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.
Vintage Large Faux Malachite Green Lacquer Chinese Style Carved Mirror
By Century Furniture
Located in West Chester, PA
Asian inspired wall mirror comprised of carved wood with bottle green "faux malachite" hand-painted lacquer finish and scalloped details. Made in Hickory, North Carolina, USA, circa ...
Wood, Lacquer
Sainte Martin Mirror - Noir
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 19th-century inspired ebonized Dutch Baroque-style mirror frame, featuring multiple paneled mirrors, reflects the elaborate and ornate characteristics of the Baroque period, whic...
Mirror, Wood, Beech
Rivoli Shield Mirror - Italian Vintage Brass
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The antique brass finish Italian shield mirror of grand scale reflects the classical and Renaissance influences that have long been a part of Italian decorative arts. The shield shap...
Brass
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Modern Art Deco White Oak Framed Wall Mirror
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional modern Art Deco white oak framed wall mirror By Jay Spectre for Century Furniture USA, 1980s Measures: 48.13"W x 1.38"D x 34"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Mirror, Oak
$6,597
Florence Floor Mirror
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The gilded iron-framed Italian mirror with brass rosettes, holding multiple antiqued mirror panes, reflects the rich tradition of Italian craftsmanship and design. This mirror draws ...
Iron
Italian Rococo Mirror - French Painted Blanc
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 18th-century inspired Italian Rococo mirror exemplifies the exuberant and ornate style of the Rococo period, which emerged in early 18th-century France and spread throughout Euro...
Wood
$2,895
Tara Mirror
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Italian plaster cartouche oval mirror, inspired by 16thcentury Italian exterior windows, embodies the Renaissance period's architectural and decorative innovations. During this e...
Mirror, Plaster, Resin
Century Furniture Mid 20th-C. Italian Tuscan Walnut and Wire Ornate Wall Mirror
By Century Furniture
Located in Germantown, MD
Century Furniture Mid 20th-Century Italian Tuscan Walnut and Wire Ornate Wall Mirror Measures 46.25" in width, 1" in depth and 38.5" in height. Matching dresser and chest of drawers ...
Wire
Contemporary Asian Modern Large Century Furniture 40 x 50 Washi Script Mirror
By Century Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Century Furniture Washi Script mirror. This lovely large mirror features an Asian script design stretching across the frame of the mirror. The black tex...
Mirror, Wood
Carved Giltwood Italian Rococo Style Mirror
By LaBarge
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Large Italian Rococo style carved giltwood mirror featuring a highly detailed gadrooned rectangular frame. This hand carved dimensional wall mirror is topped with an elaborate pierc...
Mirror, Giltwood
1950s Italian Shield Shaped Brass Mirror with Scrolls
Located in New York, NY
1950s Italian shield shaped brass wall mirror with scroll decorations. This original midcentury period mirror has beautiful rich patina to the brass with wood backing.
Brass
Contemporary Upholstered Iris Floor Mirror
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
The floor version of the “Iris Mirror” has pink and mustard color upholstery wrapped around the arched shape. It can be hanged on the wall or stand by itself. It can be customized in...
Mirror
$2,200
H 42 in W 27 in D 3 in
Venetian Floral Painted Porcelain Mirror in Italian Capodimonte Rococo Style
Located in New York, NY
A fine Venetian floral painted porcelain mirror measures 27 by 42 by 3 inches, featuring
Porcelain
$282Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.99 in
Art Deco Wall Mirror in Oak by AM Spejle, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small chain-suspended cross-bar mirror in solid oak. Made in Denmark by AM kobberbeskyttet Spejle during the 1940s. Design patented design. Suitable for Brutalist or Neo-Gothic int...
Mirror, Oak
Ebonized Mirror
Located in Chireno, TX
Ebonized mirror dated to early-to-mid-18th century. Hand-carved ebonized frame surrounding old mirror glass (not original glass).
Mirror, Wood
$263Sale Price|57% Off
H 38.5 in W 26.5 in D 1 in
Mid Century Modern Wall Mirror with Rectangular Frame
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern mirror features hardwood frame, original walnut finish, rectangular frame with two little curved accent pieces at the bottom, and partial mounting hardware. ...
Mirror, Walnut
Large Faux Bois Mirror
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A unique mirror with beveled glass plate surrounded by a resin frame in the form of tree roots entwined around stones.
Mirror, Resin
1950s Italian Brass Shield Mirror
Located in London, London
1950s brass shield shape mirror Italy 1950s This elegant mid-century Italian wall mirror features a sleek brass frame with gently curved edges, exemplifying the minimalist design o...
Brass
Gio Ponti Attributed Brass Italian Shield Mirror - 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Asheville, NC
This gorgeous solid brass shield mirror attributed to Gio Ponti was made in Italy in the 1940s. It has original glass (small defect in last image).
Brass
Italian Hand-Carved Gilded Rococo Mirror
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Ornately hand-carved mirror in gilded wood produced in Florence, Italy during the 1950's.
Wood, Giltwood
Ebonized Flemish Mirror
Located in Chireno, TX
Ebonized Flemish mirror dated to early-to-mid-18th century. Hand-carved ebonized frame surrounding old mirror glass (not original glass).
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 47 in W 22.75 in D 1.25 in
Black & Burl Chin Hua Pair of Mirrors by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furn
By Century Furniture, Raymond Sabota
Located in Topeka, KS
Spectacular vintage Chinoiserie Chin Hua Collection pair of mirrors by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furniture comprised of an ebony-tone sculpted wood frame. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, they have been cleaned but have no outstanding flaws that we detected. Normal wear as you would expect with use & age. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. NOTE: IF you love this Chin Hua Collection pair mirrors of by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furniture, we have the matching armoire/wardrobe, dresser or sideboard, and pair of nightstands or end tables in separate listings here for sale if they are still available. We also have many other items from the Chin Hua line. Check them out! Mirror, Mirror on the wall… The Chin Hua Collection is the LOVLIEST of ALL!!! OH, MY GOODNESS!!!! If you are looking for a marvelous pair of mirrors for your bedroom Or a CRAZY gorgeous pair of mirrors for your dressing area. You have DEFINATELY found them! These beauties are part of the original Chin Hua Collection designed by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture in 1975. The entire collection was retired in 1998 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. And these pieces bear the original Century Furniture look and are not part of the new collection and only available vintage!!! So, It’s your LUCKY DAY!!! Playing with Hollywood Regency and Chinoiserie styles, Raymond Sabota designed this piece oh-so-handsomely. They are comprised of stunning rectangular ebony-toned wood framework featuring sculpted inner edges surrounding the mirror. They are going to be an incredible addition to your bedroom over a dresser, vanity, or one on each side of the bed over your nightstands. OR hang them on a wall in a dressing area, in a bathroom over a double vanity, or separate them and use them in independent rooms. Whatever their use, they bear an EXQUISITE and timeless style you are sure to love for years to come! 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 in total, over 150 collections. The most notable being Citation, Chin Hua, Claridge, and the Henry Ford Museum and the British National Trust collections...
Brass
Sold
H 47 in W 23 in D 1.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Chin Hua Oriental Style Century Furniture Wall Mirrors, 1970s
By Century Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a wonderful, Chin Hua oriental style pair of wall mirrors, by Century Furniture, circa 1970s. In excellent vintage condition. The dimensions are 23" W x 47"...
Mirror
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Black Lacquered Oak Mirror
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A nice black lacquered oak mirror by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture. The mirror has a nice rounded beveled edge at the top corners...
Mirror, Oak, Lacquer
Sold
H 52 in W 44.75 in L 52 in
Vintage Chin Hua Ebonized Mirror by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture
By Raymond K. Sobota, Century Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie ebonized mirror designed by Raymond D. Sobota for his Chin Hua Collection for Century Furniture. It is in wonderful vintage condition overall. It does have normal signs of age and use (we call that patina) but nothing outstanding. Please see photos, circa 1975-1998. What an outstanding mirror! It is definitely just what the designer ordered. No matter your design style, this will shine and become a focal point in any room whether it’s an entry hall, dining room, bedroom, or powder room. This unique mirror 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 chinoiseries style Sobota designed this piece beautifully. It is comprised of ebonized maple with a scalloped and carved detailed frame that reminds me of an Asian temple. 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...
Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 17 in D 0.75 in
Pair of Walnut Mirrors by Century Furniture Reproduction Henry Ford Museum
By Century Furniture
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful pair of mirrors by Century Furniture. They are a reproduction from the Henry Ford Museum Greenfield Village. These lovely mirrors feature...
Walnut
Midcentury Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mirrors, Pair
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of midcentury chinoiserie mirrors. The mirrors feature solid wood frames in a dark brown lacquer, with subtle Asian design. The mirrors are from the Chin Hua collect...
Mirror, Wood
Wall Hanging Mirror with Oak Frame by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wall hanging mirror with oak frame and brushed steel circle within a square design by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, American, 1970s.
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.
Mid-century modern furniture combines sleek lines with organic shapes.
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.