In its sleek credenzas, chic mirrored cabinets and sculptural dining tables, vintage Ello furniture encapsulates the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood Regency style.
Ello founder Lothar H. Molton (1926-2012) took his family and fled Nazi-occupied Germany and established his furniture company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1956 as a garage operation. In 1968, the company moved to the renowned furniture town of Rockford, where many of the country's most well-known producers once set up manufacturing operations. Over the next four decades, Ello enjoyed great success as a producer of furniture and an importer, growing into a 150,000-square-foot warehouse and a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant.
Though more often featuring an integration of flashy brass accents and materials such as travertine versus the dark woods and clean lines associated with mid-century modern design, Ello furniture was known in its heyday for being as practical as it was stylish. The company's motto was "Contemporary Furniture of Distinction," and their designs were highly functional with just the right amount of flair for the modern home.
In 1976, the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel described an Ello modular wall unit as "a rare combination of function plus spectacular glamour." Ello also collaborated with well-known designers of the era, like O.B. Solie. During the 1970s, Solie worked with mirrored glass, bronze, oak and more to design a range of tallboys, chests, sideboards and other pieces that boasted gilt brass escutcheons and brushed chrome drawer pulls.
In its prime, Ello held annual inventory clearance sales that attracted hundreds of customers. People lined up around the warehouse, sometimes camping out days in advance. Sales started to become more frequent, and in 2010, Ello closed its doors. In 2011, they auctioned off the rest of their merchandise.
Today vintage Ello furniture continues to enjoy popularity for its bold but practical designs.
On 1stDibs, find Ello case pieces, tables and bedroom furniture.
$2,495
H 29.75 in W 51.5 in D 20.5 in
Ello Black Glass and Gold Anodized Aluminum Small Server Credenza Cabinet
By Ello Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Elegant small credenza or server cabinet attributed to Ello in black glass and gold anodized and brushed aluminum. It is in wonderful vintage condition. There are a few nicks and din...
Aluminum
Ello Black Glass Four Door Sideboard with Brass Base
By Ello Furniture, O.B. Solie
Located in Hanover, MA
Sleek and minimalist sideboard buffet cabinet with clean lines absent any visible hardware. Clad entirely in black glass, four doors, two cabinets with single shelf, chunky brass cla...
Brass
$5,800
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 16.54 in
Midcentury Black Lacquered Italian Credenza with Gold Leaf Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury black lacquered credenza with a sets of drawers and shelves, red lacquered inside. Gold leaf glass top.
Wood, Lacquer
$18,500
H 30 in W 76 in D 20 in
Breathtaking Black Lacquered and Brass Credenza or Sideboard by Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning and distinct black lacquered and brass detail credenza or sideboard by Mastercraft. Meticulous attention to detail and superb construction, with graphic geometric door ...
Stone, Brass
Two-Tone Black Italian Credenza on Brass Legs
Located in Stamford, CT
A flat black sideboard with high gloss recessed lines. Italian circa 1965. Case has three doors two housing shelves on either side of 5 drawers.
Wood
$10,365Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 64.97 in D 17.72 in
Modern Black, Gold, White, Brass Custom Console Credenza in High Gloss
By Renats Kotlevs
Located in Riga, LV
The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful sideboard is handmade with high-gloss black panels. Luxurious brass pieces bring detail to its base and are referenced by the addition of brass geometrical motifs between drawers. The seven drawer design, which is completed with soft-closing mechanism and with velvet inside, boasts generous storage capacity from all 4 sides. Keep your interior clutter-free by using it to store everything from fine dinnerware...
Brass
$5,800
H 30 in W 62 in D 20.25 in
Three Piece Black & Gold Credenza with Brass Detail & Black Glass Tops
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
This is a very special piece. It has a base frame that connects the two cabinets together. It can be removed to have the two cabinets displayed separately.
Brass
Black lacquer and brass sideboard by Jean Claude Mahey, 1970s
By Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Luxurious seventies glamour sideboard by Jean claude Mahey consitsing of black lacquer panels and brass. The use of different high quality materials makes this piece very attractive...
Brass
$17,500
H 29 in W 80 in D 18 in
Elegant Black Lacquer and Polished Brass Sideboard/Credenza by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning piece of late mid-century design by the great Mastercraft in Grand Rapids. Proportionally exceptional, embodying a "pill" shape with rounded ends, although long visually i...
Brass
Sleek Black Lacquer and Brass Sideboard
Located in North Charleston, SC
A striking credenza in high-gloss black lacquer with polished brass base and trim. Designed with clean minimalist lines and rounded corners, the piece reflects the bold elegance of l...
Brass
