There are lots of coffee tables in this world. But once in a blue moon you come across a TREASURE of a coffee table like this one!!! This piece is attributed to the original Chin Hua Collection designed by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture in 1975. The entire collection was retired in1998 after a 23-year successful run. So successful that Century Furniture reissued the collection in 2012. And it is no wonder they revived it. The Chin Hua Collection was one of Century’s most revered collections of all time. And although not marked, this incredible piece bears a striking resemblance to his masterpieces and the paper label on its underside, although hard to read, bears a strong resemblance to the Century Furniture labels. Playing with Ming Style and a bit of Chinoiserie flair this piece has been designed oh-so-handsomely. It is comprised of a sultry black or ebony square wood frame and Ming style legs with a beautiful burl wood inset top. It’s simple and stunning and will add an exquisite presence to your living or family room and will harmonize with or accent many other design styles from mid-century modern to industrial and more.
Raymond Karl Sobota (1914-2010) is an award-winning American furniture designer. He attended and obtained his degree in design from Kendall College of Art and Design in his native home of Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating in 1946 Sobota apprenticed with his namesake and uncle, a furniture designer as well, Karl Schmidt, who designed for Berkey and Gay Furniture Company. He apprenticed for seven years leading to his designing for Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Co., the Mt. Airy Furniture Co., Hekman Furniture and finally Century Furniture for whom he designed from 1952 until 1995. He designed all the company’s wood furniture during that time totally, over 150 collections. The most notable being Citation, Chin Hua, Claridge, and the Henry Ford Museum and the British National Trust collections. Sobota is credited for helping make Century Furniture the industry leader it is today.
Century Furniture Company, one of the world’s largest privately owned upper-end residential furniture manufacturers, was founded in 1947 by Harley Ferguson Shuford, Sr. When first formed Century Furniture was a selling agent for local upholstery lines. But as soon as a year later Shuford had built a case goods plant in Hickory, North Carolina and that started it all. Harley Shuford along with his siblings and children acquired company after company expanding into upholstered furniture, chair manufacturing, and even a leather division. Century has made it through feast and famine in the furniture business and today retains their long-standing role as a leading force in the American home furnishings market.
We ADORE this black & burl coffee table attributed to the Chin Hua Collection by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furniture… and surely you do too. Why wait? We have a feeling it won’t be here long! Make it YOURS!!!!!
