John Van Koert for Drexel Black Lacquered Double Dresser, Newly Refinished
View Similar Items
John Van Koert for Drexel Black Lacquered Double Dresser, Newly Refinished
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer),John Van Koert (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 66.5 in (168.91 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly refinished. Excellent condition.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:Seller: 89231stDibs: LU2745329788782
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.
- John Van Koert for Drexel Black Lacquered Dresser or Credenza, Newly RefinishedBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern dresser, credenza, or sideboard By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with original brass ha...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Barney Flagg for Drexel Sculpted Walnut Triple Dresser, Newly RefinishedBy Barney Flagg, DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut long dresser or credenza By Barney Flagg for Drexel, "Parallel" Collection USA, 1961 Mea...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Dresser or Credenza, Newly RefinishedBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern long dresser or credenza By Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Declaration" Line USA, Mid-20th Century Walnut, with original brass hardware. Measu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert for Drexel Black Lacquered Dining Table, Newly RefinishedBy John Van KoertLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern black lacquered walnut extension dining table By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1958 Measures: 62"W x 40"D x 29.5"H. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsLacquer, Walnut
- John Widdicomb French Provincial White Lacquered Dresser, Newly RefinishedBy John Widdicomb, Ralph WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional French Provincial eight-drawer dresser or credenza Designed by Ralph Widdicomb for John Widdicomb Co. USA, Circa 1940s White lacquered carved mahogany, with o...Category
Vintage 1940s American French Provincial Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Henredon Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Dresser, Newly RefinishedBy HenredonLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style seven-drawer dresser or credenza By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Black lacquered walnut, with original brass hardwa...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- John Van Koert for Drexel Counterpoint Mahogany and Grasscloth Credenza DresserBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, mahogany, credenza dresser by John Van Koert for Drexel Counterpoint features a custom grasscloth facade treatment that contrasts nicely with his signature round brass plated...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGrasscloth, Mahogany
- 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
- 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
- Midcentury Drexel "Profile" Credenza by John Van KoertBy John Van KoertLocated in Trenton, NJThis striking midcentury credenza from John Van Koert for Drexel's "Profile" line features the perfect mix of style and storage with spacious drawer and cabinet storage. Clean modern lines, unique metal drawer pulls, and vintage wood finish...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- Newly Refinished- Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser by Milo Baughman for DrexelBy Milo Baughman, DrexelLocated in Los Angeles, CAWith over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
