Lane Acclaim Desks
Lane’s Acclaim furniture collection of coffee tables, end tables, dressers and more has been compared to Drexel’s wildly popular Declaration series for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and the impeccably clean contours that are frequently associated with the best of mid-century modern design.
When the first iteration of the Lane Furniture company began to produce its now-famous Lane cedar chests in the early 20th century, the family behind the brand was unsure of how successful they’d be, so they initially didn’t bother adding their name to the offerings.
In the spring of 1912, in the town of Altavista, John Lane purchased a defunct box factory at a bankruptcy auction. His son, Edward Hudson Lane, was tasked with the manufacturing of the cedar “hope” chests for which the Lane family would become known, even though the company was initially incorporated as the Standard Red Cedar Chest Company.
The Standard Red Cedar Chest Company struggled in its early days but secured a government contract to produce pine ammunition boxes during World War I. The company prospered and applied mass-production methods to its cedar-chest manufacturing after the war, and, in 1922, rebranding as the Lane Company, it implemented a national advertising campaign to market its products.
Ads tied Lane’s strong cedar hope chests to romance. Anchored by copy that read “The gift that starts the home,” the campaign rendered a Lane cedar chest a necessary purchase for young women to store linens, clothing and keepsakes as they prepared to marry.
In the 1950s, Lane branched out into manufacturing tables, bedroom pieces and other various furnishings for the entire home. Today, the brand’s vintage mid-century furniture — which includes the Perception, Tuxedo and Acclaim collections — is highly sought after.
Print advertisements for Lane’s Acclaim series suggested that it included “probably the best-selling table in the world.” Before its offerings expanded to include items for the bedroom and dining areas of the home, Lane was primarily known for its tables and case pieces — there are side tables, coffee tables and more in the Acclaim collection, each sporting graceful tapered legs and dovetail inlays.
Altavista designer Andre Bus, who joined Lane in 1954, created the Acclaim collection. It initially debuted in the late 1950s before the company revisited and expanded the line in 1962. Crafted in warm walnut, the Acclaim furnishings have understandably drawn comparisons to the Scandinavian modernist furniture that gained popularity in the United States during the postwar years.
Later, during the 1960s, Lane offered handsome modular wall units created by the likes of Paul McCobb, an award-winning Massachusetts-born designer best known for his work at Directional.
The company was acquired by United Furniture Industries in 2017 and became particularly well-known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022 United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane.
Vintage Lane furniture is generally characterized by relatively neutral styles, which are versatile in different kinds of interiors, as well as good quality woods and careful manufacturing. All of these attributes have made Lane one of the most recognizable names in American furniture.
Find vintage Lane Acclaim furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Walnut
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Aluminum
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Metal
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Ash, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Formica, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Oak, Walnut
1990s Post-Modern Lane Acclaim Desks
Glass, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Oak, Walnut
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lane Acclaim Desks
Oak, Walnut
Lane Acclaim desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Lane Acclaim
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Lane Acclaim tables are made out of wood. The tops typically feature walnut veneers, while the legs and bases tend to feature solid wood construction. André Bus designed the Acclaim line for Lane furniture, which introduced the range in 1958. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Lane Acclaim tables from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024To date a Lane Acclaim table, look for its serial number. You can usually locate it on the underside of the tabletop. When read backwards, the serial number will tell you the day, month and year of production. If you can't locate the serial number, an expert appraiser or antiques dealer can assist you with the dating process. Find a collection of Lane Acclaim tables on 1stDibs.