Versatile Pair of Tansu Chests by Baker Furniture, circa 1960s
View Similar Items
Versatile Pair of Tansu Chests by Baker Furniture, circa 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Baker Furniture Company (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 19.25 in (48.9 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In very good vintage condition with minor age appropriate wear.
- Seller Location:Peabody, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU88805511123
Baker Furniture Company
Owing to the company’s collaborations with many leading designers and artists over time, vintage Baker furniture is consistently sought after today. The heritage brand’s chairs, dining tables, desks and other pieces are widely known to collectors and design enthusiasts for their fine craftsmanship and durability.
Within a few decades of its launch, Baker Furniture Company evolved into one of the largest and most important furniture manufacturers in the United States, and became known for its high-quality production standards. Siebe Baker and business partner Henry Cook founded the original iteration of Baker Furniture Company in 1890 in Allegan, Michigan, after immigrating to the United States from the Netherlands. Allegan is a small town west of Grand Rapids, which, at that time was home to Widdicomb Furniture Co. and more and was known as America’s furniture capital. The company manufactured doors and interior moldings, and introduced a combination desk and bookcase in 1893. In the early 1900s, Siebe became sole owner of the business.
Among others, stage designer Joseph Urban and modernist designer Kem Weber contributed designs to Baker in the 1920s. In 1932, under the leadership of Siebe’s son, Hollis, who started at the company as a salesman but took the reins when his father passed in 1925, Baker Furniture introduced bedroom pieces and debuted its Manor House collection, which made reproductions of European furnishings available to the American market. (Hollis was an avid traveler and procured antiques overseas for the company to reproduce in the United States.) Soon, Baker Furniture Company moved to Holland, Michigan, and eventually opened showrooms in Grand Rapids and elsewhere.
Pioneering Scandinavian designer Finn Juhl created a Danish modern line for Baker in 1951, and the company produced his award-winning Chieftain chair for a short time. In the late 1950s, Baker introduced the Milling Road label to reach a younger audience with stylish but less costly furnishings like console tables, walnut dining chairs and more, and in 1961, British furniture designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings introduced a modern neoclassical line at Baker.
The 1960s and ’70s saw the introduction of historic reproduction furniture lines such as Woburn Abbey and the Historic Charleston collection, which remain very popular to this day. In 1990, Baker was licensed to produce a furniture line from Colonial Williamsburg. That same year, the Smithsonian Museum introduced Baker’s Chippendale chair into its permanent collection and the Grand Rapids Art Museum dedicated an exhibition to Baker’s 100-year anniversary, a showcase that included 150 pieces of furniture Siebe Baker had collected as part of a larger assortment that had served as inspiration for his designs.
Today, vintage Baker furniture, such as its elegant mahogany nightstands and teak credenzas — particularly those crafted by Finn Juhl — sees high demand online and elsewhere. The company continues to produce contemporary collections with well-known designers such as Bill Sofield, Barbara Barry and Kara Mann and remains on par with some of the highest quality furniture in the industry.
Browse vintage Baker armchairs, sofas, coffee tables and more on 1stDibs.
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two Tone Dresser in Mahogany and Rosewood Circa 1960sBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Peabody, MAThree drawer dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with two-tone contrasting Honduran mahogany drawer fronts, top and sides, and rosewood trimmed case, circa 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany, Rosewood
- Antique Circa Late 1700s Georgian High Boy Chest of Six DrawersLocated in Peabody, MAA late 1700s Georgian tall chest of six graduated drawers in oak with pierced batwing brasses and beaded drawers on high bracket feet.Category
Antique Early 1700s British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Antique American Chippendale Chest on Frame, Circa 1780sLocated in Peabody, MAAn American Chippendale chest on frame in cherry consisting of two drawer over four, the frame with carved skirt raised on cabriole legs with pad feet, Connecticut circa 1780.Category
Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Dressers
MaterialsCherry
- Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern Leather and Mahogany Chest, circa 1950sBy Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture CompanyLocated in Peabody, MAChest of drawers designed by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, ca. 1950s. Embossed leather drawer fronts with cast bronze hardware.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Antique American Chippendale Four Door Chest, circa Late 18th CenturyLocated in Peabody, MAAntique American country chippendale four door chest of pine and cherry over bracket feet with original brasses, circa 1790s.Category
Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Dr...
MaterialsCherry, Pine
$1,325 Sale Price30% Off - Antique George III Serpentine Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Ca. 1790sLocated in Peabody, MAA fine antique George III serpentine chest, ca. 1790, with flamed mahogany drawers over bracket feet. Original brasses recently polished but rem...Category
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Baker Furniture Chinoiserie Burl Wood Commode or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1960sBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in South Bend, INAn outstanding mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie commode, server, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Burled walnut, with original brass hardware. ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Stunning Pair of Red Lacquer Commodes by Michael Taylor for Baker, circa 1960By Baker Furniture Company, Michael TaylorLocated in Atlanta, GAThese magnificent commodes are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Baker Furniture French Provincial Cream Painted Chest of Drawers, Circa 1960sBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style dresser or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Cream painted walnut, with original brass hardware. Measures: 48.25"W ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Baker Furniture Milling Road Midcentury Cherrywood and Woven Rattan ChestBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern two-drawer cabinet chest By Baker Furniture "Milling Road Collection" USA, circa 1950s Cherrywood, with woven rattan cabinet door front and ori...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Fabulous Restored Cream Lacquer Raffia Cabinet by Baker Furniture, circa 1975By Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Atlanta, GAAn exceptional example from a difficult to find series by Baker Furniture, circa 1975. Expertly crafted solid hardwood case construction with stylish base detail, veneered in raffia. Elegant solid brass hardware mark the doors. Slick, textured jewelry...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Hidden Cabinet "Tansu" Chest by BakerBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYJapanese “Tansu” chest by Baker with inventive cabinet space concealed by a flip up front. Great for TV storage. Adorned with striking iron hardware. Pleas...Category
Mid-20th Century Cabinets
MaterialsWrought Iron