What could be better than a Chin Hua Collection end or side table? Well, a PAIR OF THEM, of course!! OH, MY GOODNESS!!!! This is a FANTASTIC pair of round end tables part of the original Chin Hua Collection designed by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture in 1975. The entire Chin Hua 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, these gorgeous pieces are not part of the new collection and are only available vintage. Playing with the Hollywood Regency and Chinoiseries style Sobota designed these end tables exquisitely. Their round frames have a sultry ebonized deep brown ash finish, a decorative, waisted apron under a handsome round tabletop featuring a beautiful burl inset, straight, square legs with a slight curve that meets their charming chow feet. They bear a simple, sophisticated Chinoiserie flair sure to complete your space with incomparable Chin Hua style! They would be wonderful in your living room one on each side of a fabulous chair or the sofa, in your bedroom utilized as nightstands, or separate them and use in different rooms. Whatever their use, they bear an attractive presence and timeless style you are sure to love for years to come!
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 in total 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 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.
This pair of Chin Hua end or side tables by Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture is EXACTLY what the designer ordered!!! What are you waiting for?? You simply MUST make them YOURS!!!
