Mid-Century Modernist "Mandarin" Black Lacquer Low Chest by Kittinger
About the Item
- Creator:Kittinger (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)Width: 46 in (116.84 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1945
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU793439284982
Kittinger
Before it became a legendary American manufacturer of traditional furniture, Kittinger Furniture was a paper company called Thompson, Colie & Company (later to become Colie & Son), after its founders, Oliver and George Colie. The father-son entrepreneurs started a small business in 1866 manufacturing paper products and, subsequently, upholstered furniture in Buffalo, New York. Business for the latter was so successful that in order to keep up with demand, the Colies opened a second factory in 1885 that focused on handcrafted furniture designed in 18th-century styles.
Later, George Colie decided to sell his beloved company to his son-in-law, Irvine J. Kittinger Sr., and his brother, Ralph. They changed the name to the Kittinger Furniture Company in 1913. In 1929, the company’s sales exceeded $1 million, which allowed the brothers to expand far beyond Buffalo, opening showrooms in Chicago, Dallas and other cities across the United States, where they could present their expert reproductions of popular historic furniture styles for the home and office.
In 1937, Kittinger was granted an exclusive license to reproduce antique custom furniture for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The company manufactured Hepplewhite-style chests of drawers, mahogany Chippendale dressers, Asian-influenced mid-century modern marble-top coffee tables of ebonized wood and a variety of other pieces. The brand’s revered Mandarin line, a Hollywood Regency–style collection that debuted in the 1940s, included bedroom furnishings such as lacquered wood vanities, nightstands and more, each featuring prominent Greek key drawer pulls and decorative black trim.
Between the mid-1970s and 1990s, Kittinger Furniture changed hands frequently and even went out of business. In 1996, Raymond Bialkowski, a former master cabinetmaker for the company, and his wife, Karen, purchased the company and, along with some other former Kittinger craftsmen, began creating furniture under its name once again in north Buffalo. Over the years, Kittinger has produced furniture for the White House, including a handcrafted conference table and chairs for the Cabinet Room during President Nixon’s administration and chairs for the Roosevelt Room in 2016.
Today, the award-winning Kittinger Furniture continues to make historical and new custom handcrafted pieces of high quality.
Find a range of Kittinger Furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modernist "Mandarin" Black Lacquer Low Chests by KittingerBy KittingerLocated in New York, NYThis bold and thoughtfully composed Pair of Mid-Century Modernist "Mandarin" Low Chests in Black Lacquer with Antique White Gold Greek Key Detailing are by Kittinger and originate fr...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsLacquer
- Mid-Century Modernist Chest of Drawers in Ebonized WalnutLocated in New York, NYThis substantial and reserved Mid-Century Modernist Chest of Drawers in Ebonized Walnut and Antique Nickel Hardware originates from the United States, Circa 1960. Features a plinth b...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsNickel
- Mid-Century Modern Chest in Two-Tone Walnut by Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in New York, NYThis sophisticated Mid-Century Modern four-drawer high chest was realized by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Company, circa 1950. Robsjohn-Gibbings represents one of the premie...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modernist X Form Low Chest in Rich Brown Walnut by Paul FranklBy Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYThis beautifully fabricated and distinctive Mid-Century Modernist X Form low chest in rich brown Walnut is by the esteemed designer Paul Frankl and originates from the United States...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of White Lacquer Art Deco Chests with Nickeled Pulls by Charak ModernBy Grosfeld HouseLocated in New York, NYThis elegant Art Deco/Hollywood pair of chest of drawers were handmade by the illustrious American producer, Charak Modern, circa 1942. It features the Fine level of craftsmanship an...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsEnamel, Nickel
- Mid-Century Modern Silver Cerused Oak Cabinet by John Stuart Inc.By John Stuart Inc.Located in New York, NYThis elegant Mid-Century Modern cabinet was realized by the esteemed maker John Stuart Inc. in the United States, circa 1950. The piece offers a rectil...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsOak
- Kittinger Mandarin Style Bachelor Chest Dresser Blue and White LacquerBy KittingerLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern Kittinger two-tone bachelor chest from Mandarin collection. In style of James Mont.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsHardwood
- Kittinger Mid Century Gold Leaf Chest of Drawers on Black Lacquer StandBy KittingerLocated in Countryside, ILKittinger mid century gold leaf chest of drawers on black lacquer stand This chest of drawers measures: 71.25 wide x 21.5 deep x 36.5 inches hig...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsGold Leaf
- Pair of 1940's Kittinger Mandarin Greek Key ChestsBy KittingerLocated in Hanover, MAFabulous over-sized chest of drawers/dresser by Kittinger from their earliest Mandarin collection with bold Greek Key drawer handles. Newly refinished in high gloss enamel white lac...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Kittinger Mandarin Chest on ChestBy Kittinger Furniture CompanyLocated in Hanover, MAChest on chest by Kittinger of Buffalo from their famed 1948 Mandarin collection. Original two-tone mushroom and cream lacquer finish. See image 12 for the hex color scans. Each ch...Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Kittinger Mandarin Style Chest Dresser Black and White Lacquer Five DrawersBy Kittinger Furniture CompanyLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern high chest dresser with Greek key motive by Kittinger.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsOak
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Chests Manufactured by Kittinger, 1940sBy KittingerLocated in Philadelphia, PAA Pair of Mid-Century Modern Chests with Greek Key motive. Manufactured by Kittinger, The Mandarin Line collection, Hollywood Regency Style. 1940’s.Category
Vintage 1940s Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood