Drexel Heritage Art Deco Inspired Pair of Black Leather Club or Lounge Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Depth: 38 in (96.52 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Art Deco (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1999
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:
Drexel
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 range of vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Verona, NJ
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pair of Midcentury Italian Modern Art Deco Lounge or Club Chairs in RedLocated in Philadelphia, PAA beautiful matching pair of club lounge chairs from Italy circa 1950s the features curved wood legs with the original red Naugahyde upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Wood
- Midcentury Cream Leather & Burl Club Chairs or Lounge Chairs in Art Deco FormLocated in Philadelphia, PAA matching pair of creme leather chairs from Italy circa 1980s. These feature a Classic barrel back design with burl accents and base. Well c...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Deco Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Burl
- Pair of Gordon International Black Leather & Chromed Steel Club or Lounge ChairsLocated in Philadelphia, PAA pair of lounge or club chairs by Gordon International, in black leather upholstery and triple chrome-plated steel frames. Each chair is signed Gordon International beneath and in l...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Pair Charles Pfister - Knoll, Tuxedo Club or Lounge Chairs Mid-Century ClassicsBy Charles Pfister, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful black fabric on original upholstered pair of Knoll club chairs. Clean, almost like new with very few & faint blemishes. Super stylish and very comfortable. Mid-Century Mode...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid Century Italian Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs or Club ChairLocated in Philadelphia, PAA sculptural pair of lounge chairs from Italy circa 1980's. They feature solid wood lacered arms with upholstered seating area. Fabric is original so recovering is recommended. Foam ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Cube or Case Club Lounge ChairsBy Milo Baughman, Edward WormleyLocated in Philadelphia, PAA very high quality matching pair of club chairs, circa 1970s. Completely restored with brand new upholstery.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Black Leather Parsons Style Drexel Lounge ChairsBy DrexelLocated in Dallas, TXIt’s all about being stylish and bold! Pair of mid-century modern parsons style barrel back armchairs by Drexel, circa 1970's. This comfortable set has a lot of style featuring solid...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Pair of Large Art Deco Distressed Leather French Club / Lounge ChairsLocated in Stamford, CTPair of large Art Deco distressed leather French club / lounge chairs. A fine example of art deco lounge / club chair design accompanied by a rare pair of footstools, sold separa...Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Pair of Art Deco Club Chairs in Parchment and Black LeatherLocated in Pompano Beach, FLPair of Art Deco club chairs in parchment and black leather.Category
Vintage 1940s Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Parchment Paper
- Art Deco Club Chairs in Black Motorcycle LeatherLocated in New York, NYClad in black motorcycle leather, the durable choice of Harley Davidson, the channel backed club chairs are tailored to provide lumbar support, whil...Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Club Chairs
MaterialsAsh
- Art Deco Club Chair in Black Motorcycle LeatherLocated in New York, NYAn oversized club chair with a strong masculine frame, crafted of solid and bent birch and upholstered in tough, black motorcycle leather.Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Birch
- Pair of Art Deco Style Leather Club Chairs, circa 1950sLocated in North York, ONPair of Art Deco style leather club chairs. France, circa 1950s in original Art Deco design. Masterfully restored in all new Italian leather. Rich elegant tones with beautiful, curve...Category
Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood