Accent Armchair for Selig
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Modern “Viscount” armchair designed by Dan Johnson for Selig in Denmark circa 1950’s. This elegant design features a newly refinished wa...
Brass
Dan Johnson Viscount Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Dan Johnson
Located in Raleigh, NC
Signature wrap-around brass arms curve continuously from back to front, creating the sculptural silhouette that defines Dan Johnson's 1950s Viscount design. Newly reupholstered in cognac leather while retaining the original espresso-finished wooden frame. The espresso finish shows authentic patina and wear consistent with a vintage piece of this age. Warm cognac leather contrasts with the aged brass arms and dark wood frame, creating a layered palette of browns and metallic tones. The Viscount chair...
Brass
$2,363 / set
H 32.5 in W 17.5 in D 20 in
Set of Four Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs, Beech, 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
MCM set of four Swedish modern high-back dining chairs in beech. The tall ergonomic backs slightly bow and lend to hours of comfortable dining for those long dinner parties and holid...
Upholstery
$1,179 / set
H 31.89 in W 17.33 in D 19.69 in
1950s Set of Four Restored Dining Chairs in Walnut, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- newly upholstered - carefully refurbished - beech skelet with walnut veneer
Fabric, Wood, Beech, Walnut
$4,995
H 25.5 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Selig Barrel Back Swivel Club Chairs on Walnut Base
By Selig
Located in Wilmington, DE
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Barrel back swivel club chairs Offered is a pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern style swivel chairs by Selig. These chairs have round backs and walnut ba...
Walnut
Lovely Pair of Selig Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs
By Selig
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut lounge chairs by Selig. This pair retain their original pink and red striped nubby fabric in nice usable condition, we do recommend re-uphols...
Upholstery, Walnut
Dan Johnson "Viscount" Armchair for Selig
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Armchair by Dan Johnson for Selig, c.1950s, USA. The seat cushions have been reupholstered with a cream colored Loro Piana cotton fabric. The armrests feature a sleek brass rod that wraps around the back of each seat cushion. The frame is a stained birch featuring an "x" seat base and tapered dowel legs. Two available. Priced individually. Dimensions 22.25" width x 20.5" depth x 28" height; 17.75" seat height, 26.5" arm height. Condition Good restored condition, professionally refinished with new Loro Piana upholstery.
Brass
Sold
H 32.75 in W 18.5 in D 21.5 in
1960s Gazelle Sol y Luna Patio Chairs by Dan Johnson for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Dan Johnson
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of patio chairs designed by Dan Johnson for Brown Jordan. USA circa the 1960s. Model Sol y Luna Dining Chairs. Made of Aluminum. Set of two (2) Gazelle ...
Aluminum
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Chairs in Leather Set of 4
By Dan Johnson
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a gorgeous set of 4 dining chairs which were designed by Dan Johnson for Selig. Dramatic and curvilinear form, these chairs have the sweeping arms made of solid brass. Elegan...
Brass
Dan Johnson 'Viscount' Chair for Selig in Teak and Brass
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Littleton, CO
An original 1950s Danish "Viscount" chair by Dan Johnson for Selig. Very solidly built and relatively heavy (not the lightweight Kodawood version produced later). Original black vin...
Brass
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Chairs in Leather
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A gorgeous set of dining chairs, designed by Dan Johnson for Selig. Curvilinear form, with sweeping arms made of solid brass. Elegant tapered leg...
Brass
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Midcentury Walnut and Brass Dining Chairs, Pair
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount midcentury walnut and brass dining chairs - pair. Each chair measures 23 wide x 21 deep x 28 inches high. All ...
Brass
Sold
H 27.75 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Viscount Chairs by Dan Johnson, White / Ivory with Brass Arms, Original
By Dan Johnson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Dan Johnson viscount armchairs, 1950s, Denmark. Completely original. Off-white leather like upholstery with solid brass arms (not...
Brass
Set of 4 Rare Dan Johnson Dining Chairs for Hayden Hall Furniture
By Dan Johnson, Hayden Hall 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stylish set of four modern dining chairs designed by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Furniture in the United States, circa 1940s. This rare and sleek dining ...
Leather, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Dan Johnson Patinated Bronze and Cane "Gazelle' Chairs, USA 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in New York, NY
A remarkably distinctive and rare design. The Gazelle chair is both beautifully sculptural and comfortable.
Bronze
Dan Johnson Viscount Chairs
By Dan Johnson
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dan Johnson Viscount chairs A set of 6 iconic "Viscount" chairs designed by Dan Johnson. Recently restored in a luxurious apple green Sandr...
Brass
Sold
H 30.5 in W 18.5 in D 18 in
Dan Johnson Four Dining Chairs in Walnut and Aluminum for Shelby Williams
By Dan Johnson, Shelby Williams
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Modern and elegant set of four dining chairs designed in the 1960s by Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams. Manufactured in turned walnut and cast aluminum the chairs offer a very sophist...
Aluminum
Set of Six Rare Dan Johnson Dining Chairs for Hayden Hall Furniture
By Hayden Hall 1, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of 6 dining chairs designed by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Furniture in the 1940’s. With its sculptural walnut-stained mahogany frame and new whit...
Mahogany, Walnut