Inspired by pure geometrical forms — circles, rectangles, squares, cylinders and spheres — John Eric Byers’s furniture is deceptively simple. A closer inspection, however, shows that behind each coffee table, bench and chair there is great care and meticulous attention to detail. It is little wonder why the woodworker is considered to be among the foremost figures of the modern American Studio movement.
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1959, Byers trained in the workshop of Wendell Castle, “the father of the art furniture movement.” The renowned American sculptor greatly influenced Byers, and the New York native found inspiration in the work of other artist-designers while in Castle’s workshop such as Donald Judd and British ceramicist Hans Coper.
Following his studies under Castle, Byers established a studio and workshop in Newfield, New York. There, he uses a variety of specialized techniques in the design of his furniture, including wood milling, lamination, hand-shaping, hand-tooling and finishing, often with casein milk paint, which is believed to have been used in ancient Egypt.
Byers’s side tables, stools, sideboards, credenzas and other pieces are sculpted by hand in his preferred material — hard, blackened maple. Each design demonstrates his keen focus on detailed surface texture and structure.
Byers’s works have not gone unnoticed over the course of his decades-long career. He has won multiple awards, such as the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award and the New York Foundation of the Arts Award. He has been included in the Smithsonian’s Oral Archives of American Arts as well.
Byers’s pieces feature in permanent collections at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Mint Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.
Find vintage John Eric Byers tables, seating, case pieces and storage cabinets.
John Eric Byers, "Reveal Block", Table, 2022
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple piece from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern t...
Maple
John Eric Byers, "OS4V", Bench
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oro, a new series by John Eric Byers, marks the artist’s 30th solo exhibition. An elegant balance of contrasts takes form in these visually stunning works. Blocks of wood are meticul...
Gold
John Eric Byers, "Os3", Bench
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oro, a new series by John Eric Byers, marks the artist’s 30th solo exhibition. An elegant balance of contrasts takes form in these visually stunning works. Blocks of wood are meticul...
Gold
John Eric Byers, "Block Bench for Three"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monolithic piece from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a ...
Maple
John, Eric Byers, "Block Bench for Two"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monolithic piece from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a sophisticated finish to a simplified silhouette. Available as a bench for two...
Maple
John Eric Byers, "C4", Chair
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple chair from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern t...
Maple
Reveal Bench Sculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Reveal bench sculpted by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 16” x 54” x 14 in Materials: Carved lacquered maple hardwood All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byer...
Maple
ORO, OS3 Bench by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
ORO - OS3 bench by John Eric Byers ORO collection Dimensions: W 76 x D 38 x H 38 cm Materials: maple hardwood + gold metallic lacquer Hand shaped + hand textured + hollow core...
Maple
Carved and Black Oak T5 Bench by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Carved and Black Oak T5 Bench by John Eric Byers Dimensions: W 142 x D 51 x H 36 cm. Materials: Carved, Blackened, White oak. John Eric Byers creates geometrically inspired pieces t...
Oak
Maple Block Bench for Two by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple block bench for two by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 43 x 101.6 x 35.5 cm Materials: carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to...
Maple
Bench 018 by Jesper Eriksson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bench 018 by Jesper Eriksson Dimensions: D 141.5 x W 47 x H 40.5 cm Materials: Anthracite coal, wood frame Weight: 120 kg Jesper Eriksson (b.1990, Paris) is an artist & design...
Other
Table #13 by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Table #13 by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D46 x H50 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers creates geometrically insp...
Other
