American Modernist Kipp Stewart 1960s Teak and Rosewood Credenza
View Similar Items
American Modernist Kipp Stewart 1960s Teak and Rosewood Credenza
About the Item
- Creator:Kipp Stewart (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early 1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Washington, DC
- Reference Number:1stDibs: f86961604144488293fs
Kipp Stewart
The ultimate multi-hyphenate, Kipp Stewart (b. 1928) counted painting, photography, architecture and furniture design among his talents. Known to furniture obsessives for the Declaration series he codesigned for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture, Stewart was actually born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1928 and is most commonly associated with mid-century design movements of his adopted home state of California. There, in 1972, Stewart designed the Ventana Big Sur, a luxury resort near Montecito for which he oversaw architecture, planning, furniture and interior design across 160 acres of land.
By the time Stewart spearheaded the Ventana, he was already well versed in furniture design. After briefly serving in the U.S. Navy as a teenager, Stewart enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute (present-day CalArts) in Los Angeles. By the time he graduated, he was steeped in the world of modern seating design, experimenting with new chair models that bridged form and function. Charles and Ray Eames were important influences on his early work, which included a chrome-framed lounge chair whose reclined shape bears a striking resemblance to the Eameses’ iconic lounge.
In the late 1950s, Stewart partnered with another West Coast furniture designer, Stewart MacDougall, on a line of modern furniture for Drexel. (The pair were also producing case pieces and more for Glenn of California.) Drexel soon unveiled Stewart and McDougall’s Declaration line, which was constructed entirely of natural walnut and featured the choice of white porcelain or brass drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Although its stylish credenzas and other pieces reflect the kind of slim-lined, low-slung silhouettes for which mid-century design has become known, there are also elements that nod to earlier American and European furniture design, such as the dining chairs whose flattened spindle backs recall Shaker and Windsor chair design, distinguishing them from the modern designs becoming prolific in Scandinavia at the time. The pieces were so indicative of a particularly American style, in fact, that several items from the collection were selected by the U.S. government to represent the country at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
While Stewart found success as a painter and with his Ventana hotel project — and had also designed chairs, chests and more for Directional — the Drexel Declaration line is his best-known furniture collection and remains highly sought after by collectors today.
Find a wide range of vintage Kipp Stewart furniture on 1stDibs, including dining room chairs, end tables and more.
- Kipp Stewart Wall UnitBy Kipp StewartLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautiful Mid-Century Modern wall unit designed by Kipp Stewart. One piece unit with cabinet storage, drawers and sliding g...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
$1,610 Sale Price30% Off - Kipp Stewart Jewelry or Silver CabinetBy Kipp StewartLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA wonderful collaboration between Kipp Stewart and Glenn of California.Category
Vintage 1960s American Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Walnut Cabinet by Kipp Stewart for DrexelBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in North Hollywood, CAMidcentury walnut cabinet designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel in the United States circa 1950s. This vintage cabinet features a lower sectio...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Buffet and HutchBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in Countryside, ILKipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Buffet and Hutch This buffet and hutch measures: 48.5 wide x 20 deep x 67 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- SOLD 04/02/24 Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century China CabinetBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in Countryside, ILKipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century China cabinet China cabinet measures: 48.5 wide x 20 deep x 67 inches high All p...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Walnut DresserBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Buffalo, NYTen-drawer dresser by Kip Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for their Drexel Declaration collection. Four exposed drawers with original spherical porcelain knobs and brass spacers. Six more...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsPorcelain, Walnut