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Founders Furniture Company Desks

American

Founders Furniture Company was a short-lived 20th-century American brand that produced enduring mid-century modern designs. The company's streamlined dressers, lounge chairs and coffee tables feature solid wood construction and simple but elegant designs.

The history of Founders Furniture Company began in 1946 when it was established as a subsidiary of Knoll Inc., an esteemed manufacturer known mainly at the time for its pioneering workplace furniture — largely owing to the work of visionary designer Florence Knoll — so it launched Founders as its residential division.

During its years of operation, Founders hired celebrated American modernist designers like Milo Baughman and David Parmelee, who created sleek commodes and sideboards in mahogany and rosewood for the brand. Michigan native Jack Cartwright, a designer at Heritage during the 1950s, also worked at Founders as head designer before moving on to start his eponymous furniture company in 1963.

Founders continued operations until 1965 when Thomasville Furniture acquired it. Established in 1904 in North Carolina — home to other iconic mid-century brands such as Drexel and Broyhill — Thomasville expanded significantly during the 1960s and purchased several other American furniture manufacturers.

Today, the timeless styles and exceptional craftsmanship associated with Founders Furniture Company pieces continue to render them desirable even for today’s interiors.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Founders case pieces, seating, tables and more.

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Creator: Founders Furniture Company
Founders Furniture Co. Rectangular Walnut and Bronze Desk
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century desk with a rectangular walnut top containing four drawers with bronze horizontal bar drawer pulls, supported on two Sets of four bronze legs on either side with...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Restored Chestnut Bronze 4-Drawer Large Desk by Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the United States towards the late 1960s, this desk was designed by Jack Cartwright and manufactured by Founders in very low numbers, probably due to the quality required dur...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Founders Light Blonde Pecan Single Pedestal Desk Tubular Chrome Legs MINT!
By Henredon, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Founders light blonde pecan single pedestal desk tubular chrome legs MINT! Solid wood construction dovetail joints.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Chrome

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Jack Cartwright Rosewood Credenza for Founders
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Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
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Jack Cartwright Rosewood Credenza for Founders
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French desk style: Art Deco Year 1920 Material: Wood and chrome It is an elegant and sophisticated dream desk. The quality of the furniture and the exotic wood used make it unique. ...
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1920s French Art Deco Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks

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France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials, Wood and Chrome
France Desk Art Deco, 1920, Materials, Wood and Chrome
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19th Century Carved Oak Pedestal Desk
19th Century Carved Oak Pedestal Desk
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H 31 in W 48 in D 29.38 in
Baker Furniture Campaign Walnut Leather Top Desk
By Milling Road, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Norwood, NJ
This exceptional campaign-style desk by Baker Furniture "Milling Road Collection", showcases the craftsmanship and refined design sensibilities that have long defined the brand. Constructed from beautifully grained walnut and finished with warm, natural tones and tooled brown leather top panels. The desk features classic campaign details including recessed brass drawer pulls and brass corner brackets that lend both durability and timeless character. The top is designed with three inset panels, adding elegant visual structure. A central locking drawer is flanked by two additional slim drawers, perfect for storing writing tools and essentials. Each pedestal contains three deep, well-constructed drawers, offering ample storage for documents and office necessities. File size draw in. each. With its balanced proportions, high-quality materials, and sophisticated styling, this Milling Road desk...
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Materials

Brass

Mid Century Walnut Bachelor’s Chest by Jack Cartwright for Founder’s Furniture
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Large Midcentury Cabinet by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture, circa 1960
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This tall cabinet, designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture around 1960, reflects the clean lines and functional elegance of midcentury modern design. Constructed from oile...
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Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard
By Founders Furniture Company
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1960's Founders Furniture Co. model 21301-48, F-16 sideboard with two cabinet compartments and four double doors with cast bronze finish hardware. The le...
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Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard
Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard
$2,500
H 29 in W 67 in D 19 in
Previously Available Items
Expertly Restored -Jack Cartwright Walnut Cane Executive Desk for Founders Co.
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Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks

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Asymmetrical Mid Century Desk by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture
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Classic mid-century lines distinguish this striking architectural flat top desk. Designed by Jack Cartwright, for Founders Furniture, the desk features an asymmetrical bowtie form to...
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Campaign Style Founders Furniture Light Oak Desk with Brass Plate Accents
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Campaign style writing desk in light oak bookmatched veneer and brass plate accent and hardware made by Founders Furniture. This piece is in wonderful vintage condition apart from some missing veneer on one of the drawers which has now been repaired. Please see photos, circa 1970s. This marvellous desk needs to be yours! It was made circa 1970s in a Campaign style that was as popular then as it is today. Comprised of four drawers in the left stack and four drawers in the right stack with a single centre pencil drawer. It has very clean straight lines and is covered in light oak veneer which is bookmatched and has a very wide beautiful grain. It makes me think of a tiger skin. This gorgeous graining is accented by brass plated beading around each drawer in the upper row and each bank of three equal sized drawers in its two tower stacks. The antique brass plated recessed Campaign style handles are the perfect highlight to its blocky style and outstanding grain pattern. Its back is beautifully finished making it able to float in a room. This simple but handsome desk would be perfect in your living room, family room, bedroom, or kitchen. And will blend or complement many design styles including Mid-Century Modern, Industrial, Southwestern, and traditional. If you care to view them, we do have other pieces from this collection by Founders Furniture listed online as well. You need to make this wonderful desk your own. Desk: • Height 29.25 inches • Width 54 inches • Depth 24 inches • Top drawer sizes 4 x 14, 4 x 21, 4 x 14 inches • 4 tower drawer...
Category

1970s American Campaign Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Oak

Founders Furniture Company desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Founders Furniture Company desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Founders Furniture Company desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Founders Furniture Company were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Florence Knoll, Dunbar, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Founders Furniture Company desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $8,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,895.

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