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, 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.
Distinctive Walnut Burl Wood Front Credenza, 1950s
By George Nakashima
Located in Westport, CT
A petite Mid-Century Modern credenza by Stanley Furniture, featuring walnut burl doors showcasing gorgeous grain, the three-center drawers provide ample storage space for plates and ...
Walnut
Mahogany Dresser by Brown Saltman, C. 1950s
By Brown Saltman
Located in Westport, CT
Dresser or sideboard executed in mahogany manufactured by Brown Saltman, circa 1950-1959. Compltely restored, featuring three large center drawers and nickel dome pulls, the side doo...
Nickel
Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser with Brass Accents, C. 1950s
By American of Martinsville
Located in Westport, CT
A meticulously restored mid-century modern walnut dresser by American of Martinsville. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, this piece features lustrous brass accents that bea...
Brass
Mid Century Entry Console Table in Mahogany, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
An outstanding console table executed in mahogany with brass hardware, three drawers, and side doors provide plenty of storage space. Completely restored. Other designers from t...
Brass
Set of Walnut Cabinets by Kipp Stewart, C. 1950s
By Kipp Stewart, Directional
Located in Westport, CT
Elevate your interior with the timeless allure of these exquisite Walnut cabinets, masterfully crafted by the renowned Kipp Stewart for Drexel in the mid-20th century. Embodying the ...
Walnut
Stacked Dresser in Espresso Walnut by Stamford Modern
By Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
The Stacked Dresser celebrates Paul Frankl’s iconic mid-century design philosophy, merging bold architectural form with refined craftsmanship. Each pie...
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Mid-Century Modern Kroehler 9-Drawer Walnut Credenza, circa 1960s
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
This sculptural mid-century modern credenza was manufactured by Kroehler, one of America’s most respected furniture makers of the postwar era. Crafted in richly grained walnut, the p...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza by Kent Coffey
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kent-Coffey walnut credenza with marble insert. Featuring brass knobs and vibrant walnut, this credenza is well constructed and in very good shape. Please confirm item location (N...
Walnut
Vintage Walnut Credenza by Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi Young
By Monteverdi-Young, Maurice Bailey
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exquisite 1960s walnut credenza showcases the sophisticated design vision of Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi Young. A stunning example of American mid-century modern craftsmanship...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sculptural Walnut Credenza Console
Located in Elkton, MD
The piece includes two center cabinet doors with round metal pulls and open shelving on both sides, ideal for use as a media console, bar cabinet, entryway storage, or dining room se...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Walnut 2 Door Credenza/Sideboard by Bassett ' Prestige '
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid Century Modern Walnut 2 Door Credenza/Sideboard by Bassett Offered is a beautiful Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza/Sideboard with ample storage space, which was designed by Ba...
Walnut
Sleek Restored Vintage Modern Credenza in Walnut by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning example of a rare multipurpose case piece by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s. Expertly crafted walnut case construction with elegant lines and detail. Wo...
Walnut
