- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
6 Chin Hua Dining Chairs in Black by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture

About the Item
- Creator:Century Furniture (Maker),Raymond K. Sobota (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.75 in (100.97 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Chinoiserie (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1975-1998
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Frames were tightened & wood brought back to life with Restore-a-Finish. Retain gorgeous age patina. Wear where wood shows through the ebonizing, nicks dings nothing outstanding. Upholstery cleaned but still faint red stain on 1 armchair. See photos.
- Seller Location:Topeka, KS
- 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.
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Topeka, KS
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Chin Hua Buffet or Credenza by Raymond K. Sobota for Century FurnitureBy Century Furniture, Raymond K. SobotaLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome Hollywood Regency chinoiserie buffet or credenza designed by Raymond K. Sobota for his Chin Hua Collection for Century Furniture. Comprised of dark ebonized ash with burl wo...Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Credenzas
MaterialsWood, Burl
- Century Chinoiserie Chin Hua Dbl Display China Cabinet Bookcase Raymond SobotaBy Century Furniture, Raymond K. SobotaLocated in Topeka, KSStunning vintage chinoiserie Chin Hua double display, China cabinet, or bookcase by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture. Comprised of white ash burlwood with ebonized maple accen...Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- White Fine Furniture Asian Ming Chinoiserie Style off White Lacquer Dining ChairLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome off-white Asian style, Ming style, or Chinoiserie set of six dining chairs by White Fine Furniture. They are in wonderful vintage condition. There are a few nicks and dings ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
$1,447 Sale Price / set50% Off - Set 6 Decorables 1967 Selection for Chromcraft Metal Dining Chairs Red and BlackBy ChromcraftLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome set of six black metal dining or dinette chairs by Chromcraft from their Decorables 1967 Selection. They have a great midcentury Hollywood Regency style. Plus, they are in f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Contempora Dining Chairs by William Clingman for J. L. Metz Set of 6By J. L. Metz Furniture Co.Located in Topeka, KSHandsome set of six midcentury dining chairs from J. L. Metz Furniture’s Contempora line designed by William J. Clingman. They are not marked but well documented and in fabulous vint...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Dining Chairs Paul McCobb for Winchendon Set 5By Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern Planner Group style #1534 dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Comprised of a dark walnut finished maple. They have been newly upholst...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Maple
- Set of 6 Chin Hua Dining Chairs by Raymond Sabota for Century FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, TXChin Hua dining chairs by Raymond Sabota for Century Furniture Company Set of 6 dining chairs by Century Furniture. Part of the Chin Hua collection by Raymond Sabota. Lacquered in...Category
Late 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- 62" Chin Hua Dining Table by Raymond Sobota for Century FurnitureBy Century FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, TXChin Hua dining table by Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture Raymond Karl Sobota (1914-2010) Dining table designed by Raymond K. Sobota for the Chin Hua Collection for Century Fur...Category
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBurl
- Chin Hua Display Cabinet by Raymond Sobota for Century FurnitureBy Century FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, TXChin Hua display cabinet by Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture Raymond K. Sobota started designing for Century Furniture in 1952, and was with the company for forty years. ...Category
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBurl
- Chin Hua Asian Dining Chairs by Raymond Sabota for Century FurnitureBy Century Furniture, Raymond SabotaLocated in Jacksonville, FLSet of 6 dining chairs by Century Furniture. Part of the Chin Hua collection by Raymond Sabota. Asian chinoiserie style newly lacquered in high gloss blue. Original seat upholstery h...Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood, Lacquer
$1,840 Sale Price / set20% Off - CENTURY Chin Hua Raymond Sobota Asian Chinoiserie Caned Side ChairBy Raymond Sabota, Century FurnitureLocated in Charlotte, NCAn Asian style side chair by high-quality furniture maker Century Furniture, from their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Hardwood with black lacquer, cane back, Chinoise...Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Side Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Wood, Lacquer
- Asian Dining Chairs Chin Hua by Raymond Sobota Century Furniture Set of 6By Century FurnitureLocated in Lake Worth, FLOffering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a set of (6) Chin Hua Asian dining chairs Raymond Sobota Century Furniture Set includes 2 arm and 4 si...Category
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Modernist Regency Daybed Chin Hua Century Furniture by Raymond K. SobotaBy Century Furniture, James Mont, Raymond K. SobotaLocated in Buffalo, NYModernist Regency daybed chin Hua century furniture by Raymond K. Sobota. Stunning carved wood Asian inspired base, retains original 1980s fabric, Unusual form, style of James Mont, ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- CENTURY Chin Hua Raymond Sobota Asian Chinoiserie Caned Side ChairBy Raymond Sabota, Century FurnitureLocated in Charlotte, NCAn Asian style side chair by high-quality furniture maker Century Furniture, from their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Hardwood with black lacquer, cane back, Chinoise...Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Side Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Wood, Lacquer
- Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Dining ChairsBy Century Furniture, Raymond K. SobotaLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous set of eight mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie dining chairs By Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture, "Chin Hua" Collection USA, Circa 1970s Eboniz...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Walnut
- Chin Hua Asian Dining Chairs by Raymond Sabota for Century FurnitureBy Century Furniture, Raymond SabotaLocated in Jacksonville, FLSet of 6 dining chairs by Century Furniture. Part of the Chin Hua collection by Raymond Sabota. Asian chinoiserie style newly lacquered in high gloss blue. Original seat upholstery h...Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood, Lacquer
$1,840 Sale Price / set20% Off - CENTURY Chin Hua by Raymond Sobota Black Lacquer Side ChairBy Century FurnitureLocated in Charlotte, NCAn Asian style side chair by high-quality furniture maker century. From their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Made in the 1970s in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. Made fr...Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Side Chairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric, Lacquer
Recently Viewed
View MoreThe 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Trusted Global Delivery