In its striking curtain wall of glass and modernist steel columns, Gordon Bunshaft’s International-style design for the Lever House — cocreated with Natalie de Blois — garnered widespread acclaim. The Pritzker Prize-winner was a legendary American architect, and his influence can be found today in city skylines all over the world.
Bunshaft studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before undertaking fellowships in Europe and North Africa. In 1937, he joined New York City architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill where he worked until his retirement in 1979.
Bunshaft shared the same interest in modernist furniture as Florence Knoll, an architect and furniture designer who had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism and who helped make Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Bunshaft recommended that Knoll be placed in charge of interiors when, while at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, he designed the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company’s headquarters in the mid-1950s.
Bunshaft’s projects drew heavily on the pioneering architectural work of Le Corbusier as well as Mies van der Rohe, an iconic furniture designer and fellow proponent of modernist architecture.
Celebrated architectural marvels created by Bunshaft include the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library for Yale University and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Research Building for the University of Texas. Completed in 1974, Bunshaft designed the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and finished the National Commercial Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1983. The National Commercial Bank was his last project.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Gordon Bunshaft case pieces and other furniture.
Extra-Large Gordon Bunshaft Credenza by De Coene Frères, 1960s
By Gordon Bunshaft, De Coene Frères, Florence Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and exceptional extra-large credenza designed by Gordon Bunshaft and crafted by De Coene Frères for the Lambert Bank in Belgium, circa 1960. This monumental piece exemplifies ...
Chrome
Modernist Pair of Walnut and Brass Chests of Drawers, Italy, 1965
By Ico Parisi
Located in Dronten, NL
A refined and highly versatile matching pair of Italian modernist chests of drawers, attributed to Ico Parisi and manufactured by Spartaco Brugnoli. Executed in richly grained walnut...
Brass
Monumental Italian Walnut and Bookmatched Rosewood Display Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
An Architectural Masterpiece: Monumental Italian Walnut and Bookmatched Rosewood Display Cabinet. A One-Off Commission by an Interior Architect for a Southern Italian Villa, circa 19...
Glass, Rosewood, Walnut
Rimbert Sandholt Brazilian Rosewood Dresser, Denmark, 1960s
By Rimbert Sandholdt, AB Glas & Trä
Located in Dronten, NL
A refined example of Danish modern craftsmanship, this Brazilian rosewood dresser by Rimbert Sandholt showcases the designer’s dedication to proportion, material, and detail. Produce...
Brass
Unique One-Off T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Secretary Cabinet by ‘t Woonhuys, 1955
By 't Woonhuys, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dronten, NL
A remarkable and unique one-off secretary cabinet designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and custom-produced by ‘t Woonhuys in 1955. This exceptional piece exemplifies the designer’s mas...
Nickel
Spectacular Axel Einar Hjorth Cabinet – Dark Stained Oak with Light Oak Interior
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Dronten, NL
There is Swedish Modern, and then there is Axel Einar Hjorth. As the visionary head of Nordiska Kompaniet’s furniture design department during the 1920s and 30s, Hjorth created piece...
Oak
Gordon Bunshaft Mid Century Walnut and Marble File Credenza
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Gordon Bunshaft Mid Century Walnut and Marble File Credenza This credenza measures: 95.75 wide x 19 deep x 26.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Marble, Chrome
Custom Knoll Credenza in Mahogany & Chrome
By Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Florence Knoll’s enduring impact on Mid-Century Modern design is unmistakably reflected in this monumental, custom-designed dining table. A pioneering figure in interior architecture...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood, features Notch pulls with chrome details, Four file drawers and Four pencil drawers, chrome plated adjustable feet, with lock. [Kno...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Chrome Credenza by Florence Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by architect and furniture designer Florence Knoll, one of the most influential figures of mid-century design, this exceptional walnut credenza embodies the clean lines, arc...
Steel, Chrome
Knoll Style Mid Century Walnut and Marble Top File Credenza
By Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Knoll Style Mid Century Walnut and Marble Top File Credenza This credenza measures: 55 wide x 22.75 deep x 28 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...
Marble
1960s Credenza by Poul Hundevad for Hundevad and Co in rosewood
By Paul Hundavad
Located in Victoria, BC
This credenza was designed by Poul Hundevad and produced by Hundevad & Co in Denmark during the 1960s. It is crafted in rosewood, with a strong linear form defined by its continuous ...
Wood
