Sam Maloof

(American, 1916–2009)

Sam Maloof was an American woodworker and furniture designer. He is remembered for his hardwood furniture pieces that blend ergonomic functionality with austere forms. A major figure in the American Craft Movement, along with Wendell Castle and George Nakashima, his chairs are characterized by rounded corners, dished-out seats, and carved ridges. Maloof was born on January 24, 1916 in Chino, CA to Lebanese immigrants. He worked at the Vortox Manufacturing Company before being drafted into military service during World War II. Upon returning from the war, he produced furniture in his garage woodshop. Maloof is notable for being the first craftsman to receive a MacArthur fellowship. His work can be found among the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He died on May 21, 2009 in Alta Loma, CA. Despite his widespread acclaim, Maloof always referred to himself as a woodworker, never as an artist, saying, “I like the word. It's an honest word."

Sam Maloof Artworks

Sam Maloof (474 results)
An occasional chair, 1969–1970

Sam Maloof

An occasional chair, 1969–1970

Sale Date: September 19, 2005

Auction Closed

A hanging cabinet, 1964

Sam Maloof

A hanging cabinet, 1964

Sale Date: September 19, 2005

Auction Closed

A spindle back king size headboard, 1965

Sam Maloof

A spindle back king size headboard, 1965

Sale Date: September 19, 2005

Auction Closed

A pair of night stands, 1964

Sam Maloof

A pair of night stands, 1964

Sale Date: September 19, 2005

Auction Closed

Bench, 1963

Sam Maloof

Bench, 1963

Sale Date: June 29, 2008

Auction Closed

Rocking chair, 1983

Sam Maloof

Rocking chair, 1983

Sale Date: June 29, 2008

Auction Closed

Wall-mounted cabinet, 1970

Sam Maloof

Wall-mounted cabinet, 1970

Sale Date: May 18, 2008

Auction Closed

Coffee table, 1961

Sam Maloof

Coffee table, 1961

Sale Date: May 18, 2008

Auction Closed

Carved conference table and ten armchairs, 1967

Sam Maloof

Carved conference table and ten armchairs, 1967

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Circular coffee table, 1960–1969

Sam Maloof

Circular coffee table, 1960–1969

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Spindle back occasional chair, 1953

Sam Maloof

Spindle back occasional chair, 1953

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Pair of American night tables, 1953

Sam Maloof

Pair of American night tables, 1953

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Laced bench, 1953

Sam Maloof

Laced bench, 1953

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Early refectory dining table with six carved , 1953

Sam Maloof

Early refectory dining table with six carved , 1953

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Ttriple mitred tall chest of eight drawers, 1953

Sam Maloof

Ttriple mitred tall chest of eight drawers, 1953

Sale Date: March 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Rocking Chair, 1995

Sam Maloof

Rocking Chair, 1995

Sale Date: February 10, 2008

Auction Closed

Music stand, 1970

Sam Maloof

Music stand, 1970

Sale Date: November 16, 2007

Auction Closed

Spindel back lounge chair, 1953

Sam Maloof

Spindel back lounge chair, 1953

Sale Date: October 14, 2007

Auction Closed

Table, 1953

Sam Maloof

Table, 1953

Sale Date: October 14, 2007

Auction Closed

Highback armchair, 1960

Sam Maloof

Highback armchair, 1960

Sale Date: October 14, 2007

Auction Closed

Dining table (+ 8 chairs; set of 9), 1963

Sam Maloof

Dining table (+ 8 chairs; set of 9), 1963

Sale Date: October 14, 2007

Auction Closed

Pair of spindle back chairs, 1967

Sam Maloof

Pair of spindle back chairs, 1967

Sale Date: September 24, 2007

Auction Closed

End table, 1954

Sam Maloof

End table, 1954

Sale Date: June 3, 2007

Auction Closed

Rolling buffet/side board, 1954

Sam Maloof

Rolling buffet/side board, 1954

Sale Date: June 3, 2007

Auction Closed