Industrial designer Nicos Zographos is renowned as a mid-century modern master. His abstract structures and minimalist forms helped elevate 20th-century furniture design.
Born in Athens, Greece, in 1931, Zographos completed his graduate degree at the University of Iowa before joining the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1957.
He worked in SOM’s interior design department, where he enjoyed unlimited creative freedom, resulting in the design of two critically acclaimed pieces. The fluid Ribbon chair, which he created in 1959, is an interpretation of the Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Alpha bucket chair, featuring Zographos’s signature reverse curl, was designed in 1960. Also while at SOM, Zographos developed a suite of TA35 low tables, which have gentle curves and slim stainless steel legs.
Zographos spent five years at SOM before he formed his own company, Zographos Designs Limited, in 1964. The New York-based firm manufactured elegant, polished and streamlined pieces such as lounge chairs, office chairs, side tables, coffee tables and dining room tables. Several of his furnishings have been included in interiors by such revered architects as Gordon Bunshaft and I.M. Pei.
Among Zographos’s most iconic designs are the wood-carved Ireland chair, the wooden Saronis tables and his two tubular-steel cantilevered chairs: the solid CH17 chair and the CH66 chair, which he designed in 1966. It is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Zographos has retired to his native Greece, and Zographos Designs Limited recently closed after 56 years in business. His pieces continue to be highly sought by interior designers and avid vintage furniture collectors.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Nicos Zographos seating and tables.
1980s Nicos Zographos Alpha Bucket Executive Chair in Leather w/ Steel Base
By Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single original Alpha bucket executive desk chair, designed by Nicos Zographos in 1964. The piece was produced by his namesake Zographos Designs...
Stainless Steel
2006 Nicos Zographos Alpha Bucket Executive Desk Chair in Grey Leather
By Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Alpha Bucket Executive Desk Chair, originally designed by Nicos Zographos in 1964. The piece was produced in 2006 by his namesake Zographos Designs Limited. The chair feat...
Aluminum
Nicos Zographos Alpha Bucket Desk Chairs w/ Bronze Base Cordovan Leather
By Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous set of six Nicos Zographos Alpha Bucket rolling desk chairs chairs, produced circa 1990. These examples were specified i...
Bronze
1980s Nicos Zographos Alpha Desk Chairs in Black Leather and Dark Bronze
By Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are CH6 Alpha Bucket Swivel Chairs, initially designed by Nicos Zographos in 1964. These examples date to the 1980s. Their design includes a dark bronze 4-star swivel base on c...
Bronze
1980s Nicos Zographos High Back Bucket Executive Chair w/ Alpha Base
By Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Alpha bucket executive desk chair, designed by Nicos Zographos in 1964. The listed price includes one chair, but several are available...
Steel
2003 Knoll Sapper High Back Swivel Office Chair by Richard Sapper in Leather
By Knoll, Richard Sapper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sapper Executive Desk chair, originally designed by Richard Sapper for Knoll in 1979. This example dates to 2003. The piece is comprised of ...
Steel
Vintage Nicos Zographos Bucket Chair
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage bucket chair designed by Nicos Zographos and made by Zographos. High back design in black Zographos leather with five-star stainless ste...
Stainless Steel
1 Vintage Midcentury Zographos Alpha Chair Black Leather Bronze Base
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Pasadena, TX
Nicos Zographos The world`s most singular, severely elegant collection of contemporary furniture has been created by Nicos Zographos. He has produced more than 300 kinds of products for thousands of spaces in America and Europe. Zographos is the last adherent to the strict aesthetic principles first defined by the European Bauhaus school, and he is very likely one of the last designers to manage his own manufacturing company. Leather executive chair designed by Nicos Zographos. black leather with bronze 4 star base Higher back than the mid-sized version. Zographos Alpha...
Bronze
Vintage Zographos Alpha Bucket Chair Restored with New Vegan Ultra Leather
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Pasadena, TX
The world`s most singular, severely elegant collection of contemporary furniture has been created by Nicos Zographos. He has produced more than 300 kinds of products for thousands of spaces in America and Europe. Zographos is the last adherent to the strict aesthetic principles first defined by the European Bauhaus school, and he is very likely one of the last designers to manage his own manufacturing company. Vintage Zographos high back alpha bucket...
Stainless Steel
Eva Leather padded swivel chair
By Enrico Pellizzoni
Located in Milan, IT
Eva swivel padded chair has a rigid polyurethane shell padded and covered in soft taupe leather and a five star base painted in chrome. There is the possibility of height adjustment....
Leather
Executive Leather Office Chair by Otto Zapf for Knoll
By Knoll, Otto Zapf
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Black leather upholstery with padded cushions
Leather
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia "Ondo" Executive Leather 1970s Desk Chair
By Saporiti, Gianni Offredi
Located in Peabody, MA
A Saporiti Italia “Onda” executive swivel desk chair in leather with polished steel swivel base designed by Giovanni Offredi, ca. 1970s
Steel
