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.
John Eric Byers, "Loft Bench for Three"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elevated bench from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a soph...
Maple
Maple Loft Bench for Three by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple loft bench for three by John Eric Byers. Dimensions: 45.7 x 172.7 x 36.8 cm. Materials: carved blackened maple. All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric ...
Maple
John Eric Byers, "Loft Bench for Two"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elevated bench from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a soph...
Maple
Maple Loft Bench for Two by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple loft bench for two by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 45.7 x 114.3 x 36.8 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade...
Maple
Maple Block Bench for Three by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple block bench for three by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 43 x 101.6 x 35.5 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade ...
Maple
$30,171 / item
H 18.12 in W 72.05 in D 14.97 in
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
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
T3 Table by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
T3 Table by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D 51 x W 173 x H 35.5 cm. Materials: White oak wood. John Eric Byers creates geometrically inspired pieces that are minimal, emotional, and ...
Oak
John Eric Byers, "Block Bench for Three"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monolithic piece from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a ...
Maple
John Eric Byers, "Square Revert", Tables or Stools
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Square Revert Stool or Tables are listed here as a set. Each design is also available for purchase separately at $8,000. This solid maple piece from John Eric Byers merges mod...
Maple
