Founders Furniture Company was a short-lived 20th-century American brand that produced enduring mid-century modern designs. The company's streamlined dressers, credenzas 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.
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,...
Brass
Expertly Restored - Jack Cartwright Credenza w/ Cane Doors for Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, Original Cane Front Doors, New Leather Pulls ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing hi...
Leather, Cane, Wood, Walnut
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza This credenza measures: 60 wide x 18 deep x 30.75 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Credenza Top has Minor Wear...
Cane, Walnut
Restored Mid Century Oak & Cane Credenza by Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A newly refinished mid century modern oak credenza / sideboard with rattan paneling by Jack Cartwright, made by Founders in North Carolina c. 1970s. The cabinet rests on a recessed ...
Cane, Oak
Vintage Walnut and Cane Credenza by Jack Cartwright for Founders, 1960s
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A refined and architecturally composed mid-century modern credenza designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders as part of their celebrated Decorum line. Executed in rich walnut, the pie...
Cane, Walnut
Mid-Century Credenza by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern long cabinet by Founders with parquet diamond style front panels. Two side cabinets with shelves and middle drawers. Great 1960s design and construction. Please co...
Walnut
Burl & Brass Credenza by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid-century modern credenza by Founders. Designed with a combination of bright burl wood grain and polished brass. Two cabinets on either side with smoked glass doors each...
Brass
Modern Founders Furniture Company Danish Teak Credenza With Display
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid Century Modern teak Danish credenza with display by Founders Furniture Company. Two bottom tambour doors conceal adjustable shelves and three ...
Teak
Mid-Century Chrome and Teak Sideboard by Founders
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
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.
Metal, Chrome
Mid Century Solid Wood Blonde Pecan Veneered 4 Drawers Dresser by Founders MINT!
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid Century Solid Wood Blonde Pecan Veneered 4 drawers dresser by Founders MINT!
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Burl Credenza by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern Thomasville bar cabinet in burl. Unique design with smoked glass cabinet doors, burl front drawers, and brass trim along the b...
Brass
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut and Slate Top Credenza
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut and Slate Top Credenza This credenza measures: 48 wide x 16 deep x 25.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Stain on Top Surface i...
Slate
Vintage Office Credenza by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uniquely sized vintage credenza offers a stylish combination of cabinet and drawer storage. Low profile height makes this perfect for use in an office or business environment, w...
Wood
Mid Century Modern Wormy Chestnut 7 Drawers Compact Dresser Credenza MINT
By John Stuart, Founders Furniture Company, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Light American Walnut Mid Century Modern Wormy Chestnut 7 Drawers Compact Dresser Credenza MINT
Chestnut
Vintage Founders MCM Dresser with Glass Top & Mirror
By Founders Furniture Company
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 ...
Glass, Wicker, Wood
H 41 in W 36 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Tall Dresser in Walnut! All refinished!
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Jack Cartwright walnut tall boy, six-drawer, dresser with black base and black wood inset detail. Dove-tale construction of drawers. Newly Re...
Walnut
H 32 in W 66 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Walnut Dresser Founders Furniture Attributed to Jack Cartwright
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Baltimore, MD
Handsome, richly grained walnut Mid-Century Modern 8 drawer dresser, attributed to Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture Company, USA circa 1960’s. Expertly crafted, this absolute j...
Walnut
H 41 in W 48 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Jack Cartwright / Founders Walnut Dry Bar Cabinet Chest
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
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...
Walnut
H 27.5 in W 71.5 in D 17.5 in
1950s Mid Century Walnut Credenza by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut credenza designed by Florence Knoll and manufactured by Knoll Associates Inc. circa 1950s. This exceptional piece showcases a gorgeous walnut frame supported by fo...
Chrome
H 30.75 in W 60 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Lowboy Dresser
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 60 wide x 18 deep x 30.75 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to sho...
Walnut
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
1970s Jack Cartwright for Founders Six Drawer Walnut Credenza / Dresser
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Six Drawer Credenza Dresser, designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture in 1970. It has a case of walnut and features six wide drawers that have Dovetail Joi...
Steel
H 30 in W 36 in D 18 in
Magnificent Rosewood Jack Cartwright Founders Bachelors Chest of Drawers
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent rosewood Jack Cartwright Founders bachelors chest of drawers. This piece is in wonderful vintage condition with only light signs of age. The rosewood color is deep and da...
Rosewood
H 30.25 in W 77.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Jack Cartwright Brazilian Rosewood Dresser for Founders
By Jack Cartwright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, Metal Handles Manufacturer: Founders ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing his...
Metal
H 45.25 in W 42 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Armoire
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Armoire This armoire measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 45.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as m...
Walnut
H 30.25 in W 77 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright Designed Credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long walnut sideboard by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture. Three cabinets with shelving and drawer storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Brass
H 82.5 in W 34 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Burl Wood Lighted Bookcase or Bar Cabinet, 1970s
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Milo Baughman style lighted display cabinet, bar cabinet, or bookcase By Jack Cartwright for Founders USA, 1970s Gorgeous book-matched burl wood front, with smoked gl...
Glass, Burl
H 45 in W 36 in D 19.25 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut Dresser
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall mid-century modern dresser by Jack Cartwright. Six wide dovetail jointed drawers with black metal pulls. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
H 30 in W 72 in D 19 in
Jack Cartwright Walnut Credenza for Founders
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Jack Cartwright for Founders walnut credenza with custom book matched doors and square nickel pulls on a 2" chrome tubular base. The interior features 3 drawers and 2 storage areas w...
Walnut
H 30 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Credenza by Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century credenza designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders, circa 1960s. Crafted from warm walnut wood with fantastic woodgrain. The upper portion of the credenza features two ni...
Metal, Brass
H 32.5 in W 78 in D 19 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Cane Credenza
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid century credenza by Jack Cartwright for founders. Six cane front doors open to reveal three inner cabinets with adjustable shelving and three upper drawers for storage. Warm wa...
Brass
H 30.75 in W 77.5 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut and Cane Front Credenza
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut and Cane Front Credenza This credenza measures: 77.5 wide x 18 deep x 30.75 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Credenza has Gentl...
Cane, Walnut
H 18 in W 78 in D 14 in
Mid century Jack Cartwright for Founders Long wall mounted Bar desk credenza
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Jack Cartwright for Founders Long wall mounted Bar desk credenza. Left side has 2 cabinet doors and the right side has a fold down bar or desk with white laminate surface...
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer
H 32 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid century modern cane walnut credenza sideboard 4 drawer 2 door
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century modern credenza sideboard with two caned cabinet doors and four drawers. The top drawer is fitted for Flatware/silverware. Behind the cabinet doors is an adjustable shelf...
Brass
H 30 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Sideboard / Credenza by Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Lane Furniture, Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company, Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century credenza by Jack Cartwright for Founders, circa 1960s. A striking example of mid-century modern design, blending functionality with a sleek, timeless aesthetic. Crafted f...
Metal, Brass
H 30 in W 72 in D 18.5 in
Founders Rosewood Credenza with Drawers & Shelves on a Black Plinth Base
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Rosewood Credenza from Founders offers ample storage space with its drawers and shelves, making it a practical yet stylish addition to any home. Crafted from high-quality Rosewo...
Rosewood
H 30 in W 67 in D 18.25 in
Founders Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful mid-century modern credenza designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Sleek and functional with ample storage. Amazing walnut wood grain throughout. Credenza has been profe...
Walnut
H 30.25 in W 48 in D 16 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza w/ Stone Top
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Stone
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
Jack Cartwright Rosewood Credenza for Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Metal
H 30 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Rosewood Credenza by Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This mid-century rosewood credenza is a striking piece of furniture designed by Jack Cartwright and produced by Founders Furniture Co. It features a beautiful case made from Brazilia...
Brass
Antique and vintage credenzas can add an understated touch of grace to your home. These long and sophisticated cabinet-style pieces of furniture can serve a variety of purposes, and they look great too.
In Italy, the credenza was originally a small side table used in religious services. Appropriately, credere in Italian means “to believe.” Credenzas were a place to not only set the food ready for meals, they were also a place to test and taste prepared food for poison before a dish was served to a member of the ruling class. Later, credenza was used to describe a type of versatile narrow side table, typically used for serving food in the home. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard — in fact, the terms credenza and sideboard are used almost interchangeably today.
Credenzas usually have short legs or no legs at all, and can feature drawers and cabinets. And all kinds of iterations of the credenza have seen the light of day over the years, from ornately carved walnut credenzas originating in 16th-century Tuscany to the wealth of Art Deco credenzas — with their polished surfaces and geometric patterns — to the array of innovative modernist interpretations that American furniture maker Milo Baughman created for Directional and Thayer Coggin.
The credenza’s blend of style and functionality led to its widespread use in the 20th century. Mid-century modern credenzas are particularly popular — take a look at Danish furniture designer Arne Vodder’s classic Model 29, for instance, with its reversible sliding doors and elegant drawer pulls. Hans Wegner, another Danish modernist, produced strikingly minimalist credenzas in the 1950s and ’60s, as did influential designer Florence Knoll. Designers continue to explore new and exciting ways to update this long-loved furnishing.
Owing to its versatility and familiar low-profile form, the credenza remains popular in contemporary homes. Unlike many larger case pieces, credenzas can be placed under windows and in irregularly shaped rooms, such as foyers and entryways. This renders it a useful storage solution. In living rooms, for example, a credenza can be a sleek media console topped with plants and the rare art monographs you’ve been planning to show off. In homes with open floor plans, a credenza can help define multiple living spaces, making it ideal for loft apartments.
Browse a variety of antique, new and vintage credenzas on 1stDibs to find the perfect fit for your home today.