Established in 1907 by Finley H. Coffey and Dr. A.A. Kent, a contemporary and competitor of furniture makers John Bernhardt and James Broyhill, the Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company in Lenoir, North Carolina, developed a name for itself by designing and mass-producing durable, affordable and stylish bedroom furniture, dressers, tables and other items.
Consider Kent-Coffey a precursor to IKEA, with sturdy oak and mahogany furniture rather than particleboard structures and an American-design bent rather than a Swedish one. The company's mid-century modern furniture, under the leadership of Finley’s son Harold, took off. A magazine ad from the era for the brand’s Perspecta collection positioned a minimalist bedroom set front and center, with its walnut and rosewood dresser, an elegant nine-drawer piece that rested on tapered legs and featured gorgeous sculptural details carved into its drawer fronts, occupying most of the page’s real estate. The materials for Kent-Coffey furniture were sourced locally, as the company touted its relationship with the Lilly Company in nearby High Points, North Carolina, as a supplier of its mahogany, for example.
In 1964, Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company was sold to Magnavox (but reportedly operated as a wholly owned subsidiary thereafter), and later, in 1983, the company became part of the furniture branch of the Singer Company (of the sewing-machine fame). Singer shuttered its furniture division in the late 1990s.
Today, as is the case with most of the sophisticated furniture designed in postwar America, work that originated at Kent-Coffey is hard to come by.
Previously owned walnut headboards and vintage bedroom dressers with Formica tops from the company’s Perspecta line and sandalwood continental dressers, for example, are highly valued by collectors. Kent-Coffey’s various mid-century modern lines — such as Goldenaire and Town House — were always clearly branded with identifiers such as drawer markings or stamps on the underside of its coveted end tables.
Find vintage Kent-Coffey case pieces and cabinets, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $2,492 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
$2,850
H 32 in W 72.25 in D 19.5 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern 9-Drawer Walnut Dresser by Kent-Coffey
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs...
Walnut
$2,495
H 49 in W 40.25 in D 20.5 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser by Kent-Coffey
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage design...
Walnut
$3,200 / set
H 26 in W 25.5 in D 17 in
1960s Kent Coffey Perspecta Walnut & Rosewood Demilune Nightstands or End Tables
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
United States designed and made, these nightstands or end tables feature a great look with modern clean lines and sculptured elements such as the arches on the drawers. The appeal is...
Rosewood, Walnut
$2,700
H 46 in W 40.25 in D 19.25 in
1960s Kent Coffey Perspecta Walnut & Rosewood Sculptural Tall Chest or Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
United States designed and made, this dresser features a great look with modern clean lines and sculptured elements such as the arches on the drawers. The appeal is enhanced by high-...
Rosewood, Walnut
$1,695
H 32 in W 39.25 in D 18.5 in
Kent Coffey Mid-Century Modern Bar / Drinks Serving Cart with Expandable Top
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Peabody, MA
Mid-Century Modern bar with expandable flip-top in black melamine, perfect for serving drinks. From the Perspecta line by Kent Coffey Furniture. With top fully open, this measures 6...
Walnut
Kent Coffey "The Sequence" Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk
By Kent-Coffey
Located in West Chester, PA
Mid-Century Modern four drawer writing desk from the Sequence line by Kent-Coffey.
Wood
$2,400 / set
H 24 in W 23 in D 22 in
Pair Kent Coffey Tableau Walnut & Metal Nightstands or End Tables MCM
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in-house by Kent Coffey, these nightstands feature classical American walnut construction, and a unique deisgn, each with a pull out drawer and an additional surfac...
Metal
Kent Coffey Perspecta Mid Century Walnut Buffet Credenza
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kent Coffey Perspecta Mid Century Walnut Buffet Credenza This credenza measures: 56.25 wide x 17.5 deep x 26.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Credenza has Small Areas of Fin...
Walnut
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $2,492 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $1,000-$4,400 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
