Founders Furniture Company

American

Founders Furniture Company was a short-lived 20th-century American brand that produced enduring mid-century modern designs. The company's streamlined dressers, lounge chairs and coffee tables feature solid wood construction and simple but elegant designs.

The history of Founders Furniture Company began in 1946 when it was established as a subsidiary of Knoll Inc., an esteemed manufacturer known mainly at the time for its pioneering workplace furniture — largely owing to the work of visionary designer Florence Knoll — so it launched Founders as its residential division.

During its years of operation, Founders hired celebrated American modernist designers like Milo Baughman and David Parmelee, who created sleek commodes and sideboards in mahogany and rosewood for the brand. Michigan native Jack Cartwright, a designer at Heritage during the 1950s, also worked at Founders as head designer before moving on to start his eponymous furniture company in 1963.

Founders continued operations until 1965 when Thomasville Furniture acquired it. Established in 1904 in North Carolina — home to other iconic mid-century brands such as Drexel and Broyhill — Thomasville expanded significantly during the 1960s and purchased several other American furniture manufacturers.

Today, the timeless styles and exceptional craftsmanship associated with Founders Furniture Company pieces continue to render them desirable even for today’s interiors.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Founders case pieces, seating, tables and more.

Average Sold Price

$2,306

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Mid-Century Modern Jack Cartwright / Founders Walnut Dry Bar Cabinet Chest

$2,895

H 41 in W 48 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Modern Jack Cartwright / Founders Walnut Dry Bar Cabinet Chest

By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a mid-century modern Jack Cartwright for Founders walnut pagoda form dry bar cabinet or gentleman’s chest. Jack Cartwright was taking Scandinavian minimalism and incorporatin...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Jack Cartwright for Founders Six Drawer Walnut Dresser, Circa 1960s

$1,950

H 30.25 in W 60 in D 18 in

Jack Cartwright for Founders Six Drawer Walnut Dresser, Circa 1960s

By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company

Located in Peabody, MA

A six drawer low dresser in bookmatched walnut by Jack Cartwright for Founders, which was a division of Thomasville Furniture, ca. 1960s.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Jack Cartwright for Founders Book-Matched Walnut & Cane Side Tables

$3,600 / set

H 16.25 in W 19 in D 19 in

Jack Cartwright for Founders Book-Matched Walnut & Cane Side Tables

By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright

Located in Oakland, CA

Pair of American Modern walnut side tables designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture Company, circa 1960s. Finely crafted of walnut, each table features an exquisite book-ma...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood and Brass Nightstands by Founders for Thomasville

$4,500 / set

H 23.25 in W 26 in D 17 in

Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood and Brass Nightstands by Founders for Thomasville

By Thomasville, Founders Furniture Company

Located in North Hollywood, CA

A striking pair of mid-century modern burl wood nightstands / chest of drawers by Founders for Thomasville, produced in the United States during the 1970s. The clean rectilinear form...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Side Table by Jack Cartwright

$1,095

H 22 in W 27.75 in D 27.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Side Table by Jack Cartwright

By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Original Vintage Condition

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Steel

Jack Cartwright for Founders 8-Drawer Walnut & Brass Dresser or Cabinet

$2,800

H 37.5 in W 60.5 in D 18.5 in

Jack Cartwright for Founders 8-Drawer Walnut & Brass Dresser or Cabinet

By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This cabinet was made in the 1970s by Founders after a design by Jack Cartwright, one of the most prolific designers of the 20th century modern scene. Featuring pleasant proportions,...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Chrome and Teak Sideboard by Founders

$2,600

H 29.5 in W 77.5 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Chrome and Teak Sideboard by Founders

By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mid-century modern sideboard by Founders with drawer and cabinet storage. Great for home or office use. Warm Teak wood with accenting chrome hardware. Please confirm location NY or NJ.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard

$2,500

H 29 in W 67 in D 19 in

Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard

By Founders Furniture Company

Located in Hanover, MA

1960's Founders Furniture Co. model 21301-48, F-16 sideboard with two cabinet compartments and four double doors with cast bronze finish hardware. The le...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Bronze

Browse all Furniture from Founders Furniture Company

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Founders Furniture Company Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$2,200	Dining Room Tables	Aluminum, Wood, Walnut	Mid-20th Century
2026	$1,480	Coffee and Cocktail Tables	Walnut	1960s
2026	$1,495	Desks and Writing Tables	Walnut	Unknown
2026	$5,900	Credenzas	Walnut	Mid-20th Century
2026	$2,470	Dining Room Tables, Desks and Writing Tables	Chrome, Rosewood	1970s
2026	$3,000	Cabinets	Rosewood	1962
2026	$1,871	End Tables	Chrome, Ebony, Rosewood	Circa 1961-1970
2026	$1,620	Commodes and Chests of Drawers	Wood	1960-1969
2026	$1,500	Dining Room Tables	Walnut	Unknown
2026	$2,400	Credenzas	Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer	1960's
2026	$2,995	Sofas	Leather, Rosewood	Unknown
2026	$1,200	Dining Room Tables, Tables	Rosewood	Unknown
2026	$2,225	Dressers	Steel, Walnut	1960s
2026	$2,200	Wardrobes and Armoires	Metal, Chrome, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut	Mid-20th Century
2026	$1,500	Lounge Chairs	Leather, Walnut	1960s
2026	$3,150	Console Tables	Brass, Walnut	Circa 1970
2025	$1,996	Console Tables	Brass, Burl	1970s

$2,306

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$1,200-$5,900

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Founders Furniture Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Founders Furniture Company 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 Founders Furniture Company furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Founders Furniture Company 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 Kent-Coffey, Merton Gershun , and Conant Ball. Prices for Founders Furniture Company furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $495 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,978.

Questions About Founders Furniture Company

What happened to the Lane Furniture company?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
The story of what happened to the Lane Furniture company is one of financial difficulties. The company was acquired by United Furniture Industries in 2017 and became particularly well known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022, United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane due to bankruptcy. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Lane furniture.
What is the largest furniture company in the world?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
IKEA is generally considered to be the world's largest furniture company. Established in 1943 in Älmhult, Sweden, the company now operates more than 450 stores around the world. In 2022, more than 800 million people visited IKEA stores, and millions more bought pieces online. Find an assortment of vintage IKEA furniture on 1stDibs.
What is the most famous Swedish furniture company?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
The most famous Swedish furniture company is arguably IKEA. Founded in 1943, the company has grown to become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world. The brand has more than 450 stores located in more than 60 countries. Shop a range of IKEA furniture from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
What company took over Lane Furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
United Furniture took over Lane Furniture in 2017. After that, the furniture maker became well known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022, United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane due to financial problems. Find a collection of Lane Furniture pieces from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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.
Is Bombay Company furniture real wood?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
Yes, most Bombay Company furniture is real wood. The furniture maker produces pieces out of rubber wood, cherry wood and other hardwoods. Some pieces also feature other materials, such as bamboo. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Bombay Company wood furniture from some of the world's top sellers.