Drexel Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Pagoda Top Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 80 in (203.2 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 25 in (63.5 cm)
- Style:Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Hartford, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3072337274452
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: West Hartford, CT
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Breakfront China Cabinet SideboardBy DrexelLocated in West Hartford, CTStunning Drexel Et Cetera liine china cabinet circa 1978. Features Chinoiserie japanned black lacquer hand painted motif with gold detail showing landscape of florals/flowers/animal...Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Sideboards
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Lacquer
- Mid Century Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Dry Bar Liquor Entertainment Cabinet ArmoireLocated in West Hartford, CTSpectacular vintage midcentury faux bamboo dry bar/liquor cabinet/entertainment center in a cream distressed finish. Top section features two doors that open to glass shelving with ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsFaux Bamboo, Glass, Wood
- Pair of Chinoiserie Black Lacquered and Gold Faux Bamboo Round TablesLocated in West Hartford, CTPair of two beautiful chinoiserie style black lacquered and faux bamboo two tiered side tables with hand painted gold painted floral motif on top and bottom shelf.Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Side Tables
MaterialsFaux Bamboo, Wood
- Chinese Chippendale Black Lacquered and Gold Console Cabinet CredenzaLocated in West Hartford, CTStunning and iconic mid century Asian inspired entertainment console cabinet credenza featuring Chinese Chippendale design that sits on top of Ming legs. Brass hardware and gold gil...Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Credenzas
MaterialsWood, Lacquer
- Chinese Chinoiserie Black Lacquered and Gold Coromandel 6 Panel ScreenLocated in West Hartford, CTSpectacular Chinese black lacquered 6 panel folding screen incised with gold gilt and white paint featuring Chinese village scenery. Feet...Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
MaterialsWood, Lacquer
- Drexel Tufted Scroll Arm Chesterfield Sofa for Lillian AugustBy DrexelLocated in West Hartford, CTElegant Drexel Furniture tufted roll arm chesterfield sofa done in a luxurious light green cotton fabric with beige design throughout. This sofa, measuring 89" across is guaranteed t...Category
Late 20th Century American Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Textile, Wood
- 1970s Rattan Curved Top Armoire Wardrobe Storage CabinetBy Michael TaylorLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLOn offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, rare wardrobe cabinet you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful cabinet is statement pi...Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Bohemian Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsRattan, Glass, Wood
- Country French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Bonnet Top Armoire Wardrobe CabinetLocated in Philadelphia, PALarge and stately 93" tall antique, 18th century, country French / Louis XV style armoire handcrafted in France of cherry and walnut wood. Item features a bonnet shaped cornice, hand...Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Country Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsIron
- Maitland Smith Asian Chippendale Bamboo Wicker Wardrobe Armoire Bar CabinetBy Maitland SmithLocated in Lake Worth, FLFor FULL item description be sure to click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this listing. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A 2 Pie...Category
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsFaux Bamboo, Wood, Wicker
- Tete De Négre Chinoiserie Tv and Media Cabinet/ArmoireLocated in Los Angeles, CAIntroducing an exquisite Tete De Négre Chinoiserie TV and Media Cabinet/Armoire, a stunning piece of furniture that combines modern functionality with classic style. Hand-crafted fro...Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Cupboards
MaterialsBronze, Gold Leaf
- Chinoiserie Hand Carved Rosewood Trapezoid Armoire Cabinet from Bangkok ThailandLocated in Topeka, KSMarvelous vintage Chinoiserie hand carved Rosewood trapezoid cabinet from Bangkok, Thailand. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs ...Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Cabinets
MaterialsBronze
- DREXEL HERITAGE Sonora Pine Spanish Mission Armoire / Linen PressBy DrexelLocated in Charlotte, NCA Spanish Mission style armoire / linen press by Drexel Heritage, from their Sonora Collection. Solid pine with an antiqued finish, metal hardwar...Category
Late 20th Century American Mission Linen Presses
MaterialsMetal