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Drexel Furniture

American

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 oak wood, 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, 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.

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Creator: Drexel
Drexel Tea Table w/Shelf and Queen Anne Legs
Drexel Tea Table w/Shelf and Queen Anne Legs

Drexel Tea Table w/Shelf and Queen Anne Legs

$396Sale Price|20% Off

Drexel Tea Table w/Shelf and Queen Anne Legs

By Drexel

Located in Cincinnati, OH

Drexel Tea Table with Queen Anne Legs and pull out shelf.

Category

Late 20th Century Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Drexel
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Drexel

Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Drexel

$1,600

Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Drexel

By Drexel

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful mid-century coffee table made by the Drexel furniture company in North Carolina. An ample tabletop with sculpted raised edges highlight the wood's warm, natural grains. A v...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage James Peade Drexel Abacus Chromed Steel and Upholstered Side Chair
Vintage James Peade Drexel Abacus Chromed Steel and Upholstered Side Chair

Vintage James Peade Drexel Abacus Chromed Steel and Upholstered Side Chair

$1,895

Vintage James Peade Drexel Abacus Chromed Steel and Upholstered Side Chair

By James Peade, Drexel

Located in North Miami, FL

This unusual and newly upholstered and chrome side chair has wonderful period wheels. This is designed by James Peade for Drexel's Viewpoint 70 Collection...

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Drexel Heritage French Os de Mouton Armchairs
Drexel Heritage French Os de Mouton Armchairs

Drexel Heritage French Os de Mouton Armchairs

$1,395 / set

Drexel Heritage French Os de Mouton Armchairs

By Drexel

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 handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of Drexel Heritage Upholstery...

Category

1980s French Provincial Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Iconic Mid Century Drexel Rare Brigade Line Campaign Dresser Dry Bar Case Piece
Iconic Mid Century Drexel Rare Brigade Line Campaign Dresser Dry Bar Case Piece

Iconic Mid Century Drexel Rare Brigade Line Campaign Dresser Dry Bar Case Piece

$2,320

Iconic Mid Century Drexel Rare Brigade Line Campaign Dresser Dry Bar Case Piece

By Drexel

Located in West Hartford, CT

Coveted signed Drexel Furniture Campaign style dresser/chest/dry bar from their rare Brigade line. Has 3 drawers in front and lift up hidden cabinet in back. Features signature campa...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair New Alcantera Upholstery Walnut Cube Shape Barrel Back Lounge Chairs MINT!
Pair New Alcantera Upholstery Walnut Cube Shape Barrel Back Lounge Chairs MINT!

Pair New Alcantera Upholstery Walnut Cube Shape Barrel Back Lounge Chairs MINT!

$16,000 / set

Pair New Alcantera Upholstery Walnut Cube Shape Barrel Back Lounge Chairs MINT!

By Edward Wormley, Drexel

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Pair New Alcantera Upholstery Oiled Walnut Cube Shape Barrel Wrap Around Back Lounge Chairs MINT!

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Architectural Breakfront Display Cabinet by Drexel Heritage, USA, Late 20th Cent
Architectural Breakfront Display Cabinet by Drexel Heritage, USA, Late 20th Cent

Architectural Breakfront Display Cabinet by Drexel Heritage, USA, Late 20th Cent

$2,784Sale Price|55% Off

Architectural Breakfront Display Cabinet by Drexel Heritage, USA, Late 20th Cent

By Drexel

Located in Worcester, GB

Architectural Breakfront Display Cabinet by Drexel Heritage, USA, Late 20th Century A substantial and finely crafted fitted cabinet by American luxury maker Drexel Heritage. Of arch...

Category

Late 20th Century American Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Van Koert Designed Console/Cart
John Van Koert Designed Console/Cart

John Van Koert Designed Console/Cart

$1,500

John Van Koert Designed Console/Cart

By John Van Koert, Drexel

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Single drawer rolling cart by Drexel in genuine mahogany. Wheels can come off to make a stationary console table. Please confirm location NY or NJ

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Teak Nightstand by Drexel, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Teak Nightstand by Drexel, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Teak Nightstand by Drexel, 1960s

$600

Mid-Century Modern Teak Nightstand by Drexel, 1960s

By Drexel

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Behold the splendor of amber waves of wood grain with this gorgeous teak nightstand from Carolina's Drexel Furniture. Coming from their popular "Modulus" series, its laminated cubbyh...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modern X-Form Stools / Benches, circa 1962
Pair of Mid-Century Modern X-Form Stools / Benches, circa 1962

Pair of Mid-Century Modern X-Form Stools / Benches, circa 1962

$5,200 / set

Pair of Mid-Century Modern X-Form Stools / Benches, circa 1962

By Drexel

Located in Dallas, TX

This refined pair of Mid-Century Modern benches or drinks tables were realized in the Unites States, circa 1960 by Drexel. Each bench has a rectangle shape to the top/seat that perfe...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Drexel Contemporary Brass and Walnut Square Side End Table
Drexel Contemporary Brass and Walnut Square Side End Table

Drexel Contemporary Brass and Walnut Square Side End Table

$995

Drexel Contemporary Brass and Walnut Square Side End Table

By Drexel

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Drexel Contemporary Brass and Walnut Square Side End Table Each side table measures: 27 wide x 27 deep x 21.25 inches high About Photos: We take our photos in a controlled lighting...

Category

Early 2000s American Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Serving Cart # 242-9 By Edward Wormley for Drexel, 1947
Serving Cart # 242-9 By Edward Wormley for Drexel, 1947

Serving Cart # 242-9 By Edward Wormley for Drexel, 1947

$1,750

Serving Cart # 242-9 By Edward Wormley for Drexel, 1947

By Edward Wormley, Drexel

Located in New York, NY

1947 Serving Cart by Edward Wormley for Precedent for Drexel. Factory no. 252-5 Stenciled label Additional information: Materials: Elm Documentation: Signed Origin: United States Pe...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Furniture

Materials

Elm

Black Leather Parsons Style Drexel Lounge Chairs
Black Leather Parsons Style Drexel Lounge Chairs

Black Leather Parsons Style Drexel Lounge Chairs

$12,750 / set

Black Leather Parsons Style Drexel Lounge Chairs

By Drexel

Located in Dallas, TX

It’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

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood, Leather

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

$2,750

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

By Edward Wormley, Drexel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pistachio green rolling bar cart from the Precedent series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1960. 3 tiered rolling cart featuring a textured glass top and casters. Precedent by Drexel...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Drexel Heritage Regency Style Leather And Mahogany Game Table
Drexel Heritage Regency Style Leather And Mahogany Game Table

Drexel Heritage Regency Style Leather And Mahogany Game Table

$2,200

Drexel Heritage Regency Style Leather And Mahogany Game Table

By Drexel

Located in Long Branch, NJ

​Drexel Heritage Regency Style Leather And Mahogany Game Table Dimensions : 29" Tall X 36.5" Long X 26" Wide This game table was made by Drex...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Regency Drexel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Drexel Chinoiserie Executive Campaign Desk Brass Leather Faux Bamboo
Drexel Chinoiserie Executive Campaign Desk Brass Leather Faux Bamboo

Drexel Chinoiserie Executive Campaign Desk Brass Leather Faux Bamboo

$3,980

Drexel Chinoiserie Executive Campaign Desk Brass Leather Faux Bamboo

By Drexel

Located in Forest Grove, PA

A stunning Chinoiserie style Campaign desk by Drexel, 1960s. Fully marked, the desk features hand painted details, bas relief figures, a three panel leather top, brass hardware and g...

Category

1960s American Chinoiserie Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair
French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair

French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair

$2,800

French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair

By Drexel

Located in Hopewell, NJ

This lovely Drexel vintage writing desk in the French Louis XV style includes a matching Louis XV style chair and displays lovely French Provincial style having curvaceous cabriole l...

Category

1970s American Louis XV Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Drexel furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Drexel furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Drexel were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Henredon, Widdicomb Furniture Co., and Lane Furniture. Prices for Drexel furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $296 and can go as high as $16,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,230.

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Questions About Drexel Furniture
  • How do I know if my Drexel furniture is vintage?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    To know if your Drexel furniture is vintage, examine its serial number, which you will usually find in a hidden spot, such as beneath a tabletop or on the back or bottom of a casegood. By cross-referencing this number with information available on trusted online resources, you should be able to estimate the year of production. Drexel furniture produced more than 20 years ago would qualify as vintage. If you need assistance with dating your piece, seek the advice of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Drexel furniture.
  • What happened to the Drexel Heritage furniture company?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertJuly 9, 2024
    What happened to the Drexel Heritage furniture company was that the brand went out of business. In 2014, the last plant operated by Drexel Heritage — known to mid-century modern furniture collectors as Drexel Furniture — closed its doors. The North Carolina company rebranded as Drexel in 2017. Then, in 2018, the Heritage Home Group, which was formed years earlier by an equity investor called KPS Capital Partners when it acquired Drexel Heritage and other manufacturers such as Lane and Broyhill, filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Production of Drexel furniture never resumed.

    Find vintage Drexel dressers, sofas, dining tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
  • How do I identify Drexel furniture?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify Drexel furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. They may be on the back or base, inside of a drawer or under a tabletop or seat. Most pieces will display the Drexel brand name. Other information is often included in the stamp. For example, you will sometimes see the date of production listed either backward or forward and/or a style or collection name. By looking up this information in trusted online resources, you can learn more about your piece. An alternative approach is to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect your furniture. Explore a diverse assortment of Drexel furniture on 1stDibs.
  • Is Drexel Furniture good quality?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2024
    Yes, Drexel Furniture is good quality, and owing to the commendable level of craftsmanship that characterizes the company's work, Drexel's furnishings typically retain or increase in value over time. Vintage Drexel dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design.

    The North Carolina manufacturer initially became known for pieces inspired by historic European furniture. In the postwar era, Drexel adapted to changing tastes and 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. The Profile and Projection collections of the period, designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert, also see demand on today’s secondary market. 

    Find vintage Drexel Furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
  • Is Drexel Furniture the same as Drexel Heritage?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertJanuary 3, 2025
    Yes, Drexel Furniture and Drexel Heritage are the same company. While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer was actually established in the early 1900s in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

    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 Morganton, Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co.

    During the 1960s, after being acquired by the Furnishings Group of Champion International, the company’s name was changed to Drexel Heritage. In 2018, the Heritage Home Group, which was formed years earlier by KPS Capital Partners when it acquired Drexel Heritage and other manufacturers such as Lane and Broyhill, filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Production of Drexel furniture never resumed.

    Find vintage Drexel dining chairs, buffets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
  • What wood is Drexel Furniture made of?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Drexel Furniture was known for the use of oak wood, native to the area in North Carolina where the company was based. Their attention to quality and detail highlighted the beauty of the wood they used. Browse a variety of Drexel Furniture pieces from top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • What is a shaggy rug called?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024
    What a shaggy rug is called varies. Many people refer to these types of floor coverings as high-pile rugs, as pile is the name for the soft fibers that form the surface of rugs. You may also sometimes see people refer to high-pile rugs as shag rugs. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of rugs.
  • What is Drexel Touraine?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    Drexel Touraine is a line of furniture produced by Drexel Furniture. The pieces reflect the stylistic elements of the French Provincial style, and the company manufactured them from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s. In the postwar era, North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture also 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. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Drexel furniture.
  • Is Drexel Heritage quality furniture?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether or not Drexel Heritage furniture is considered quality is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, the company does produce pieces from carefully selected materials. Many made decades ago still remain in good condition today. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Drexel Heritage furniture.
  • Does Drexel still make furniture?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Drexel Heritage no longer makes furniture and the company has gone out of business. The last company to own Drexel was Heritage Home Group who filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018. It has since gone out of business and sold its headquarters and showroom. Shop a collection of authentic Drexel furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • Is Drexel furniture still in business?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024
    No, Drexel furniture is not still in business. In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company was purchased by United Furniture and rebranded as Drexel in 2017. Then, in 2018, United Furniture's parent company, Heritage Home Group, filed for bankruptcy, and Drexel ceased production. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Drexel furniture.
  • Is Drexel Heritage considered high end furniture?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, Drexel Heritage is indeed high-end furniture. High-end furniture is made using the highest quality materials with the best in craftsmanship and Drexel Heritage furniture is no exception. Shop a collection of Drexel Heritage furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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