1970s Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Armoire Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 80 in (203.2 cm)Width: 41 in (104.14 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6192235576922
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 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: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970s Vintage Lane Burlwood DresserBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILStunning!!! We had this restored and brought back to its original beauty keeping the integrity of the original design. It’s beautiful and ready to go. We also have matching mirrors ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- 1970s Brutalist Vintage Dresser with Brass DetailsBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILSuch a cool dresser. Look at the close up pictures of the handles, there is brass brutalist style panels behind them. I had this fully refinished, sanding it down and making the draw...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Credenza Dresser 1970s in the Manner of Milo BaughmanBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Chicago, ILOkay this is just too good. Amazing scale at 8’ long, this can be used as a credenza, dresser, office storage, or just something pretty to look at it. It’s aged so well. Note - ther...Category
Vintage 1970s American Dressers
MaterialsWood, Burl
- 1980s Thomasville Solid Wood Vintage Dresser Mid CenturyBy ThomasvilleLocated in Chicago, ILOh I love the lines of this! Simple with personality. It’s solid wood - you can use as is or refinish to your favorite stain.Category
Vintage 1980s North American Minimalist Dressers
MaterialsWood
- 1970s Henredon Scene Two Vintage Burled Wood Armoires - PairLocated in Chicago, ILFounded in 1945, Henredon is one of the more recently minted of the top-tier North Carolina furniture makers. Among collectors, Henredon is admired both for its sleek, sexy furniture...Category
Vintage 1970s American Baroque Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsWood
- 1970s Milk Paint MirrorLocated in Chicago, ILBeautiful painted mirror on resin. In incredible condition. Dimensions: 30" W × 2" D × 36" H Styles: Gustavian (Swedish)Traditional Period: 1970s Materials: Mirror, paint, resi...Category
20th Century American Gustavian More Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Wood
- 1970s Vintage Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie CredenzaBy DrexelLocated in Hartville, OHFabulous vintage hand painted Chinoiserie Credenza from Drexel Heritage. This is a rare one. Not often do you find the interior doors that have been hand painted as well. It’s also ...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Chinoiserie Buffets
MaterialsLacquer
- Drexel Heritage Chippendale Banded Mahogany Highboy DresserBy DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style seven-drawer highboy dresser By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful banded mahogany, with original brass hardware. Measures: 39.5"...Category
Vintage 1980s American Chippendale Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Drexel Heritage Maracay ArmoireLocated in Delray Beach, FLIncredible vintage Maracay armoire by Drexel Heritage. Features two large spacious drawers and two ornate cabinet doors which open to reveal shelving wi...Category
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsWood
- Drexel Heritage Georgian Carved Mahogany Dresser or CredenzaBy DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style dresser or credenza By Drexel Heritage, "Devoncourt" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Carved mah...Category
Late 20th Century American Georgian Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Drexel Heritage Georgian Mahogany Chest on Chest Highboy DresserBy DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style eight-drawer chest on chest highboy dresser By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with...Category
Late 20th Century American Georgian Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Campaign Accolade Triple Dresser with Mirror by Drexel HeritageBy DrexelLocated in Delray Beach, FLIncredible vintage Accolade campaign dresser with mirror by Drexel Heritage. Features 9 spacious drawers with inlaid brass drawer pulls. Dresser is on wheels. Mirror measures 33.7...Category
Vintage 1970s American Campaign Dressers
MaterialsBrass