Arthur Umanoff Magazine/Newspaper Rack

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Arthur Umanoff was an American designer, influential in the mid century modern and post-modern movements, who also began his professional … Read more Arthur Umanoff was an American designer, influential in the mid century modern and post-modern movements, who also began his professional career here in Brooklyn at the Pratt institute.

His designs span a number of categories—clocks, chairs, tables, credenzas—and mediums—wood, wrought iron, upholstery, Formica. As a result, his work reaches different niches visually, with some pieces appearing rather elegant with rounded edges and symmetrical or mirrored spindles connecting one section to another, maintaining an openness throughout. Some pieces may appear more angular featuring sharper edges, aggressive angles, comparatively, and contrasting materials.

The “fanning” shape is a common visual thread amongst many of his designs, displayed elegantly here on one of his magazine racks. During the midcentury, he designed several vessels for holding and displaying magazines, books, and newspaper. This piece was designed for Washington Woodcraft, a New Jersey-based manufacturer producing Umanoff-designed wooden spindle magazine racks during the 1950s and 1960s as Umanoff transitioned from more industrial wrought iron designs to wood and leather. This piece is solid walnut, evident in its refined grain texture with ultrafine pores, though it is sometimes misrepresented as teakwood. As elegant as it is functional, it features a carved handle at the top. Moving south, there are evenly spaced, cylindrical spindles fanning outwards from one side to the opposite, creating an A-frame. Towards the bottom, it has a ledge on which materials can be stored either horizontally on display, suspended between both platforms, or even a combination of both. It is versatile in multiple ways, including its adaptability for placement in the home, it looks refined and understated in bedrooms, living rooms, and dens, contributing to a polished look, regardless of location. See less