Kent-Coffey
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 |
| $1,814 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey
Metal
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Kent Coffey furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sadly no, Kent Coffey closed its doors in 2001 after nearly 100 years in business. You may still be able to find pieces from the mid-century modern furniture maker in antique shops. You can also find a collection of Kent Coffey goods from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company was founded in 1907 by Harold Coffey in North Carolina and became famous for producing low-end furniture with a reputation for quality and durability. Unfortunately, after the company was sold to the Singer Furniture company in 1983, Singer tried to diversify, pushing Kent Coffey furniture division into bankruptcy in 1997, and they closed their doors when Singer went under in 2001. On 1stDibs, Shop vintage Kent Coffey furniture from top sellers.