Hobart Wells easy chair

This rare mid-century modern easy chair was designed by Hobart Wells and produced in the United States by the Lensol-Wells Company during the 1960s. The chair features a sculptural seat and backrest made of molded fiberglass, distinguished by an integrally printed decorative pattern. The surface displays organic motifs in earthy tones such as olive green, muted pink, ochre, and black, set against a mottled brown and tan background. These graphic elements contribute to the chair’s unique character and reflect the experimental use of materials and surface treatments typical of American postwar design.

The ergonomically contoured seat and backrest are mounted on a black lacquered steel rod base. This base is constructed from bent steel rods arranged in angular lines with intersecting supports, providing both visual lightness and structural stability. The backrest is affixed using visible hardware, including a steel bracket that reinforces the connection and complements the frame’s industrial aesthetic.

The chair shows signs of age and use, with visible patina and wear on the fiberglass surface. This includes some fading and slight irregularities in the printed decoration, which affirm the piece’s originality and period authenticity.

Hobart Wells was an American designer and sculptor active in the 1950s and 1960s, known for exploring modern materials such as fiberglass and resin. His seating designs often balanced experimental form with industrial production methods. The Lensol-Wells Company specialized in molded plastic and fiberglass furniture during the mid-20th century, producing pieces for both institutional and domestic markets and playing a role in the wider adoption of innovative materials in American interiors.

The chair measures 56 centimeters in width, 53 centimeters in depth, and 71.5 centimeters in height, with a seat height of 37 centimeters (approximately 22 by 20.9 by 28.1 inches, seat height 14.6 inches).