Owing to the company’s collaborations with many leading designers and artists over time, vintage Baker furniture is consistently sought after today. The heritage brand’s chairs, dining tables, desks and other pieces are widely known to collectors and design enthusiasts for their fine craftsmanship and durability.
Within a few decades of its launch, Baker Furniture Company evolved into one of the largest and most important furniture manufacturers in the United States and became known for its high-quality production standards. Siebe Baker and business partner Henry Cook founded the original iteration of Baker Furniture Company in 1890 in Allegan, Michigan, after immigrating to the United States from the Netherlands. Allegan is a small town west of Grand Rapids, which, at that time was home to Widdicomb Furniture Co. and more and was known as America’s furniture capital. The company manufactured doors and interior moldings and introduced a combination desk and bookcase in 1893. In the early 1900s, Siebe became the sole owner of the business.
Among others, stage designer Joseph Urban and modernist designer Kem Weber contributed designs to Baker in the 1920s. In 1932, under the leadership of Siebe’s son, Hollis, who started at the company as a salesman but took the reins when his father passed in 1925, Baker Furniture introduced bedroom pieces and debuted its Manor House collection, which made reproductions of European furnishings available to the American market. (Hollis was an avid traveler and procured antiques overseas for the company to reproduce in the United States.) Soon, Baker Furniture Company moved to Holland, Michigan, and eventually opened showrooms in Grand Rapids and elsewhere.
Pioneering Scandinavian designer Finn Juhl created a Danish modern line for Baker in 1951, and the company produced his award-winning Chieftain chair for a short time. In the late 1950s, Baker introduced the Milling Road label to reach a younger audience with stylish but less costly furnishings like console tables, walnut dining chairs and more, and in 1961, British furniture designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings introduced a modern neoclassical line at Baker.
The 1960s and ’70s saw the introduction of historic reproduction furniture lines such as Woburn Abbey and the Historic Charleston collection, which remain very popular to this day. In 1990, Baker was licensed to produce a furniture line from Colonial Williamsburg. That same year, the Smithsonian Museum introduced Baker’s Chippendale chair into its permanent collection and the Grand Rapids Art Museum dedicated an exhibition to Baker’s 100th anniversary, a showcase that included 150 pieces of furniture Siebe Baker had collected as part of a larger assortment that had served as inspiration for his designs.
Today, vintage Baker furniture, such as its elegant mahogany nightstands and teak credenzas — particularly those crafted by Finn Juhl — sees high demand online and elsewhere. The company continues to produce contemporary collections with well-known designers such as Bill Sofield, Barbara Barry and Kara Mann and remains on par with some of the highest quality furniture in the industry.
Browse vintage Baker armchairs, sofas, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Early American Style Dining or Side Chairs Maple Windsor Hitchcock Stamped Set 4
By Lambert Hitchcock, Hitchcock
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage Early American Style Maple Windsor Hitchcock stamped dining or side chairs stamped model number 112G23 composed of birdcage style spindle backs, faux bamboo frames,...
Maple
Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Dining Chairs Paul McCobb for Winchendon Set 5
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern Planner Group style #1534 dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Comprised of a dark walnut finished maple. They have been newly upholstered at some point in their recent past in a brown background fabric with chenille squiggly undulating lines in gold and turquoise or teal. Beautiful condition with age-appropriate wear as you would expect with vintage pieces. Two of the chair backs do have small nicks. One has been repaired. All chairs have been re-glued. We have used restore-a-finish on the original finish to bring back its original shine. Please see photos. Circa 1949-1964. Simply Amazing!! What a fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern dining chairs! They are part of the Planner Group for Winchendon designed by internationally known and revered designer Paul McCobb. They are style number 1534, and they are comprised of a beautiful maple frame with a dark walnut finish. The foam seats are covered in a brown chenille fabric with raised fiber squiggly undulating lines in colors of gold and turquoise or maybe its teal. The fabric is so awesome it reminds us of a comfy chenille bedspread...
Fabric, Maple
1995 Neoclassic Biedermeier Style Thomasville Grand Classic Dining Chairs Set 8
By Thomasville
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage 1995 Biedermeier Neoclassic Revival Empire Style Thomasville Grand Classics maple dining chairs 2 arm & 6 side with taupe & black stripe fabric & brass details, set...
Brass
Midcentury Contempora Dining Chairs by William Clingman for J. L. Metz Set of 6
By J. L. Metz Furniture Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome set of six midcentury dining chairs from J. L. Metz Furniture’s Contempora line designed by William J. Clingman. They are not marked but well documented and in fabulous vint...
Brass
American of Martinsville Campaign Light Wood & Cane Dining Chairs 2 Arm & 2 Side
By American of Martinsville
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning set of 4 modern campaign style dining chairs 2 Arm and 2 side chairs comprised of beautiful light hardwood, radio weave cane seat backs, and fabric covered seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The caning has been replaced in one chair back. Seat fabric has been professionally cleaned but most will want to reupholster, and they have been priced accordingly. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s. “Well excuse me, but I think you’ve got my chair….” Oh wait…that’s a George Straight song!! Well, actually, we DO have just the chairs for you!!! This is a wonderful set of American of Martinsville campaign style dining chairs. We have 4 to offer you 2 side and 2 armchairs comprised of gorgeous light hardwood frames, and fabulous radio weave cane tall, slender seat backs. There is a lovely brass colored trim accent on the back of the chairs framing the cane and right now the seat cushions wear a beige or taupe basket weave pattern fabric, but we’ve priced them so you can reupholster with a fabric of your choice. This is a GORGEOUS dining chair set and will look amazing under your modern, Hollywood Regency, or campaign style dining table...
Cane, Wood
1960s American Modernist Dining Chairs Custom Folio 3 Line by Henredon Set of 6
By Henredon
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage American Modernist dining chairs Custom Folio Three Collection by Henredon 5 side and one armed composed of hardwood frames with cane inset rectangular backs and fi...
Velvet, Cane, Hardwood
Set of Six Late Georgian Elmwood Windsor Dining Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Comprised of a pair of armchairs and four side chairs, ladder back with rush seats, turned circular legs and pad feet, and turned stretchers.
Elm
Baker Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of four Georgian or Chippendale style dining chairs By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved solid mahogany frames, with brass studded upholstered seats. Mea...
Brass
Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Georgian or Chippendale style dining chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved mahogany, with brass studded upholstered seats. Measur...
Brass
Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Five
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of five Georgian or Chippendale style dining chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa Mid-20th Century Solid carved mahogany frames, with upholstered seat...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of four Georgian or Chippendale style dining chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved solid mahogany frames, with upholstered seats. Mea...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of 6 Governor Alston Arm Chairs From Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in North Canton, OH
6 Governor Alston Dining Chairs from Baker. One of the most recognizable and sought after pieces from the Baker collections. Most of these examples are finished in black lacquer, rar...
Wood
