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.
$3,370
H 30 in W 62 in D 18 in
Romweber Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Credenza, Refinished
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Charleston, SC
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie dresser or credenza By Romweber USA, Circa 1950s Black lacquered teak, with original Asian-inspired brass hardware ...
Brass
$3,995
H 31.25 in W 76 in D 18 in
Chinoiserie Black & Burl Chin Hua Dresser by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furn
By Raymond Sabota, Century Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Chinoiserie Chin Hua Collection dresser or sideboard by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furniture comprised of an ebony-tone wood frame, burlwood inlays, brass trim & hardware, double doors, and nine drawers total. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, it has been cleaned but has no outstanding flaws that we have detected. Normal wear as you would expect with use & age. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. NOTE: IF you love this Chin Hua Collection dresser or sideboard by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furniture, we have the matching armoire/wardrobe, pair of nightstands, and pair of mirrors in separate listings here for sale if they are still available. We also have many other items from the Chin Hua line. Check them out! OH, MY GOODNESS!!!! If you are looking for a dynamic dresser for your bedroom. Or a beautiful buffet for your dining room. Or a CRAZY gorgeous credenza for your entry hall or living room. You have DEFINATELY found it! This beauty is part of the original Chin Hua Collection designed by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture in 1975. The entire collection was retired in 1998 after a 23-year successful run. So successful that Century Furniture reissued the collection in 2012. And it is no wonder they revived it. The Chin Hua Collection was one of Century’s most revered collections of all time. And this piece bears the original Century Furniture tag and is not part of the new collection and is only available vintage!!! So, It’s your LUCKY DAY!!! Playing with Hollywood Regency and Chinoiserie styles, Raymond Sabota designed this piece oh-so-handsomely. It is comprised of a stunning rectangular ebony-toned wood framework featuring beautiful burlwood inlays on the door fronts, 6 drawers, and phenomenal recessed top. It exhibits double doors in the center of the cabinet and three drawers on each side of the double doors all surrounded with beautiful brass trim & displaying magnificent brass hardware. And hidden BEHIND those double doors lies a marvelous secret!! THREE more drawers graduating from narrow at the top to a bit wider at the bottom AND they also have lovely brass pulls in the center of each drawer. That’s NINE drawers total!! Talk about AMPLE storage space for linens, clothes, books, or whatever your stow-away needs are! It is going to be an incredible addition to your bedroom or dressing area if you choose to use it as a dresser but its usage is not limited to that! It will be BEAUTIFUL in your dining room used as a sideboard or buffet, in the family room as a cabinet for games, toys, and art supplies, or in an entry utilized as a credenza hosting a lovely sculpture or artwork on top and endless options below. Whatever its use, it bears an EXQUISITE and timeless style you are sure to love for years to come! Raymond Karl Sobota (1914-2010) is an award-winning American furniture designer. He attended and obtained his degree in design from Kendall College of Art and Design in his native home of Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating in 1946 Sobota apprenticed with his namesake and uncle, a furniture designer as well, Karl Schmidt, who designed for Berkey and Gay Furniture Company. He apprenticed for seven years leading to his designing for Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Co., the Mt. Airy Furniture Co., Hekman Furniture and finally Century Furniture for whom he designed from 1952 until 1995. He designed all the company’s wood furniture during that time in total, over 150 collections. The most notable being Citation, Chin Hua, Claridge, and the Henry Ford Museum and the British National Trust collections. Sobota is credited for helping make Century Furniture the industry leader it is today. Century Furniture Company, one of the world’s largest privately owned upper-end residential furniture manufacturers, was founded in 1947 by Harley Ferguson Shuford, Sr. When first formed Century Furniture was a selling agent for local upholstery lines. But as soon as a year later Shuford had built a case goods plant in Hickory, North Carolina and that started it all. Harley Shuford along with his siblings and children acquired company after company expanding into upholstered furniture, chair manufacturing, and even a leather division. Century has made it through feast and famine in the furniture business and today retains their long-standing role as a leading force in the American home furnishings market. This amazing Chin Hua dresser...
Brass
$18,500
H 38 in W 91.5 in D 20.25 in
Hollywood Regency Style Black Lacquer Sideboard, Credenza , Maison Jansen Style
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Hollywood Regency Style Black Lacquer Sideboard / Credenza , Maison Jansen Style, Bronze, Marble A simply stunning palatial sideboard or credenza in the fashion of Maison Jansen. Th...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Black Lacquer Union National Fitted Interior Buffet
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage black lacquer credenza featuring ornate gold chinoiserie detailing along the doors and trim. This Asian-inspired piece, likely from the 1970s or early 1980s, boasts four cabi...
Wood, Lacquer
$2,595
H 31 in W 76 in D 19 in
Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Burl Wood and Ebonized Wood Dresser or Credenza
By Stanley Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Campaign style long dresser or credenza By Stanley Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burl wood, with ebonized trim, and original bra...
Brass
$6,200
H 34.5 in W 58.5 in D 16 in
Hollywood Regency, Empire Style, Satin Black Wood, Bronze, Credenza, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
Hollywood Regency, Empire Style, Satin Black Wood, Bronze, Green Marble, Credenza, 1940s A sophisticated credenza featuring a green and white marble top set on a refinished ebony ba...
Marble
Vintage Asian Black Lacquered Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Asian black lacquered credenza embodies timeless elegance and sophisticated design. Drawing inspiration from classic Chinoiserie aesthetics, its sleek silhouet...
Wood
$3,995
H 32 in W 66 in D 16 in
Hollywood Regency Style Ebony & Silver Goldleaf Credenza By Renzo Rutili
By Renzo Rutili
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Phenomenal fully refinished Sideboard Designed by Renowned 1960s designer Renzo Rutili for John Stuart Inc circa 1960. Renzo Rutili (1901–1966) was a notable American furniture desi...
Walnut
Chin Hua Dresser Credenza by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Century Chin Hua Dresser Credenza Sideboard buffet or dresser manufactured by Century Furniture as part of the Chin Hua collection from the 1970s. E...
Brass
$3,200
H 37 in W 68 in D 21 in
18th Century Style Sideboard Finished in Black Lacquer with Gold Accents
By Sheraton Revival
Located in Toronto, CA
18th Century Style Sideboard Finished in Black Lacquer with Gold Accents This is a quality made sideboard in the traditional style by Berkey & Gay a well know manufacturer of qua...
Hardwood
Hollywood Regency Upright Jewelry Dresser by Dixie
By Dixie Furniture Co.
Located in Redding, CT
Hollywood Regency upright jewelry dresser. This vintage piece made by Dixie has been custom fitted for jewelry. The original knobs have been moved to...
Brass
French Style Chest of Drawers in solid wood
Located in Redding, CT
French Style Chest of Drawers in solid Wood. Heavy solid piece with dramatic black and brown contrast. Solid brass handles. Great amount of storage .
Brass
Drexel Kensington Faux Bamboo Desk
By Drexel
Located in Redding, CT
Drexel Kensington Faux Bamboo Desk. Fabulous designer piece with plenty of storage . Signed lower left drawer. Repainted and ready to go. Dimensions:...
Metal
Pair of Faux Bamboo Nightstands in the Style of Henry Link
By Henry Link
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of faux bamboo nightstands in the style of Henry Link. Classic lines and design. We think these would be amazing in a gloss gray. ...
Metal
Thomasville Allegro Faux Bamboo Desk with Bookcase Hutch Top and chair
Located in Redding, CT
Thomasville Allegro Faux Bamboo Desk with Matching Hutch Bookcase Top. Very rare chinoiserie piece from the 1970's . This classic well made American furniture is so desirable. Its cl...
Metal
Pair of Asian Style Nightstands
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Asian Style Nightstands . Nice tall nightstands with two drawers of ample storage . Handsome design with warm wooden tones and brass accents.
Brass
