Drexel Sofa
View Similar Items
Drexel Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 96 in (243.84 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. usable as is but you will want to reupholster.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9787972330
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.
- Chesterfield Sofa in White Vinyl UpholsteryLocated in New York, NYChic and stylish tufted white vinyl Chesterfield loveseat sofa on wood bun feet. Overall excellent condition, showing only light wear to fronts of a...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Loveseats
MaterialsFaux Leather
$2,100 Sale Price25% Off - Large Curved Sectional Sofa by WeimanBy Bassett Furniture, WeimanLocated in New York, NYDramatic and impressive sectional sofa by Weiman in luxurious purple fabric, with brown tone two tier base, and armrest. . The sectional consists of four pieces , two straight, the c...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
$5,100 Sale Price25% Off - Large Leather Tufted Chesterfield Sofa by Cabot WrennBy Cabot WrennLocated in New York, NYIncredible leather Chesterfield sofa by noted maker. Cabot Wrenn. The sofa feathers an allover tufted seat, back, and arms, with brass nailhead trim, on solid wood bun feet. Super ch...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Bamboo SofaBy Ficks ReedLocated in New York, NYClassic Mid Century Art Deco bamboo sofa with original tropical themed fabric cushions ( fabric shows wear ). The frame features a wrap around bamboo base...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo
$2,800 - Glamorous Hollywood Regency Mid Century Art Deco Sectional Sofa c 1930s/1950sLocated in New York, NYIncredible sumptuous Hollywood Regency, Art Deco, midcentury sectional sofa, newly reupholstered in gray/green mohair. The sofa consists of three sections, two straight pieces, each ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Classic Leather Sofa CouchBy ClassicLocated in New York, NYComfy burgundy leather sofa, with brass studs. Classic form, original condition, clean, ready to use. Cushions do sit flat, they were just not p...Category
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Sofas
MaterialsLeather
$2,880 Sale Price20% Off
- Leather Chesterfield Sofa by DrexelBy DrexelLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1990s. Full leather upholstery with tufts throughout. Made by Drexel in North Carolina.Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Mid Century Modern Drexel Walnut Trim SofaBy DrexelLocated in Tulsa, OKMid Century Modern Drexel Walnut Trim Sofa Unique wood trimmed Drexel sofa. Good vintage condition and structurally sound. Wood trim in above ave...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Frame Sofa by DrexelBy DrexelLocated in Freehold, NJThis Mid-Century Modern sofa by Drexel Furniture features hardwood construction, original walnut finish, vintage blue upholstery with removable cushions, beautifully crafted armrests...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$1,480 Sale Price20% Off - Drexel Tufted Scroll Arm Chesterfield Sofa for Lillian AugustBy DrexelLocated in West Hartford, CTElegant Drexel Furniture tufted roll arm chesterfield sofa done in a luxurious light green cotton fabric with beige design throughout. This sofa, measuring 89" across is guaranteed t...Category
Late 20th Century American Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Textile, Wood
- Vintage Drexel SofaLocated in Seattle, WAVintage Drexel Sofa Dimensions. 88 W ; 33 D ; 27 HCategory
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$728 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Hexagonal Curved Sectional Sofa by DrexelBy DrexelLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman style hexagonal curved sectional sofa by Drexel. Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman style large hexagonal curved sectional sofa By Drexel He...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric