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.
$7,950
H 30 in W 48 in D 23 in
Mid Century Leather Top Writing Desk with Faux Bamboo Legs by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic two-drawer writing desk with a tooled black leather top on a burled walnut case over faux bamboo brass legs. Signed Mastercraft Furniture Co. in a drawer.
Faux Bamboo
Mid Century Burl Top Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Slender lines form a light and airy design in this modern table. A graceful combination of burl wood in a warm brown polished finish atop an organic faux bois base in a satin bronze ...
Marble, Metal
1960s Vintage Burl Wood Campaign Desk From Sligh Furniture
By Sligh Furniture
Located in North Canton, OH
Spectacular Vintage Burl Wood Campaign desk from Sligh Furniture. Very Rare piece. Gorgeous Brass Campaign Hardware. CONDITION DISCLOSURE: Please understand nearly all of our invent...
Wood
$3,850
H 28.5 in W 59 in D 31 in
Vintage Desk With Burlwood Top in the style of Pace Collection, USA 1970's
By Pace Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Vintage Desk With Burlwood Top, inspired by the iconic Pace Collection from the 1970s in the USA. This stunning piece of furniture combines timeless eleganc...
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
Mid-Century Writing Desk by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic sleek vintage writing desk with a two drawer case featuring an unusual mahogany oyster veneer technique on anodized aluminum legs. Stamped Thomasville on the bottom.
Aluminum
$2,995
H 28.75 in W 53.5 in D 17.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Desk, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency, or Art Deco writing desk By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1960s Gorgeous laminated walnut case, with burl wood drawer fronts, an...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk with Oyster Burl Veneer, 1950s
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century rectangular writing desk with an oyster burl veneer and three drawers, resting on four sabre legs.
Wood, Burl
1950s Italian Burl Maple Desk
By (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Stylized 1950s Italian burl maple desk with bronze pulls and glass scrivania top.
Bronze
Wonderful Arthur Umanoff Olivewood Chrome Desk Mid-Century Modern
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Arthur Umanoff olivewood and chrome desk. We love the great looking burled olivewood top with two hidden drawers against the angular chromed legs. Top is in great shape wit...
Chrome
Vintage Italian Burl Wood Writing Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage Italian writing desk showcases rich burl wood with swirling, honey-toned grain across its desktop, paired with gracefully curved cabriole legs that lend an elegant, scul...
Burl
Mid-Century Walnut and Burl Wood Executive Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning mid-century modern executive desk, expertly crafted by Stow Davis in the 1960s in the United States. This piece showcases a beautiful burl wood top, elegantly wrapped in r...
Brass
Vintage Custom-Made Birch Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning vintage desk, custom-made in the 1980s in the United States, is a true masterpiece that elevates any workspace. The desk showcases exquisite craftsmanship with gorgeous...
Birch, Wenge
Vintage Bird’s Eye Maple “Waterfall” Executive Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a beautiful vintage executive desk, expertly designed in the United States during the 1970s, that seamlessly blends functionality with artistic flair. This desk showcases...
Birdseye Maple
Vintage Brass “Demi Lune” Desk by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Allow me to introduce you to the exquisite Demi Luna desk, a stunning piece designed by Mastercraft in the United States. This desk is not just a functional workspace; it’s a rare tr...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful mid-century executive walnut desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk is made with a timeless design that has been profess...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk Attributed to Monteverdi Young
By Monteverdi-Young
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning mid-century walnut desk, an exceptional piece attributed to Monteverdi Young and crafted in the United States during the iconic 1960s. This desk is not just a ...
Brass
