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)
Dinette table, 1954

Sam Maloof

Dinette table, 1954

Sale Date: June 3, 2007

Auction Closed

Pair of chairs, 1954

Sam Maloof

Pair of chairs, 1954

Sale Date: June 3, 2007

Auction Closed

Dining table (+ 8 chairs; set of 9), 1962

Sam Maloof

Dining table (+ 8 chairs; set of 9), 1962

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Hanging cabinet, 1962

Sam Maloof

Hanging cabinet, 1962

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Hanging shelf, 1962

Sam Maloof

Hanging shelf, 1962

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Buffet, 1962

Sam Maloof

Buffet, 1962

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Dining table (+ 6 chairs; set of 7), 1962

Sam Maloof

Dining table (+ 6 chairs; set of 7), 1962

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Candelabrum, 1962

Sam Maloof

Candelabrum, 1962

Sale Date: March 29, 2007

Auction Closed

Music stand, 1970

Sam Maloof

Music stand, 1970

Sale Date: December 3, 2006

Auction Closed

Chair, 1958

Sam Maloof

Chair, 1958

Sale Date: March 11, 2004

Auction Closed

Buffet, 1958

Sam Maloof

Buffet, 1958

Sale Date: March 11, 2004

Auction Closed

Console table, 1963

Sam Maloof

Console table, 1963

Sale Date: December 9, 2005

Auction Closed

Pedestal dining table and twelve hornback..., 1963

Sam Maloof

Pedestal dining table and twelve hornback..., 1963

Sale Date: December 9, 2005

Auction Closed

Rocking chair, 1977

Sam Maloof

Rocking chair, 1977

Sale Date: June 8, 2005

Auction Closed

Rocking chair, 1986

Sam Maloof

Rocking chair, 1986

Sale Date: June 14, 2006

Auction Closed

Rocking chair, 1969

Sam Maloof

Rocking chair, 1969

Sale Date: June 17, 2004

Auction Closed

Music stand, 1963

Sam Maloof

Music stand, 1963

Sale Date: June 18, 2006

Auction Closed

ROCKING CHAIR, 1989

Sam Maloof

ROCKING CHAIR, 1989

Sale Date: February 26, 1994

Auction Closed