Rotating Mahogany Gentleman's Chest by Drexel Heritage
View Similar Items
Rotating Mahogany Gentleman's Chest by Drexel Heritage
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 69.5 in (176.53 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall very good condition. Rotates smoothly.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1560229668842
Drexel
While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.
In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oakwood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.
One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.
In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.
Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more. With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.
Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories. In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.
In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.
The range of vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- Ebonized Mahogany Concealed Dresser By Paul McCobb, Irwin Collection, CalvinBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, double-wide, credenza configuration, concealed mahogany dresser by Paul McCobb, Irwin Collection for Calvin Furniture features accordian fronts that open to revea...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Hollywood Regency Mahogany DressersBy Gilbert RohdeLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of matched, Hollywood Regency, mahogany, 5 drawer dressers attributed to Gilbert Rohde with prominent brass ring pulls are newly finished in satin rosewood. The drawers measure ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$7,800 / set - Paul McCobb for Calvin Concealed Mahogany DresserBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, streamlined, mahogany dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture: The Irwin Collection features bi-fold doors that open to reveal four 5 inch height drawers that...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert for Drexel Counterpoint Mahogany and Grasscloth Credenza DresserBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, mahogany, credenza dresser by John Van Koert for Drexel Counterpoint features a custom grasscloth facade treatment that contrasts nicely with his signature round brass plated...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGrasscloth, Mahogany
- Machine-Age Painted Steel Highboy Dressers by Norman Bel GeddesBy Norman Bel GeddesLocated in Brooklyn, NYStreamlined, machine-age, painted steel, highboy dressers by Norman Bel Geddes for Royal Metal Manufacturing Co. with five generous drawer...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Dressers
MaterialsSteel
- Petite Ash Sideboard Cabinet by John Van Koert for Drexel ProfileBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Brooklyn, NYPetite, ash, sideboard or cabinet by John Van Koert for Drexel with fantastic lines features 2 drawers at 2.5 and 3.5 inches height with curved, anodized aluminum handles. Height to ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Olive Ash Burl, Rosewood and Mahogany Gentleman's ChestBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILThis sleek clean lined Harvey Probber gentleman's bureau features burl wood doors with recessed rosewood pulls. The doors slide to reveal three cork lined trays and four shirt drawer...Category
Vintage 1950s American Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBurl, Cork, Lacquer, Mahogany, Rosewood
- United Style Young MCM Walnut Brass Gentleman's Chest Highboy DresserBy Young Manufacturing Company, United Furniture CorporationLocated in Countryside, ILUnited Style Young Manufacturing mid century walnut and brass gentleman's chest highboy dresser. Dresser measures: 42 wide x 19 deep x 46.75 inch...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Drexel Viewpoint 70 Gentlemen’s Chest \ DresserBy DrexelLocated in Denton, TXDrexel Viewpoint 70 Gentlemen’s chest \ dresser. Tons of drawers for maximum storage. The left side drawers make a perfect jewelry storage space. R...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsChrome
$3,600 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Drexel Heritage Maracay ArmoireLocated in Delray Beach, FLIncredible vintage Maracay armoire by Drexel Heritage. Features two large spacious drawers and two ornate cabinet doors which open to reveal shelving wi...Category
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsWood
- Drexel Heritage Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest Highboy DresserBy DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style eight-drawer chest on chest highboy dresser By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with...Category
Late 20th Century American Georgian Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's ChestLocated in Westwood, NJA Federal style mahogany and figured mahogany Gentleman's chest of drawers, the bowfront reeded edge top with protruding corners above leaf carved capital and reeded column supports,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Dressers
MaterialsWood
$8,790 / item