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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 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.

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Creator: Drexel
Dealer: Metro Retro Furniture MCM Furniture
Drexel Passage Campaign Pecan Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Campaign style Drexel dresser circa 1970s Drexel Passage Series dresser in flaxen flared grain. Brass recessed pulls. This dresser provides compa...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Travis Court Collection Drexel Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Travis Court Drexel buffet Georgian style mahogany buffet cabinet featuring 3 drawers and shelving below. Brass pulls. Measures: 36" Width x 18"...
Category

1960s North American Federal Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set of 6 Vintage Chin Hua Drexel Heritage Dining Chairs
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
6 Drexel heritage Chin Hua side chairs Includes 5 side chairs and 1 armchair Measures: Armchairs 23" W x 18" x 32" H Seat H 17.25", arm H 25.25" Side chairs 20" W x 18" D...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Cane

Set Drexel Woodbriar Extendable Dining Table and 6 Chairs
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Woodbriar series by Drexel extendable dining table and 6 chairs Parson style table in pecan with brass accents. Ladder back chairs with...
Category

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

Materials

Nutwood

Pair of Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan Nightstands
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Drexel Heritage consensus pecan nightstands 1970s Campaign style nightstands made by Drexel Heritage for the Consensus line. ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 6 Vintage Chin Hua Drexel Heritage Dining Chairs
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
6 Drexel heritage Chin Hua side chairs Includes 5 side chairs and 1 armchair Measures: Armchairs 23" W x 18" x 32" H Seat H 17.25", arm H 25.25" Side chairs 20" W x 18" D...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Cane

Pair of Plaudit by Drexel Two-Toned Wood Nightstands Side Tables
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Drexel Pair of two-tone Plaudit by Drexel walnut nightstands with plinth base and panelled doors. Brass pulls. Measures: 27".
Category

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

Materials

Cane

Edward Wormley for Precedent by Drexel Coffee Table
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage 2 tier Coffee Table designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent line 271 1949 Heavy solid with textured glass serving tray...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Related Items
Edward Wormley Pair of Nightstands Precedent Line Drexel, 1950s / 1960s
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Camden, ME
Edward Wormley pair of nightstands for the Precedent collection by Drexel, circa 1947 The pair of silver elm nightstands have been refinished in a black brown espresso finish with p...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

McIntosh Round Extending Teak Dining Table and Chairs in Black Vinyl
By A.H. McIntosh Furniture, Tom Robertson
Located in Buxton, GB
McIntosh table and chairs set. The set is composed of the following: Extendable round table in teak, belonging to the Dunvegan collection that Tom Robertson designed in the 196...
Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather, Teak

Drexel Accolade Campaign Black Lacquered Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Morgan, UT
Drexel Campaign Style "Accolade II" black lacquered nine drawer dresser Drexel Furniture, USA, 1980s 70.5 Wide x 19 Deep x 29.25 High. Campaign style black lacquered nine dr...
Category

1980s American Campaign Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Cane Back Dining Chairs for Drexel, Set of 6
By Drexel
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern cane back dining chairs for Drexel - Set of 6. Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern dining set - comes with 2 armchairs and 4 Side Birchwood Cane Back Dining Chairs with...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Cane

Modernist Dining Chairs Designed by Edmund Karpinski for Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Dallas, TX
Revamp the look of your dining room with this hard to find a set of eight modernist chairs designed by Edmund Karpinski for Drexel Heritage Furniture's "Collage" Collection, circa 19...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Drexel Georgian Crotch Mahogany Bowfront China Cupboard Curio Bookcase Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Georgian style bowfront china cabinet or cupboard, circa 1940s. Made of genuine mahogany featuring three upper shelves with plate grooves, over one drawer, and a lower...
Category

1940s Georgian Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Rainer Daumiller Extendable Dining Table with Six Dining Chairs in Pine
By Rainer Daumiller
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rainer Daumiller, set of dining table with six armchairs, pine, Denmark, 1970s. This dining room set contains an extendable dining table and six dining chairs, designed by Rainer ...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Pine

Drexel Campaign Brass-Mounted Mahogany Dresser
By Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Drexel heritage campaign style brass mounted mahogany dresser, with brass bound corners and fittings, rectangular with two sets of three sh...
Category

20th Century Campaign Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Drexel Heritage Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency nine-drawer dresser or credenza By Drexel Heritage USA, circa 1970s Beautiful book-matched burled olive wood, with ash wood c...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Extendable Teak Dining Table & Chairs from Younger, 1960s, Set of 5
Located in South Shields, GB
- Mid century extending dining table and 4 dining chairs. - Made in the UK by Younger. - Made from teak and teak veneer....
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Drexel Triune Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Buffet Server Console Cabinet 585-407
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Triune buffet or server. Made of mahogany featuring paneled cabinet doors that open to a silverware drawer and two storage shelves. cir...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

1960s Stylish Drexel Nightstands Two-Tone Travertine & Wood Cabinet End Tables
By Drexel
Located in National City, CA
Vintage nightstands by Drexel. Top drawer with double dove tail construction. Two tone color. Measures: 23 tall x 25.75 width x 16.75 depth 13.75 depth x 22.5 width x 2.5 Storag...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Previously Available Items
Pair of Drexel Campaign Cabinet Nightstands
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Drexel campaign cabinets nightstands Campaign nightstands with recessed brass pulls and accents. Each with three dovetailed drawers.
Category

1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Walnut

  • Pair of Drexel Campaign Cabinet Nightstands
  • Pair of Drexel Campaign Cabinet Nightstands
  • Pair of Drexel Campaign Cabinet Nightstands
  • Pair of Drexel Campaign Cabinet Nightstands
H 22.25 in. W 12 in. D 16 in.
Milo Baughman for Drexel Perspective Buffet or Credenza
By Drexel, Milo Baughman
Located in Pasadena, TX
Milo Baughman for Drexel Perspective buffet or credenza This gorgeous Drexel credenza was part of a special collection designed by Milo Baughm...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan cabinet 1970s Campaign style cabinet made by Drexel Heritage for the Consensus line. Solid Pecan wit...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

  • Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan Cabinet
  • Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan Cabinet
  • Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan Cabinet
  • Drexel Heritage Consensus Pecan Cabinet
H 31 in. W 30.25 in. D 16 in.
Vintage Drexel Tall Dresser Chest of Drawers
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Tall chest of drawers by Drexel Wood construction Six-drawer configuration Featuring ebonized tapered wood legs with brass caps.  
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Chrome

  • Vintage Drexel Tall Dresser Chest of Drawers
  • Vintage Drexel Tall Dresser Chest of Drawers
  • Vintage Drexel Tall Dresser Chest of Drawers
  • Vintage Drexel Tall Dresser Chest of Drawers
H 44.25 in. W 32.25 in. D 18.25 in.
Vintage Midcentury Kipp Stewart Credenza or Sideboard for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vinatge Drexel Sun Coast credenza designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall in the late 1950s. Lacquered finish with shinning brass base and pulls. Eight drawers on the left ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Three Edward Wormley for Drexel Stacking Cube Tables
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of three Mid-Century Modern stacking side tables designed by Edward Wormley for the Drexel Precedent series in 1947. Painted ash bases with leatherette top inserts. The bases h...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Rolling Buffet
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
A stunning Chinese-style cabinet in black lacquer with lovely Chinoiserie decoration on front and sides. The top lifts up to become a buffet. Inside, one pull out drawer for flatware...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Wood

  • Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Rolling Buffet
  • Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Rolling Buffet
  • Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Rolling Buffet
  • Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Rolling Buffet
H 33 in. W 19 in. D 39.5 in.
Drexel Eight-Drawer Dresser Chest
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
A very nice Drexel chest of drawers of wood construction. Chest features eight drawer configuration and ebonized, tapered wood legs with brass caps.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

  • Drexel Eight-Drawer Dresser Chest
  • Drexel Eight-Drawer Dresser Chest
  • Drexel Eight-Drawer Dresser Chest
  • Drexel Eight-Drawer Dresser Chest
H 33.5 in. W 60.25 in. D 18.25 in.
Drexel Composite Series Black Lacquer Chest of Drawers
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage black lacquered highboy chest of drawers from Drexel's "Composite" line. Chest features six dovetailed drawers with brass pull handles. Solid wood base.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Drexel Asian Motif Coffee Table
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
A square coffee table made by Drexel with Asian lines, decorated with Asian motifs, and a beveld glass top.
Category

1970s American Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

  • Drexel Asian Motif Coffee Table
  • Drexel Asian Motif Coffee Table
  • Drexel Asian Motif Coffee Table
  • Drexel Asian Motif Coffee Table
H 16 in. W 41.5 in. D 41.5 in.
Drexel Biscayne Series Walnut Buffet Sideboard
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
A very nice example of mid century modern design made by Drexel which was part of their Biscayne line. The buffet features two upper cabinets. Left hand cabinet...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Drexel Composite Series Black Lacquer Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage black lacquered dresser from Drexel's "Composite" line. The dresser features six dovetailed drawers with brass pull handles a...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs

The Drexel furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. In our Drexel collection, there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 329 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of Drexel's original furniture was created in the Mid-Century Modern style in North America during the 20th century. Many customers also consider furniture from Lane Furniture, American of Martinsville and Heywood-Wakefield Co., if you are looking for additional options. Drexel furniture prices can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $16,900, while pieces like these can sell for $2,140 on average..
Questions About Drexel Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Yes, Drexel Furniture makes high-quality furniture in a variety of styles. The company's vintage pieces are highly sought after by collectors. You can find a wide range of Drexel Furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, Drexel Heritage and Drexel Furniture are the same thing. The company began as Drexel Heritage, but changed their name in 2017 to reflect their shift toward producing contemporary as well as traditional furniture. You'll find a range of Drexel furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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