Known among vintage furniture collectors for its beautifully finished wooden pieces, R-Way Furniture Company has an enduring legacy as one of the foremost American furniture manufacturers of the 20th century.
Before it became R-Way, the Sheboygan, Wisconsin-based company was known as the Mattoon Manufacturing Company, founded by entrepreneur George B. Mattoon. Mattoon came from a background of limited means and left school at the age of 12 to support his family. At 15, he enlisted with the Union Army and fought in the Civil War. In 1865, following his stint with the military, Mattoon worked at his brother’s chair factory in Sheboygan Falls. His natural knack for business led him to manufacture and sell his own furniture, establishing the Mattoon Manufacturing Company in 1881.
After Mattoon died in 1904, the company became Northern Furniture. In 1916, the C. Reiss Coal Company bought the firm, and in 1942, it changed the name to R-Way.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, R-Way became known for producing high-quality home furnishings. Pieces such as dressers, commodes, credenzas, tables, dining room chairs and bedroom furniture were created using walnut, maple and mahogany and accented with brass fixtures. Although R-Way’s furniture consisted mainly of classic mid-century modern style, some pieces deviated into the Exotic Revival style. One example is a black, lacquered Pagoda-form sideboard buffet designed in the style of flamboyant, notorious designer James Mont.
R-Way experienced continued success until 1962, when Franklin Industries, Inc., acquired it. In 1965, the company shifted its focus from producing household furnishings to commercial furniture.
During the 1970s and 1980s, R-Way’s production began to slow, and Reiss Industries bought the firm in 1987. R-Way Furniture Company closed in 1992.
Today, R-Way Furniture Company pieces remain highly sought after by mid-century modern interior designers and 20th-century furniture collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage R-Way Furniture Company case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and more furniture and collectibles.
Gorgeous Rway Six-Drawer Chest in Blonde Mahogany and Bird's-Eye Maple
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lovely modern six-drawer chest by Rway, circa 1940s. Blonde mahogany with bird's-eye maple accents. Simply stunning! Retains the Maker mark. Excellent restored condition. The chest h...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
American Art Deco Tall Chest of Drawers by R-Way
By R-Way Furniture Company, Eliel Saarinen
Located in Hanover, MA
American Art Deco highboy dresser with Machine-Age lines in its tiered appearance and curved edge drawers. Produced circa 1947 by R-Way Furnit...
Mahogany, Burl
$7,632 / item
H 29.93 in W 19.89 in D 17.13 in
PH Small Drawer Chest, brass legs, mahogany veneer, green leather, ash drawers
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This small but perfectly formed storage piece is made out of wood and can be combined with soft leather on the panels. It is elegant and stylish all the way around and from all angles. Poul Henningsen designed this in 1920. The PH Small Drawer Chest...
Leather, Mahogany
Oak Parquetry Six Drawer Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A light oak parquetry six-drawer dresser in dawn finish. This beautiful hand-carved oak dresser includes six drawers with mirrored herringbone starburst ...
Wood
$2,500
H 33.25 in W 36 in D 18.25 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group MCM Blond or Ebony Maple Three-Drawer Chest
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Paul McCobb Planner Group chest / dressers for Winchendon. Three drawers with solid brass cone pulls on angled tapered legs. The chest is shown sold, but have another in a mor...
Maple
Deco Style Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Sheffield, MA
Painted glossy black, the moderne chest of drawers has a three-sectioned drawer at the top and three deep drawers below. The side boards of each drawer are...
Wood
R J Horner Bird's Eye Maple and Faux Bamboo Chiffonier
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century American Bird's-Eye Maple Chiffonier/Chest of Drawers, attributed to R.J. Horner & Co., New York. This elegant tall chest features five graduated drawers adorne...
Faux Bamboo, Birdseye Maple
Kittinger White Painted Tall 5 Drawers Chest Dresser
By Kittinger, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger painted dresser with dowel pulls. This is in distressed condition. Refinishing recommended.
Birch
Italian Art Deco Chest Of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Smart modern three-drawer dresser on a wide demilune base. Base is standing on three black painted wooden balls as legs. The chrome hardware is 100% original.
Chrome
George III Mahogany Chest in Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Fine George II figured mahogany chest on chest with a carved dental molded top cornice, the top section with two split drawers over three graduated drawers, canted and fluted corne...
Mahogany
Bird's Eye Maple and Faux Bamboo Dresser/Commode
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century Bird's Eye Maple Dresser/Commode with Mirror and Faux Bamboo Details, attributed to R.J. Horner & Co, New York, one of the premier furniture makers of the Gilde...
Faux Bamboo, Birdseye Maple
$9,500
H 34.5 in W 39.25 in D 18.25 in
American Hepplewhite Cherry & Birds Eye Maple Graduated Chest of Drawers, C 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Hepplewhite cherry and birds eye maple chest with a carved molded top, four graduated drawers. mahogany cross banding, circular brass knobs...
Brass
$4,720
H 33.47 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco CherryWood Italian Dresser / Commode and Chest of Drawers, 1950
Located in Roma, Lazio
Italian chest of drawers, mid-20th century. Peculiar shape, original and avant-garde for that period. A very simple design, but by far a fine and elegant chest of drawers. Entirely ...
Wood, Cherry
$3,776Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco CherryWood Italian Dresser / Commode and Chest of Drawers, 1950
Located in Roma, Lazio
Italian chest of drawers, mid-20th century. Peculiar shape, original and avant-garde for that period. A very simple design, but by far a fine and elegant chest of drawers. Entirely ...
Wood, Cherry
Rway Midcentury Walnut and Brass 5 Drawer Highboy Dresser
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Rway midcentury walnut and brass 5-drawer highboy dresser This highboy measures: 40 wide x 18.25 deep x 43 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Brass
Midcentury Teak Dresser
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Solid dresser 8 drawer dresser with simple line and nice subtle details. Handsome toned primary wood details and a very sturdy internal metal frame makes this unit built to last. Eac...
Teak
Rway Mid Century 5 Drawer Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Rway Mid Century 5 Drawer Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser This dresser measures: 40 wide x 19.25 deep x 40.5 inches high ?All pieces of furniture c...
Brass
American Art Deco Chest of Drawers by R-Way
By Eliel Saarinen, R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
1940s American Art Deco chest of drawers with curved front edges on splayed legs by R-Way Furniture Co. in two-tone bookmatched maho...
Mahogany, Burl
Sold
H 33.5 in W 60 in D 22 in
1940s Six-Drawer Low Chest by R-Way Furniture in Silver Cerused Mahogany
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
This 1940s low chest by R-Way Furniture Company in silver cerused mahogany and ebonized bird's-eye maple features a streamlined design, rounded edges and splayed legs. It has six dra...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Lovely Pair of Modern Bachelor's Three Drawer Chests Lacquered in Pink
By Baker Furniture Company, R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Houston, TX
Sweet pair of bachelor's chest or night stands freshly lacquered in an ultra-smooth pink. Three drawers provide storage and long legs keep the pieces feeling light. Simple brass hard...
Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern R-Way Dresser with White Glass Top
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique eight-drawer dresser by R-Way of Sheboygan, WI offers plenty of storage in a stylish package. Brass handles, feet, and trim are wonderfully offset by a deep reddish walnu...
Wood
Ebonised Louis Philippe Style Chest of Drawers
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Troy, MI
Pair of Louis Philippe style chest with ebonised finish, brass hardware and decorative mounts, circa 1950s. Chest has four functional drawers. Manufacturer marked R-Way.
Brass, Ormolu
Pair of Mid-Century Chest of Drawers,
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great pair of Mid-Century chests, sold individually, with four drawers in walnut by RWay. Thin edge style detailing, with sculptural brass handles and splayed legs.
Brass
1940s Streamline Moderne Highboy Dresser by R-Way
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Miami, FL
Reduced from $3,500 for Saturday sale. Absolutely beautiful design, this mahogany and bird's-eye maple gentleman's chest, highboy or dresser has a sleek streamline moderne form from ...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
1940s Streamline Moderne Dresser by RWay
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in Miami, FL
..REDUCED FROM $3,650 FOR SATUTRDAY SALE..Absolutely beautiful design, this mahogany & birdseye maple dresser has a sleek streamline moderne form fr...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany