Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Some vintage Romweber Furniture Company designs may strike the young as passé. But for fans of a certain age, the American brand never went out of style.
The Romweber story began in the late 1800s, with the launch of American Furniture Company, which made bedroom furniture, Batesville Cabinet Company, a dining-room-set manufacturer, and Batesville Coffin Company. The three companies eventually merged to become a large and reputable manufacturer of case goods, furniture and more. Not unlike many American companies, production at Romweber suffered during the Great Depression. The brand managed to stay afloat by making a rather strange pivot — to selling five-pound fruitcake boxes. During the Second World War, Romweber pivoted again, this time to the production of ammunition boxes and pontoons for American troops and, naturally, furniture for officers’ quarters.
While Romweber furniture (spelled “RomWeber” in vintage advertisements), dating back to the early 20th century, had designers working in the French Rococo and Chippendale styles, the brand is best known for its mid-century modern pieces. In the postwar years, Romweber manufactured walnut case pieces and storage cabinets that featured decorative olive-ash and burl-wood inlays with brass hardware as well as solid oak credenzas and dining tables designed by the likes of Harold Schwartz. For collectors of sophisticated 1950s furniture, the company’s sturdy Viking Oak line is particularly popular.
“It’s not uncommon for customers to say, ‘My parents had this Romweber Viking set,’” says Adam Cramer of collectors who visit Liberty & 33rd, the gallery he owns with his wife in South Bend, Indiana, about three hours north of Romweber’s birthplace in small-town Batesville. “It’s solid oak,” Cramer tells 1stDibs of the line of tables, chairs, desks and more.
Solid oak is the product of slow-growing deciduous trees. Solid oak furniture is durable, desirable and an investment that is usually associated with a hefty price. In solid oak furnishings, such as those that make up the covetable Romweber Viking Oak line, which launched in 1935, there aren’t any scraps of other components in the construction. Inspired by Scandinavian folk design, Romweber’s Viking Oak is said to have enjoyed one of the longest runs for a commercial furniture line in history. The collection went out of production in the late 1980s, and mid-century editions remain highly prized for their exceptional quality and hand-carved details.
Find vintage Romweber furniture on 1stDibs.
1930s American Neoclassical Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Brass
1920s American Louis XV Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Brass
1920s American French Provincial Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Brass
Early 20th Century British Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Wood
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Brass
1980s American Louis XV Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Oak
Early 1900s Chippendale Antique Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Oak
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Oak
Late 19th Century English George III Antique Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Mahogany
1920s Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Mahogany
1880s Victorian Antique Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Marble, Brass
1890s French Louis XV Antique Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Brass
1980s Sheraton Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Mahogany
1930s American Rococo Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Glass, Burl, Paint
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Steel
1940s American French Provincial Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Brass
1930s American Chippendale Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany
1950s American American Classical Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Walnut
1950s American American Classical Vintage Romweber Furniture Co. Bookcases
Walnut
Romweber Furniture Co. bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is Romweber Furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024Romweber Furniture was an American furniture manufacturer. It began in the late 1800s with the launch of American Furniture Company, which made bedroom furniture; Batesville Cabinet Company, a dining-room set manufacturer and Batesville Coffin Company. The three companies eventually merged to become a large manufacturer of case goods, furniture and more. While Romweber Furniture had earlier designers working in the French Rococo and Chippendale styles, the brand is best known for its mid-century modern pieces. This includes walnut case pieces and storage cabinets that feature decorative olive-ash and burl-wood inlays with brass hardware, as well as solid oak credenzas and dining tables designed by Harold Schwartz. For collectors of sophisticated 1950s furniture, the company’s sturdy Viking Oak line is particularly popular. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Romweber furniture.