Compared to that other furniture-makers in historically minded Grand Rapids, Michigan, the work of Mastercraft seems positively flamboyant. The company was founded in 1947 by brothers Charles and William Doezema, who hailed from a long line of cabinetmakers. They went overseas during their service in World War II, and returned home with a plan to make furniture with cosmopolitan flair. Their firm specialized in chairs and case pieces that have modernized traditional forms, finished in exotic wood veneers such as amboyna, yew, burl and fruitwood, and trimmed in brass. Bureaus and credenzas often feature cabinet fronts with decorative brass details such as silhouettes of flowers and birds, or figures that resemble Chinese characters.
In later years, Mastercraft created chairs and glass-topped coffee tables with brass frames. Some pieces included touches like the Greek key — a motif that appears in the decorative arts of both Asian and European antiquity. After Mastercraft was acquired by industry giant Baker Furniture in 1974, the company produced a large group of case pieces featuring applied brass plaques, acid-etched with semi-abstract forms by the German-born, Vancouver-based artist Bernhard Rohne.
The latter are some of the most popular Mastercraft pieces, and like all the company’s wares range in price from about $2,000 to $12,000 depending on size, condition and the amount of decorative trim. As you will see on 1stDibs, Mastercraft furnishings made a bold but artful statement — perfect for lending a bit of dash and brawn to a contemporary decor.
Mastercraft Vitrine Brass & Ebonized
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
Located in Hanover, MA
Mastercraft model 21-420 china cabinet vitrine. Clad in antiqued brass with black lacquer trim. Backwall is smoked antiqued mirror. Three tempered clear glass shelves with plate gro...
Brass
$14,550 / set
H 84 in W 36 in D 16 in
Pair Modern Black Lacquered & Brass Curio Display Cabinets by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of modern Mastercraft black lacquered, brass and glass display cabinets or vitrines. These beautiful cabinets feature a burnished brass over a black lacquered frame, three adjus...
Brass
Tall Mid Century Modern Brass and Glass Mastercraft Vitrine Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous brass and glass tall showcase with 4 thick glass shelves etched for showing plates. Shelves are adjustable. Two glass doors each hung on 4 hinge...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass Vitrine / Display Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Discover the allure of refined vintage design with this exceptional Mastercraft brass vitrine display cabinet. Meticulously ...
Brass
Vintage Brass Vitrine / Display Cabinet by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your interior with this stunning vintage brass vitrine, masterfully designed by Mastercraft in the 1980s. This exquisite display cabinet features two gracefully curved glass ...
Brass
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 85 in W 32 in D 16 in
Stunning Mastercraft Brass Vitrine Mid-Century Regency Modern
By Mastercraft
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic Mastercraft brass vitrine. This magnificent vitrine has four heavy doors that open to reveal thick glass shelves with a plate ridge for displayin...
Brass
$3,500
H 84 in W 36.5 in D 16 in
Vintage Mastercraft Brass and Glass Light Up Mirrored Etagere Shelving Unit
By Mastercraft
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Mastercraft brass and glass shelving unit. This beautiful etagere/shelving unit features a solid brass and glass design, very common among Mastercraft items of the era. Thi...
Brass
Brass and Glass Lighted Étagère Vitrine
By Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern lighted étagère possibly designed by Mastercraft (unmarked). High quality craftsmanship metal protective finish in excellent origina...
Brass
Henredon Black Lacquer and Brass Display Cabinets/Vitrines
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful pair of Henredon lacquer, brass, and beveled glass display cabinets. Each equipt with four adjustable shelves with plate ridge and 3 way adj...
Brass
$4,500
H 80.25 in W 36 in D 20 in
Vintage Chrome and Brass Vitrine / Display Cabinet, Mastercraft Style
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning vintage vitrine/display cabinet that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship reminiscent of Mastercraft pieces, expertly manufactured in the United States duri...
Brass, Chrome
Mastercraft Pair of American Mid-Century Brass & Glass Curio Cabinets
By Mastercraft
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century curio / display cabinets with polished lacquered brass frames, two compartments containing two adjustable glass shelves in the top section and one in the...
Brass
Modern Steel and Glass Showcase Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Modern glass showcase cabinet with steel & glass fittings and 2 large sliding glass front doors with 8 glass shelves above an ebonized base with 2 sli...
Steel
Italian Mid-Century Vitrine Cabinet by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1950s) walnut and maple vitrine cabinet with a Pair of sliding glass doors and 2 interior shelves with a blue glass top (Attributed to VITTORIO DASSI) (Enzo Ferr...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
Mid-Late 1900s Modern Glass Showcase Cabinet with 6 Shelves
Located in Queens, NY
"Modern glass showcase cabinet with steel & aluminum fittings with 2 sliding mirrored doors on a wood base with 6 adjustable glass shelves a...
Glass
Ebonized Art Deco Bookcase Cabinet in Style of Pierre Chareau, 1930s
By Pierre Chareau
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco ebonized 2-section bookcase cabinet with top section having sliding glass and lacquered doors above a base with 2 doors (Manner of Pierre Chareau)
Wood, Glass
Mid-Century Scandinavian Vitrine Cabinet, Mahogany, Floral Inlay
Located in Queens, NY
Scandinavian Mid-Century light mahogany display/vitrine cabinet with a keystone shaped top sections supported on a base with a fluted apron and inlaid floral design trim.
Mahogany
