Though much of Arthur Umanoff's furniture is marked by a no-frills simplicity common in American mid-century modern design, his work is anything but one-note. Over the course of a prolific career, Umanoff designed everything from case pieces to candleholders to magazine racks to dining chairs in iron, leather, walnut, wicker and more. With furnishings for a broad range of manufacturers throughout the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, Umanoff continued a thread of sculptural elegance and textural sensitivity through his designs.
After graduating from Pratt Institute in the early 1950s, Umanoff experimented mostly with wood furniture before landing a job at Post Modern Ltd, a New York manufacturer of wrought-iron furniture. There he produced furnishings that married wrought iron with wood and plastic, creating functional pieces free of utilitarian bulkiness.
Umanoff continued his experimentation with mixed materials through a partnership with Shaver Howard, for whom he designed wine racks in combinations of iron, leather and wicker.
When Shaver Howard bought Boyeur Scott, Umanoff conceived several furniture designs for the brand, including the 1964 Granada collection, whose curlicue iron bases, visible through glass tops, stand out as some of his most ornate and decorative work. Indeed, much of Umanoff’s oeuvre is far more simplistic, like iron-and-pine armchairs for The Elton Co. or low-backed, slatted-seat barstools with slender iron legs for Raymor.
Umanoff was fluent, too, in the more sumptuous modernism of the era: In the mid-1960s, he designed the 2405 and 4449 armchairs for Madison Furniture Industries. Popular in offices, the walnut-framed, leather-upholstered seats, which could have been mistaken for the seductive Scandinavian modern seating of the era, were reportedly the jumping-off point for Captain Kirk’s iconic seat on Star Trek.
Even as he is among the mid-century modern designers you may not know, with work across such a range of styles and manufacturers (most no longer in business), Umanoff, who died in 1985, leaves a legacy that is fascinatingly diverse and at times enticingly elusive, making his work intriguing objects for collectors.
Find vintage Arthur Umanoff bar stools, tables, benches and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Bar Cart by Arthur Umanoff, 1950s USA
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing bar cart by Arthur Umanoff. Featuring an aged iron frame with rush trim and slatted wood. Four green Masonite sliding doors with leather handles flank both sides of the cart,...
Iron
$5,800
H 36.25 in W 35.5 in D 17.75 in
Arthur Umanoff, Bar Cart, Iron, Birch, Rush, Formica, USA, 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered iron, birch, rush and white formica bar cart designed by Arthur Umanoff and produced by Raymor, USA, c. 1950s. Light to moderate discoloration present throughout w...
Iron
Vintage Mid Century Danish Modern Bar Cart Yngve Ekstrom Style.
Located in Seattle, WA
Bar Cart on casters. Possibly Teak. Sleek Danish modern design. Circa 1960s/1970s. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 39 1/2 W ; 16 1/2 D ; 24 H
Teak
Paul McCobb Mid Century Modern Bar Cart For Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid Century Modern bar cart by Paul McCobb for Calvin. Square tube brass frame on wheels. Wood shelves and removeable bent wood serving tray. Two drawers and a pull out side shelf. T...
Brass
Harvey Probber Designed Bar Cart
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern cart designed by Harvey Probber with simple modern lines. Waxed mahogany frame and white glass top. Used for living room entertainment as a rolling dry bar. Please...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
Rare Arthur Umanoff Bar Serving Cart, 1970s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
STUNNING ARTHUR UMANOFF BAR CART, 1970 Painted steel, oak, wheels. Produced by David Morgan, USA A fantastically functional California Modern design piece that exemplifies Umanoff’s singular architectural aesthetic. Has a drawer, two trays and six bottle cubbies accessible from either side. Constructed of oak with an enameled steel frame, chrome handle, swiveling caster and bicycle wheels with solid rubber tires. 40" H x 39" W x 20" D. Condition Overall very good condition. Occasional minor surface wear. We currently have this bar cart paired with a a Lou Hodges desk...
Iron, Steel
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Peroba Wood Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Saudade, MG
1950s bar cart, featuring a structure of slender black and gold metal rods and a curved-edge top veneered in Peroba-do-Campo wood.
Metal
Mid-Century Wooden Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Danish bar cart with plastic covered brass decorations. Top tray has sun related discoloration which appears to be a charming addition to a Classic Mid-Century design.
Wood
Mid Century Oak Bar / Credenza
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very unique large bar or credenza. The piece is made out of Oak and the front is laminate.
Oak
Mid Century Teak Friedrich Landwehr Möbelfabrik Credenza
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice teak Credenza. The credenza consists of 4 drawers with two doors. The piece still has its original skeleton key
Teak
Mid Century Danish Teak Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler Floating Hutch
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this excellent vintage cabinet / hutch made by Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler
Teak
Mid Century Edmond J Spence Swedish Glass Hutch Credenza
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Esperance, NY
This exquisite piece of furniture is entirely original and was acquired directly from the original owner. The photographs truly do not capture its full beauty. The wood is remarkable...
Glass
Mid Century Walnut Nightstands Made by Johnson Furniture Co
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice vintage set of nightstands made by Johnson Furniture CO. Grand rapids NY. The nightstands were made around 1960s - 1970s. The stands are missing shelves on...
Walnut
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Walnut Credenza With Hutch
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this outstanding Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Walnut Credenza With Hutch. The top is removable.
Walnut
