Burl Writing Desk by Century Furniture
View Similar Items
Burl Writing Desk by Century Furniture
About the Item
- Creator:Century Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Length: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Pasadena, TX
- Reference Number:Seller: MR159411stDibs: LU867122232762
Century Furniture
Known for its durable vintage display cabinets, nightstands and dressers made of cherry, oak, walnut and more, Century Furniture of Hickory, North Carolina, began as an upholstered goods company in 1947 but added case goods and sophisticated mahogany dining-room furnishings shortly thereafter.
Launched by Harley Ferguson Shuford Sr., a Hickory native who was born to a family of textile mill owners, Century Furniture was intended to be “the best furniture company in the world.” With respect to speed and efficiency, the brand found its footing midway through production on a government contract that Shuford had secured in the early days to manufacture thousands of five-drawer chests. The effort was significant, but it was also a teachable moment as far as Shuford and his team’s learning the ropes of running a factory.
After hiring designer Raymond K. Sobota in 1950 and introducing the enormously popular Citation Collection in 1954, Century established its reputation as a leader in stylishly designed high-quality furniture. Sobota had furniture in his blood — after graduating from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked for his uncle Karl Schmidt, who was at the time a well-known furniture designer for Berkey and Gay and other makers in the Grand Rapids area, then known as America’s furniture capital. Sobota soon launched his own studio, designing furniture as a freelancer for various local manufacturers. Shuford found him by happenstance, journeying to Michigan’s second-largest city to offer a job to another designer who turned him down but recommended Sobota instead.
Century’s Citation line — a sizable collection for the brand that spanned furnishings for the bedroom, dining room and more — is revered in the world of vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors. The pieces sold very well during the 1950s, and the line is an oft-cited success story for Sobota, who would go on to win awards for his work and whose own catalogue of designs for the brand is massive.
In his 40-year career at Century, until he retired in 1995, he designed well over 100 furniture lines. Sobota’s nightstands, cabinets, side tables and more are characterized by his interest in Asian design, distinctly and brilliantly expressed in his Hollywood Regency–style Chin Hua line, which debuted during the 1970s. With its geometrically decorative brass drawer pulls and door handles as well as dining-chair seat-back carvings — all inspired by Asian motifs — this collection has rendered vintage pieces that saw Century’s craftsmen working with alluring ebonized walnut and more, some of the company’s most sought-after work today.
Also in the 1970s as well as in the 1980s, Manhattan interior designer Jay Spectre introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at Century Furniture, creating oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Century licensed collections with celebrity interior designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams among others. In 2013, when Alex Shuford III was named president of Century Furniture, the move marked the succession of the third generation to lead this company, which is today one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers of high-end furniture.
Find Century Furniture lounge chairs and dining chairs as well as vintage mid-century modern credenzas, dressers and more on 1stDibs.
- French Provencial Writing Desk by Sligh FurnitureBy Sligh FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, TXFrench Provencial writing desk by Sligh Furniture Vintage leather top half moon desk by Sligh. Walnut and tooled black leather top. Five drawers with...Category
Mid-20th Century North American French Provincial Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- 70" Mid Century Louis XV Queen Anne Style Desk by Baker FurnitureBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Pasadena, TXMid Century Louis XV Queen Anne Style Desk by Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV style writing desk features cabriole legs and a scalloped apron edge. There is ample knee-...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Louis XV Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Jens Risom Walnut Carpathian Elm Burl DeskBy Jens RisomLocated in Pasadena, TXJens Risom Executive Walnut Desk with Carpathian Elm Burl Top 1990s Featuring 4 drawers and one file drawer. With casters. 77"W x 37 7/8"D x 28...Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- 7ft Dunbar Roger Sprunger Rosewood Chrome Writing DeskBy Roger SprungerLocated in Pasadena, TXVintage midcentury Roger Sprunger rosewood chrome table writing desk by Dunbar 1970s Executive desk in rich rosewood veneer with three drawers over legs in polished chrome. We als...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Mid Century Teak Foldable DeskLocated in Pasadena, TXMid Century foldable desk This space saving folding desk or office unit from the 1960's was expertly crafted of teak in England. Whe...Category
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
$2,320 Sale Price20% Off - Mid Century Oak and Leather Desk by Lydia dePolo for DunbarBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, TXLydia dePolo and Jack Dunbar started the firm of DePolo Dunbar back in the 1970s after working together at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Vintage book...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
$7,120 Sale Price20% Off
- Italian Oyster Burl "Radius" Form Writing DeskLocated in New York, NYItalian Mid-Century "Radius" writing desk with a rectangular top with rounded edges and two drawers, finished in oyster burl veneer and resting on four rounded triangular legs.Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood, Burl
- Mid-Century Lexington Furniture Victorian Style Solid Cherry Writing DeskBy Lexington Furniture 1Located in Germantown, MDA Mid-Century Lexington Furniture Victorian Style Solid Cherry Writing Desk in great vintage condition. Measures 32" in width, 20" in dpeth, ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsCherry
$1,496 Sale Price25% Off - West Michigan Furniture Company American Mid-Century Burl Laminate Campaign DeskBy West Michigan Furniture Co.Located in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century rectangular campaign desk with a burl wood laminate top with two drawers, resting on two X-shaped silver metal legs.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood, Laminate, Burl
- Johnson Furniture Company Chippendale Mahogany Writing DeskBy Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Louisville, KYThis a gem is a perfect smaller writing desk that lends itself to so many room layouts. As opposed to many larger desks that require ample space, this desk is far more versatile than...Category
20th Century American Chippendale Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Writing Desk by ThomasvilleBy ThomasvilleLocated in Palm Beach, FLChic sleek vintage writing desk with a two drawer case featuring an unusual mahogany oyster veneer technique on anodized aluminum legs. Stamped Thomasville on the bottom.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- 19th Century English Burl Walnut Howard & Sons Writing DeskBy Howard & Sons LtdLocated in Tarry Town, NYElevate your study room / workspace with this Exquisite Howard and Sons Burl Walnut Lacquered Writing Desk, a masterpiece of design, craftsmanship, and fine details. The burl walnut wood and gilt bronze floral decorations create a sense of sophistication and luxury that is characteristic of Howard and Sons pieces. The addition of brass handles adds both functionality and classic charm to the design. The desk features a practical layout with five front pull drawers, including two on each side and one in the middle, each adorned with Clarke and Timmins marks on the handles, showcasing the heritage of this piece. The leather top provides a luxurious writing surface, and the four tapered feet with gilt brass hardware ensure both stability and style. Imagine this Howard and Sons Writing Desk...Category
Antique 1870s European Louis XV Desks
MaterialsBrass, Bronze
