Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Founders Furniture Company was a short-lived 20th-century American brand that produced enduring mid-century modern designs. The company's streamlined dressers, credenzas and coffee tables feature solid wood construction and simple but elegant designs.
The history of Founders Furniture Company began in 1946 when it was established as a subsidiary of Knoll Inc., an esteemed manufacturer known mainly at the time for its pioneering workplace furniture — largely owing to the work of visionary designer Florence Knoll — so it launched Founders as its residential division.
During its years of operation, Founders hired celebrated American modernist designers like Milo Baughman and David Parmelee, who created sleek commodes and sideboards in mahogany and rosewood for the brand. Michigan native Jack Cartwright, a designer at Heritage during the 1950s, also worked at Founders as head designer before moving on to start his eponymous furniture company in 1963.
Founders continued operations until 1965 when Thomasville Furniture acquired it. Established in 1904 in North Carolina — home to other iconic mid-century brands such as Drexel and Broyhill — Thomasville expanded significantly during the 1960s and purchased several other American furniture manufacturers.
Today, the timeless styles and exceptional craftsmanship associated with Founders Furniture Company pieces continue to render them desirable even for today’s interiors.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Founders case pieces, seating, tables and more.
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Wicker, Wood, Glass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century European Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Teak
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut, Burl
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Teak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Leather, Cane, Wood, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Burl
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Credenzas
Metal
Shop Vintage Credenzas for Your Living Room or Foyer on 1stDibs
Antique and vintage credenzas can add an understated touch of grace to your home. These long and sophisticated cabinet-style pieces of furniture can serve a variety of purposes, and they look great too.
In Italy, the credenza was originally a small side table used in religious services. Appropriately, credere in Italian means “to believe.” Credenzas were a place to not only set the food ready for meals, they were also a place to test and taste prepared food for poison before a dish was served to a member of the ruling class. Later, credenza was used to describe a type of versatile narrow side table, typically used for serving food in the home. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard — in fact, the terms credenza and sideboard are used almost interchangeably today.
Credenzas usually have short legs or no legs at all, and can feature drawers and cabinets. And all kinds of iterations of the credenza have seen the light of day over the years, from ornately carved walnut credenzas originating in 16th-century Tuscany to the wealth of Art Deco credenzas — with their polished surfaces and geometric patterns — to the array of innovative modernist interpretations that American furniture maker Milo Baughman created for Directional and Thayer Coggin.
The credenza’s blend of style and functionality led to its widespread use in the 20th century. Mid-century modern credenzas are particularly popular — take a look at Danish furniture designer Arne Vodder’s classic Model 29, for instance, with its reversible sliding doors and elegant drawer pulls. Hans Wegner, another Danish modernist, produced strikingly minimalist credenzas in the 1950s and ’60s, as did influential designer Florence Knoll. Designers continue to explore new and exciting ways to update this long-loved furnishing.
Owing to its versatility and familiar low-profile form, the credenza remains popular in contemporary homes. Unlike many larger case pieces, credenzas can be placed under windows and in irregularly shaped rooms, such as foyers and entryways. This renders it a useful storage solution. In living rooms, for example, a credenza can be a sleek media console topped with plants and the rare art monographs you’ve been planning to show off. In homes with open floor plans, a credenza can help define multiple living spaces, making it ideal for loft apartments.
Browse a variety of antique, new and vintage credenzas on 1stDibs to find the perfect fit for your home today.
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- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024What happened to the Drexel Heritage furniture company was that the company went out of business. In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors when the Heritage Home Group purchased it. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017. Then, in 2018, the Heritage Home Group filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Although a Chinese manufacturer called Samson Holdings bought the Heritage Home Group, production of Drexel furniture never resumed. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Drexel Heritage furniture.