The Russel Wright Collection

The Russel Wright Collection

$1,995.00 USD
$1,995.00 USD
Sale Sold out

An authorized reissue of Russel Wright’s 1941 original designs, handmade by Old Hickory in Indiana from solid hickory and hand-woven rattan splint. Developed with Manitoga / The Russel Wright Design Center, the collection brings Wright’s informal, distinctly American modernism back into production.

Russel and Mary Wright were among the most influential American designers of the twentieth century and believed that American modernity could look forward without leaving natural materials and handcraft behind. In 1940, they partnered with Old Hickory furniture for their “Outdoor Living Room” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; soon after, they designed this collection for Old Hickory, bringing modern forms to traditional bent-hickory and woven-splint construction.

More than eighty years later, Wright’s original drawings provide the basis for bringing these designs back into production. Roseland has partnered with Manitoga / The Russel Wright Design Center and Old Hickory to offer three pieces from the collection. The chairs are designed for indoor or covered porch use. 

The collection was photographed at Manitoga, Wright’s home and studio in Garrison, New York. We are grateful to Manitoga and Old Hickory for trusting Roseland with this small part of his legacy.

View full details

Designed by Russel Wright in 1941, made by Old Hickory

Russel Wright shaped American design around everyday life, favoring comfort, practicality, and ease of use over formality. His American Craft Collection is made by Old Hickory Furniture in Indiana, bringing the designs back to the same 134-year-old manufacturer for which Wright created them in 1941.

American Craft Collection

  • LOW LOUNGE CHAIR

    Structured around a single, nearly five-foot hickory curve, Wright’s Low Lounge Chair combines an inviting recline with a tall, upright presence. We recommend adding a small lumbar pillow.

  • ARM CHAIR

    An upright and versatile chair. Its woven seat and open hickory frame provide support without feeling formal or heavy, making it equally at home around a table, beside a desk, or in a sitting room.

  • CHAISE LOUNGE

    In the collection’s most sculptural piece, a long woven seat and articulated hickory frame form a continuous gesture from back to footrest. It's an elegant study in relaxed, informal comfort.
">

Made From Living materials

“I believe with religious intensity that good design is for everyone.” — Russel Wright

  • WOVEN BY HAND

    Each back and seat is handwoven in Indiana from palm rattan, chosen for its strength, workability, and comfort. The herringbone pattern is straightforward and durable, allowing years of indoor use.

  • Solid hickory construction

    Hickory is stripped, steam-bent, and worked by hand, revealing knots, grain shifts, and subtle changes in tone. These variations are not defects or embellishments—they are evidence of the material and the method. No two pieces are exactly alike, and none are meant to be.

dimensions

Arm Chair

materials

Solid American Hickory, sourced primarily from Tennessee and Mississippi. Woven splint is solid Palm Rattan. Both are finished in pure Tung oil with a burnt umber pigment.

Warranty

This collection is fully warrantied by Old Hickory. They cover defects in materials and workmanship for one year. After that, the materials remain covered for the lifetime of the furniture, though labor is no longer included. Contact Old Hickory or Roseland if you believe your piece needs a warranty repair.

care

Avoid harsh cleaners, standing water, excessive heat, and prolonged direct sunlight. If the finish looks dry or worn, clean it thoroughly and apply a very thin coat of tung oil, wiping away all excess and allowing it to cure fully.

Low Lounge Chair

materials

Solid American Hickory, sourced primarily from Tennessee and Mississippi. Woven splint is solid Palm Rattan. Both are finished in pure Tung oil with a burnt umber pigment.

Warranty

This collection is fully warrantied by Old Hickory. They cover defects in materials and workmanship for one year. After that, the materials remain covered for the lifetime of the furniture, though labor is no longer included. Contact Old Hickory or Roseland if you believe your piece needs a warranty repair.

care

Avoid harsh cleaners, standing water, excessive heat, and prolonged direct sunlight. If the finish looks dry or worn, clean it thoroughly and apply a very thin coat of tung oil, wiping away all excess and allowing it to cure fully.

Chaise Lounge

materials

Solid American Hickory, sourced primarily from Tennessee and Mississippi. Woven splint is solid Palm Rattan. Both are finished in pure Tung oil with a burnt umber pigment.

Warranty

This collection is fully warrantied by Old Hickory. They cover defects in materials and workmanship for one year. After that, the materials remain covered for the lifetime of the furniture, though labor is no longer included. Contact Old Hickory or Roseland if you believe your piece needs a warranty repair.

care

Avoid harsh cleaners, standing water, excessive heat, and prolonged direct sunlight. If the finish looks dry or worn, clean it thoroughly and apply a very thin coat of tung oil, wiping away all excess and allowing it to cure fully.

Made by Hand for Over a Century

Since 1892, Old Hickory Furniture has built by hand, using solid hickory shaped with heat, pressure, and time. The methods remain largely unchanged, chosen for strength, repairability, and long service life.

In Partnership with Manitoga

Manitoga preserves the home and design philosophy of Russel and Mary Wright, reflecting their belief in practical, humane design. This licensing partnership supports Manitoga’s ongoing preservation, stewardship and programming.

Donate Directly

From the Met to Old Hickory

In 1940, Russel Wright partnered with Old Hickory to produce furniture designs for his “Outdoor Living Room” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Soon after, the Wrights developed the collection for Old Hickory, bringing modern forms to traditional bent-hickory construction. More than eighty years later, Wright's archival drawings form the basis for the collection's return to production.

Things to Know

The Russel Wright Collection is a licensed reproduction of Wright's 1941 'American Way' Collection. The chairs were recreated from his drawings and are finished naturally in a period-appropriate way.

For Indoor or Covered Porch Use

These are indoor chairs that may also be used on a well-covered porch. The hickory frames and rattan weaving can tolerate normal changes in humidity and occasional moisture, but they are not intended to remain outdoors. Prolonged exposure to rain, dampness, or direct sunlight will shorten the life of the rattan and accelerate changes in the wood and finish. The weaving may eventually dry and become brittle if it is left fully exposed to the elements.

Handmade Variation

Every chair is made by hand from individual hickory saplings. Differences in curvature, bark, grain, and color are expected. No two chairs will be precisely alike, and these variations are not considered defects.

Warranty and Repairs by Old Hickory

Old Hickory provides a one-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, including materials and labor. After the first year, replacement materials remain covered for the life of the chair; labor and transportation are not included. The chairs are also made to be repaired. The rattan seats and backs can be rewoven, and a damaged component can often be repaired or replaced without discarding the entire chair. If an issue arises, contact Roseland and we will work with Old Hickory to determine the appropriate repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this collection cost what it does?

We recognize that these pieces are significant purchases. Each is made in small batches at Old Hickory’s Indiana workshop from individually selected hickory saplings: shaped, joined and finished by hand, with rattan seats and backs woven by hand. The price reflects that unusually labor-intensive American production, the authorized revival from Wright’s original drawings, and the collection’s support of Manitoga’s preservation work.

Where can I see the chairs in person?

The three chairs can be seen by appointment at Roseland’s office at 255 Canal Street in Manhattan. Book an appointment here.

Is this an authentic Russel Wright design or just inspired by his work?

Yes. This is an authorized reissue of the American Craft Collection that Russel Wright designed for Old Hickory in 1941. The pieces were developed with Manitoga / The Russel Wright Design Center and recreated from Wright’s original archival drawings—not simply inspired by his style.

Can I use the pieces outdoors?

The collection is intended for indoor use or a well-protected covered porch. The hickory can tolerate normal changes in humidity and occasional moisture, but prolonged rain, direct sunlight, or outdoor exposure can change the wood’s color and eventually make the woven splint brittle.

Will my piece look exactly like the photographs?

Not exactly—and that is part of its character. Each piece is made from individual hickory saplings, so natural differences in curvature, grain, bark, color, and texture should be expected. These variations are evidence of the material and handmade process rather than defects.

Where and how is the collection made?

Every piece is made by hand at Old Hickory’s workshop in Shelbyville, Indiana. Individual hickory saplings are selected, shaped and joined using techniques Old Hickory has practiced for generations, while the natural splint seats and backs are woven by hand.

How are the pieces finished?

Both the hickory and the rattan splint are finished with a natural tung oil and burnt umber finish that preserves the texture and character of the wood rather than sealing it beneath a heavy lacquer.

How do I clean the pieces?

Dust with a soft cloth, wipe spills promptly, and use a lightly dampened cloth when needed. If the frame eventually appears dry, it can be refreshed sparingly with tung oil.

How durable are the pieces?

Hickory is exceptionally strong and resilient, and Old Hickory furniture has long been made for regular household and hospitality use. The woven splint is naturally more sensitive than the frame, but it can be repaired or replaced if it eventually wears—allowing the piece to remain in use rather than be discarded.

Can I request customizations?

We don’t offer customizations. Keeping the collection standardized allows Old Hickory to make it efficiently and helps us offer the pieces at the best possible price

What is Old Hickory's warranty policy?

Old Hickory provides a one-year warranty covering defective materials and the labor required to repair them. After the first year, replacement materials remain covered for the life of the piece, while labor and transportation costs are the owner’s responsibility. Normal wear, misuse, and damage from outdoor exposure are not covered.