Compared to that other furniture-makers in historically minded Grand Rapids, Michigan, the work of Mastercraft seems positively flamboyant. The company was founded in 1947 by brothers Charles and William Doezema, who hailed from a long line of cabinetmakers. They went overseas during their service in World War II, and returned home with a plan to make furniture with cosmopolitan flair. Their firm specialized in chairs and case pieces that have modernized traditional forms, finished in exotic wood veneers such as amboyna, yew, burl and fruitwood, and trimmed in brass. Bureaus and credenzas often feature cabinet fronts with decorative brass details such as silhouettes of flowers and birds, or figures that resemble Chinese characters.
In later years, Mastercraft created chairs and glass-topped coffee tables with brass frames. Some pieces included touches like the Greek key — a motif that appears in the decorative arts of both Asian and European antiquity. After Mastercraft was acquired by industry giant Baker Furniture in 1974, the company produced a large group of case pieces featuring applied brass plaques, acid-etched with semi-abstract forms by the German-born, Vancouver-based artist Bernhard Rohne.
The latter are some of the most popular Mastercraft pieces, and like all the company’s wares range in price from about $2,000 to $12,000 depending on size, condition and the amount of decorative trim. As you will see on 1stDibs, Mastercraft furnishings made a bold but artful statement — perfect for lending a bit of dash and brawn to a contemporary decor.
William Doezema for Mastercraft Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Dining Chairs, Six
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six mid-century modern Hollywood Regency dining chairs By William Doezema for Mastercraft USA, 1970s Beautiful burled Carpathian elm wood frames, with brass deta...
Brass
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane High Back Dining Chairs
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of ten Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern high back dining chairs By Lane Furniture USA, 1970s Ash and burl wood frames, with caned backs and brown velvet uphol...
Velvet, Cane, Ash, Burl
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane High Back Dining Chairs
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern high back dining chairs By Lane Furniture USA, 1970s Ash and burl wood frames, with caned backs and brown velvet uphol...
Velvet, Cane, Ash, Burl
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane High Back Dining Chairs
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of eight Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern high back dining chairs By Lane Furniture USA, 1970s Ash and burl wood frames, with caned backs and brown velvet uph...
Velvet, Cane, Ash, Burl
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane High Back Dining Chairs
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern high back dining chairs By Lane Furniture USA, 1970s Ash and burl wood frames, with caned backs and brown velvet uphol...
Velvet, Cane, Ash, Burl
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane High Back Dining Chairs
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of twelve Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern high back dining chairs By Lane Furniture USA, 1970s Ash and burl wood frames, with caned backs and brown velvet up...
Velvet, Cane, Ash, Burl
1970s Mid Century Burl Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century burl dining chairs designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1970s.The chairs feature a stunning burl frame design that will impress, while the pink fabric uph...
Fabric, Burl
Set of Six Vintage Burl Wood Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning set of six vintage burl wood dining chairs, a perfect blend of organic elegance and bold mid-century styling. Featuring richly patterned burl wood. These chairs capture the ...
Burl
Vintage Mappa Burl Wood Dining Chairs by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning set of six mid-century dining chairs that exemplify the sophisticated craftsmanship of 1970s American design. Created by renowned furniture maker Thomasville, these chairs...
Fabric, Burl
Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood Dining Chairs - Set of 4 Each armless chair measures: 18.5 wide x 19.75 deep x 41.75 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captain chair measur...
Upholstery, Burl
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Walnut and Burlwood Side Dining Chair - Set of 6
By Young Manufacturing Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Young Manufacturing mid century walnut and burlwood side dining chairs - set of 6. These chairs measure: 20.5 wide x 21 deep x 46.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance ...
Upholstery, Walnut, Burl
Set of Eight Mid-Century Modern Walnut High-Back Dining Chairs, 1960s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Set of Eight Mid-Century Modern Walnut High-Back Dining Chairs, 1960s. This set of eight dining chairs is built from solid walnut-toned hardwood with an angular sculpted frame and t...
Fabric, Hardwood, Walnut
