The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid Century Charles Pollock Style Steelcase Rolling Office Chair
By Steelcase
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Charles Pollock Style Steelcase Rolling Office Chair. Measures 24" in width, 24" in depth and 36" in height. Seat height is 19" and armheight 27.5". Seat interior width i...
Chrome
Mid-Century Herman Miller Style Rolling Office Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add iconic Mid-Century Modern style to your workspace with this Herman Miller-style rolling office chair. Featuring clean lines, an ergonomic silhouette, and a timeless design, this ...
Metal
Uncommon Desk Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Reupholstered in curly lambchop boucle
Bouclé
$1,010
H 32.68 in W 16.15 in D 15.75 in
Office Chair from the 1960s, Mid-century Design, Metal and Skai.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Office chair from the 1960s, mid-century design, metal and skai. 1960s metal and skai office chair, mid-century design, swivel chair, steel base, skai seat and back. Dimensions : H...
Metal
$780Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 17 in D 20.5 in
1950s Mid Century Modern Office Chair by Jorge Rasmussen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century office chair designed and manufactured by Jorgen Rasmussen in Denmark circa 1950s. This desk chair features a plywood frame with a chrome metal base and four wheels, maki...
Bentwood
Desk Chair by Max Pearson for Knoll
By Knoll, Max Pearson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A desk chair with the original channel-stitched upholstery, on an X-form caster base.
Upholstery
Original Steelcase Office Armchair
By Steelcase
Located in Medina, OH
"Steelcase" Armchair in its original fabric. This vintage office chair is not like any office chair in today's modern furniture. Take a look at the wood frame, with its Art Deco vibe...
Upholstery, Wood
Gispen Model 356 PQ Rolling Office Chair by Willem H. Gispen
By Gispen, Chris Hoffmann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century Model 356 PQ rolling office chair designed by Willem H. Gispen for Gispen Culemborg. The seat and back are upholstered in cream corduroy fabric, supported by a tubu...
Metal
Herman Miller High-Back Office Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Herman Miller high-back soft pad office chair in black leather, great condition. Stamped with date of manufactured.
Metal
Mid century desk chair, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful and original 1950s mid century desk/office chairs. Beautifully shaped simili leather seat mounted on a brushed aluminum base with casters. typical 1950s Airstream design ...
Aluminum
Art Deco Executive Office Desk Chair by Art Metal, Circa 1930s
By Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare surviving Art Deco Machine Age or Mid-Century Modern executive office desk chair In the manner of Steelcase By Art Metal USA, Circa 1930s Aluminum frame, with green vinyl...
Aluminum
Herman Miller Rolling Office Chairs, Pair
By Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
A nice pair of rolling office or desk chairs By Herman Miller USA, 2000s A nice pair of rolling office or desk chairs By Herman Miller USA, 2000s Measures: 18" W x 19" D x 3...
Aluminum
Herman Miller Modern Stacking Armchairs, Pair
By Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Modern stacking armchairs or office chairs By Herman Miller USA, 1998 Tubular aluminum and chrome frames, with upholstered seats and backs. Measures: 23.75...
Aluminum, Chrome
Herman Miller Modern Stacking Armchairs, Set of Four
By Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of four Modern stacking armchairs or office chairs By Herman Miller USA, 1998 Tubular aluminum and chrome frames, with upholstered seats and backs. Measures: 2...
Aluminum, Chrome
Herman Miller Modern Stacking Armchairs, Set of Six
By Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of six Modern stacking armchairs or office chairs By Herman Miller USA, 1998 Tubular aluminum and chrome frames, with upholstered seats and backs. Measures: 23...
Aluminum, Chrome
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates High Back Side Chair or Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern high back lounge chair, club chair, or side chair By Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates USA, 1960s Sculpted walnut base, with upholster...
Upholstery, Walnut
