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.
Neoclassical Directoire Style Brass Mounted 3 Drawer Commode By Century
By Century Furniture
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 32 1/2 in W: 41 1/2 in D: 18 1/4 in This refined Neoclassical Directoire style three-drawer commode by Century Furniture is an elegant fusion of classical French de...
Metal, Brass
Century Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Bombay Dresser or Commode
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Chippendale style bombay form dresser, chest of drawers, or commode By Century Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with original brass hardwa...
Brass
Century Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Red Lacquered Commode
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie commode or chest of drawers By Century Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Red lacquered wood, with original Asian-inspired bras...
Brass
Century Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Bombay Dresser or Commode
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Chippendale style bombay form dresser, chest of drawers, or commode By Century Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with original brass hardwa...
Brass
Century Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Red Lacquered Commode
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie commode or chest of drawers By Century Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Red lacquered wood, with original Asian-inspired bras...
Brass
Alexandre II Dresser - Swedish Scraped Bone
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish 6-drawer double dresser, known for its clean lines and practical design, reflects the influence of Gustavian style, which emerged in the late 18th Century during the reig...
Wood, Pine
Steamer Trunk Style Two Drawer Chest by Archive Home for Century
By Century Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice steamer trunk style two drawer chest by Archive Home for Century Furniture, circa 2020s. The chest is constructed of solid wood with dovetaile...
Brass
Century Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Bombay Dressers or Commodes, Pair
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of Georgian or Chippendale style bombay form dressers, chests of drawers, or commodes By Century Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with original b...
Brass
Pair Burl Wood Black Lacquer Solid Brass Drop Pull 2 Drawer Night Stands MINT!
By Heritage-Henredon, Century Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Burl Wood Black Lacquer Solid Brass Drop Pull 2 Drawer Night Stands MINT!.
Brass
Elegant Restored Pair of Vintage Asian Modern Commodes by Ray Sabota, c 1970
By Century Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
An stylish pair of Asian Modern commodes by Ray Sabota for Century Furniture Company, circa 1970. Expertly crafted mahogany case construction with handsome clean lines and detail. Th...
Mahogany
Jay Spectre 7 Drawer Oak Dresser by Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Highland, IN
Designed by Jay Spectre for Century, this dramatic 7-drawer dresser from his "Eclipse" collection is a post-modern take on Deco / Moderne design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer ...
Chrome
Le Maurice Three Drawer Chest - Swedish Matte Noir
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish ebonized serpentine three-drawer chest represents a fusion of traditional Swedish craftsmanship with influences from European design, popular in the 18th century. The ser...
Wood
Alexandre I Nightstand - Swedish Scraped Bone
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Swedish nightstand, known for its clean lines and practical design, reflects the influence of Gustavian style, which emerged in the late 18th Century during the reign of King Gus...
Wood
Pair of 3 Drawer Bachelor Chests With Brass Hardware by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined and highly versatile pair of bachelor chests by Century Furniture, designed and manufactured in the United States and dated April 2012. These elegant case pieces embody a clean, transitional modern aesthetic—ideal for both contemporary and classic interiors. Each chest features a beautifully balanced composition with three spacious drawers, crisp white lacquered drawer fronts, and warm brass hardware that adds a sophisticated contrast against the rich wood case. The gently tapered legs and subtle framing details give the pieces a timeless architectural presence, making them equally suited as luxury...
Brass
Louis XIV Nightstand - French Ebonized Noir
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 18th-century inspired Louis XIV ebonized three-drawer chest with elaborately detailed handles and escutcheons exemplifies the grandeur and opulence characteristic of French furni...
Brass
Pair of Mahogany Bow Front Chests by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of mahogany bow front 3-drawer chests by Century Furniture. The chests feature banded/serpentine fronts, dovetail joint construction, brass medallion pulls, and a removable marb...
Marble
Modernist Commode Night Table by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Voguish dresser, commode, night stand designed by Jay Spectre for the Century Furniture Company. This chic chest features two deep drawers, a brushed steel plinth base, and cerused...
Steel
Century Furniture White Lacquered Bombe Form Bedside Chests, Newly Refinished
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Italian Provincial style bombe chests or nightstands By Century Furniture USA, Late 20th Century White lacquered ...
Brass
Century Furniture Mid 20th-C. Italian Tuscan Walnut & Brass Chest of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century Century Furniture Italian Tuscan Walnut and Brass Chest of Drawers by Century Furniture. Measures 36" in width, 19" in depth and 45.25" in height. Matching wall ha...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Jay Spectre Cerused White Oak, Two-Drawer Commode
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, two-drawer commode in cerused white oak with brushed steel base and top banding. Could also be used as a flat scre...
Steel
Elise Chest - Swedish Scraped Cream
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 19th-century inspired Swedish commode in a scraped cream finish embodies the Gustavian style, which is characterized by its restrained elegance and neoclassical influences, a ref...
Wood
Victor Hugo Drawer Chest
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The French Louis XVI 18th-century marquetry chest with neoclassical escutcheons is a fine example of the neoclassical style that became popular during the late 18th century, under th...
Wood, Oak
CENTURY FURNITURE Pam Bolick Asian Commode Dresser Hand Painted & Signed
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Brass
H 35.25 in W 46.25 in D 20.25 in
Fantastic Pair of French Marble Top Walnut French Commodes or Dressers
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Louis XV style marble top commodes embodies timeless craftsmanship and refined European design. Each dresser features a beautifully shaped beige marble to...
Marble
H 25 in W 32 in D 16.5 in
Baker Furniture French Provincial Serpentine Commodes or Bedside Tables
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exceptional pair of French Louis XV style serpentine commodes, nightstands or chests of drawers boasting fiery Tiger oak wood grains, banded burl wood tops & striking brass hardware....
Brass
H 40 in W 52.25 in D 22 in
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser, large four-drawer commode with an antique painted finish, with carved dental moldings, blind fret carings, with...
Wood
H 30 in W 35 in D 19 in
Swedish Gustavian Style Green Painted Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Green Painted Swedish Gustavian Style 3 Drawer Chest Bureau. This three drawer bureau is based on an 18th Century Gustavian antique chest of drawers. The chest is hand painted with s...
Brass
H 27 in W 34 in D 19 in
Pair of Glamorous Mirrored Hollywood Regency Style Commodes Nightstands
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This striking pair of mirrored Hollywood Regency style commodes or nightstands embodies glamour, elegance, and timeless sophistication. Each piece is clad in mirrored panels that bea...
Mirror, Walnut
H 30.25 in W 66 in D 17.5 in
Postmodern Cerused Pink Dresser In the Style of Jay Spectre for Century, 1980s
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking 1980s Postmodern dresser has been fully refinished in a custom cerused pink finish with contrasting white grain, giving the oak an architectural texture that feels both...
Wood, Oak
H 39.5 in W 49.5 in D 22.25 in
Pair of Auffray Style Carved Walnut Louis XV Commodes Dressers
By Auffray Furniture
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exceptional pair of Auffray style Louis XV commodes, finely crafted in rich walnut, embodies the elegance and sophistication of French Provincial design. Each dresser features t...
Walnut
H 32 in W 42.13 in D 18.88 in
Pair of French Provencal Directoire Style Commodes
By Maison Jansen
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A rustic yet handsome pair of 1950s Italian fruitwood chests crafted in the French Provincial Directoire style. With their clean lines, tapering legs, and restrained neoclassical det...
Fruitwood
H 36.62 in W 35.04 in D 17.72 in
English Georgian Mahogany Commode ca. 1800
Located in MILL, NL
Mahogany chest of drawers / chest of drawers. Original from England. Georgian period, ca. 1800. Sleek design. With original back panel. Beautiful colour and patina. Dimensions: 89W ...
Mahogany
H 32 in W 38 in D 20 in
Fine Pair of Creme Painted French Directoire Style Commodes
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Bring timeless European elegance into your home with this stunning pair of French Directoire–style commodes, beautifully finished in a soft cream painted patina that highlights their...
Brass
H 29.5 in W 45 in D 19 in
1970 Italian Venetian Bombay Style Commode, Hand-Carved Wood & Brass
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful 1970 chest and drawers hand crafted and carved from wood, probably Olive wood Venere top and three sides. The chest Has two large drawers a...
Wood
H 67.5 in W 42.5 in D 22.5 in
Antique 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Highboy Tall Chest 9 Drawer Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Highboy Tall Chest 9 Drawer Dresser. Item feat...
Mahogany, Pine
H 31.25 in W 47 in D 23 in
Century Furniture Chest of Drawers French Country Distressed
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally ...
Wood
H 31.5 in W 42 in D 20.5 in
Vintage Century Furniture Bombe Chest of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Brass
H 30.25 in W 41 in D 17.5 in
Century Furniture Hollywood Regency Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Campaign commode or chest of drawers By Century Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Green lacquered walnut, with original Asian-...
Brass
H 58 in W 42 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gentlemen’s Chest by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
Mid-Century Gentlemen’s Chest by Century Furniture A timeless blend of form and function, this mid-century gentlemen’s chest by Century Furniture showcases the brand’s signature cra...
Metal
H 34 in W 48 in D 18 in
Century Furniture French Provincial Style Painted Chest of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic chest of drawers by Monarch Fine Furniture for Century, the Corbett commode features 3 smoothly working large drawers accented with brass pulls. The chest is two tone grey ...
Wood
H 29 in W 40 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Burl Walnut And Brass Chest By Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a modern burl walnut chest by Century Furniture. It dates the later part of the 20th century. The front and top are burl walnut with solid walnut veneers on the sides. It has...
Walnut, Burl
H 32.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
French Directoire Style Chest of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic French Directoire style chest of three dovetailed drawers with polished handles & brass banded tapered feet. Versatile Transitional style. Nice mid size ready for use.
Brass
H 34.25 in W 48 in D 20 in
Century Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style scalloped front dresser or chest of drawers By Century Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved walnut, with original brass hardware. Measure...
Brass
H 34.25 in W 48 in D 20 in
Century Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Chests of Drawers
By Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style scalloped front dressers or chests of drawers By Century Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved walnut, with original brass hardware...
Fruitwood
H 35.25 in W 36 in D 20 in
1980s Pair of Vintage Dowry Chests by Monarch for Century Furniture
By Monarch Furniture, Century Furniture
Located in North Canton, OH
Extraordinary pair of Vintage Dowry Chests by Monarch for Century Furniture. Excellent vintage condition. Incredible Eglomise finish on front drawe...
Mirror, Wood
H 26.5 in W 28 in D 18 in
1970s Century Furniture Chin Hua Chest by Raymond Sobota
By Raymond Sabota, Century Furniture
Located in North Canton, OH
From Raymond Sobota’s Chin Hua Collection for Century Furniture. Beautiful details. brass Finishes. Pull out shelf. Finished on all four sides....
Wood
H 49.5 in W 50.5 in D 20 in
1970s Vintage Century Furniture Omni Collection 4 Drawer Chest
By Century Furniture
Located in North Canton, OH
Magnificent vintage piece from the Omni Collection by Century Furniture. Monumental in size this beauty has a huge presence both physically and beauty....
Wood
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.