Century Furniture Buffets
Known for its durable vintage display cabinets, nightstands and dressers made of cherry, oak, walnut and more, Century Furniture of Hickory, North Carolina, began as an upholstered goods company in 1947 but added case goods and sophisticated mahogany dining-room furnishings shortly thereafter.
Launched by Harley Ferguson Shuford Sr., a Hickory native who was born to a family of textile mill owners, Century Furniture was intended to be “the best furniture company in the world.” With respect to speed and efficiency, the brand found its footing midway through production on a government contract that Shuford had secured in the early days to manufacture thousands of five-drawer chests. The effort was significant, but it was also a teachable moment as far as Shuford and his team’s learning the ropes of running a factory.
After hiring designer Raymond K. Sobota in 1950 and introducing the enormously popular Citation Collection in 1954, Century established its reputation as a leader in stylishly designed high-quality furniture. Sobota had furniture in his blood — after graduating from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked for his uncle Karl Schmidt, who was at the time a well-known furniture designer for Berkey and Gay and other makers in the Grand Rapids area, then known as America’s furniture capital. Sobota soon launched his own studio, designing furniture as a freelancer for various local manufacturers. Shuford found him by happenstance, journeying to Michigan’s second-largest city to offer a job to another designer who turned him down but recommended Sobota instead.
Century’s Citation line — a sizable collection for the brand that spanned furnishings for the bedroom, dining room and more — is revered in the world of vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors. The pieces sold very well during the 1950s, and the line is an oft-cited success story for Sobota, who would go on to win awards for his work and whose own catalogue of designs for the brand is massive.
In his 40-year career at Century, until he retired in 1995, he designed well over 100 furniture lines. Sobota’s nightstands, cabinets, side tables and more are characterized by his interest in Asian design, distinctly and brilliantly expressed in his Hollywood Regency–style Chin Hua line, which debuted during the 1970s. With its geometrically decorative brass drawer pulls and door handles as well as dining-chair seat-back carvings — all inspired by Asian motifs — this collection has rendered vintage pieces that saw Century’s craftsmen working with alluring ebonized walnut and more, some of the company’s most sought-after work today.
Also in the 1970s as well as in the 1980s, Manhattan interior designer Jay Spectre introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at Century Furniture, creating oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Century licensed collections with celebrity interior designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams among others. In 2013, when Alex Shuford III was named president of Century Furniture, the move marked the succession of the third generation to lead this company, which is today one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers of high-end furniture.
Find Century Furniture lounge chairs and dining chairs as well as vintage mid-century modern credenzas, dressers and more on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Century Furniture
Olive Burl Black Lacquer Asian Modern Campaign Style Brass Accent Server Dry Bar
By Drexel, Dorothy Draper, Century Furniture, Henredon
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign server bar cart on casters made by esteemed US furniture maker Century circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grain olive ...
Category
1970s American Campaign Vintage Century Furniture Buffets
Materials
Brass
Century Furniture Contemporary Biedermeier Style Fruitwood Buffet
By Century Furniture
Located in Germantown, MD
A proportionate Century Furniture Contemporary Biedermeier Style Fruitwood Buffet in very good vintage condition. Measures 48" in width, 17" in depth and stands 33 " tall. Shelf is 1...
Category
Early 17th Century American Adam Style Antique Century Furniture Buffets
Materials
Brass
Custom Century Furniture Italian Painted Credenza
By Century Furniture
Located in Hartville, OH
Extraordinary Vintage Century Credenza, Sideboard. Century Furniture Company shows little record of this piece in their archives, likely meaning this was a custom finished piece maki...
Category
1970s American International Style Vintage Century Furniture Buffets
Materials
Paint
Gorgeous Restored Ten-Drawer Chest by Ray Sabota for Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. The...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Century Furniture Buffets
Materials
Brass
Century Credenza, Light Wood Finish
By Century Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
Light wood century furniture credenza, sideboard or buffet.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Century Furniture Buffets
Materials
Wood
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By Century Furniture, Raymond K. Sobota
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Hollywood Regency chinoiserie buffet or credenza designed by Raymond K. Sobota for his Chin Hua Collection for Century Furniture. Comprised of dark ebonized ash with burl wood and brass accents and pulls. This credenza is in wonderful vintage condition. The outside edge of the top has been restored and re-ebonized the rest of the piece retains its original finish and gorgeous age patina which can consist of wear, nicks, and dings but nothing outstanding. The top has a fresh coat of polyurethane for durability. Please see photos, circa 1975-1998.
If you are looking for a dynamic credenza for your entry hall or living room, or a buffet for your dining room… You have found it! This cabinet is part of the original Chin Hua Collection designed by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture in 1975. The entire collection was retired in1998 after a 23-year successful run. So successful that Century Furniture reissued the collection in 2012. And it is no wonder they revived it. The Chin Hua Collection was one of Century’s most revered collections of all time. However, this gorgeous piece is not part of the new collection and is only available vintage. Playing with the Hollywood Regency and chinoiserie style Sobota designed this piece handsomely. It is comprised of a deep brown almost black as in true ebony wood framework and burl wood inlays with brass accents and brass hardware. There are three sets of double doors with center brass pulls. The far-left door opens and has three pull out drawers behind it and the center and far right doors open to reveal a shelf and spacious open storage. This cabinet is gorgeous and versatile!
Raymond Karl Sobota (1914-2010) is an award-winning American furniture designer. He attended and obtained his degree in design from Kendall College of Art and Design in his native home of Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating in 1946 Sobota apprenticed with his namesake and uncle, a furniture designer as well, Karl Schmidt, who designed for Berkey and Gay Furniture Company. He apprenticed for seven years leading to his designing for Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Co., the Mt. Airy Furniture Co., Hekman Furniture and finally Century Furniture for whom he designed from 1952 until 1995. He designed all the company’s wood furniture during that time totally over 150 collections. The most notable being Citation, Chin Hua, Claridge, and the Henry Ford Museum and the British National Trust collections. Sobota is credited for helping to making Century Furniture the industry leader it is today.
Century Furniture Company, one of the world’s largest privately owned upper-end residential furniture manufacturers, was founded in 1947 by Harley Ferguson Shuford, Sr. When first formed Century Furniture was a selling agent for local upholstery lines. But as soon as a year later Shuford had built a case goods plant in Hickory, North Carolina and that started it all. Harley Shuford along with his siblings and children acquired company after company expanding into upholstered furniture, chair manufacturing, and even a leather division. Century has made it through feast and famine in the furniture business and today retains their long-standing role as a leading force in the American home furnishings market.
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Brass Pull Oak Burl Wood Campaign Modern Credenza by Century Furniture, 1970s
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Located in Chattanooga, TN
Stunning Campaign style credenza made by esteemed US furniture maker Century, circa 1970s. Mesmerizing burl wood on fronts and top. The brass pull hardware ties together British trad...
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Century Furniture Campaign Style Brass Accent Burl Wood Credenza Cabinet
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Located in Chattanooga, TN
Stunning Campaign style credenza made by esteemed US furniture maker Century, circa 1970s. Mesmerizing burl wood on fronts and top. The brass p...
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Century Furniture buffets for sale on 1stDibs.
Century Furniture buffets 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 Century Furniture buffets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original buffets by Century Furniture were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider buffets by Kipp Stewart, Broyhill Brasilia, and Henredon. Prices for Century Furniture buffets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,240 and can go as high as $10,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,345.
Creators Similar to Century Furniture
Questions About Century Furniture Buffets
- What is mid century furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Mid-century furniture is furniture created within the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would argue that the style began to emerge in the postwar years. This style of furniture is known for its sleek lines and organic shapes. The creators most frequently associated with mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living. Mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Century Furniture still exists. The brand operates from its corporate headquarters located in Hickory, North Carolina. The company was founded in 1947, and RHF Investments, Inc., acquired the company in 2013. You'll find a range of Century Furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of furniture was used during the 16th century. Items commonly found in homes include high-backed armchairs, chests, stools, benches and cupboards. Most European artisans active during the time period produced pieces out of oak wood. Find a large collection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Mid century modern furniture refers to pieces designed during the middle of the 20th century — specifically 1930s through the mid-1960s. This period represents a design and architecture movement characterized by simple shapes, clean lines, and organic materials. Some of the most famous mid century modern designers include Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen. - 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To tell if furniture is mid-century modern, examine the piece, looking for labels and markings that indicate who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and what styles of furniture they made. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. A knowledgeable dealer or certified appraiser can help you determine if a particular piece is genuine mid-century modern or a reproduction. Shop a range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Mid-century modern furniture combines sleek lines with organic shapes.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Mid-century modern furniture is so popular largely because its characteristics align well with the trends and tastes that are dominant today. Many people love its simple look defined by clean lines, and the use of natural materials also adds to its popularity. In addition, designers created mid-century modern furniture to be as functional as it is visually appealing, making pieces executed in the style simple, convenient and comfortable to use. Find a wide range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024There is not a single year that is mid-century modern. The style emerged during the 1940s and 1950s and remained dominant through the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Some notable designers who contributed to the development of the mid-century modern style include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. Shop a wide range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Some of the most famous mid-century modern furniture designers were Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, Paul Evans, Poul Kjærholm, Florence Knoll, George Nakashima, Giò Ponti, Hans Wegner, Charlotte Perriand, Sergio Rodrigues and Eero Saarinen.
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