Owing to the company’s collaborations with many leading designers and artists over time, vintage Baker furniture is consistently sought after today. The heritage brand’s chairs, dining tables, desks and other pieces are widely known to collectors and design enthusiasts for their fine craftsmanship and durability.
Within a few decades of its launch, Baker Furniture Company evolved into one of the largest and most important furniture manufacturers in the United States and became known for its high-quality production standards. Siebe Baker and business partner Henry Cook founded the original iteration of Baker Furniture Company in 1890 in Allegan, Michigan, after immigrating to the United States from the Netherlands. Allegan is a small town west of Grand Rapids, which, at that time was home to Widdicomb Furniture Co. and more and was known as America’s furniture capital. The company manufactured doors and interior moldings and introduced a combination desk and bookcase in 1893. In the early 1900s, Siebe became the sole owner of the business.
Among others, stage designer Joseph Urban and modernist designer Kem Weber contributed designs to Baker in the 1920s. In 1932, under the leadership of Siebe’s son, Hollis, who started at the company as a salesman but took the reins when his father passed in 1925, Baker Furniture introduced bedroom pieces and debuted its Manor House collection, which made reproductions of European furnishings available to the American market. (Hollis was an avid traveler and procured antiques overseas for the company to reproduce in the United States.) Soon, Baker Furniture Company moved to Holland, Michigan, and eventually opened showrooms in Grand Rapids and elsewhere.
Pioneering Scandinavian designer Finn Juhl created a Danish modern line for Baker in 1951, and the company produced his award-winning Chieftain chair for a short time. In the late 1950s, Baker introduced the Milling Road label to reach a younger audience with stylish but less costly furnishings like console tables, walnut dining chairs and more, and in 1961, British furniture designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings introduced a modern neoclassical line at Baker.
The 1960s and ’70s saw the introduction of historic reproduction furniture lines such as Woburn Abbey and the Historic Charleston collection, which remain very popular to this day. In 1990, Baker was licensed to produce a furniture line from Colonial Williamsburg. That same year, the Smithsonian Museum introduced Baker’s Chippendale chair into its permanent collection and the Grand Rapids Art Museum dedicated an exhibition to Baker’s 100th anniversary, a showcase that included 150 pieces of furniture Siebe Baker had collected as part of a larger assortment that had served as inspiration for his designs.
Today, vintage Baker furniture, such as its elegant mahogany nightstands and teak credenzas — particularly those crafted by Finn Juhl — sees high demand online and elsewhere. The company continues to produce contemporary collections with well-known designers such as Bill Sofield, Barbara Barry and Kara Mann and remains on par with some of the highest quality furniture in the industry.
Browse vintage Baker armchairs, sofas, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Dunbar Square Two Tier End Side Table Mid-Century Modern American Walnut
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern American walnut one drawer side table nighstand by Dunbar.
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Two Doors Drawer Walnut End Table Nightstand Hammered Pulls
By Heritage-Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern and table night Stand in light walnut with hammered brass hardware by Heritage Henredon.
Brass
Occasional Side Table Finely Carved Solid Walnut Base Figural Top Mid Century
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Occasional Side Table Finely Carved Solid Walnut Base Figural Top Mid Century Mint!
Walnut
Dunbar Walnut Rectangle One Drawer End Side Table Stand
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern rectangle to tier 1 drawer end table by Dunbar. Nice drop pull.
Walnut
Mid-Century Danish Modern One-Drawer Oiled Walnut Night Stand End Table Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Danish Modern One-Drawer Oiled Walnut Night Stand End Table Baughman MINT
Walnut
Walnut Carved Honeycomb Pattern One Door Cube Square Shape Side End Table Stand
By Henredon, Baker Furniture Company, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut Carved Honeycomb Pattern One Door Cube Square Shape Side End Table Stand MINT! One door storage compartment.
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Side End Table
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Table is good structurally. There are some wear on the finish consistent with the age. 5mm or so section of caning is missing. There are couple of small dents on the top. Condition i...
Walnut, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Davis Cabinet Co. Walnut Side Table
By Davis Cabinet Company
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage Davis Cabinet Co. Solid walnut nighstand, end table, cabinet. Very sturdy and in great condition.
Brass
Drexel Mid-Century Modern Campaign Sculpted Walnut Nightstand, Circa 1960s
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Campaign style sculpted walnut nightstand By Drexel USA, Circa 1960s Measures: 25"W x 18"D x 23.13"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Walnut
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table This side table measures: 23.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 20.25 inches high Restored - Mint Condit...
Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut End Table by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Trenton, NJ
This simple yet stylish Mid-Century Modern Walnut End Table perfectly captures the best aspects of classic mid-century style. Crafted from high-quality vintage walnut, these end tabl...
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Side Table with Drawer and Cane Shelf
By Paul McCobb
Located in Trenton, NJ
This mid-century modern side table showcases the quiet confidence of American design from the 1950s–1960s, where proportion, material, and function worked in harmony. Its clean lines...
Wood
