1950's Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Drexel Dresser
View Similar Items
1950's Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Drexel Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:John Van Koert (Designer),Drexel (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.25 in (76.84 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1956
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. This item is in good original condition with some visual wear as shown and described.
- Seller Location:Burbank, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7064235003802
Drexel
While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.
In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oakwood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.
One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.
In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.
Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more. With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.
Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories. In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.
In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.
The range of vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- 1950's Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Drexel SideboardBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Burbank, CAVintage original Midcentury Modern credenza for sale. Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel in the 1950's, and part of the Profile series. Has been beautifully restored, and in wonde...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- 1950's Mid-Century Modern Drexel Biscayne Walnut 11-Drawer DresserBy DrexelLocated in Burbank, CAVintage Midcentury Modern dresser for sale. Manufactured by Drexel in the 1956, and is part of the Biscayne series. It has been profe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 1950's John Van Koert Drexel Vanity DeskBy John Van KoertLocated in Burbank, CAVintage Mid-Century Modern vanity desk for sale. Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel in the 1950's, and part of the Profile series. This vanity de...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- 1950's Mid-Century Modern Atomic DresserBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Burbank, CAVintage original Mid-Century Modern dresser for sale. Manufactured in the 1950's, and constructed of solid ash. It has been professionally refinished in walnut, and is a great size. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 1950's Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency DresserBy Morris of CaliforniaLocated in Burbank, CAWe have this lovely original Mid-century Modern dresser for sale. It was professionally refinished in white, and has the original aluminum pull handles in brass. It has the classic t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 1950's Mid-Century Modern Dresser W/ Metal DrawersBy Kroehler Mfg. Co.Located in Burbank, CAMid-Century Modern dresser for sale. Made of solid ash and solid brass, and has been professionally refinished in walnut. It's really well made and solid, and has an incredible design. The interior of the drawers are metal. There is absolutely no veneer or particle wood...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- American Mid-Century Modern End Table Travertine by John Van Koert for DrexelBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful And rare end table by Drexel designed by John Van Koert, freshly refinished in chocolate walnut finish with silver-plated polished handles. very clean part of the Drexel Pr...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTravertine
- John Van Koert Designed 'Counterpoint' for DrexelBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Brooklyn, NYGreat mid-century design by John Van Koert with luxurious mahogany, blended with wild-grained cherry wood. Inset hardware, rounded lines and tapered legs. Six drawers and center cabi...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood, Cherry
- Large Casa Del Sol Dresser by John Van Koert for DrexelBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in New York, NYStylish 8-drawer dresser Casa Del Sol designed by John Van Koert for Drexel. This dresser features for smaller drawers over four larger drawers creating a...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Seven-Drawer DresserLocated in Seattle, WAA stylish Mid-Century Modern seven-drawer dresser or credenza by John Van Koert for the "Profile" line by Drexel. The dresser features gorgeous walnut wood grain and sleek mid-centur...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
$1,436 Sale Price20% Off - John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered NightstandsBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern three-drawer bachelor chests or nightstands By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert for Drexel - Profile Mid-Century Modern K-37 Sideboard in WalnutBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in St. Louis, MOJohn Van Koert for Drexel designed sculptural Sideboard, buffet or Credenza designed as part of the classic Profile series. This walnut veneered sideboard has same sleek lines as the...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsWalnut