Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chest of Drawers: 1960s Elegance Redefined
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Refinished. This chest of drawers has been completely restored stipped and refinished all drawers open and close with ease.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Painted Walnut Chest of DrawersLocated in Los Angeles, CADive into the retro allure of our mid-century modern chest of drawers, a masterful creation from the 1960s. Expertly hand-crafted from premium walnut wood, this vintage gem has been ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsFormica, Paint, Lacquer, Walnut, Wood
- Vintage Elegance Reborn: Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Chest of DrawersLocated in Los Angeles, CAImmerse yourself in the allure of our 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers, a testament to timeless craftsmanship and design. Meticulously handcrafted from the finest tea...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
- 1960s Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Wood Chest of Drawers with Ebonized AccentsLocated in Los Angeles, CAEmbrace the timeless sophistication of Danish design with our 1960s mid-century chest of drawers, a piece that masterfully blends the warmth of teak wood with the depth of walnut col...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsLacquer, Plywood, Teak, Wood
- Restored Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chest of Drawers with Brass HandlesLocated in Los Angeles, CAElevate your interior decor with our stunning vintage mid-century modern walnut chest of drawers. This piece has been meticulously handcrafted from high-quality walnut wood and is in...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel
- Restored Mid-Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Brushed Steel MoldingsLocated in Los Angeles, CADelve into the realm of mid-century elegance with our meticulously handcrafted walnut chest of drawers, a piece that stands as a testament to skilled craftsmanship and timeless desig...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel
- 1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza with White Lacquer FinishLocated in Los Angeles, CAEmbrace the timeless elegance of the 1960s with our vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers. This exquisite piece is handcrafted from high-quality walnut wood, showcasing the ski...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut 5 Drawers High Chest Dresser MINT!By DrexelLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern Walnut 5 Drawers High Chest Dresser MINT!.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chest of DrawersLocated in Brooklyn, NYGorgeous Mid-Century Modern vintage chest of drawers in a stunning walnut grain. Five pull-out drawers provide ample storage and organization, whether in the home or office. Unique m...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Mid-Century Modern Light Pickled Walnut Brass Pulls 5 Drawers Chest Dresser MintBy DrexelLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern light pickled walnut brass pulls 5 drawers chest dresser mint.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Oiled Walnut Mid-Century Modern High Chest 4 Drawers DresserBy American of Martinsville, Broyhill BrasiliaLocated in Rockaway, NJVery clean beautiful walnut wood pattern oil finished high chest dresser.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century 6 Drawers Walnut High Chest Dresser W/ Porcelain Ball Pulls Mint!By Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in Rockaway, NJMid century 6 drawers walnut high chest dresser W/ Porcelain ball pulls mint!Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsPorcelain, Walnut
- Mid-Century Chest of Drawers in Walnut by Ico Parisi for MIM Roma, Italy 1960sBy MIM Roma, Ico ParisiLocated in Roma, ITWonderful midcentury five-drawers dresser. This minimal chest of drawers was designed by Ico Parisi and produced by Mim Roma. Made in walnut wood with wo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum, Metal