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.
Rare Five-Drawer Mahogany Faux Bamboo Chest by American of Martinsville, 1952
By American of Martinsville
Located in Pasadena, TX
Five-drawer chest by American of Martinsville 1952 Bleached Philippine mahogany faux bamboo with five drawers. The three bottom drawer f...
Ash
59" Mid-Century Modern Danish Walnut Cabinet Dresser
Located in Pasadena, TX
Mid-Century Modern Danish walnut cabinet Four drawer configuration Tapered wood legs.
Walnut
Founders Mid Century Dresser by Jack Cartwright
By Jack Cartwright
Located in Pasadena, TX
Founders Mid Century Dresser Jack Cartwright 36x28x18
Wood
45" Vintage Midcentury Mahogany Dresser
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage mahogany dresser manufactured in the midcentury 1960s period. A dresser featuring four large pull out drawers with slatted handles, ...
Mahogany
Chin Hua Dresser Credenza by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Century Chin Hua Dresser Credenza Sideboard buffet or dresser manufactured by Century Furniture as part of the Chin Hua collection from the 1970s. E...
Brass
Drexel Passage Campaign Pecan Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Campaign style Drexel dresser circa 1970s Drexel Passage Series dresser in flaxen flared grain. Brass recessed pulls. This dresser provides compact ...
Brass
Kent Coffey "Auburn" Mid-Century Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long mid-century modern dresser with nine drawers by Kent-Coffey. Walnut wood grain with unique brass hardware. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Brass
Vintage Mid Century Modern 5 Drawer Dresser - Kent Coffey Tableau Collection
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage mid-century modern dresser is part of the sought-after Tableau Collection by Kent Coffey, dating from the 1960s. Designed with clean lines and a balanced profile, the pi...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Floating Base 5 Drawers High Chest Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern 5 drawers walnut "floating" base cone shape legs dresser with brass pulls.
Brass
Nine Drawer Kent Coffey Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long mid-century modern dresser made by Kent Coffey for their "Greenbrier" collection. Walnut wood grain throughout with nine drawers and sculpted handles....
Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Dovetailed 3 Drawer Dresser by Stanley
Located in Seattle, WA
Walnut Toned piece with 3 dovetailed drawers and original finish. Mid Century Design by Stanley Furniture. Makers mark on the left side of top drawer. Vintage Condition Consistent wi...
Wood
Vintage Mid Century Modern 4 Drawer Dresser Dovetailed Drawers
Located in Seattle, WA
This mid-century dresser features a clean and minimalist design typical of the era. It has a warm wood finish, likely made from walnut or another hardwood, showcasing the natural gra...
Walnut
