Before it became a legendary American manufacturer of traditional furniture, Kittinger Furniture was a paper company called Thompson, Colie & Company (later to become Colie & Son), after its founders, Oliver and George Colie. The father-son entrepreneurs started a small business in 1866 manufacturing paper products and, subsequently, upholstered furniture in Buffalo, New York. Business for the latter was so successful that in order to keep up with demand, the Colies opened a second factory in 1885 that focused on handcrafted furniture designed in 18th-century styles.
Later, George Colie decided to sell his beloved company to his son-in-law, Irvine J. Kittinger Sr., and his brother, Ralph. They changed the name to the Kittinger Furniture Company in 1913. In 1929, the company’s sales exceeded $1 million, which allowed the brothers to expand far beyond Buffalo, opening showrooms in Chicago, Dallas and other cities across the United States, where they could present their expert reproductions of popular historic furniture styles for the home and office.
In 1937, Kittinger was granted an exclusive license to reproduce antique custom furniture for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The company manufactured Hepplewhite-style chests of drawers, mahogany Chippendale dressers, Asian-influenced mid-century modern marble-top coffee tables of ebonized wood and a variety of other pieces. The brand’s revered Mandarin line, a Hollywood Regency–style collection that debuted in the 1940s, included bedroom furnishings such as lacquered wood vanities, nightstands and more, each featuring prominent Greek key drawer pulls and decorative black trim.
Between the mid-1970s and 1990s, Kittinger Furniture changed hands frequently and even went out of business. In 1996, Raymond Bialkowski, a former master cabinetmaker for the company, and his wife, Karen, purchased the company and, along with some other former Kittinger craftsmen, began creating furniture under its name once again in north Buffalo. Over the years, Kittinger has produced furniture for the White House, including a handcrafted conference table and chairs for the Cabinet Room during President Nixon’s administration and chairs for the Roosevelt Room in 2016.
Today, the award-winning Kittinger Furniture continues to make historical and new custom handcrafted pieces of high quality.
Find a range of Kittinger Furniture on 1stDibs.
Kittinger Mandarin Style Chest Dresser Black and White Lacquer Five Drawers
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern high chest dresser with Greek key motive by Kittinger.
Oak
Two-Tone Black and White Lacquer 10 Drawers Dresser Cabinet
By James Mont, Kittinger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern black and white lacquer dresser attributed to James Mont. Greek key style pulls.
Mahogany
Black Lacquer & Silver 5 Drawers Art Deco Tall Chest Dresser MINT
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Balck & Silver 5 Drawers Art Deco Tall Chest Dresser MINT
Walnut
Black Lacquer Beveled Front 5 Drawers Bachelor Chest Dresser Large Gold Pulls
By James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black Lacquer Beveled Front 5 Drawers Bachelor Chest Dresser Large Gold Pulls MINT!
Hardwood, Oak
Black Lacquer Four Drawer Bachelor Chest
By James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
James Mont mid century modern style black lacquer four drawer bachelor chest.
Walnut
American of Martinsville Black & Blond 10 Drawers Dresser on Bracket Feet MINT!
By American of Martinsville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American of Martinsville Black & Blond 10 Drawers Dresser on Bracket Feet MINT!
Birch
French Art Deco Dresser in Black Lacquer with Polished Nickel Hardware, 1940s
Located in Ulm, DE
This elegant French Art Deco chest of drawers, created in the 1940s, is a striking example of refined craftsmanship and bold design. Expertly restored and finished in a deep, mirror-like black piano lacquer, it radiates timeless glamour while offering practical sophistication for modern interiors. Measuring 120 cm in width (47.2 in), 90 cm in height (35.4 in), and 50 cm in depth (19.7 in), this piece stands confidently without overwhelming a space — ideal for bedrooms, entryways, or living rooms. The commode features three spacious drawers, beautifully constructed with dovetail joints, each adorned with freshly nickel-plated circular handles that catch the light like finely cast jewelry. What makes this piece truly captivating is its sculptural presence: the body curves subtly outward at the front, framed by vertical columns reminiscent of classical architecture. These columnar details are crowned with polished metal finials, their Art Deco lines softened by the lustrous sheen of fresh nickel. The base flows into elegantly shaped legs, finished with refined metal sabots that echo the visual rhythm of the upper corners. The black lacquer surface is not simply painted, but built up through layers of traditional high-gloss piano finish — each one hand-polished to achieve a flawless, liquid-like surface that reflects its surroundings with incredible depth. More than just a chest of drawers, this Art Deco commode is a sculptural statement — designed to be admired, touched, and used. Whether holding your wardrobe essentials or serving as a luxurious accent in a curated interior, this piece embodies the elegance of 1940s Paris...
Chrome
John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Highboy Dresser, 1950s
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign five-drawer highboy dresser By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid cherry wood, with original brass hardwa...
Brass
Art Deco French Black Lacquer & White Credenza Sideboard, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A large 1940s Art Deco sideboard credenza features a remarkable off white rework and a black color refinishing. It has a spacious cedar interior with two doors and four drawers for d...
Brass
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Chest of Drawers
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style two-drawer lowboy dresser or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, 1960s Bla...
Brass
Art Deco French Black White Lacquer Credenza Sideboard, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A large 1940s Art Deco sideboard credenza features a remarkable black white (off white) and black rework color refinishing. It has a spacious cedar interior with two doors and four d...
Brass
Stunning Greek Key Tall Mandarin Chest Designed by Kittinger 1940s Modern
By Kittinger
Located in Buffalo, NY
Fabulous tall chest of drawers/dresser by Kittinger from their earliest Mandarin collection with bold Greek Key drawer handles. Retains it's original two-toned light grey and cream l...
Wood
