Henry Link Footstools
Although Henry Link is best known for his high-quality wicker dressers, desks, chairs and other seating, the designer and entrepreneur was also a key figure in revolutionizing America’s furniture industry and moving it toward mass production during the early 20th century.
Born in 1889, Link studied at Yadkin College and began his career as a banker in Lexington, North Carolina and New York before taking leadership of the Dixie Furniture Company in 1936. Established in 1901, the small company initially became known for its production of oak and walnut bedroom furniture. However, with Link at the helm, the company grew following a merger with the Elk Furniture Company.
In 1940, Link visited Henry Ford’s automobile plant in Detroit, Michigan where he became inspired by the factory’s assembly process. Upon his return to Lexington, Link installed automatic conveyors and mass-production techniques at Dixie.
To facilitate Dixie Furniture Company’s exponential growth, four separate divisions were created in the 1950s and 1960s, including Henry Link Furniture. Although the Link collection was initially known for its line of girls’ bedroom furniture, it expanded with a range of styles — from striking reproductions of French Provincial furniture to Polynesian-inspired designs. By the 1970s, Link’s division was among the first in America to popularize casual wicker furnishings such as bohemian-chic dressers, side tables, end tables and center tables. Among Link’s other popular designs were chinoiserie “Mandarin” cabinets, Chinese Chippendale accent chairs and bamboo dining room chairs.
In 1987, the Dixie Furniture Company and its divisions — including Henry Link Furniture — were bought by the Masco Corporation and renamed Lexington Furniture Industries. Meanwhile, Link was posthumously inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in 1998.
Today, Link’s pieces are highly coveted by interior designers and avid collectors of mid-century modern wicker and rattan furniture.
Find vintage Henry Link case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and seating on 1stDibs.
1980s Bohemian Vintage Henry Link Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Henry Link Footstools
Rattan
20th Century French Modern Henry Link Footstools
Foam, Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Henry Link Footstools
Fabric, Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Henry Link Footstools
Velvet, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Henry Link Footstools
Rattan, Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Philippine Henry Link Footstools
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Henry Link Footstools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Henry Link Footstools
Linen, Wood, Paint
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Henry Link Footstools
Cotton, Teak
1910s Swedish Louis XV Vintage Henry Link Footstools
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Henry Link Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Henry Link Footstools
Beech
Henry Link footstools for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify Henry Link furniture, check inside drawers, on bases and backs and in other inconspicuous areas for a maker's mark. Most pieces crafted by the American furniture maker will be marked with Link's name, or that of the Dixie Furniture Company, and the style of these markings can help you date a Henry Link piece. You can compare images of Henry Link hallmarks on trusted online resources to any you find on your furniture. Although the Link collection was initially known for its line of girls’ bedroom furniture, it expanded with a range of styles — from striking reproductions of French Provincial furniture to Polynesian-inspired designs. By the 1970s, Link’s division was among the first in the United States to popularize casual wicker furnishings such as bohemian-chic dressers, side tables, end tables and center tables. Among Link’s other popular designs were chinoiserie “Mandarin” cabinets, Chinese Chippendale accent chairs and bamboo dining room chairs. For assistance identifying your piece, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a variety of Henry Link furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023To clean Henry Link wicker furniture, combine warm water and mild dish soap in a bucket. Moisten a soft cloth with the soapy water and wipe the piece clean. Then, use a clean damp cloth to wipe away the soap. Finish by drying with a third soft cloth. On 1stDibs, find a range of Henry Link wicker furniture.
- How old is Henry Link furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Henry Link Furniture was established in the early 1960s. Although Henry Link is best known for his high-quality wicker dressers, desks, chairs and other seating, the designer and entrepreneur was also a key figure in revolutionizing America’s furniture industry and moving it toward mass production during the early 20th century. When he visited Henry Ford’s automobile plant in Detroit, Michigan, Link became inspired by the factory’s assembly process. Upon his return to Lexington, Link installed automatic conveyors and mass-production techniques at the Dixie Furniture Company, which he was leading as of 1936. To facilitate Dixie Furniture Company’s exponential growth, four separate divisions were created in the 1950s and 1960s, including Henry Link Furniture. The company was purchased by Michigan’s Masco Corporation in 1987. Find vintage Henry Link Furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024No, Henry Link Furniture is no longer in business. In 1987, the Dixie Furniture Company and its divisions, including Henry Link Furniture, were bought by the Masco Corporation and renamed Lexington Furniture Industries. The company's founder, Henry Link, was a key figure in revolutionizing the American furniture industry and moving it toward mass production during the early 20th century. Shop a collection of Henry Link furniture on 1stDibs.