Some vintage Romweber Furniture Company designs may strike the young as passé. But for fans of a certain age, the American brand never went out of style.
The Romweber story began in the late 1800s, with the launch of American Furniture Company, which made bedroom furniture, Batesville Cabinet Company, a dining-room-set manufacturer, and Batesville Coffin Company. The three companies eventually merged to become a large and reputable manufacturer of case goods, furniture and more.
Not unlike many American companies, production at Romweber suffered during the Great Depression. The brand managed to stay afloat by making a rather strange pivot — to selling five-pound fruitcake boxes. During the Second World War, Romweber pivoted again, this time to the production of ammunition boxes and pontoons for American troops and, naturally, furniture for officers’ quarters.
While Romweber furniture (spelled “RomWeber” in vintage advertisements), dating back to the early 20th century, had designers working in the French Rococo and Chippendale styles, the brand is best known for its mid-century modern pieces. In the postwar years, Romweber manufactured walnut case pieces and storage cabinets that featured decorative olive-ash and burl-wood inlays with brass hardware as well as solid oak credenzas and dining tables designed by the likes of Harold Schwartz. For collectors of sophisticated 1950s furniture, the company’s sturdy Viking Oak line is particularly popular.
“It’s not uncommon for customers to say, ‘My parents had this Romweber Viking set,’” says Adam Cramer of collectors who visit Liberty & 33rd, the gallery he owns with his wife in South Bend, Indiana, about three hours north of Romweber’s birthplace in small-town Batesville. “It’s solid oak,” Cramer tells 1stDibs of the line of tables, chairs, desks and more.
Solid oak is the product of slow-growing deciduous trees. Solid oak furniture is durable, desirable and an investment that is usually associated with a hefty price. In solid oak furnishings, such as those that make up the covetable Romweber Viking Oak line, which launched in 1935, there aren’t any scraps of other components in the construction.
Inspired by Scandinavian folk design, Romweber’s Viking Oak is said to have enjoyed one of the longest runs for a commercial furniture line in history. The collection went out of production in the late 1980s, and mid-century editions remain highly prized for their exceptional quality and hand-carved details.
Find vintage Romweber furniture on 1stDibs.
Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Gentleman's Chest, Circa 1960s
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency gentleman's chest By Romweber USA, Circa 1960s Cherry wood case, with burl wood banding and front, and unique Italian travertine an...
Travertine, Brass
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign Walnut Dresser
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style long dresser, credenza, or chest of drawers By Drexel Heritage USA, 1970s Beautiful book-matched walnut, with origin...
Brass
Thomasville Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Long Dresser, Circa 1970s
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie nine-drawer long dresser or credenza By Thomasville USA, Circa 1970s Carved walnut case, with burl wood drawer fronts a...
Brass
Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood and Brass Sideboard Credenza
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Romweber USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burled Carpathian elm wood, with brass trim and origi...
Brass
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Dresser or Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern long dresser or credenza By Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Declaration" Line USA, Mid-20th Century Walnut, with original brass hardware. Measu...
Brass
John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Dresser, 1960s
By Dale Ford, John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern six-drawer dresser or credenza By Dale Ford for John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous book-matched walnut, with original rosewood and aluminum...
Aluminum
Vintage Mid Century Modern Dresser with Burl-wood Accents
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Dresser with Burl-wood Accents Dimensions. 60 W ; 18 D ; 31 1/2 H
Wood
Danish Mid-Century Modern 9 Drawers Walnut Burl Wood Long Credenza Dresser Mint!
By Harvey Probber, Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern 9 drawers walnut burl wood long credenza dresser mint!
Walnut, Burl
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Briar Burl Wood Dresser by Hickory White
By Hickory White
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Mid-Century Modern vintage hickory white...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Burl Walnut John Widdicomb 9 Drawers Long Dresser Credenza
By Dale Ford, John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid Century Modern Burl Walnut John Widdicomb 9 Drawers Long Dresser Credenza MINT!
Walnut
American Walnut Burl Mid-Century Modern 9 Drawers Dresser Credenza Cabinet MINT!
By Kipp Stewart, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Stunning American Walnut Burl Accents Mid-Century Modern 9 Drawers Dresser Credenza Cabinet MINT!.
Walnut
Kroehler Mid Century Rosewood and Walnut Lowboy Dresser
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kroehler Mid Century Rosewood and Walnut Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 72 wide x 19 deep x 32 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Areas of Stain Wear and Scratches Througho...
Rosewood, Walnut
