Midcentury Walnut and Rosewood Drexel Declaration Coffee Table
View Similar Items
Midcentury Walnut and Rosewood Drexel Declaration Coffee Table
About the Item
- Creator:Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall (Designer),Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In good condition with nicks and scratches. Manufacture fill in one of the rosewood inlays. See photo.
- Seller Location:San Jose, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1582219500792
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
While American furniture designers Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall created a range of mid-century modernist works for Glenn of California and other manufacturers, the duo is best known for Declaration, a collection they designed for Drexel Furniture.
It’s true that design lovers have long revered Drexel’s bedroom furniture of the 1960s, and collectors of mid-century modern pieces are drawn to vintage Drexel dressers, Drexel Heritage sofas and the series that Stewart (1928–2022) and MacDougall (1927–2016) designed for the North Carolina manufacturer. But Drexel’s story actually begins decades before its celebrated Declaration line and other postwar furnishings took shape.
Drexel was founded in 1903 and earned a reputation for works that were 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.
By the time he graduated from Chouinard Art Institute in his adopted home state of California, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-born Kipp Stewart was steeped in the world of modern seating design, experimenting with new chair models that bridged form and function. Charles and Ray Eames were important influences on his early work.
The Eameses — whose lounge chair is among the most iconic works manufactured by legendary Michigan company Herman Miller — were also inspirational for Stewart MacDougall, a Pasadena, California-born designer who, like Kipp, attended Chouinard.
When Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection, Kipp and Stewart were producing case pieces and more for Glenn of California, an Arcadia-based brand that also manufactured furniture designed by the likes of Greta Magnusson Grossman, Milo Baughman and others.
Drexel’s Declaration line was constructed entirely of natural walnut and featured the choice of white porcelain or brass drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Although its stylish credenzas, dressers and other pieces reflect the kind of slim-lined, low-slung silhouettes for which mid-century design has become known, there are also elements that nod to earlier American and European furniture design, such as the dining chairs whose flattened spindle backs recall Shaker and Windsor chair design, distinguishing them from the modern designs becoming prolific in Scandinavia at the time.
While Kipp Stewart found success as a painter and with his Ventana Big Sur project, which he designed in 1972 — and had also created chairs, chests and more for Directional — the Drexel Declaration line is his widely recognized furniture collection and remains highly sought after by collectors today. Stewart MacDougall’s interests also spanned other areas of design — he worked on vintage cars, created golf clubs and built sailboats — but furniture obsessives know him best for the distinctive Declaration series.
The Declaration pieces were so indicative of a particularly American style, in fact, that several items from the collection were selected by the U.S. government to represent the country at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
Find vintage Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall furniture on 1stDibs.
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 vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- Walnut Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall Drexel Declaration Full HeadboardBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, DrexelLocated in San Jose, CAMid-Century Modern full headboard designed by Stewart McDougall & Kipp Stewart for Drexel Furniture Company, circa 1960's. This slatted bed frame is crafted i...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Scandinavian Rosewood Coffee Table by WestnofaBy Westnofa FurnitureLocated in San Jose, CAMid-Century Modern coffee table manufactured by Westnofa of Norway. Table top features gorgeous rosewood grains wrapped with solid wood edge banding.Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRosewood
$1,280 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Sculptural Rosewood and Round Glass Coffee Table by Illum WikkelsøBy CFC Silkeborg, Illum WikkelsøLocated in San Jose, CAMid-Century Modern coffee table designed by Illum Wikkelso for CFC Silkeborg, Denmark circa 1960s. Features a sculptural solid rosewood base and the original round glass top that sho...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Rosewood
$2,240 Sale Price20% Off - Glenn of California Walnut Corner Coffee Table by Milo BaughmanBy Glenn of California, Milo BaughmanLocated in San Jose, CAMid century corner table designed by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California in walnut. This piece includes two glass shelves and a remova...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
$1,680 Sale Price20% Off - Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Coffee Table by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in San Jose, CAVintage low storage coffee table in mahogany manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960's. Features a natural warm wood grain pattern accented wi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
$1,440 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Floating Danish Teak and Brass Square Coffee Table by Grete JalkBy Grete Jalk, France & DaverkosenLocated in San Jose, CAMid century modern square coffee table designed by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen in teak. This timeless piece features brass accents and functions as a coffee table, occasional ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
$1,020 Sale Price20% Off
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Drexel Declaration Coffee Table, 1950By DrexelLocated in Philadelphia, PAA vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut and Rosewood Drexel Declaration coffee table. Walnut with rosewood inlay.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRosewood, Walnut
- Mid Century Modern Coffee Table By Drexel, Declaration Line, c1960sBy Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, DrexelLocated in Chino Hills, CAStep back in time and elevate your living space with this stunning vintage coffee table, a true gem designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart for the prestigious Drexel 'Declar...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut, Rosewood
$1,760 Sale Price20% Off - Minimalist Walnut Coffee Table by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, Declaration LineBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in San Diego, CAAn 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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$1,200 Sale Price20% Off - Barney Flagg "Parallel" Midcentury Coffee Table in Walnut and Leather by DrexelBy Drexel, Greta Magnusson Grossman, Finn Juhl, Barney FlaggLocated in Decatur, GARare cocktail table by Barney Flagg for Drexel's Parallel line. Elegant bent solid walnut stretchers span between the legs. Highly figured grain contrasts nicely with the original bl...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Walnut Side Table by Kipp Stewart and Macdougall for Drexel DeclarationBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Miami, FLA lovely walnut occasional table designed by Stewart McDougall and Kipp Stewart for Drexel's Declaration collection, dating from the late 1950s. The end table features natural walnut...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$625 Sale Price50% Off - Vintage Drexel Walnut & Travertine Coffee TableBy DrexelLocated in Clarksboro, NJThis listing is for a Vintage Drexel Walnut & Travertine Coffee Table. Featuring a straight line design, center travertine insert, single drawer for storage, original hardware, four ...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Brass