I worked for Stendig as a sales rep from the late 70s, to their demise in the late 80s. Charles Stendig was an importer and never manufactured anything, he would contract with manufacturers, primarily Italian, to make his designs. He was the first to import designs by Breuer. The wassily chair was designed in 1926, and the original design was modified for mass production, so all of them are reproductions, but some are better than others. The best ones have welded end caps. I now rep --- Gallery, and they sell the best reproductions from Italy, for less than Knoll.
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So if you start an importer...
So if you start an importer company and sell expensive furniture from Europe you can actually ask them to manufacture your own designs? In that case then Stendig WAS a manufacturer, it's just that the manufacturing was outsourced to those companies whose furniture he was importing. Can you still do that today? I ask because so many young and unknown designers are always trying to break into the industry displaying their prototypes at furniture fairs in hope of getting picked up by one of the big manufacturers...so for those who are doing just that and getting nowhere perhaps you could just start an importing company and then ask the manufacturers to produce your own designs?
Non-Stop sofa, DS-600
Do you know who I can contact to find out how to take the Non Stop sofa,
Modle DS-600 apart. I am looking for information on how to take the pivot hinges between each section apart.
There is a very narrow slotted piece in the top of each pivot but I am not able the turn or unscrew it. There does not appear to be any other way to take the hinge apart so that I can clean and feed the leather.
Thank you for your help.
Tom Hamilton
Rochester, New York
585-385-9078
If only it were so easy, I ha...
If only it were so easy, I have my own thoughts on outsourcing but perhaps Gustavo and Koen have something to say?
I will say though that in my experience the sort of entrepeneurial spirit required to take care of the business side of things and the creative side don't often come together in one person.
nylon caning on 60's Stendig Prague chairs
I purchased six Stendig Prague chairs in 1965, which were hand-caned with synthetic nylon caning, and they have lasted in the most extraordinary way-- the caning is as taut and perfect today, forty-five years later, as when new.
A German-based curator said it was cheaper than natural at that time in Eastern Europe, but fell out of use around 1990 when natural caning became more accessible.
It seems to have disappeared, which is too bad, because the caning seems virtually indestructible and has a translucency that is quite beautiful. I wonder if it can be revived.
Does anyone know of manufacturers or craftspeople in Eastern Europe who might remember sources for this material?
Help me find info on Charles and Ellenor
For many years I was an acquaintance, as a Designer in new York City, of Charles and Elenore Stendig. I moved to Canada 36 years ago and lost touch. Charles helped me meet the company he helped set up here "Klaus Neinkamper". Klaus and I are trying to find out what happened to Charles and Elenore? Can you help?
Barry Birnberg
stendig chair - nylon caning back and seat with vinyle seat as well
Hi classicman,
I read you post with great interest. I am curious if you have any insight into a chair I acquired recently.
It is clearly stamped Made in Czechoslovakia and has the original Stendig sticket in place. The caning is in the synthetic nylon for both the back and seat. The unique part that I have yet to see anywhere else is that OVER the seat caning is a vinyl covered seat. You can clearly see the original Stendig lable on the bottom of the vinyl bottm throught the seat caning. It looks like they had a finished chair and then made the alteration at the factory, ... manybe to fill a custome order?
I would love to have your take on it.
If anyone else has info, would love to hear from you as well. Thanks!
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