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.
Kipp Stewart "Sun Coast" Cabinet by Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Highland, IN
This very handsome cabinet designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel Furniture is from the "Sun Coast" line. It can serve as a credenza in the dining room or a dresser in the bedroom. It's...
Wood
John Van Koert for Drexel Sideboard Buffet
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel, this exquisite mid-century modern sideboard buffet is a masterclass in understated elegance and fine craftsmanship. Part of the celebrated “Pro...
Wood
Mid Century 6 Drawers Walnut High Chest Dresser W/ Porcelain Ball Pulls Mint!
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century 6 drawers walnut high chest dresser W/ Porcelain ball pulls mint!
Porcelain, Walnut
Pair of Drexel Heritage Corinthian Elm Nightstand Cabinets
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Absolutely stunning Drexel Heritage bedside cabinets in burl Corinthian Elm. These are part of the Corinthian Collection and features a pull-ou...
Brass
Expertly Restored - Chest of Drawers with Chrome Handles by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Milo Baughman Manufacturer: Drexel Materials: Walnut Wood, Chrome Pull Handles ________________________________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mi...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Blond Birch 6 Drawers One Door Compartment Dresser Credenza
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Blond Birch 6 drawers One Door Compartment dresser credenza MINT!.
Birch
Louis XVI Style Commode by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This two drawer commode by Drexel features great antique details such as brass ring hardware, and scrolling details. Louis XVI style distressed paint decorated commode chest of drawe...
Wood
Drexel French Provincial Louis XV Cream Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, 1960s
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style sideboard, bar cabinet, or credenza By Drexel USA, Circa 1960s Cream lacquered case, with walnut top, and original brass hardware. Mea...
Brass
Banded Top Mahogany Inlayed Bracket Feet 11 Drawers Dresser Credenza MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bow front banded top mahogany inlayed bracket feet 11 drawers dresser credenza MINT!.
Mahogany
John Van Koert Drexel Profile K12 Gentlemen’s Chest Dresser
By John Van Koert, Drexel, Henredon, Karl Johan
Located in Chattanooga, TN
K12 Man’s Chest designed by John Van Koert for Drexel’s “Profile” collection. Collectors revel – this dresser comes with it’s original tag! Van Koert began his career as a jewelry de...
Chrome
$614Sale Price|76% Off
Mid Century Lowboy Dresser with Limed Oak FInish
By Drexel
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern lowboy dresser features hardwood construction, oak veneer with original limed oak finish, nine dovetailed drawers with copper accented hardware, and stretcher...
Oak
Drexel Compact 54" Wide Clover Shape Pulls Light Walnut 6 Drawers Dresser MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Drexel Compact 54" Wide Clover Shape Pulls Light Walnut 6 Drawers Dresser MINT!
Walnut
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel Declaration Mid-Century Dresser
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut dresser designed by the celebrated duo Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s iconic Declaration Collection, one of the most recogn...
Brass
Drexel Heritage Spanish Colonial Solid Pine Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Spanish Colonial style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Drexel Heritage USA, Late 20th Century Carved solid pine, with ori...
Brass
Vintage Drexel Mahogany Sideboard
By Drexel
Located in Annville, PA
A vintage Drexel Mahogany Sideboard in excellent condition, the top having been recently French polished. Simple yet sophisticated this be...
Mahogany
Vintage Modern Black & Burl Drexel Heritage 3 Pc Lighted Wall Display or Vitrine
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Modern Drexel Heritage 3 piece lighted wall display, vitrine, or storage unit comprised of black & burl wood, glass front & side doors, glass shelves with double pl...
Brass
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Credenza
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Credenza This credenza measures: 72.25 wide x 20 deep x 31.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Top and Sides of Credenza ...
Walnut
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
John Van Koert Casa del Sol Tawny Walnut and Stenciled Tall Cabinet
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Chicago, IL
From John Van Koert's Casa del Sol collection for Drexel. Two-piece tall cabinet in bleached walnut, with original hand stenciled green and yellow floral detail on the upper cabinet doors. Pair of upper doors with silver-polished nickel pulls...
Walnut
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart for Drexel declaration mid century walnut corner desk This desk measures: 52.5 wide x 40.25 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a cha...
Walnut
Drexel Heritage French Provincial Carved Oak Lighted Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Provincial Louis XV style lighted breakfront bookcase or dining cabinet By Drexel Heritage USA, 1970s Carved oak, with glass shelves and original brass hardware...
Brass
Drexel Brass Mount Fruitwood Fold-Top Mini Bar with French Doors
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous Drexel Brass Mount Fruitwood Fold-Top Mini Bar with double French Doors. Very good vintage condition. Measures 30" in width, 60" in widt...
Fruitwood
Drexel French Provincial Chest, 2-Drawer Dresser, Solid Wood, c. 1960s USA
By Drexel
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A charming French Provincial chest by Drexel, crafted in the mid-20th century from solid wood and showcasing ornate carved drawer fronts, cabriole legs, and original brass hardware. ...
Brass
K12 Man's Chest by John Van Koert for Drexel 'Profile' Collection
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern K12 Man’s Chest designed by John Van Koert for Drexel’s iconic “Profile” collection, circa 1950s. Crafted in richly grained walnut with sculptural, jewelry-inspire...
Chrome
Drexel Plaudit collection Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser with Mirror
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
This dresser is part of the Drexel Plaudit Collection. It has 9 Drawers for plenty of storage. The top 2 drawers have sliding jewelry trays. The dresser is made of walnut and has an ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Kipp Stewart for Drexel “Declaration” Walnut Highboy Dresser
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
Mid-Century Modern Kipp Stewart for Drexel “Declaration” Walnut Highboy Dresser, 1960s An iconic piece of American Mid-Century Modern design, this tall chest of drawers was designed...
Brass
American Mid-Century Modern End Table Travertine by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful And rare end table by Drexel designed by John Van Koert, freshly refinished in chocolate walnut finish with silver-plated polished handles. very clean part of the Drexel Pr...
Travertine
Mid-Century Modern Light Pickled Walnut Brass Pulls 5 Drawers Chest Dresser Mint
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern light pickled walnut brass pulls 5 drawers chest dresser mint.
Brass
Drexel Walnut Mid Century Modern Long Credenza Sliding Doors 5 Drawer File MINT!
By American of Martinsville, Drexel, George Nelson, Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Drexel Walnut Mid Century Modern Long Credenza Sliding Doors 5 Drawer File MINT! Finished back.
Walnut
Mid Century Executive Desk by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Spectacular Mid Century executive desk designed by John Van Koert for Drexel. It has the maker’s mark in the drawer, (shown in the picture above). This wonderful desk has four drawer...
Leather, Walnut
Restored Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley, circa 1947
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful pair of Modern chests by Edward Wormley for Drexel, circa 1947. Expertly constructed in silver elm and finished in cream lacquer. The functional size and scale allow for ...
Brass
$2,730Sale 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...
Wood
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
High Style George Washington Double End Desk by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Custom-made high-style bird's-eye maple George Washington double-end desk by Drexel. The desktop features a leather-topped writing surface embossed with gold leaf. There are three pu...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Drexel Heritage Georgian Style Mahogany Chests - Pair
By Drexel
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Drexel Heritage Georgian style mahogany bachelor’s chests. They are part of the Collection Mahogany line created in the 1960s/70s. They are in very good condition a...
Brass
Drexel "Declaration" Dresser
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long Mid-Century Modern dresser by Drexel for their "Declaration" line. Designed by Stewart MacDougal and Kipp Stewart, with modern straight lines, walnut grain and 11 total drawers....
Walnut
Walnut Server with Hidden Electric Dish Warmer
By Harvey Probber, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern walnut rolling server with built in food warmer. Carved fluted doors two drawers built by Drexel.
Walnut
$2,137Sale Price|25% Off
Midcentury Kipp Stewart for Drexel Dresser Bachelor Chest
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Baltimore, MD
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern dresser bachelor chest designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration Collection, circa 1960s. Featuring a solid, beautifully grained walnut wood case and frame housing three dovetailed drawers, each is adorned with original brass pulls with walnut inlay, creating a striking contrast to the walnut wood. Maker Stamp (by Drexel) on the inside of the top drawer. A recessed base of round tapered legs and apron provide stabile support while conveying an airy “floating” effect. Additional Maker Stamp (Declaration by Drexel...
Brass
Restored Nighstand Chests by Edward Wormley, 1940's
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Wonderful bachelor's chest by Edward Wormley for his "Precendent" Collection designed for Drexel in 1947. One of the few collections Wormley produced outside of his work with Dunbar. The stately collection comprised over 100 pieces for each room of the home, featuring proprietary curled bar...
Brass
Modernist Desk by John Van Koert for Drexel, 1960s
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A boldly angled modernist single pedestal desk having a distinctive raised gallery with sliding doors and a warm dark grey leather surface.
Brass