Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.
to
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
34
34
20
1
1
1
34
21
6
4
3
3
1
33
22
20
10
10
33
32
34
34
34
193
142
105
45
41
Creator: Drexel
Drexel French Provincial Louis XV Pink Lacquered Lingerie Chest or Semainier
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Regency Louis XV style six-drawer lingerie chest or semainier
By Drexel Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Pink lacquered solid cherry wood, with original brass hardware...
Category
1960s American Louis XV Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair Drexel Provincial Serpentine Mahogany Partial Gilt and Cream Bedside Chests
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of mid Century Drexel Provincial Style Serpentine Mahogany Partial Gilt and Cream painted bedside chest of drawers / Nightstands.
Measures 24" in width , 17" on depth, 30.5" i...
Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany, Paint
Drop Front Compartment 5 Drawer High Chest 46" Tall Dresser Mid Century MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Drop Front Compartment 5 Drawer High Chest 46" Tall Dresser Mid Century MINT
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Carved Ball and Claw Feet Flame Mahogany Book Matched Dresser Bachelor Chest
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bombay 4 drawers flame mahogany ball and claw feet dresser chest by Drexel. Campaign style "carry" handles.
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Midcentury "Perspective" Dresser by Milo Baughman for Drexel
By Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning midcentury dresser designed by Milo Baughman for Drexel´s “Perspective” collection in the United States, circa 1950s. This dresser has been constructed from an exotic and be...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
1980s Drexel Et Cetera Collection Chest of Drawers Chinoiserie
By Drexel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1980s Drexel Et Cetera Collection Chest of Drawers Chinoiserie
24 h x 41.75 w x 20 d, Drawer 7 h x 14.75 d x 37 w top and bottom
Preowned vintage condition
Refer to...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Walnut Chest of Drawers by Drexel, C. 1950s
By Drexel
Located in Westport, CT
Vintage Mid-Century Modern chest of drawers by Drexel, circa 1950s. Expertly restored by Stamford Modern, this piece showcases five drawers that elegantly escalate in size, offering ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Boho Drexel Tall Campaign Chest of Drawers
By Drexel
Located in west palm beach, FL
Stunning vintage Drexel tall campaign chest of drawers with a boho flair. Crafted with timeless elegance, it features brass hardware and a sleek, functional design. Perfect for addin...
Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Quality Vintage Drexel Mahogany Chest On Chest
By Drexel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely crafted as Drexel is known for. The two part chest on chest with a broken bonnet top with urn finial. The top chest with three small drawers, the middle with a carved shell, over four graduated long drawers. The lower chest with one long over three small drawers, the middle one with carved shell. Fine brass bat...
Category
20th Century American American Classical Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel Accolade 3 drawer Walnut Campaign Chest
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice looking chest by Drexel. It has 3 drawers and the middle drawer is a double drawer. It's made of walnut and is in a campaign style. The corners and the pulls have bra...
Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Restored Bachelor Chest 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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
1960s Drexel Wood Brass Sculptural Bombay Dresser Commode Dresser On Castors
By Drexel
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1960s with this Bombay chest dresser. Beautifully sculpted with brass details and on castors for easy movement. The ultra rare ...
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel Provincial Serpentine Mahogany Partial Gilt and Cream Chest of drawers
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid Century Drexel Provincial Style Serpentine Mahogany Partial Gilt and Cream painted chest of drawers
Measures 35" in width , 20.5" on depth, 60.5" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood, Paint, Mahogany
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Campaign Walnut Lingerie Chest
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style gentleman's chest or lingerie chest with flip-up vanity mirror
By Drexel Heritage
USA, Circa 1970s
Walnut, with lift...
Category
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel Campaign Chest of Drawers / Bachelor Chest, Circa 1960s
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
Offered is a beautiful 1966 Campaign Chest of drawers / Bachelor campaign Chest in good vintage condition by Drexel.
Working dovetail drawers.
Measures 34" Wide x 19" Deep x 45.5" Ta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel Bicentennial Chippendale Mahogany Four Drawers Bedside Chest of Drawers
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautiful bed side chest of drawers / nightstand from the prestigious Drexel's Bi Centennial Collection.
Very good vintage condition with few signs of use. Measures 23.5" in widt...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection Ebonized 32", 38" or 48" Chests
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Singles of Edward Wormley for Drexel chests from the Precedent Collection with brass tone hardware, circa 1947.
Size shown in photos is 32" W , also have 38"w and 48" W available
...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Restored Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley, circa 1947
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
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 ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Nightstands
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern three-drawer bachelor chests or nightstands
By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection
USA, 1950s
Black lacquered walnut, with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Asian Motive Scene Drawer Decorated Faux Bamboo 4 Drawers Dresser Bachelor Chest
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Asian motive scene drawer decorated faux bamboo 4 drawers dresser bachelor chest by Drexel.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bamboo
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!
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Porcelain, Walnut
Drexel "Sun Coast Collection" Six Drawer Dresser by Kipp Stewart
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern 6 Drawer dresser in the "Sun Coast Collection" for Drexel Furniture designed by Kipp Stewart. Circa 1959. Cherry, sits on a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Cherry
Milo Baughman Storage Coffee Table
By Drexel, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman storage coffee table, Today,s Living line by Drexel in Birch wood with solid turned legs.
Flip-up tops for storage, beveled corners.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Birch
Fabulous Pair Drexel Campaign Chest Oxford Square Mid-Century Modern
By Drexel
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous pair of extremely rare Campaign chests by Drexel for the Oxford Square Collection. We just love the unusual patterns on all sides done with different colored stains and pai...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Dresser Chest by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel modernist three drawer dresser chest. Walnut cabinet with pull rings sitting on a brass plates. Fully re-finished. All drawers come with removable lining covered in faux suede.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Precedent Dresser for Drexel, stunning custom hardware / finish
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning chest of drawers from Drexel’s notable Precedent line, one of the few collections Edward 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mid Century Modern Campaign Style Lift Top 3 Drawer Executive File Chest
By Drexel
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Campaign Style Lift Top 3 Drawer Executive File Chest by Drexel
Vintage mid century modern campaign style lift top 3 drawer ex...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Restored Nighstand Chests by Edward Wormley, 1940's
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern “Apart Mates” Walnut High Chest
By Drexel
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern “Apart Mates” Walnut High Chest. Featuring a straight line design, five drawers with original hardware, modern legs with stretcher, and a bea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel Heritage French Provincial Louis XV Carved Fruitwood Chest of Drawers
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style dresser or chest of drawers
By Drexel Heritage
USA, Late 20th Century
Measures: 43"W x 19.75"D x 34.13"H.
Carved fruitwood, with origi...
Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Expertly Restored - Chest of Drawers with Chrome Handles by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chest of drawers with chrome handles by Drexel, from the New Today's Living Collection.
________________________________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Chrome
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!.
Category
20th Century American Federal Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
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. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Drexel commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original commodes and chests of drawers by Drexel were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider commodes and chests of drawers by John Widdicomb, Herman Miller, and John Stuart. Prices for Drexel commodes and chests of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $796 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,695.
Creators Similar to Drexel
Questions About Drexel Commodes and Chests of Drawers
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 3, 2025Yes, 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 is Drexel Touraine?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Drexel 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Whether 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, 2022Drexel 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 26, 2024No, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2024Yes, 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. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Drexel 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 ExpertMay 3, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJuly 9, 2024What 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. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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.