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.
Henry Link Rattan Sofa with New Sunbrella Upholstery and Cushions
By Henry Link
Located in Miami, FL
Henry Link Rattan Sofa with New Sunbrella Upholstery and Cushions Offered for sale is a Henry Link rattan sofa that was reupholstered with Sunbrella washable indoor-outdoor fabric a...
Upholstery, Wicker
$3,600Sale Price|25% Off
Henry Link Newly Upholstered Painted Coastal Rattan Sofa
By Henry Link
Located in Miami, FL
Henry Link Newly Upholstered Painted Coastal Rattan Sofa Offered for sale is a Henry Link coastal beach living newly upholstered 3-seater rattan sofa. The cushions have been upholstered with Lee Jofa fabric. The rattan frame has a painted finish. The cushions are supported by a spring foundation as shown. We offer the companion chairs...
Fabric, Rattan, Foam, Wood
Vintage Curved Sofa, Newly Upholstered in Holly Hunt Velvet
By Milo Baughman, John Mascheroni
Located in Raleigh, NC
Sweeping curved silhouette defines this John Mascheroni style sofa, showcasing the dramatic arc and generous proportions characteristic of 1970s sculptural seating. The continuous c...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Coastal Palm Print Rattan Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your living space with this exquisite vintage coastal rattan sofa, a stunning fusion of tropical elegance and timeless craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully curved rattan frame with a rich honey-toned finish, this piece captures the essence of mid-century island living. The plush cushions are adorned with a bold palm print...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
1950s Sofa with Houndstooth Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This wonderful sofa has a design reminiscent of Edward Wormley's work for Dunbar, and a quality construction to match. The clean lines and subtle details allow the form to be the per...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Modern Curved Sofa, Newly Upholstered
By John Mascheroni, Milo Baughman
Located in Raleigh, NC
Beautifully restored vintage curved sofa in new striated boucle upholstery.
Wrought Iron
Fancy Louis XVI Giltwood Sofa Loveseat with New Silk Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Louis XVI style sofa having carved gilded wood and beautiful new upholstery. The lovely frame displays fluted columns topped by acanthus leaves. The base is composed of fluted and ta...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$9,116Sale Price|31% Off
H 39.38 in W 80.71 in D 27.96 in
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Walnut Sofa with New Upholstery
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant Biedermeier sofa from Southern Germany, dating from around 1825, represents the very essence of early 19th-century design. Crafted with finely figured walnut veneer laid...
Fabric, Upholstery, Spruce, Walnut
Vintage Coastal Heywood Wakefield Bent Rattan Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your space with timeless tropical charm with this vintage bent rattan sofa, attributed to Heywood-Wakefield. Crafted with beautifully arched arms and a geometric bamboo frame,...
Upholstery, Rattan
Vintage Coastal Woven Rattan Roll Back Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage woven rattan sofa. An extra large frame with deep seats and an exaggerated roll back. Cushion included. Acquired from a Miami estate.
Rattan
$6,588 / item
H 78.75 in W 98.43 in D 32.29 in
Stainless Steel Outdoor Hanging Sofa with Weatherproof Sunbrella Fabric
By Myface
Located in Santo Tirso, PT
Fable hanging outdoor sofa 3 seater Hold by premium outdoor leather straps and with the addition of one seat, this inviting hanging sofa will allow quality outdoor moments without any concerns. The whole design of this contemporary outdoor hanging sofa...
Stainless Steel
Rattan Sofa by Vivai Del Sud, 1970s - New Upholstery
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Brussels, BE
Rattan Sofa by Vivai Del Sud, 1970s - New Upholstery
Rattan
Vintage Coastal Bent Rattan Sofa After Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with the timeless elegance of this vintage coastal bent rattan sofa, inspired by the designs of Paul Frankl. Showcasing beautifully curved rattan arms and an in...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
$4,500
H 35 in W 30 in D 72.5 in
2006 Herman Miller Eames Sofa Compact with New Brown Fabric Upholstery
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Sofa Compact, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1954. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA C. 2006. The sofa's design features brow...
Steel
Henry Link Split Reed Bamboo Sofa
By Henry Link
Located in Fulton, CA
A Henry Link wicker 3-seat sofa. Sculptural design, structurally very solid. Upholstery is worn, foam is soft and comfortable. Original white-washed finish. Retains Henry Link label. Seat height measures 16.5". Henry Link: Henry Talmadge Link (b.1889 d.1983) had been a banker in Lexington, N.C., and New York before he organized Dixie Furniture Company in 1936 with 90 employees. In 1940, after visits to automobile factories in Detroit, he equipped Dixie Furniture Company with motorized conveyors. This introduced the industry to mass production, which changed the way furniture assembly lines moved the product through the plant. His first introduction was a five-piece mahogany suite which, with a few minor changes and additions, was still in the product line as late as 1986. One million pieces had been manufactured by 1960. A man of great business acumen, he early associated himself with his nephew, J. Smith Young, and son-in-law, E. Bruce Hinkle. Link-Taylor, a model factory, was built in 1949-1950. Young-Hinkle started in 1962, Dixie-Linwood was built in 1972, and Wicker by Henry Link...
Reed, Bamboo