Century Furniture Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Armiore Highboy
About the Item
- Creator:Century Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 56.25 in (142.88 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:
Century Furniture
Known for its durable vintage display cabinets, nightstands and dressers made of cherry, oak, walnut and more, Century Furniture of Hickory, North Carolina, began as an upholstered goods company in 1947 but added case goods and sophisticated mahogany dining-room furnishings shortly thereafter.
Launched by Harley Ferguson Shuford Sr., a Hickory native who was born to a family of textile mill owners, Century Furniture was intended to be “the best furniture company in the world.” With respect to speed and efficiency, the brand found its footing midway through production on a government contract that Shuford had secured in the early days to manufacture thousands of five-drawer chests. The effort was significant, but it was also a teachable moment as far as Shuford and his team’s learning the ropes of running a factory.
After hiring designer Raymond K. Sobota in 1950 and introducing the enormously popular Citation Collection in 1954, Century established its reputation as a leader in stylishly designed high-quality furniture. Sobota had furniture in his blood — after graduating from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked for his uncle Karl Schmidt, who was at the time a well-known furniture designer for Berkey and Gay and other makers in the Grand Rapids area, then known as America’s furniture capital. Sobota soon launched his own studio, designing furniture as a freelancer for various local manufacturers. Shuford found him by happenstance, journeying to Michigan’s second-largest city to offer a job to another designer who turned him down but recommended Sobota instead.
Century’s Citation line — a sizable collection for the brand that spanned furnishings for the bedroom, dining room and more — is revered in the world of vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors. The pieces sold very well during the 1950s, and the line is an oft-cited success story for Sobota, who would go on to win awards for his work and whose own catalogue of designs for the brand is massive.
In his 40-year career at Century, until he retired in 1995, he designed well over 100 furniture lines. Sobota’s nightstands, cabinets, side tables and more are characterized by his interest in Asian design, distinctly and brilliantly expressed in his Hollywood Regency–style Chin Hua line, which debuted during the 1970s. With its geometrically decorative brass drawer pulls and door handles as well as dining-chair seat-back carvings — all inspired by Asian motifs — this collection has rendered vintage pieces that saw Century’s craftsmen working with alluring ebonized walnut and more, some of the company’s most sought-after work today.
Also in the 1970s as well as in the 1980s, Manhattan interior designer Jay Spectre introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at Century Furniture, creating oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Century licensed collections with celebrity interior designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams among others. In 2013, when Alex Shuford III was named president of Century Furniture, the move marked the succession of the third generation to lead this company, which is today one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers of high-end furniture.
Find Century Furniture lounge chairs and dining chairs as well as vintage mid-century modern credenzas, dressers and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Countryside, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- United Furniture Mid Century Diamond Highboy DresserBy United Furniture CorporationLocated in Countryside, ILUnited Furniture mid century diamond highboy dresser This dresser measures: 44.25 wide x 20 deep x 49.75 inches high All pieces of f...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- West Michigan Furniture Midcentury Walnut and Brass HighboyBy West Michigan Furniture Co.Located in Countryside, ILWest Michigan Furniture Midcentury walnut and brass highboy This highboy measures: 40 wide x 20 deep x 47 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Lane Mid Century Burlwood ArmoireBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILLane Mid Century Burlwood armoire This armoire measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 58 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBurl
- Kent Coffey Forum Mid Century Highboy DresserBy Kent-CoffeyLocated in Countryside, ILKent Coffey Forum mid century highboy dresser Dresser measures: 40 wide x 20.5 deep x 48 inches high ?All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Edmond Spence Mid Century Maple Highboy DresserBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Countryside, ILEdmond Spence Mid Century Maple Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 44.25 wide x 18.25 deep x 45.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can ...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Witco Pulaski Oceanic Mid-Century Highboy Brutalist ArmoireLocated in Countryside, ILWitco Pulaski oceanic mid-century highboy brutalist armoire The armoire measures: 48.5 wide x 19 deep x 52.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsWood
- Edmond Spence Highboy "Checkerboard" DresserBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis Edmond Spence designed midcentury dresser features stunning marquetry combined with carefully sculpted "Checkerboard" front. Four lower drawers offer spacious storage while top ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Kent Coffey Perspecta Midcentury Walnut and Rosewood Armoire/HighboyBy Kent-CoffeyLocated in Wilton, CTOffering a sweet piece of nostalgia with this iconic Kent Coffey Perspecta midcentury Armoire/Highboy. Started in 1907 in North Carolina, the Kent Coffey company rose in popularity i...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsRosewood, Walnut
- Mid-Century Burlwood Tallboy Dresser Lenoir FurnitureLocated in Baltimore, MDA classic Mid Century Modern walnut tallboy dresser with burled walnut center doors by a division of Broyhill, “Lenoir Furniture Company”. A han...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Ward Furniture Mfg Mid Century Louvered HighboyLocated in Waxahachie, TXMid Century Ward Furniture Mfg 4 drawer highboy dresser. Baby Steps line. Formica top. Gorgeous striped inlay on drawers. Check my other listings for the s...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsFormica, Wood
- Mount Airy Furniture Vanity DresserBy Mount Airy Furniture CompanyLocated in Los Angeles, CAMahogany vanity by Mount Airy Furniture, circa 1960s, USA. The dresser features three sleek door fronts which open to reveal interior storage. The center door has a brass rectangular enameled door pull...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBrass, Enamel
- United Furniture Diamond Mid Century Walnut Highboy DresserBy United Furniture CorporationLocated in Las Vegas, NVGorgeous Walnut Diamond Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser by United Furniture This mid century highboy dresser features original walnut finish, four drawer design, diamond fronts...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut