By Henkel Harris
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Henkel Harris Virginia galleries drop leaf coffee or end table 41.5 inches with leaves open up, 16.5 inches height. Wild cherry wood. Gorgeous rich finish, simple, sensuous line, all American material, just a classic, timeless, handcrafted piece.
The Henkel-Harris legacy started from humble beginnings. After serving in the Second World War, Carroll Henkel, along with his wife, Mary, entered the furniture business with their friend, John Harris. In 1946, The Henkels rented their first building and began making furniture. They spent countless hours studying woodwork and learning all that they could about the craft, also began working as furniture repairmen. This opportunity allowed them to perfect their finishing techniques and gave them a greater understanding of the antique furniture that they regarded so highly. The experience gained from this endeavor led to the creation of the acclaimed Henkel Harris finish, which is still regarded for its high clarity, durability, and overall quality.
After years of hard work, Henkel Harris was gaining a reputation for offering some of the highest quality furniture available. In 1956, John Harris left Mary and Carroll to manage the company themselves. Carroll set out to travel the country selling furniture from of the back of his vehicle, while Mary took charge of the plant in Winchester during his absence. Soon, the current plant was not big enough to fit the Henkel's needs, so in the early 1960s, the Henkels began production of their own plant in Winchester, Virginia. By 1963, only a few days prior to Christmas, the Henkels moved into their newly completed factory.
In 1969, Carroll passed away suddenly, leaving Mary to run the company by herself. A woman managing a successful business in a totally male dominated industry was incredibly uncommon andb posed a great challenge to Mary. Despite the adversity, Mary grew the company to 90 employees very quickly after the death of her husband. She also began traveling around the world, specifically to Europe. She used these trips as an opportunity to view European antique furniture so that she could innovate new Henkel Harris furniture based on the European design.
A prolific advocate of education, Mary offered to pay tuition for workers who wished to take night classes. After paying...
Category
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Henkel Harris Coffee and Cocktail Tables