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)
side table

Sam Maloof

side table

Sale Date: April 7, 2019

Auction Closed

drafting table, 1992

Sam Maloof

drafting table, 1992

Sale Date: March 21, 2019

Auction Closed

drafting chair, 1994

Sam Maloof

drafting chair, 1994

Sale Date: March 21, 2019

Auction Closed

Totem, 1987

Sam Maloof

Totem, 1987

Sale Date: February 17, 2019

Auction Closed

Fine rocking chair (no. 11), Alta Loma, CA, 2004

Sam Maloof

Fine rocking chair (no. 11), Alta Loma, CA, 2004

Sale Date: January 20, 2019

Auction Closed

Ottoman, 1960–1969

Sam Maloof

Ottoman, 1960–1969

Sale Date: May 30, 2018

Auction Closed

Rocking chair, 1977

Sam Maloof

Rocking chair, 1977

Sale Date: May 30, 2018

Auction Closed

Low back side chair, 1988

Sam Maloof

Low back side chair, 1988

Sale Date: December 13, 2018

Auction Closed

Low back settee, 1987

Sam Maloof

Low back settee, 1987

Sale Date: December 13, 2018

Auction Closed

ARMCHAIR, ALTA LOMA, CALIFORNIA, 1980

Sam Maloof

ARMCHAIR, ALTA LOMA, CALIFORNIA, 1980

Sale Date: December 10, 2018

Auction Closed

rocking chair, 1975

Sam Maloof

rocking chair, 1975

Sale Date: November 18, 2018

Auction Closed

Ottoman, 1960

Sam Maloof

Ottoman, 1960

Sale Date: November 28, 2018

Auction Closed

Game table with four low-back chairs

Sam Maloof

Game table with four low-back chairs

Sale Date: November 13, 2018

Auction Closed

Spindle-back rocking chair, 1981

Sam Maloof

Spindle-back rocking chair, 1981

Sale Date: November 13, 2018

Auction Closed

Set of Eight Spindle Back Dining Chairs, 1968

Sam Maloof

Set of Eight Spindle Back Dining Chairs, 1968

Sale Date: October 25, 2018

Auction Closed

Pedestal Dining Table, 1967

Sam Maloof

Pedestal Dining Table, 1967

Sale Date: October 25, 2018

Auction Closed

Buffet, 1969

Sam Maloof

Buffet, 1969

Sale Date: October 25, 2018

Auction Closed

Rocking Chair, 1968

Sam Maloof

Rocking Chair, 1968

Sale Date: October 25, 2018

Auction Closed

Rocking Chair, 1959

Sam Maloof

Rocking Chair, 1959

Sale Date: October 21, 2018

Auction Closed

Rocking chair, 1970

Sam Maloof

Rocking chair, 1970

Sale Date: September 30, 2018

Auction Closed

SIDE TABLE, ALTA LOMA, CALIFORNIA, 1970

Sam Maloof

SIDE TABLE, ALTA LOMA, CALIFORNIA, 1970

Sale Date: June 4, 2018

Auction Closed

ROCKING CHAIR, ALTA LOMA, CALIFORNIA, 1975

Sam Maloof

ROCKING CHAIR, ALTA LOMA, CALIFORNIA, 1975

Sale Date: June 4, 2018

Auction Closed

Custom Rocking Chair, 2002

Sam Maloof

Custom Rocking Chair, 2002

Sale Date: April 16, 2018

Auction Closed

Fine rocking chair (no. 30), 1986, 1986

Sam Maloof

Fine rocking chair (no. 30), 1986, 1986

Sale Date: May 20, 2018

Auction Closed