Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Established in 1907 by Finley H. Coffey and Dr. A.A. Kent, a contemporary and competitor of furniture makers John Bernhardt and James Broyhill, the Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company in Lenoir, North Carolina, developed a name for itself by designing and mass-producing durable, affordable and stylish bedroom furniture, credenzas, dressers, tables and other items.
Consider Kent-Coffey a precursor to IKEA, with sturdy oak and mahogany furniture rather than particleboard structures and an American-design bent rather than a Swedish one. The company's mid-century modern furniture, under the leadership of Finley’s son Harold, took off. A magazine ad from the era for the brand’s Perspecta collection positioned a minimalist bedroom set front and center, with its walnut and rosewood dresser, an elegant nine-drawer piece that rested on tapered legs and featured gorgeous sculptural details carved into its drawer fronts, occupying most of the page’s real estate. The materials for Kent-Coffey furniture were sourced locally, as the company touted its relationship with the Lilly Company in nearby High Points, North Carolina, as a supplier of its mahogany, for example.
In 1964, Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company was sold to Magnavox (but reportedly operated as a wholly owned subsidiary thereafter), and later, in 1983, the company became part of the furniture branch of the Singer Company (of the sewing-machine fame). Singer shuttered its furniture division in the late 1990s.
Today, as is the case with most of the sophisticated furniture designed in postwar America, work that originated at Kent-Coffey is hard to come by.
Previously owned walnut headboards and vintage bedroom dressers with Formica tops from the company’s Perspecta line and sandalwood continental dressers, for example, are highly valued by collectors. Kent-Coffey’s various mid-century modern lines — such as Goldenaire and Town House — were always clearly branded with identifiers such as drawer markings or stamps on the underside of its coveted end tables.
Find vintage Kent-Coffey case pieces and cabinets, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Rosewood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Steel
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Steel, Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Leather, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Marble, Gold, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Walnut
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Rosewood, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Metal
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Walnut, Rosewood
1970s American Ming Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas
Rosewood, Walnut
Vintage Kent-Coffey Credenzas and Other Mid-Century Modern Credenzas for Sale 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.
Creators Similar to Kent-Coffey
- What is Kent-Coffey?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Kent-Coffey is a furniture company that operated during the 20th century. Established in 1907 by Finley H. Coffey and Dr. A. A. Kent, the company developed a name for itself by designing and mass-producing durable, affordable and stylish bedroom furniture, dressers, tables and other items. In 1964, Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company was sold to Magnavox (but reportedly operated as a wholly owned subsidiary thereafter), and later, in 1983, the company became part of the furniture branch of the Singer Company (of sewing machine fame). Singer shuttered its furniture division in the late 1990s. However, Kent-Coffey pieces remain in demand with collectors today. Shop a range of Kent-Coffey furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sadly no, Kent Coffey closed its doors in 2001 after nearly 100 years in business. You may still be able to find pieces from the mid-century modern furniture maker in antique shops. You can also find a collection of Kent Coffey goods from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company was founded in 1907 by Harold Coffey in North Carolina and became famous for producing low-end furniture with a reputation for quality and durability. Unfortunately, after the company was sold to the Singer Furniture company in 1983, Singer tried to diversify, pushing Kent Coffey furniture division into bankruptcy in 1997, and they closed their doors when Singer went under in 2001. On 1stDibs, Shop vintage Kent Coffey furniture from top sellers.