Drexel Declaration Ten Drawer Low Dresser by Kipp Stewart
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 66 in (167.64 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960's
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:BROOKLYN, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1793238102752
Kipp Stewart
The ultimate multi-hyphenate, Kipp Stewart counted painting, photography, architecture and furniture design among his talents. Known to furniture obsessives for the Declaration series he codesigned for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture, Stewart was actually born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1928 and is most commonly associated with mid-century design movements of his adopted home state of California. There, in 1972, Stewart designed the Ventana Big Sur, a luxury resort near Montecito for which he oversaw architecture, planning, furniture and interior design across 160 acres of land.
By the time Stewart spearheaded the Ventana, he was already well versed in furniture design. After briefly serving in the U.S. Navy as a teenager, Stewart enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute (present-day CalArts) in Los Angeles.
By the time he graduated, Stewart was steeped in the world of modern seating design, experimenting with new chair models that bridged form and function. Charles and Ray Eames were important influences on his early work, which included a chrome-framed lounge chair whose reclined shape bears a striking resemblance to the Eameses’ iconic lounge.
In the late 1950s, Stewart partnered with another West Coast furniture designer, Stewart MacDougall, on a line of modern furniture for Drexel. (The pair were also producing case pieces and more for Glenn of California.)
Drexel soon unveiled Stewart and McDougall’s Declaration line, which was constructed entirely of natural walnut and featured the choice of white porcelain or brass drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Although its stylish credenzas and other pieces reflect the kind of slim-lined, low-slung silhouettes for which mid-century design has become known, there are also elements that nod to earlier American and European furniture design, such as the dining chairs whose flattened spindle backs recall Shaker and Windsor chair design, distinguishing them from the modern designs becoming prolific in Scandinavia at the time.
The Declaration pieces were so indicative of a particularly American style, in fact, that several items from the collection were selected by the U.S. government to represent the country at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
While Stewart found success as a painter and with his Ventana hotel project — and had also designed chairs, chests and more for Directional — the Drexel Declaration line is his best-known furniture collection and remains highly sought after by collectors today.
Find a wide range of vintage Kipp Stewart furniture on 1stDibs, including dining room chairs, end tables and more.
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
While American furniture designers Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall created a range of mid-century modernist works for Glenn of California and other manufacturers, the duo is best known for Declaration, a collection they designed for Drexel Furniture.
It’s true that design lovers have long revered Drexel’s bedroom furniture of the 1960s, and collectors of mid-century modern pieces are drawn to vintage Drexel dressers, Drexel Heritage sofas and the series that Stewart (1928–2022) and MacDougall (1927–2016) designed for the North Carolina manufacturer. But Drexel’s story actually begins decades before its celebrated Declaration line and other postwar furnishings took shape.
Drexel was founded in 1903 and earned a reputation for works that were 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.
By the time he graduated from Chouinard Art Institute in his adopted home state of California, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-born Kipp Stewart was steeped in the world of modern seating design, experimenting with new chair models that bridged form and function. Charles and Ray Eames were important influences on his early work.
The Eameses — whose lounge chair is among the most iconic works manufactured by legendary Michigan company Herman Miller — were also inspirational for Stewart MacDougall, a Pasadena, California-born designer who, like Kipp, attended Chouinard.
When Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection, Kipp and Stewart were producing case pieces and more for Glenn of California, an Arcadia-based brand that also manufactured furniture designed by the likes of Greta Magnusson Grossman, Milo Baughman and others.
Drexel’s Declaration line was constructed entirely of natural walnut and featured the choice of white porcelain or brass drawer pulls and cabinet door handles. Although its stylish credenzas, dressers and other pieces reflect the kind of slim-lined, low-slung silhouettes for which mid-century design has become known, there are also elements that nod to earlier American and European furniture design, such as the dining chairs whose flattened spindle backs recall Shaker and Windsor chair design, distinguishing them from the modern designs becoming prolific in Scandinavia at the time.
While Kipp Stewart found success as a painter and with his Ventana Big Sur project, which he designed in 1972 — and had also created chairs, chests and more for Directional — the Drexel Declaration line is his widely recognized furniture collection and remains highly sought after by collectors today. Stewart MacDougall’s interests also spanned other areas of design — he worked on vintage cars, created golf clubs and built sailboats — but furniture obsessives know him best for the distinctive Declaration series.
The Declaration pieces were so indicative of a particularly American style, in fact, that several items from the collection were selected by the U.S. government to represent the country at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
Find vintage Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: BROOKLYN, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel King Walnut HeadboardBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in BROOKLYN, NYExceptional Mid-Century Modern headboard for a Queen sized bed, designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall as part of the Declaration line for Drexel furniture. Fabricated from w...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Dining TableBy Drexel, Kipp StewartLocated in BROOKLYN, NYKipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Dining Table. Original vintage condition with alight wear and finish. well cared for and ready for use. No extensions leaves. ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Midcentury American Studio Crafted Walnut 6 Drawer DresserBy Kipp Stewart, Richard Artschwager, George Nelson, George NakashimaLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid-century American Studio crafted Richard Artschwager walnut 6 drawer dresser or chest of drawers. Good vintage condition with solid walnut round tapered knobs. Clean inside and ou...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Scandinavian Modern Small low 3 Drawer teak dresser made in Norway by GanddalBy Ganddal MobelfabrikLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid Century Scandinavian Modern Small low 3 Drawer teak dresser made in Norway. Great red tone teak wood small dresser with carved handles and ro...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Mid Century Modern long low Walnut 6 Drawer Dresser designed by Richard ThompsonBy Glenn of California, Richard ThompsonLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid Century Modern long low Walnut 6 Drawer Dresser designed by Richard Thompson for Glenn of California. Walnut case with flush pop out rosewood pulls. Drawers slide smoothly. Struc...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsRosewood, Walnut
- Midcentury Low 4 Drawer Dresser by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1504 All BlackBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid century low dresser credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1504 with 4 drawers - solid maple construction has a ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- Kipp Stewart & Stewart "Declaration" 10-Drawer Dresser for DrexelBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall “Declaration” Dresser for DrexelBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Los Angeles, CASplendid dresser designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration line in the United States circa 1950’s. This beautiful dresser has been recently refinished by...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut 3 Drawer DresserBy Drexel, Kipp StewartLocated in Countryside, ILKipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut 3 Drawer Dresser This dresser measures: 36 wide x 20 deep x 31.25 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut 8 Drawer Lowboy DresserBy Drexel, Kipp StewartLocated in Countryside, ILKipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut 8 Drawer Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 60 wide x 20 deep x 31.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in wha...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century MODERN DRESSER / Credenza by DREXEL Declaration by Kipp StewartBy Drexel, Kipp StewartLocated in Weehawken, NJMid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by Drexel "Declaration" designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall. This simply designed piece offers a wealth of storage in its six deep and spac...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsPorcelain, Walnut
- Mid Century Highboy Walnut Dresser Kipp Stewart for Drexel DeclarationBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Baltimore, MDAn elegant Mid-Century Modern tall dresser/highboy/chest of drawers designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s Declaration Collection, circa 1960’s. Featuring a solid, beautifully grained walnut wood case and frame. The upper drop down cabinet features a single push spring lock door that opens to reveal two shallow top drawers with dividers, offering ample room; for tidy storage of personal effects. Maker Stamp (by Drexel) on the inside of the top drawer. Below are three long and wide bottom drawers, each is adorned with original brass pulls with walnut inlay, creating a striking contrast to the walnut wood. Each drawer has beautiful, stunning walnut grains, and easy gliding dovetail drawers, overall good original vintage condition, with exceptional craftsmanship. A recessed base of round tapered legs and apron provide stable support while conveying an airy “floating” effect. Additional Maker Stamp (Declaration by Drexel...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut