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.
Dale Ford Walnut and Cane Sideboard by John Widdicomb
By Dale Ford, John Widdicomb
Located in Chicago, IL
An excellent use of grain pattern and direction create a clean and striking cabinet from John Widdicomb. The cane front doors and open back of the upper piece create depth and add co...
Brass
Bert England Walnut, White and Brass Sideboard with Floating Wall Cabinet
By Bert England, Johnson Brothers
Located in Chicago, IL
By Bert England for Johnson Furniture, this long walnut sideboard cabinet has flush drawers over doors adorned with large brass filigree drop pulls. Additional drawers and storage sp...
Brass
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Walnut Dresser
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in Chicago, IL
Restored to better than new condition, ten-drawer dresser by Kip Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for their Drexel Declaration collection. Four exposed drawers with original spherical ...
Brass
Romweber Burled Walnut and Brass Campaign-Modern Credenza
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Romweber Furniture dark finished burled walnut floating credenza or sideboard. Heavy brass double pedestal base, radiused front with flat back. Brass welting to the lower front file...
Brass
Jan Kuypers Wave Front Birch Sideboard by Imperial of Canada
By Imperial Furniture of Canada, Jan Kuypers
Located in Chicago, IL
A simple yet striking sideboard in birch from the contemporary line of the Imperial Furniture Company. This modern sideboard features wave form door fronts and two semi-open front dr...
Brass
Teak Tambour Door LP Record Credenza
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent tambour door record cabinet constructed in solid teak and teak veneer. The interior is parceled off into three sections. The center section has been designed to hold a turn...
Teak
Exquisite Restored Walnut Credenza by Michael Taylor for Baker, circa 1960
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent cabinet is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. Mi...
Brass
French Walnut Sideboard / Enfilade, Modernist Architectural Design, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Large French modernist walnut sideboard or enfilade dating from the 1960s. The cabinet features a striking architectural façade composed of recessed square walnut panels framed by solid vertical elements, creating a rhythmic geometric composition typical of refined French modernist cabinetry of the period. Crafted in beautifully grained walnut, the sideboard stands on solid block legs that give the piece a sculptural presence while maintaining elegant proportions. The warm walnut tones and strong linear structure make the cabinet a sophisticated focal point within both classic and contemporary interiors. The interior provides generous storage with shelving compartments and includes an original drawer lined with red felt, designed for cutlery or serving accessories. The clean internal construction reflects the quality of European cabinetmaking from the mid-20th century. With its strong architectural design and substantial scale, this sideboard functions beautifully as a dining room buffet, credenza or statement storage cabinet in residential, hospitality or interior design projects. DETAILS Origin: France Period: Mid-Century Modern Date of Manufacture: circa 1960s Materials: Walnut Walnut veneer Metal hardware CONDITION Very good vintage condition with minor wear consistent with age and use. The walnut has developed a beautiful warm patina. DIMENSIONS Height: 82 cm (32.3 in) Width: 226 cm (89 in) Depth: 50 cm (19.7 in) Architectural paneled façade Large scale sideboard Beautiful walnut grain Interior storage with shelving Fitted drawer with red felt lining STYLE French Modernist Mid-Century Modern CATEGORY PROVENANCE Private collection, France. SHIPPING Worldwide shipping available. The piece will be professionally packed and shipped by a specialized fine art and furniture transport company. Custom wooden export crating can be arranged for international shipments. French walnut sideboard French enfilade mid century modern sideboard architectural cabinet modernist credenza 1960s French furniture...
Walnut
Bespoke French Mid Century-Inspired Walnut Sideboard With Three Doors
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke French Mid Century-inspired sideboard with three doors and shelves. Excellent Construction. Lead Time: 12- 16 weeks.
Walnut
Franz Xaver sideboard in walnut Sproll Switzerland 1960
By Franz Xavel Sproll
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
A distinctive walnut sideboard designed by Franz Xaver and produced by Sproll in Switzerland during the 1960s. Crafted in beautifully figured walnut, the sideboard features a detail...
Walnut
South African Mid Century Modern Sapele Mahogany Sideboard by D.S. Vorster
By Paul McCobb
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A newly refinished sapele mahogany buffet / sideboard with brass pulls by D.S. Vorster & Co., made in South Africa c. 1960s. Seldom seen in the United States, Vorster’s works blend ...
Sapele Wood
Franz Xaver Sproll Sideboard in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franz Xaver Sproll, sideboard, walnut, Switzerland, 1960s Swiss furniture maker Franz Xaver Sproll is known for high-quality, hand-crafted furniture in solid wood, featuring charac...
Walnut
