Skip to main content

Drexel Furniture

American

While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.

In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oakwood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.

One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.

In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.

Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more.

With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.

Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories.

In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.

In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.

The vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.

2
to
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
246
3
3
3
2
Creator: Drexel
Dealer: 2220 Antiques
A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk and matching chair.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Drexel Declaration Coffee Table, 1950
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut and Rosewood Drexel Declaration coffee table. Walnut with rosewood inlay.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Related Items
Rare Five-Piece Drexel Counterpoint Modular Desk Dresser Mid-Century Modern
By John Van Koert
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Extremely rare five-piece set of John Van Koert's Drexel Counterpoint modular desk and chair plus two separate drawer units and a fabulous cedar li...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Mahogany

1950s Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Kipp Stewart Walnut Writing Desk
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Look at this beautiful wood grained Mid century modern writing desk designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel. Beautiful walnut grain with 2 drawers. Simple lines, sculpted legs, curved ed...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Bench / Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist bench or table by John Van Koert for Drexel, superior quality and construction. Scaled down version of the Classic dining table, simple, elegant design. solid and sturdy fr...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Dining Table
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Dining Table. Original vintage condition with alight wear and finish. well cared for and ready for use. No extensions leaves. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Kipp Stewart Walnut Coffee Table for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modern coffee table, designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration, American, circa 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

1960s Mid Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut executive desk designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1960s. The desk is amazing and boasts a beautiful walnut frame with a sleek formica top. The de...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Mid Century Profile Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Chic, stylish, architectural mid century modern coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture as part of the classic Profile series, circa 1960’s. The table features ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table
Located in Belmont, MA
Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table. Slightly bowed shape.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Countryside, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel declaration mid century walnut corner desk This desk measures: 52.5 wide x 40.25 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a c...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Minimalist Walnut Coffee Table by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, Declaration Line
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in San Diego, CA
An exceptional minimalist low profile walnut coffee table by Kipp Stewart for Drexel - Declaration line, circa 1960s. The table has both a gorgeous tone and grain which is contrasted...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern coffee table features stylish beveled edges with an ebonized strip that stretches all the way around the top. This sleek Mid-Century piece sits on top of fou...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table
H 19.5 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Mid-Century Dining Table John Van Koert Drexel Projection
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Baltimore, MD
Stunning vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut dining table in great original condition, designed by John Van Koert for the Drexel Projection line, circa...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Drexel 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 Drexel furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Drexel 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 Henredon, Widdicomb Furniture Co., and Lane Furniture. Prices for Drexel furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $296 and can go as high as $16,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,230.
Questions About Drexel Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Yes, Drexel Furniture makes high-quality furniture in a variety of styles. The company's vintage pieces are highly sought after by collectors. You can find a wide range of Drexel Furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, Drexel Heritage and Drexel Furniture are the same thing. The company began as Drexel Heritage, but changed their name in 2017 to reflect their shift toward producing contemporary as well as traditional furniture. You'll find a range of Drexel furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    Drexel Touraine is a line of furniture produced by Drexel Furniture. The pieces reflect the stylistic elements of the French Provincial style, and the company manufactured them from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s. In the postwar era, North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture also embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Drexel furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether or not Drexel Heritage furniture is considered quality is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, the company does produce pieces from carefully selected materials. Many made decades ago still remain in good condition today. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Drexel Heritage furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Drexel Furniture was known for the use of oak wood, native to the area in North Carolina where the company was based. Their attention to quality and detail highlighted the beauty of the wood they used. Browse a variety of Drexel Furniture pieces from top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024
    No, Drexel furniture is not still in business. In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company was purchased by United Furniture and rebranded as Drexel in 2017. Then, in 2018, United Furniture's parent company, Heritage Home Group, filed for bankruptcy, and Drexel ceased production. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Drexel furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    To know if your Drexel furniture is vintage, examine its serial number, which you will usually find in a hidden spot, such as beneath a tabletop or on the back or bottom of a casegood. By cross-referencing this number with information available on trusted online resources, you should be able to estimate the year of production. Drexel furniture produced more than 20 years ago would qualify as vintage. If you need assistance with dating your piece, seek the advice of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Drexel furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Drexel Heritage no longer makes furniture and the company has gone out of business. The last company to own Drexel was Heritage Home Group who filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018. It has since gone out of business and sold its headquarters and showroom. Shop a collection of authentic Drexel furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    What happened to the Drexel Heritage furniture company was that the company went out of business. In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors when the Heritage Home Group purchased it. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017. Then, in 2018, the Heritage Home Group filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Although a Chinese manufacturer called Samson Holdings bought the Heritage Home Group, production of Drexel furniture never resumed. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Drexel Heritage furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, Drexel Heritage is indeed high-end furniture. High-end furniture is made using the highest quality materials with the best in craftsmanship and Drexel Heritage furniture is no exception. Shop a collection of Drexel Heritage furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All