Henry Glass Swing Line Cabinet
Fleetwood Furniture, 1952. Lacquered Masonite and Maple.
33 H x 31 W x 17 ½ D”.
$15,000
This piece has been expertly restored and refinished. The cabinet showcases an exceptionally creative design and, despite restoration, remains exceedingly rare.
Celebrated for his innovative use of materials, Henry Glass was a key figure in mid-century modern design. He initiated the first industrial-design program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he taught for over two decades. His highly successful "Swingline" collection, which included beds, bookshelves, and desks, was groundbreaking for its use of Masonite in modular furniture. Glass’s designs were known for their bold, contrasting colors and practical, imaginative forms, which reflected the needs of consumers in the 1950s.
Swingline Furniture, created in the mid-1950s, was specifically designed for children’s spaces. The collection is celebrated for its organic nesting shapes and minimalist aesthetic, combining practicality with style. Offering versatile pieces such as desks, chairs, and storage units, the collection emphasized simplicity, durability, and modular design to suit dynamic, smaller interiors. While not as widely recognized today, Swingline remains an important part of American design history, showcasing Glass’s innovative, functional elegance.