R-Way Furniture Company Commodes and Chests of Drawers
American
Known among vintage furniture collectors for its beautifully finished wooden pieces, R-Way Furniture Company has an enduring legacy as one of the foremost American furniture manufacturers of the 20th century.
Before it became R-Way, the Sheboygan, Wisconsin-based company was known as the Mattoon Manufacturing Company, founded by entrepreneur George B. Mattoon. Mattoon came from a background of limited means and left school at the age of 12 to support his family. At 15, he enlisted with the Union Army and fought in the Civil War. In 1865, following his stint with the military, Mattoon worked at his brother’s chair factory in Sheboygan Falls. His natural knack for business led him to manufacture and sell his own furniture, establishing the Mattoon Manufacturing Company in 1881.
After Mattoon died in 1904, the company became Northern Furniture. In 1916, the C. Reiss Coal Company bought the firm, and in 1942, it changed the name to R-Way.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, R-Way became known for producing high-quality home furnishings. Pieces such as dressers, commodes, credenzas, tables, dining room chairs and bedroom furniture were created using walnut, maple and mahogany and accented with brass fixtures. Although R-Way’s furniture consisted mainly of classic mid-century modern style, some pieces deviated into the Exotic Revival style. One example is a black, lacquered Pagoda-form sideboard buffet designed in the style of flamboyant, notorious designer James Mont.
R-Way experienced continued success until 1962, when Franklin Industries, Inc., acquired it. In 1965, the company shifted its focus from producing household furnishings to commercial furniture.
During the 1970s and 1980s, R-Way’s production began to slow, and Reiss Industries bought the firm in 1987. R-Way Furniture Company closed in 1992.
Today, R-Way Furniture Company pieces remain highly sought after by mid-century modern interior designers and 20th-century furniture collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage R-Way Furniture Company case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and more furniture and collectibles.
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Creator: R-Way Furniture Company
Gorgeous Rway Six-Drawer Chest in Blonde Mahogany and Bird's-Eye Maple
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lovely modern six-drawer chest by Rway, circa 1940s. Blonde mahogany with bird's-eye maple accents. Simply stunning! Retains the Maker mark. Excellent restored condition. The chest h...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage R-Way Furniture Company Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
American Art Deco Tall Chest of Drawers by R-Way
By R-Way Furniture Company, Eliel Saarinen
Located in Hanover, MA
American Art Deco highboy dresser with Machine-Age lines in its tiered appearance and curved edge drawers. Produced circa 1947 by R-Way Furnit...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage R-Way Furniture Company Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany, Burl
Rway Mid Century 5 Drawer Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Countryside, IL
Rway Mid Century 5 Drawer Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser
This dresser measures: 40 wide x 18.5 deep x 41 inches high
?All pieces of furniture can ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage R-Way Furniture Company Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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R-way Furniture Company commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
R-Way Furniture Company commodes and chests of drawers are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of R-Way Furniture Company commodes and chests of drawers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original commodes and chests of drawers by R-Way Furniture Company were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider commodes and chests of drawers by Romweber Furniture Co., Russel Wright, and Hickory Manufacturing Company. Prices for R-Way Furniture Company commodes and chests of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,395 and can go as high as $8,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,048.
Creators Similar to R-Way Furniture Company
Questions About R-Way Furniture Company Commodes and Chests of Drawers
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024No, R-WAY Furniture is not still in business. In 1992, the company closed, and in 1993, its assets underwent sale at auction. The closure followed a gradual decline in production that began after 1949, when a new owner purchased the Mattoon Manufacturing Company and changed its name to R-WAY. On 1stDibs, shop a range of R-WAY furniture.