Established in 1907 by Finley H. Coffey and Dr. A.A. Kent, a contemporary and competitor of furniture makers John Bernhardt and James Broyhill, the Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company in Lenoir, North Carolina, developed a name for itself by designing and mass-producing durable, affordable and stylish bedroom furniture, dressers, tables and other items.
Consider Kent-Coffey a precursor to IKEA, with sturdy oak and mahogany furniture rather than particleboard structures and an American-design bent rather than a Swedish one. The company's mid-century modern furniture, under the leadership of Finley’s son Harold, took off. A magazine ad from the era for the brand’s Perspecta collection positioned a minimalist bedroom set front and center, with its walnut and rosewood dresser, an elegant nine-drawer piece that rested on tapered legs and featured gorgeous sculptural details carved into its drawer fronts, occupying most of the page’s real estate. The materials for Kent-Coffey furniture were sourced locally, as the company touted its relationship with the Lilly Company in nearby High Points, North Carolina, as a supplier of its mahogany, for example.
In 1964, Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company was sold to Magnavox (but reportedly operated as a wholly owned subsidiary thereafter), and later, in 1983, the company became part of the furniture branch of the Singer Company (of the sewing-machine fame). Singer shuttered its furniture division in the late 1990s.
Today, as is the case with most of the sophisticated furniture designed in postwar America, work that originated at Kent-Coffey is hard to come by.
Previously owned walnut headboards and vintage bedroom dressers with Formica tops from the company’s Perspecta line and sandalwood continental dressers, for example, are highly valued by collectors. Kent-Coffey’s various mid-century modern lines — such as Goldenaire and Town House — were always clearly branded with identifiers such as drawer markings or stamps on the underside of its coveted end tables.
Find vintage Kent-Coffey case pieces and cabinets, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid Century Kent Coffey Perspecta Highboy Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Baltimore, MD
A Mid-century modern highboy chest of drawer’s dresser the "Perspecta" line by Kent Coffey Minimalist Danish Modern inspired profile handsome example of American craftsmanship. Stunn...
Rosewood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Two-Tone High Chest Dresser Kent Coffey
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Compact chest on chest style Mid-Century Modern two-tone horn and dark expresso coffee high chest dresser.
Walnut
Kent Coffey "Marquee" Highboy Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish mid-century modern highboy dresser from the Kent Coffey "Marquee" line offers the perfect mix of mcm style and spacious storage. Five wide drawers add plenty of storage to an...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser, 5-Drawer Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
A Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser featuring clean lines and timeless design.This chest of drawers is crafted with a warm medium finish, highlighting the natural wood grain through...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser by Henredon
By Heritage-Henredon
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful, mid-century modern walnut, Heritage Henredon, Highboy Dresser circa early 1960’s. This absolute jewel remains in nearly pristine condition. The lines are clean and elega...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern 5-Drawer Highboy Dresser by Hooker Furniture
Located in Seattle, WA
This Mid-Century Modern 5-drawer highboy dresser was made by Hooker Furniture, a well known American manufacturer recognized for quality craftsmanship and stylish mid-century case go...
Wood
$2,250
H 44.25 in W 38.25 in D 19 in
American of Martinsville HighBoy Dresser Chest Mid-Century Modern
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Baltimore, MD
This exceedingly well crafted American of Martinsville louvered slat front drawer highboy dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for his Dania collection, features seven drawers offe...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Kent Coffey "The Cadence" High Boy Dresser
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern high boy features a storage compartment with dividers hidden by two cabinet doors and three large drawers. Sleek design has a unique vertical louvered front on the cabinets and unusual sculpted pulls. Stunning light walnut wood grain and tapered legs make this handsome Mid-Century Case...
Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Tallboy Dresser With Dovetail Drawers
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Dresser with Unique Gold Toned Hardware that Appears to be Original. The Bottom Three Drawers Have Bowed out Curve Detailing Consistent with Mid Century Design Along with Tap...
Wood
Vintage Mid Century Modern Dixie Highboy Dresser Chest
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage mid century modern highboy dresser by Dixie featuring a clean-lined silhouette with tapered legs, recessed framing details, and sculptural brass-toned drawer pulls. The case ...
Wood
Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser with Four Drawers and Brass Hardware
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern highboy dresser features hardwood construction, durable formica top with faux woodgrain, original brass accented hardware, and tall tapered legs. Matching l...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser with 4 Drawers & Chrome Hardware
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern highboy dresser by Bassett Furniture features hardwood construction, original walnut finish, durable formica top, four dovetailed drawers with chrome accented...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser from Sculptra by Broyhill
By Broyhill
Located in Freehold, NJ
This Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser from the Sculptra line by Broyhill features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, three dovetailed drawers with signature...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser with Chrome Hardware
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern four drawer highboy dresser features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, four dovetailed drawers with a variety of hardware, and tall t...
Chrome
Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser with Limed Walnut Finish
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern highboy dresser features hardwood construction, original limed walnut finish, five dovetailed drawers with brass hardware, and tapered legs with stretcher bas...
Brass
Mid Century Modern 5 Drawer Highboy Dresser by Mainline by Hooker
By Mainline by Hooker
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern highboy dresser from Mainline by Hooker features hardwood construction, original walnut finish, white painted sides and top, five dovetailed drawers with orna...
Brass
