In the early 1890s, before his Old Hickory Furniture Company was formally incorporated, Billy Richardson was selling handmade rocking chairs in the town square of Martinsville, Indiana. His designs used hickory saplings that were the perfect combination of pliable and durable, making them ideal for creating graceful, comfortable and long-lasting furniture. This style of “twig furniture” or “rustic furniture” had become popular with the romanticization of escaping to nature in the 19th century, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains.
Reportedly, a young Richardson and his father crafted seating for president Andrew Jackson, nicknamed “Old Hickory,” for use at his Tennessee home, the Hermitage. By the end of the 19th century, Billy Richardson’s furniture had attracted such a fan base that he joined forces with other craftspeople in the area and they convened to work in an empty church, producing hickory sapling furniture full-time. Old Hickory was officially founded in 1899 and began shipping its signature hickory sapling seating and tables across the country.
Some of the company’s earliest customers were America’s National Parks, where Old Hickory’s homespun style of wooden furniture fit right in and turned out to be a sound investment. At Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful Inn and Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Lodge, the Old Hickory seating purchased in the early 1900s remains in use to this day.
That’s not to say the company hasn’t adapted over its century-plus lifetime. A look at Old Hickory’s archive is something of a trip through American furniture styles of the past century. There are knotted designs from the 1930s, chaises made of wicker (a versatile and long-lasting natural material) that recall early-20th-century resort style and Mission-style sets reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement.
In the 1940s, Old Hickory tapped designer Russel Wright to lend his eye to the brand. Wright’s streamlined designs married Old Hickory’s rustic sensibility with a modern aesthetic. After closing in 1978, the company underwent two acquisitions and was moved from Martinsville to Shelbyville, Indiana, where it now operates. Today, Old Hickory continues to offer an array of furniture and home accessories, primarily in the widely loved style with which it began.
Find a range of Old Hickory Furniture Company armchairs, tables and other items for sale on 1stDibs.
Rustic Old Hickory Sofa with Forest Print
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Old Hickory style (20th Cent) sofa / settee with spindle design sides, back, & base with 6 forest print upholstered cushions (brass Old Hickory ta...
Wood, Fabric, Hickory
American Rustic Old Hickory Glider Loveseat
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
American Rustic Old Hickory porch glider (loveseat) with woven rectangular seat and back and suspended by chains
Metal
Rustic Old Hickory Wood and Tan Leather Settee
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Old Hickory settee / sofa with a hickory wood frame containing a closed cabinet with iron hinges and latch in the right armrest and an open cabinet with two shelves in the lef...
Hickory
Rustic Old Hickory Wood and Tan Leather Settee
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Old Hickory settee / sofa with a hickory wood frame containing a closed cabinet with iron hinges and latch in the right armrest and an open cabinet with two shelves in the lef...
Upholstery, Wood, Leather, Hickory
American Rustic Old Hickory Chaise Lounge
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
American Rustic Old Hickory (19/20th Century) chaise lounge with round woven back and seat
Hickory
American Rustic Adirondack Bark Loveseat
Located in Queens, NY
American Rustic Adirondack loveseat of bent willow, twig & root construction with double arched barked splat back & seat (19th Cent)
Willow, Twig
Mid-20th Century Rustic or Western Style Sofa Attributed to A. Brandt Ranch Oak
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage rustic or Western style sofa attributed to A. Brandt Ranch Oak comprised of a medium or honey toned Ranch Oak finished frame & reupholstered in a white vanilla toned nubby linen-like fabric with button detail on the back cushions. This piece has been attributed based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been redone, restored, or refinished. Specifically, the wood is in fabulous vintage condition and only cleaning was done. The fabric was professionally cleaned but there are still some stubborn places on outer corners where you can see a bit of dinginess and just overall can tell it isn’t brand new upholstery. It is priced accordingly. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950-1960’s. Get ready to sit in incomparable Ranch Oak splendor!!! This wonderful sofa is comprised of a medium or honey toned Ranch Oak finished frame featuring bowtie shaped keyhole designs in both sides, wonderful tapered flat arms, and it has been reupholstered in a lovely white vanilla toned nubby linen-like fabric with button detail on the back cushions. It. Is. BEAUTIFUL!!!! Although this sofa does not bear the A. Brandt Ranch Oak tag, we have seen and sold identical sofas and chairs with the A. Brandt tag, so our attribution is solid. It has an extra high back and semi-attached buttoned back cushions making it very comfortable and will be perfect in your Rustic or western style living room, family room, entertainment area, or basement rec room. This sofa will be incredible in your ranch home, mountain home, dude ranch, cabin, or industrial loft. You simply can’t go wrong with Ranch Oak. A Brandt Company was established in 1900 by German immigrant August Brandt. But it was Paul Brandt, August’s son, who engineered and debuted the Ranch Oak furniture in Fort Worth, Texas in 1938. Paul served as company president for approximately 50 years. The production of the Ranch Oak line continued until the mid-1980s. It was used in ranch homes, mountain homes, dude ranches, and basement rec rooms across the nation. The US government contracted Ranch Oak furnishings for many of their military bases. And it was used by National Park lodges plus roadside motels for its attractive, durable, rustic type of décor. Spectacular style, high quality, and crazy comfort! This Ranch Oak sofa...
Fabric, Oak
Old Hickory Barrel-Back Settee
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Chireno, TX
Old Hickory barrel-back settee with a bent hickory frame and a woven splint seat and back. Note: Regional differences in humidity and climate during shipp...
Hickory
American Rustic Old Hickory Porch Glider / Loveseat
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
American Rustic Old Hickory porch glider (loveseat) with woven rectangular seat and back and suspended by chains.United States. 20th Century
Metal
Rustic Old Hickory Deacon's Cushioned Bench
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Old Hickory beacon's bench. With diamond motif on bottom and twig back. Long poles with branches to hang jackets and coats. Custom upholstery on bench in green, yellow, and red color...
Fabric, Hickory
Antique Natural Edge Settee with Custom Upholstery and Rustic Character
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Indonesian rustic wooden settee from the early 20th century, with natural edge, newly done custom upholstery and dark patina. Created in Indon...
Wood
California Modern Rancho Style Sofa by the Monterey Furniture Company c. 1930's
By Monterey Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Incredible full size sofa by the Monterey Furniture Company, made in California, circa 1930's. The sofa features a solid wood ( probably Alder Wood ) frame with heavy wrought iron j...
Iron
