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.
$8,500
H 26.5 in W 84 in D 34 in
Fabulous Steelcase Fiberglass Leather Space Age Modern Sofa William Andrus
By Steelcase
Located in Pemberton, NJ
One of the iconic designs of the Space Age modern movement is this awesome and uber rare Steelcase fiberglass, leather and Lucite sofa. Previously...
Leather, Fiberglass, Lucite
Sofa by Tito Agnoli, 1969
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare set consisting of three armchairs and two corner elements was designed by Tito Agnoli for Arflex. The seating combination can be arranged in various ways. The dimensions ar...
Leather
Fiftyish Wingback Leather Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. We also have another available with walnuts feet. Original leather with chrome legs. Extremely rare piece of design.
Leather
$8,473
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Cini Boeri “Gradual” Sofa for Knoll International, Italy, 1972 Rare “Gradual” sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International in 1972. Upholste...
Leather
$6,536Sale Price|24% Off
H 31.75 in W 83 in D 33.25 in
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Leather and Wood Sofa, C 1970s, Signed
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, produced in the United States in the 1970s. Signed with Ward Bennet Designs for Brickel Associates tag...
Wood, Leather
$7,800
H 25.5 in W 85 in D 35 in
Jules Heumann for Metropolitan furniture leather sofa in fiberglass frame
By Metropolitan, Jules Heumann
Located in Ferndale, MI
Couch designed by Jules Heumann for his company California based Metropolitan furniture . Label reads " Metropolitan imported from San Francisco " . Fiberglass frame with solid wood ...
Leather, Fiberglass
$5,782Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 90.56 in D 35.44 in
Italian Three-Seater Sofa Model Diesis by Antonio Citterio for B&B, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern three-seater sofa model Diesis by Antonio Citterio for B&B, 1970s Three-seater sofa model Diesis with armrests, with aluminum structure and padded cushion...
Metal
$21,743
H 23.63 in W 177.17 in D 38.59 in
Rare Lucite Sectional Sofa by Roberto Monsani for Acerbis, Italy 1975
By Acerbis, Roberto Monsani
Located in Echt, NL
Very rare ‘Life’ sofa in very good condition Designed by Roberto Monsani in 1975 and manufactured by Acerbis in Italy. When imagining new ways of living, Monsani envisioned furnitu...
Fabric, Mohair, Plastic, Lucite
$6,500
H 39 in W 99 in D 55 in
Fabulous Sculptural Modern Vladimir Kagan Leather Bilbao Sofa Mid-century
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A sculptural modern sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and inspired by the curves and undulations of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Spain. I do have a pair of these gorgeous sofa both ...
Wood, Leather
$2,350
H 26.5 in W 72 in D 30 in
Vintage 1960s "Pod" Three-Seater Sofa by Carl Eric Klote for Overman of Sweden
By Overman, Carl Eric Klote
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic example of Scandinavian modern design, this rare 1960s "Pod" three-seater sofa was designed by Carl Eric Klote for Overman of Sweden. Celebrated for its sculptural silhouet...
Leather
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Sofa for C&B Italia, 1972
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extremely rare first-year production example of Mario Bellini's iconic Le Bambole sofa, manufactured by C&B Italia in 1972, the same year Bellini introduced the design. The co...
Leather
Gerard van den Berg "Oslo" Leather Loveseat for Montis
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dark brown leather 'Oslo' loveseat designed by Gerard van den Berg for the Dutch label Montis in the 1970s. The wraparound cushion unit forms a single continuous piece, channel-stitc...
Leather, Wood
1990s Gerard van den Berg 'High Noon' Cognac Leather Sofa, Chrome Frame
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Molteni & C
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1990s Gerard van den Berg 'High Noon' cognac colored leather Sofa with chrome frame. Designed by Gerard van den Berg under his independent 'Gerard van den Berg Design' studio during ...
Metal
De Sede DS44 Loveseat in Nutmeg Leather, Swiss Design, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Swiss manufacturer De Sede in the 1970s, the DS44 two-seat sofa is upholstered in thick nutmeg leather with vertical channel stitching running across the seat, backrest, ...
Leather
1970s Dutch Manou Bamboo Sofa by Mondileder, Gerard van den Berg Style
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Manufactured by Mondileder in the 1970s, this large three-seat sofa features a frame built from thick, dark-lacquered Manou bamboo, bent and stacked into horizontal rails that form t...
Leather, Lacquer, Rattan, Bamboo, Upholstery
Illum Wikkelsø Model 380 Danish Leather Loveseat, 1970's
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen Aarhus, the Model 380 loveseat features a solid oak frame with rounded legs and rails, lightly refinished to a warm medium-brown tone...
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
