What an outstanding mirror! It is definitely just what the designer ordered. No matter your design style, this will shine and become a focal point in any room whether it’s an entry hall, dining room, bedroom, or powder room. This unique mirror is part of 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. However, this gorgeous piece is not part of the new collection and is only available vintage. Playing with the Hollywood Regency and Chinoiseries style Sobota designed this piece beautifully. It is comprised of ebonized maple with a scalloped and carved detailed frame that reminds me of an Asian temple.
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 to making 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.
This is one of the most unusual and beautiful mirrors I have ever seen. You need to make it yours.
