Vintage Burl Wood Credenza by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham

About the Item

Striking mid-century modern burl wood credenza designed by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham in the United States, circa 1970s. Known for his sophisticated yet approachable approach to modern furniture design, Umanoff created pieces that emphasized rich materials, balanced proportions, and timeless styling. This credenza is an excellent example of the designer’s ability to transform natural wood grain into the focal point of a room. Crafted in beautifully figured burl wood, the case displays an impressive array of swirling patterns, eye-catching knots, and warm honey tones that flow continuously across the entire facade. The three doors align seamlessly, creating a visually cohesive grain pattern that immediately draws attention and highlights the quality of craftsmanship throughout the piece. The interior offers generous storage with shelving and two pull-out drawers, making it as functional as it is visually impressive. Its clean silhouette is grounded by a contrasting black lacquer base, adding depth and a refined modern touch that pairs effortlessly with both vintage and contemporary interiors. Well preserved over the years, this credenza retains the originality and charm collectors look for in authentic mid-century pieces. The combination of rare burl wood grain, understated design, and Umanoff’s lasting influence makes this an exceptional addition to any home. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you purchase vintage furniture from Danish Modern NoHo, you're not just acquiring a one-of-a-kind piece; you're also benefiting from our thorough quality and inspection services. Each item we sell has undergone rigorous evaluation by our knowledgeable team, who bring over a decade of experience in assessing the authenticity of vintage furniture. We take the uncertainty out of buying vintage pieces. Our experts carefully inspect every detail, ensuring that each item meets our high standards for quality and authenticity. From verifying craftsmanship to identifying unique characteristics that enhance its value, we meticulously evaluate each piece. This means you can confidently enjoy your newly acquired vintage furniture, knowing it has been carefully vetted. With us, you’re making an investment in both style and assurance, as we handle all the necessary checks so you can simply enjoy your unique find.

Creator:
Arthur Umanoff (Designer),Dillingham Manufacturing Company (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 55.5 in (140.97 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Birch,Burl,Lacquer
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1970-1979
Date of Manufacture:
1970s
Condition:
Good Condition: The credenza is in original condition, showing age-appropriate wear from age and use, as shown in the photos. It remains structurally sturdy and fully functional.
Seller Location:
North Hollywood, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1270250613022

Shop All Arthur Umanoff

Arthur Umanoff

Though much of Arthur Umanoff's furniture is marked by a no-frills simplicity common in American mid-century modern design, his work is anything but one-note. Over the course of a prolific career, Umanoff designed everything from case pieces to candleholders to magazine racks to dining chairs in iron, leather, walnut, wicker and more. With furnishings for a broad range of manufacturers throughout the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, Umanoff continued a thread of sculptural elegance and textural sensitivity through his designs.

After graduating from Pratt Institute in the early 1950s, Umanoff experimented mostly with wood furniture before landing a job at Post Modern Ltd, a New York manufacturer of wrought-iron furniture. There he produced furnishings that married wrought iron with wood and plastic, creating functional pieces free of utilitarian bulkiness.

Umanoff continued his experimentation with mixed materials through a partnership with Shaver Howard, for whom he designed wine racks in combinations of iron, leather and wicker.

When Shaver Howard bought Boyeur Scott, Umanoff conceived several furniture designs for the brand, including the 1964 Granada collection, whose curlicue iron bases, visible through glass tops, stand out as some of his most ornate and decorative work. Indeed, much of Umanoff’s oeuvre is far more simplistic, like iron-and-pine armchairs for The Elton Co. or low-backed, slatted-seat barstools with slender iron legs for Raymor.

Umanoff was fluent, too, in the more sumptuous modernism of the era: In the mid-1960s, he designed the 2405 and 4449 armchairs for Madison Furniture Industries. Popular in offices, the walnut-framed, leather-upholstered seats, which could have been mistaken for the seductive Scandinavian modern seating of the era, were reportedly the jumping-off point for Captain Kirk’s iconic seat on Star Trek.

Even as he is among the mid-century modern designers you may not know, with work across such a range of styles and manufacturers (most no longer in business), Umanoff, who died in 1985, leaves a legacy that is fascinatingly diverse and at times enticingly elusive, making his work intriguing objects for collectors.

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