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.
Carved, Blackened and Maple Loft Bench Revised by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Carved, Blackened and Maple Loft Bench Revised by John Eric Byers Dimensions: W 183 x D 38 x H 46 cm. Materials: Carved, Blackened and Maple. John Eric Byers creates geometrically i...
Maple
Burned and Black Stained Solid Pine Ousia Stool by Sizar Alexis
By Sizar Alexis
Located in Geneve, CH
Burned and Black Stained Solid Pine Ousia Stool by Sizar Alexis Dimensions: W 48 x D 28 x H 28 cm Materials: Burned and Black Stained Solid Pine. About: Sizar Alexis is a Swedish-...
Pine
Pillar Table by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Pillar table by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 50.8 x 50.8 x 35.5 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers creates geom...
Maple
Metate Black Solid Oak Wood Stool by David Del Valle
Located in Geneve, CH
Matate Black Solid Oak Wood Stool by David Del Valle Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Oak. DAVID VALLE We are a place, a space, a woven c...
Oak
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
Sculptural Black Ash Wood Stool with Premium G. A. Full-Grain Leather, FORME
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A sculptural study in contrast, material depth, and contemporary elegance, this handcrafted stool takes on an even more striking presence in its black-on-black edition. The solid as...
Hardwood, Ash
Throne Stool by Hannah Bigeleisen, Ebonized Solid Oak, Modern Design
By Hannah Bigeleisen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Form is everything- Enzo Mari The groundbreaking Italian modernist artist and furniture designer,Enzo Mari, serves as the inspiration behind our Throne Stool. We channeled his sign...
Upholstery, Oak
Contemporary Counter Stool 'THARO' by Eichkorn, Burnt Wood, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
THARO Counter Stool by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Burnt Ash Wood Standard size: H.65 x 35 cm - Customizations are possible Crafted from burnt ash wood - ...
Stone, Marble
Cathedra Seat by Workshop Alentes, Black Cast Stone Stool from Greece
By ALENTES
Located in PALEA FOKEA, ATTIKI
A quietly powerful work, the Cathedra Seat reflects Alentes’ devotion to form, craftsmanship, and the timeless architectural language that informs the studio’s practice. Entirely han...
Cast Stone
Contemporary block arch stool side table, black stained oak wood, Belgian design
By Sam Goyvaerts, barh.design
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Arch 01.1 is a stool or a side table with a clear design language. What looks like a static element quickly becomes much more dynamic when in use by someone sitting on it. The curve that slims down the seating object, creates a difference in mass, which offers the possibility to balance it while sitting. A beautiful collaboration between ergonomics and aesthetics. The arch object is made out of sustainable solid oak, stained in Barh black. The coloring technique guaranteeing the wood drawing and veins to peek through beautifully. Note: The stainless steel bottom plate...
Oak, Wood
Contemporary Wooden Stool by CarmWorks, Black Wood
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Balck Wood Stool by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez (aka CarmWorks) Solid oak or cedar Suitable for outdoor use Each piece is made to order and hand crafted by...
Cedar, Oak
For the exhibition “Materia Perpetua,” the gallery asked an international group of makers — including Tagliaferri — to explore the possibilities of a surprisingly versatile material: onyx.
With an impressive slate of international exhibitions, the Geneva-based gallery raises the profiles of emerging designers.
