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
$1,000
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
Industrial Style Leather Desk Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
An industrial-style leather desk chair with a 5 ball caster swivel base. This chair is upholstered in our Havana brown leather and has a channel-tufted back detail with open-style me...
Metal
Vintage Mid-Century Office Chair - Chrome Toned Base, Brown Upholstery.
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage mid-century rolling office chair with a chrome toned swivel base and original brown wool-blend upholstery. The seat and back feature rectangular tufting for added structure ...
Metal
$1,764
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Ico Parisi (in the style of) office armchair in leather and aluminum circa 1970.
By Ico Parisi
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Ico Parisi (in the style of) office armchair in leather and aluminum circa 1970.
Aluminum
$233Sale Price|44% Off
H 35 in W 24.5 in D 22 in
Vintage Industrial Style Office Chair with Black Vinyl
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern office chair features vintage black vinyl upholstery on seat, back & armrests, black painted metal frame, and wheeled base. This chair gives off serious authe...
Metal
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
Midcentury Upholstered Steel Frame Rolling Office Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, office armchair features a rolling, height adjustable steel frame with newly upholstered seat and back.
Steel
Jorge Zalszupin Commander Office Chair
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Washington, DC
Handsome vintage Commander Chair designed by Brazilian master Jorge Zalsuzpin. Features a rare gray color way with leather, fiberglass, and aluminum materials.
Metal
Office Chair, International Style Wooden Office Chair
By kontra
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom sp...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
