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.
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of four Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East Collection" USA, Circa 1950s Solid carved walnut frames, with upholste...
Upholstery, Walnut
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Far East Parsons Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Parsons style dining chairs By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East Collection" USA, Circa 1950s Walnut fr...
Upholstery, Walnut
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Mid-Century Modern or Dining Chairs, Pair
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern side chairs or dining chairs By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East Collection" USA, Circa 1950s Solid carved walnut frames, wi...
Upholstery, Walnut
Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern side chairs or dining chairs By Heywood Wakefield USA, 1950s Solid sculpted maple frames, with upholstered seats. Measures: 17.75"W x 21"...
Upholstery, Maple
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Lane, Set of Four
By Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four 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 upho...
Velvet, Cane, Ash, Burl
Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern side chairs or dining chairs By Heywood Wakefield USA, 1950s Solid sculpted maple frames, with upholstered seats. Measures: 16.75"W x 19....
Upholstery, Maple
Midcentury Dining Chairs by Young Manufacturing
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six mid-century dining chairs. Walnut wood frames with black vinyl seats. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Dinning Room Chairs By Carl Ekstrom, 1960
Located in The Hague, NL
Set of five vintage Swedish dining chairs designed by Carl Ekstrom for Albin Johansson & Soner. These comfortable chairs feature rosewood frames and backrests. A typical mid-century ...
Fabric, Wood
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs, 4 Side-Chairs & 2 Arm-Chairs
By John Widdicomb
Located in Huntington, NY
A Set of 6 John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, 4 side-chairs & 2 arm-chairs Measure: Seat height 17.5.
Naugahyde, Walnut
Set of 6 Vintage Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs by G Plan
By G Plan Furniture, Victor Wilkins
Located in Gardiner, NY
Set of 6 authentic vintage mid century modern dining chairs. "Fresco" series designed by Victor B Wilkins for G Plan. Maker's label on bottoms. This set is in excellent condition ...
Wood
Set of 6 Vintage Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs
Located in Gardiner, NY
Set of 6 authentic vintage mid century modern dining chairs. This set is in excellent condition with brand new black vegan leather upholstery and few signs of age-related wear (see ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Set of Four Danish Dining Chairs with Original Upholstery
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Danish set of four dining room chairs with original velvet upholstery and wood structure. The structure of the chairs is in really good vintage conditions. The sea...
Velvet, Wood
