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Lawrence Peabody

American, 1924-2002

American designer Lawrence Peabody imbued his mid-century modern furniture with flair and style. His vintage lounge chairs, side tables and credenzas feature sleek silhouettes and chic curves. At the same time, every piece has an easy and comfortable appeal reflective of a designer known to be humble and pragmatic.

Peabody was born in 1924 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. As a young man, the story goes, he joined the Navy partly because he found the uniforms aesthetically appealing. After World War II, Peabody used the benefits offered by the G.I. Bill to attend the Rhode Island School of Design. There, he studied under Austrian designer Ernst Lichtblau, who introduced Peabody to the Bauhaus style.

After completing his studies in America, Peabody moved to Denmark and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Here, he met his wife, Bette, who he married in 1952. By 1955, Peabody had moved back to America and settled in Boston, where he created Danish-inspired seating for the Selig furniture company and opened a design firm called Lawrence Peabody Associates. 

One of the firm's earliest designs was a walnut and rattan cradle chair for Richardson Nemschoff, which earned the 1962 International Design Award. Peabody became known for using walnut in his work and drew on Scandinavian modernist influences in his designs.

For the next three decades, Lawrence Peabody Associates developed an extensive client list that included names like Kohler, Richardson Brothers, Chapman Lamps and Boyd Lighting.

Throughout his life and career, Peabody also developed a love of Haiti and Haitian art. On one trip to Port-Au-Prince, he met and befriended a man named Dewitt Peters, founder of Le Centre d'art, a haven for local artists. Peabody and Dewitt collaborated to promote handcrafted Haitian art and furniture at overseas museums. Peabody even became one of the organization's directors. He eventually purchased a home in Port-Au-Prince and spent much time there later in life.

Today, Craft Associates Furniture holds the license to produce Peabody designs.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Lawrence Peabody seating, tables, storage cabinets and other furniture.

Average Sold Price
$6,050
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Lawrence Peabody, Dressers, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and brass dressers designed by Lawrence Peabody and produced by Richardson Brothers, USA, c. 1950s. From Richardson Nemschoff Sales Inc., Sheboygan Falls, Wisc. Mercha...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Brass

Lawrence Peabody, Dressers, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
Lawrence Peabody, Dressers, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
$14,500 / set
H 30.25 in W 42.6 in D 19.25 in
Lawrence Peabody Wicker Lounge Chair for Craft Associates Furniture
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates® Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, leather Lawrence Peabody wicker lounge chair...
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Teak

Lawrence Peabody Teak Dresser 2202P for Craft Associates Furniture
By Craft Associates, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates® Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Teak, brass Dimensions H: 30.5...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Brass

CraftAssociates Lounge Chair, Peabody Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair, Walnut
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Lounge Chair, Peabody Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair, Walnut This modern lounge chair by Lawrence Peabody : Holiday Series for Craft Associates Furniture is expertl...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid Century Lawrence Peabody Sculptural Rocking Lounge Chair in Gray Mohair
By Lawrence Peabody, Richardson Nemschoff
Located in Troy, MI
A rare contoured rocking chair designed by Lawrence Peabody for Richardson Nemschoff circa 1960s Freeform design with continuous sculpted wood frame in dark finish supporting a floa...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Modern Dresser in Oak by Lawrence Peabody, 6 Drawer
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Lawrence peabody oak dresser - 2201P : The Peabody Collection This Lawrence Peabody Oak dresser for Craft Associates Furniture is expertly hand crafted. The Peabody collection pi...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Oak

Modern Dresser in Oak by Lawrence Peabody, 6 Drawer
Modern Dresser in Oak by Lawrence Peabody, 6 Drawer
$5,250 / item
H 30.5 in W 42.75 in D 19 in
Modern Walnut Bookcase by Lawrence Peabody
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Black walnut, Claro walnut veneer This Lawrence Peabody modern boo...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Walnut

Modern Walnut Bookcase by Lawrence Peabody
Modern Walnut Bookcase by Lawrence Peabody
$6,000 / item
H 49 in W 58.875 in D 14.5 in
Lawrence Peabody Dining Side Chair P-1709 Craft Associates Furniture
By Craft Associates, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, leather These Lawrence Peabody dining side chairs P-1709 are expertly handcrafted and upholstered. These Peabody chairs are licensed reintroductions for Craft Associates. Chairs are solid walnut with each frame hand steamed and bent. The price includes our standard leather seat. Craft Associates furniture is proud each modern piece is made in the US. We strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. We use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product. dimensions H: 29.5" (74.93 cm) W: 20.5" (52.07 cm) D: 21" (53.34 cm) Seat Height: 18" (45.72 cm) Seat Width: 18" (45.72 cm) Seat Depth: 17.5" (44.45 cm) "The U.S. would profit by the example of the Danes, whose great work in furniture design is the result of combining proficient craftsmanship, Fine design and technical skill. The Danes do more than sell arts and crafts in their distinguished work, they sell Denmark." - Lawrence Peabody, 1957 history Lawrence “Larry” Peabody (1924-2002) was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. As an American born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, his distinctive design were often influenced by his Scandinavian roots. Lawrence studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark and at the Rhode Island School of Design. His early career with Selig Mfg. Co. was prolific and helped put both himself and Selig on the map for modern furniture. He then started Lawrence Peabody & Associates in 1955, a design firm in Boston which included a vast client list (Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kohler, Regal Rugs, Boyd Lighting, Chapman Lamps, and Richardson Brothers). In 1961, Mr. Peabody won a Citation for Merit for his Peabody Collection for Richardson/ Nemschoff. Winner of the 1962 International A.I.D. design award for his wood frame rattan cradle...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lawrence Peabody

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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Lawrence Peabody Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$9,500Lounge ChairsTeak2019
2025$4,400Lounge ChairsUpholstery, WalnutUnknown
2025$1,620Lounge ChairsWood, Oak1955
2025$10,000Lounge ChairsTeak2019
2025$10,000ChairsWicker, Teak2023
2025$3,505SetteesUpholstery, WoodUnknown
2025$1,872Club ChairsUpholstery, WalnutC. 1960’s
2025$7,500BookcasesTeak2022
$6,050
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$1,620-$10,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Lawrence Peabody

Lawrence Peabody furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Lawrence Peabody furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Lawrence Peabody furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 54 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 36 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Lawrence Peabody were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Steelcase, Richard Schultz, and Bernhardt. Prices for Lawrence Peabody furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,250 and can go as high as $21,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,595.