Expertly Restored - Rare John Van Koert "Counter Point" Night Stands for Drexel
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer),John Van Koert (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly Refinished. by Danish Modern LA’s Restoration Studio.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU971124753082
John Van Koert
John Van Koert was integral to the rise in popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture during the mid-20th century all over the United States. The Canadian-born designer’s spare walnut coffee tables and elegant armchairs, for example — particularly those that he created for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture — reflected the influence of the era’s alluring Danish design and were prominently featured in the modern interiors of postwar American homes.
Originally from Manitoba, Van Koert moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the University of Wisconsin. There he studied sculpture and trained in metalwork. Van Koert later taught design in the school’s art department. After World War II, Van Koert settled in New York City. He created jewelry for Harry Winston before shifting his focus to flatware and furniture design.
Van Koert found quick success with his flatware designs for Towle Silversmiths. His Contour set was part of the “Knife, Fork and Spoon” exhibition organized by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in the early 1950s. In 1954, he served as design director for the “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition, which toured Canada as well as the United States and featured hundreds of designs created in Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden by the likes of Kaj Franck, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finn Juhl and others.
Van Koert kept busy over the years. Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism during the postwar era with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile, Casa Del Sol and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by Van Koert.
In the early 1960s, Van Koert created a contemporary line for Richardson-Nemschoff, a furniture manufacturer based in the designer’s former stomping grounds of Wisconsin. During the early 1970s, he partnered with Sarreid Ltd., a brand that got its start sourcing materials from Spain and Italy and bringing the exceptional talents of European wood carvers, sculptors and painters to the forefront of American home decor.
On 1stDibs, find vintage John Van Koert seating, tables and storage pieces.
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 vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Expertly Restored - Kipp Stewart “Declaration” Night Stand for DrexelBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Los Angeles, CA________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Expertly Restored - John Keal Night Stand with Bookshelf for Brown SaltmanBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Expertly Restored - John Keal Two-Tier Night Stand for Brown SaltmanBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAElegant modern nightstand designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States circa 1950s. This fabulous nightstand is built on solid walnut-stained mahogany wood featuring a single sculpted...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Expertly Restored - California Modern Walnut Night Stands by John KapelBy John Kapel, Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Expertly Restored - Jack Cartwright Walnut Night Stands for Founders Co.By Founders Furniture Company, Jack CartwrightLocated in Los Angeles, CAJack Cartwright Walnut Night Stands for Founders Co. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furni...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Night Stands with Bookshelves for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered NightstandsBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern three-drawer bachelor chests or nightstands By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert for Drexel Cherry Wood Two-Tier Side Table, Newly RefinishedBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern sculpted cherry wood two-tier occasional side table or nightstand By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Counterpoint" Collection USA, 1950s M...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsCherry
- Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Walnut Night StandBy Drexel, Kipp StewartLocated in Toledo, OHWalnut night stand by Kipp Stewart design for Drexel. Single drawer with overhanging shelf. Drexel stamp in the drawer. 21" wide x 22" deep x 28" high. Excellent condition.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair Teak George Nelson Thin Edge Night Stands / Chests. Expertly Restored.By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Kansas City, MOPair of George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller Thin Edge cabinets model 4701. Teak cases with anodized aluminum pulls and cast aluminum legs. Each cabinet features four drawers...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid-Century Modern “Campatica” Brutalist Night Stands by DrexelBy DrexelLocated in Los Angeles, CAOriginal Vintage ConditionCategory
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsOak
- Stunning Pair Asian Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Night Stands Mid-Century ModernBy DrexelLocated in Pemberton, NJStunning pair of Chinoiserie Drexel Heritage night stands. We just love the incised carved Asian landscape design on the tops and drawer ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Night Stands
MaterialsBrass