Chin Hua Asian Dining Chairs by Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture
View Similar Items
Chin Hua Asian Dining Chairs by Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture
About the Item
- Creator:Century Furniture (Maker),Raymond Sabota (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40.5 in (102.87 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Hollywood Regency (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:Jacksonville, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3349316742771
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.
- Asian Chinoiserie Chin Hua Wall Mirror by CenturyBy Century FurnitureLocated in Jacksonville, FLAsian style carved wood mirror in gloss black by Century Furniture finish adds a touch of chinoiserie to any decor. From the Chin Hua collection. Good condition with minor imperfecti...Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Wood
- Rattan Pagoda Style Dining Chairs by McGuireBy McGuireLocated in Jacksonville, FLSet of 6 McGuire rattan pagoda high back dining chairs. Lacquered in high gloss green. Leather bindings are all in tact. Good vintage condition with minor imperfections to the lacque...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Rattan, Lacquer
$2,250 / set - Bamboo Pagoda Dining Chairs by McGuire, Set of SixBy McGuireLocated in Jacksonville, FLSet of 6 McGuire bamboo pagoda high back dining chairs. Newly lacquered in high gloss green. Good vintage condition with minor imperfections to the newly l...Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Rattan
- DIA Thin Frame Chrome Dining ChairsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Jacksonville, FLSet of six mid century modern chrome dining chairs by Design Institute of America. Features the iconic thin line frame and simple, modern styling. Good condition with minor imperfect...Category
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$2,320 Sale Price / set20% Off - French Neoclassical Dining Chairs by KargesBy Karges FurnitureLocated in Jacksonville, FLSet of 6 neoclassical style dining chairs by Karges Furniture feature gilded detailing, saber legs, and soft velvet upholstery. Upholstered backs as well. Very comfortable. Good vint...Category
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Revival Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
$2,600 / set - Pencil Reed Rattan Dining Chairs, Set of 6Located in Jacksonville, FLSet of six dining chairs feature full veneer of pencil reed rattan in a unique geometric design. Comfortable back and seat cushions. Upholstered in a purple floral pattern. Very good...Category
Vintage 1980s Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Reed
$2,300 / set
- 6 Chin Hua Dining Chairs in Black by Raymond K. Sobota for Century FurnitureBy Raymond K. Sobota, Century FurnitureLocated in Topeka, KSGorgeous set of six Chin Hua dining chairs 4 side and 2 armchairs by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture. Comprised of ebonized deep brown a...Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood, Burl
- Modernist Regency Daybed Chin Hua Century Furniture by Raymond K. SobotaBy Raymond K. Sobota, Century Furniture, James MontLocated in Buffalo, NYModernist Regency daybed chin Hua century furniture by Raymond K. Sobota. Stunning carved wood Asian inspired base, retains original 1980s fabric, Unusua...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Dining ChairsBy Raymond K. Sobota, Century FurnitureLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous set of eight mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie dining chairs By Raymond Sobota for Century Furniture,...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Walnut
- 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 coll...Category
Late 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Set of 6 Vintage Chin Hua Drexel Heritage Dining ChairsBy DrexelLocated in Pasadena, TX6 Drexel heritage Chin Hua side chairs Includes 5 side chairs and 1 armchair Measures: Armchairs 23" W x 18" x 32" H Seat H 17.25", arm H 25.25" Side chairs 20" W x 18" D...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane
- Set of 6 Vintage Chin Hua Drexel Heritage Dining ChairsBy DrexelLocated in Pasadena, TX6 Drexel heritage Chin Hua side chairs Includes 5 side chairs and 1 armchair Measures: Armchairs 23" W x 18" x 32" H Seat H 17.25", arm H 25.25" Side chairs 20" W x 18" D...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane