Known for its durable vintage display cabinets, nightstands and dressers made of cherry, oak, walnut and more, Century Furniture of Hickory, North Carolina, began as an upholstered goods company in 1947 but added case goods and sophisticated mahogany dining-room furnishings shortly thereafter.
Launched by Harley Ferguson Shuford Sr., a Hickory native who was born to a family of textile mill owners, Century Furniture was intended to be “the best furniture company in the world.” With respect to speed and efficiency, the brand found its footing midway through production on a government contract that Shuford had secured in the early days to manufacture thousands of five-drawer chests. The effort was significant, but it was also a teachable moment as far as Shuford and his team’s learning the ropes of running a factory.
After hiring designer Raymond K. Sobota in 1950 and introducing the enormously popular Citation Collection in 1954, Century established its reputation as a leader in stylishly designed high-quality furniture. Sobota had furniture in his blood — after graduating from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked for his uncle Karl Schmidt, who was at the time a well-known furniture designer for Berkey and Gay and other makers in the Grand Rapids area, then known as America’s furniture capital. Sobota soon launched his own studio, designing furniture as a freelancer for various local manufacturers. Shuford found him by happenstance, journeying to Michigan’s second-largest city to offer a job to another designer who turned him down but recommended Sobota instead.
Century’s Citation line — a sizable collection for the brand that spanned furnishings for the bedroom, dining room and more — is revered in the world of vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors. The pieces sold very well during the 1950s, and the line is an oft-cited success story for Sobota, who would go on to win awards for his work and whose own catalogue of designs for the brand is massive.
In his 40-year career at Century, until he retired in 1995, he designed well over 100 furniture lines. Sobota’s nightstands, cabinets, side tables and more are characterized by his interest in Asian design, distinctly and brilliantly expressed in his Hollywood Regency–style Chin Hua line, which debuted during the 1970s. With its geometrically decorative brass drawer pulls and door handles as well as dining-chair seat-back carvings — all inspired by Asian motifs — this collection has rendered vintage pieces that saw Century’s craftsmen working with alluring ebonized walnut and more, some of the company’s most sought-after work today.
Also in the 1970s as well as in the 1980s, Manhattan interior designer Jay Spectre introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at Century Furniture, creating oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Century licensed collections with celebrity interior designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams among others. In 2013, when Alex Shuford III was named president of Century Furniture, the move marked the succession of the third generation to lead this company, which is today one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers of high-end furniture.
Find Century Furniture lounge chairs and dining chairs as well as vintage mid-century modern credenzas, dressers and more on 1stDibs.
$5,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Six Goatskin Lacquer Dining Chairs by Century
By Century Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of six dining chairs with two arm chairs and four side chairs from Century Chair Company. Pastel flame stitch upholstery is original, and in great condition. Extremely well made ...
Wood
Sofía Stool - Swedish Scraped White
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Sofía Swedish stool is a beautifully crafted piece featuring hand-carved details and a painted finish that highlights its neoclassical design influences. The stool is upholstered...
Leather, Wood
TS-CCU-3156-17-F1 - Verona Bench - Bronze
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Verona Bench, in bronze finish, showcases an elegant and timeless design with its gently curved legs and armrests. The piece features a cushioned seat...
Bronze
$3,600
Saint Laurent Ottoman
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
Immerse yourself in Mid-Century Italian luxury with our lounge chair and ottoman. The one piece seat and back are constructed of top-grain leather shaped into an ergonomic scoop for ...
Leather
Stefano Skirted Chair - Taupe
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The European inspired dining or club chair, with waterfall arm and tight seat is characterized by its smooth, flowing lines and stitch detail at the pleats, reflects a modern design ...
Leather, Suede, Upholstery
$640Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Rare Jay Spectre Quilted Pillow Shams in Mint & Black/White Leopard
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This rare pair of quilted mint color with black and white leopard pattern jacquard pillow shams came from Bloomingdale’s New York in the 1980s as part of the all upholsterd, mint green, leopard bed...
Fabric
Century Furniture Savor Royce Chrome Bar Stool Caress Taupe Leather (E)
By Century Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Century Furniture Savor Royce Chrome Bar Stool Caress Taupe Leather (E). Item features heavy steel construction, polished chrome finish, taupe leather upholstery, clean modernist lin...
Chrome
Pair Century Walnut Waterfall Brand New Old Stock Two Tier End Side Tables Stand
By Century Furniture, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Century Walnut Waterfall Brand New Old Stock Two Tier End Side Tables Stand
Glass, Walnut
$4,140Sale Price|40% Off
Century Furniture Asian Inspired Sofa
By Century Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a 92" sofa by Century Furniture Co. It's upholstered in a rich White fabric that has decorative back pillows. The base is ebonized. Sofa needs to be reupholstered.
Fabric, Wood
Lucca I 120" Dining Table - Wood Top
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 18th-century inspired Italian trestle based table showcases the rustic charm and practical design typical of Italian furniture from this period, often used in monastic settings o...
Wood, Oak
Elise Chest - Swedish Scraped Cream
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 19th-century inspired Swedish commode in a scraped cream finish embodies the Gustavian style, which is characterized by its restrained elegance and neoclassical influences, a ref...
Wood
Loire Cocktail Table - French Lacquered Grey w/Gold
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The contemporary high gloss light grey lacquered ottoman coffee table featuring mid-century inspired feet, showcases a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design sensibili...
Gold Leaf
$2,246Sale Price|25% Off
CENTURY FURNITURE Pam Bolick Asian Commode Dresser Hand Painted & Signed
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Brass
Rivoli Shield Mirror - Italian Vintage Brass
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The antique brass finish Italian shield mirror of grand scale reflects the classical and Renaissance influences that have long been a part of Italian decorative arts. The shield shap...
Brass
Lucca II 96" Dining Table - Stone Top
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The 18th-century inspired Italian trestle based table showcases the rustic charm and practical design typical of Italian furniture from this period, often used in monastic settings o...
Marble
Saint Michel Large Skirted Sofa
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Belgian slope arm bench seat sofa is celebrated for its unparalleled comfort and timeless design. Characterized by its gently sloping arms, this sofa offers a sophisticated silho...
Upholstery
$11,997
Le Marais Credenza
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The brass four-door credenza with a honed marble top, inspired by mid-century design, reflects the mid-20th century's emphasis on clean lines, functional forms, and a blend of natura...
Marble, Brass
Sainte Honore Sofa - Scatter Back
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The track arm sofa with leather cording detail is a contemporary piece known for its clean, streamlined design. The track arms provide a modern, minimalist aesthetic, characterized b...
Upholstery
Sainte Honore Sofa - Std Back
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Track Arm Sofa is a contemporary piece defined by its clean lines and streamlined silhouette. The tailored track arms lend a modern, minimalist aesthetic, while the refined uphol...
Upholstery
TS-LT9-1067-8 - Enzo Swivel Chair
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Enzo swivel chair features a distinct curved silhouette, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic. Its smooth lines and rounded edges emphasize comfort and style, making it an appea...
Upholstery
Ming Style Chairs with Upholstered Cushions and Ottoman by Century Chair
By Century Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of lovely "ming style" chairs in a very light stain by Century Chair Company of Hickory, NC. The oversized "ming" style chairs feature loose cushions in a shade of off-white....
Fabric, Wood
$6,270
Haussman Sofa
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Italian wrap sofa, characterized by its elegant, enveloping design and plush upholstery, has historical significance rooted in Italy's rich tradition of fine craftsmanship and de...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Sören Accent Chair - Swedish Wirebrushed Black
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
Embrace Scandinavian elegance with our Swedish curved armchair, a perfect fusion of minimalist design and ergonomic comfort. Crafted from solid birch wood, its gently curved backrest...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,625Sale Price / set|25% Off
King Burl Wood Nightstands by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Pair of King Burl wood nightstands...
Brass
$12,000
Sainte Honore Large Sofa Lg
By Tara Shaw, Century Furniture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Track Arm Sofa is a contemporary piece defined by its clean lines and streamlined silhouette. The tailored track arms lend a modern, minimalist aesthetic, while the refined uphol...
Upholstery, Polyester
Jean Luc Shield Back Arm Chair - Italian Painted Blanc
By Century Furniture, Tara Shaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
Elevate your dining experience with the exquisite Italian shield back chair. Inspired by classic Renaissance design, this chair boasts a gracefully curved shield-shaped backrest, met...
Leather, Wood
Century Furniture Mid-Century Burlwood Side Table
By Century Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Century Furniture mid-century burlwood side table The side table measures: 19 wide x 19 deep x 29.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can ...
Burl
$2,750 / item
1980s Vintage Chests From Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in North Canton, OH
1 of 2 Monumental Chests of Drawers from Century Furniture. Distressed finish, beautiful hardware and cream stone tops. These are huge and have a strong European rustic feel. Italian...
Stone
$1,680Sale Price / set|25% Off
Nightstands Side End Tables Oversized by Century Furniture a Pair
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of Oversized Nightstands...
Wood
Pair of Century Furniture Parson Side Chairs Nail Head Trim
By Century Furniture
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Century Furniture Parson side chairs. Tweed upholstery in shades of cream , charcoal and tan. Decorative nailhead border. Legs and stretcher...
Fabric
Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.
Mid-century modern furniture combines sleek lines with organic shapes.
Some of the most famous mid-century modern furniture designers were Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, Paul Evans, Poul Kjærholm, Florence Knoll, George Nakashima, Giò Ponti, Hans Wegner, Charlotte Perriand, Sergio Rodrigues and Eero Saarinen.