Drexel Even Arm Sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Style Fabric
View Similar Items
Drexel Even Arm Sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Style Fabric
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 84 in (213.36 cm)Depth: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84191535122
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.
- Elegant Yale Burge Louis XV Style Even-Arm SofaBy Yale BurgeLocated in Chicago, ILYale Burge high quality reproduction Louis XV style even-arm canape. Hand-carved beech frame, distressed and stained walnut with a single seat down filled cushion. Upholstered in a y...Category
Vintage 1970s American Louis XV Canapes
- Marden Even Arm Striped Velvet Tuxedo SetteeBy Marden FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILEven-arm tuxedo settee in striped brown, black, taupe and white velvet upholstery. Loose seat and back cushions, walnut platform base. Designed by Marden...Category
Vintage 1970s American Settees
MaterialsWood
- Stunning Painted and Parcel-Gilt Italian SofaLocated in Chicago, ILWith its fluid lines painted and gilded, the frame of this lovely sofa has a wonderful patina. Upholstered in a celadon floral damask with down cushions.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
$7,600 Sale Price20% Off - Heritage Furniture Dark Chocolate Leather Three-Seat Sofa, circa 1960sBy Heritage FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILHeritage Furniture chocolate brown leather upholstered three seat Regency style sofa. Loose seat and black cushions with bleached and patinated mahogany legs. Originally sold through Colby's, Chicago finest furniture dealer...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- A. Brandt for Ranch Oak Cerused Oak Minimalist Three Seat Sofa.By A. Brandt Ranch Oak FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILMinimalist sofa from the 1950s designed and manufactured by August Brandt for Ranch Oak Furniture. Ranch Oak was a furniture brand that had a slight western look and feel. This sofa,...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Rare Bert England for Interior Crafts Faux Ostrich and Mahogany Tuxedo SofaBy Interior Crafts, Bert EnglandLocated in Chicago, ILRarely seen or offered even arm sofa designed by Bert England for Interior Crafts, Chicago IL. Biscuit tufted simulated ostrich upholstery in presentable shape with a repaired tear t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
- 1950's Sofa in Jack Lenor Larsen FabricLocated in Chicago, IL1950 Sofa in Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric. Original upholsteryCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Incredible MCM Sofa with Original Fabric - Milo Baughman Jack Lenor Larsen styleBy Jack Lenor Larsen, Milo BaughmanLocated in Carmel, NYThis sofa is a true masterpiece, representing the pinnacle of sophistication and style. It offers a rare opportunity to own a piece that is undeniably the epitome of excellence in b...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Milo Baughman Sectional Sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Style UpholsteryBy Jack Lenor Larsen, Milo BaughmanLocated in Redding, CTColorful Milo Baughman sofa in original Upholstery. Amazing condition for this one of a kind beauty. Tones of orange, turquoise and white. The thick custom fabric which is super dura...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Milo Baughman MCM Chrome Loveseat w Jack Lenor Larsen Style FabricBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Countryside, ILMilo Baughman mid century chrome base loveseat with Jack Lenor Larsen Style Fabric. This loveseat measures: 75 wide x 38 deep x 25 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm he...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsChrome
- Paul McCobb Directional MCM Sectional Sofa Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera FabricBy Paul McCobb, Jack Lenor LarsenLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Directional midcentury sectional sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera Velvet Fabric This sofa measures: 136 wide x 73 deep x 30 in...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Wood
- Milo Baughman Jack Lenor Larsen Style MCM Upholstered Sofa LoveseatBy Jack Lenor Larsen, Milo BaughmanLocated in Countryside, ILMilo Baughman Jack Lenor Larsen Style Mid Century Upholstered Sofa Loveseat This loveseat measures: 69 wide x 40 deep x 32 high, with a seat...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood