When it comes to Brown Jordan’s mid-century vintage pieces sought by collectors, a number were designed by Walter Lamb. The prototypes for these pieces were made with salvaged bronze piping bent into curving shapes and finished with yacht cord webbing. It is not uncommon for the cording to be reworked on these vintage chaise loungers and rocking chairs. Other Brown Jordan lines, such as the Elan Collection dating to the 1980s, featured oversized disc wheels on chaise lounges similar to those designed by Richard Schwartz for his 1966 Collection. Designer Richard Frinier also designed a bar cart for Brown Jordan in the 1980s with large wheels of this type. Among the most popular with today’s decorators is the Salterini hoop chair designed by Maurizio Tempestini. These are also referenced as “radar chairs” or “clamshell chairs” due to their unique round shape. They coordinate with round tables made of similar materials for dining, but look great as occasional chairs either for indoor or outdoor use. In fact, Salterini pieces were widely advertised in home decorating magazines from the 1940s through the ’70s for use both indoors and out, especially dining sets. Those seeking Salterini designs today should be aware that many pieces marketed as being made by this brand are actually more recent imported knock offs. Among the chairs Knoll Associates commissioned Bertoia to design were his metal indoor/outdoor lattice models in the early 1950s. These recognizable designs are part of the Bertoia Collection, and they reflect his background as as an artist with their sculptural appeal. Like most Knoll furniture dating back to the 50s, these chairs were made continuously for almost two decades. They were labeled Knoll Associates through 1969, while versions made since then will say Knoll International on the labels (when they are still present.) Schultz first explored the idea of his own innovative outdoor lines in the early to mid-1960s. His Petal Table, available in three versions, was an award-winning hit that came out in 1960. To compliment Bertoia’s designs, his 715 Chaise Lounge was made in 1961. This piece is now a part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. He also introduced a collection of aluminum furniture in 1966, at the urging of Florence Knoll, that was durable yet sophisticated. The 1966 Collection includes a grouping of lounge furniture as well as dining furniture with several chair and table options. The Sculptura chair was added to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum’s permanent collection in 1994. The line remains popular today with those seeking vintage modernism flair for outdoor living spaces. There are a number of versions of these chairs with and without arms and/or rockers, and they have a familiar flair about them when compared with Eames chairs made from molded fiberglass during the same era. Woodard also made coordinating footstools and tables out of welded wrought iron with metal wire mesh.
