The simple wood dowel has been part of some great design.
The ergonomic dowel
Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen prototype, c.1938
Source: Eerro Saarinen: Furniture for Everyman -- A great book if you don't have it.
The prototype dowel
Harry Bertoia, c.1940
Source: Wright
The dowel chair
Maurice Martine
The dowel legs
Eames for Herman Miller
The dowel table
Katavalos, Littel, and Kelley for Laverne
Source: Laverne Furniture, Textiles & Wallcoverings
The dowel bench
Stanley Young for Glenn of California
Source: Modern Furnishings for the Home
The dowel shelf
Greta Grossman
Source: LAMA
The craftsman dowel
George Nakashima, 1978
Source: Phillips