YES… Actually, you ARE seeing DOUBLE!! This is a phenomenal DOUBLE display cabinet, China cabinet, or bookcase by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture!! This outstanding piece is part of the original Chin Hua collection designed by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture in 1975. The entire collection was retired in 1998 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 2 separate pieces as the top separates from the base, but it’s not designed to use the two pieces separately. However, it is nice for shipping and relocating purposes! The entire piece is all one depth, and the frame is comprised of white ash burlwood with ebonized maple accents and stunning brass hardware. The top of the cabinet is lighted and features four glass front doors with a black wood center divider inside between each cabinet and a total of six 3/8-inch glass shelves (three on each side) with plate grooves behind them. WOW!! The base has two sets of beautiful burlwood front double doors which feature gorgeous brass accent pulls and inside, a fixed wood partial shelf on each side. Talk about wonderful storage space!! Fill it with your favorite sculptures, books, plates, linens, or objects d’art! Whatever you choose to fill it with, this double display cabinet or bookcase is ready to make a bold statement in your living room, dining area, study, or any room that needs a bit of chinoiserie excellence.
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 Chin Hua double display china cabinet or bookcase by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture is a must-have! You NEED to make it yours!!
