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.
$3,326 / set
H 41.74 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Rustic Carved Wooden Bar With Stools And Wine Chest, 20th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Carved Wooden Bar with Stools and Wine Chest - Rustic and Functional Set Discover this unique set including a solid carved wooden bar, two matching stools and an elegant wine chest....
Metal
Two Piece Antique Bar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
L-shaped bar made of two pieces with black faux slate top. Carved front, storage in back. V shape bar: 39"h, 59.5"w, 31"d Rectangle bar: 39"h, 41"w, 18"d Please confirm location NY ...
Wood
Victorian Style Carved Oak Front and Back Bar
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Monumental Carved Oak Front and Back Bar Item Code: BAR50 An impressive carved oak front and back bar, designed in the Victorian taste and offering a substantial architectural presen...
Oak
$8,160 / set
H 86 in W 72 in D 16 in
1950s American Old Hickory Cedar Bar Set by Rittenhouse, Fluted Design
Located in Queens, NY
Set of American Old Hickory style (1950s) cedar bar furniture including a 2 section back bar cabinet, 4 bar stools, & a bar with a fluted Front De...
Wood
$8,995 / item
H 68 in W 79 in D 29 in
R. J. Horner Renaissance Revival Oak Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1880s
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique or Renaissance Revival sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet Attributed to R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1880s Quarter sawn oak, with ornate carved figures, go...
Bronze
$3,742
H 41 in W 60 in D 17 in
A Front of House Country Oak Bar/Greeter A Front of House Free Standing Oak Bar
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Front of House Country Oak Bar/Greeter A Front of House Free Standing Oak Bar or Reception Greeter, this is a substantial piece, it has a good thick counter top, the front and sid...
Oak
$11,285 / set
H 40.16 in W 39.38 in D 23.63 in
Rare Sculptural Brutalist Rootwood Bar Ensemble France 1950s 5-Piece Dry Bar Set
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare sculptural brutalist rootwood bar ensemble, France, 1950s. Likely produced in France during the 1950s, reflecting the early brutalist design movement in post-war Europe. A rare...
Wood, Fabric
$4,800
H 55.5 in W 68 in D 26.5 in
Antique French Oak Liquor Cabinet Bar Sideboard Server Allegorical Barley Twist
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb antique french oak allegorical cabinet, sideboard, server, buffet, liquor cabinet or bar~~highly carved with barley twist pillars and biblical scene carvings ~~c. 1880s This is a must see! Outstanding 19th century French oak exquisitely carved "Allegorical" sideboard, liquor cabinet or bar, server, or buffet~~barley twist posts with lion capitals and exquisitely carved biblical figures and scenes~~twin cherub masks serve as pulls for two upper drawers~~beautifully carved sides The top left drop down door portrays a devil with his imps and goat on a tether. The top right drop down door portrays Pegasus with muses. The lower left cabinet door features Adam and Eve with forbidden fruit and the snake in the Garden of Eden! The lower right door shows God sending an angel to expel them! This cabinet tells age-old story and is one of a kind with tons of storage~~this would make a wonderful bar or liquor cabinet or use in an office, study or library for supply storage~~quilt or linen storage in a large bath...
Oak
$4,995
H 46 in W 60 in D 19.5 in
R. J. Horner Style Renaissance Revival Oak Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1890s
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Victorian or Renaissance Revival sideboard, hunt board, credenza, or bar cabinet In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1890s Quarter sawn oak, with ...
Oak
Antique Spanish Renaissance Bar Cabinet in Oak, 1890
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite late 19th century Renaissance style Spanish Bargueno cabinet, richly carved with wrought iron lock and coil legs. Incredible details and craftsmanship in a most impressive ...
Walnut
Vintage Viking Oak Kneehole Writing Desk with Matching Chair by Romweber
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Lafayette, IN
Excellent vintage writing desk in the Viking Oak style by the Romweber Furniture Co. of Batesville, IN. This charming desk features wonderful relief carved details, solid oak constru...
Brass
Rare Vintage Rustic Western Oak Desk & Chair Set from Yellowstone National Park
By Westwood Industries
Located in Lafayette, IN
This desert oak desk & chair set was custom ordered by the Yellowstone National Park Services from Westwood of Texas. We procured this particular des...
Iron
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ranch Oak Desk and Matching Chair by Brandt
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Great little desk in the "Ranch Oak" style and manufactured by Brandt Furniture Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. Desk features a great size paired with that wonderful, faux-weathered wester...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Grand style and grand scale combine in this wonderful executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Desk features walnut construction, brass and mahogany pulls, and the renowned Dunba...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Asian-Influenced Pagoda Desk by The Northern Furniture Co.
By RWAY
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare pagoda writing desk by The Northern Furniture Company /Rway. Desk features a floating, pagoda-inspired top, unique Bakelite/silver drawer pulls...
Silver
Rare Mid-Century Modern Walnut Push-Button Executive Desk by SLS Environetics
By Lehigh Leopold
Located in Lafayette, IN
This ultra-rare and ultra-cool desk features a black steel frame, walnut veneer cabinet and brushed-aluminum legs with rosewood inlay. The contrasting woods, aluminum accents and minimalist, mid-century lines, make this desk is the epitome of 70's chic! However, what makes this desk truly remarkable is its parlor trick... Cable-actuated, spring-loaded drawers that open at the touch of a button! (see video) This unique desk was custom-designed by SLS Environetics and produced by Leopold/Litton Industries for use in offices at the Sears Tower...
Steel, Aluminum
