I am looking to find the value of this table and chairs and where/how best to sell the set. It's a 1950s mid century dining table with 3 leaves and 6 chairs. The manufacturer is Kent of Grand Rapids.
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This company was in business from 1946 to 1975. This is a Danish modern set. It is not popular in my area. However, retro 1950s and 1960s sets seem to be in demand on eBay, with prices $500 and up.
Beautiful set.
One drawback may be the color of the chair cushions which may not adapt to everyone's decor.
Are the cushions separate? Not attached (looks like this)?
I will do more research but I'm sure Pghgirl will check in soon and help us with this set.
Thanks for posting! Can you give me a little more information on your lovely set?
Is the dining table marked Kent Grand Rapids or the chairs or both? Do you have the other half of the tag?
I ask because there were two furniture companies with the name Kent in Grand Rapidsone from the late 1800s to early 1900s and one much later, from the 1940s to the 1970s. I am really curious which company/era yours is from.
You stated that the set is from the 1950s. Are you positive that both the chairs AND the table are from the 1950s?
At a glance, the table appears to be a much older style with the baluster base and the chairs are very sleek in a mid century modern style.
To me, while they look lovely together, I am thinking they were NOT purchased together. I could be wrong, but they are different styles. To me, the able that would have been purchased with those chairs would have had thin, sleek legs and yours has the lovely baluster stand. Chairs that would have gone with that table style would be more ornate and have more "gingerbread" trims on them.
You may want to call the Grand Rapids Museum, which has an extensive furniture division and ask them to help you figure out what you have (old Kent or newer Kent and if this is a true set).
Their number is 616-929-1700.
So, what got me started down the rabbit hole on answer is that I am fascinated by the chairs. In an ironic twist, they remind me of a brand that also has Kent in the nameKENT COFFEYwhich right now is HIGHLY collectible.
I dont think the two brands are related, but I never researched that angle.
Kent Coffey furniture was out of the furniture beltin lovely North Carolina. They were around from the early 1900s until the mid-1980s. Right now their MCM furniture is HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE and fetches huge sums in the right setting.
They had a very popular line in the 1960s that looked just like your chairs the same curved backs and sleek leg linesbut the table that went with them had very sleek lines with thin curved legs.
Since your table is marked Kent Grand Rapids I know that you do not have a Kent COFFEY SET, but this is why I am asking if it is possible they were purchased separately.
I say this because getting new chairs for an older dining set was an easy way to modernize without spending a lot of money).
Also why I am so focused on do you have a true set, is it is really important to know to help you value the pieces correctly.
FOR EXAMPLE, if your chairs were original KENT COFFEY, they could fetch in the high $1500s alone (without the table). If it was a KENT COFFEY SET (which we know it is NOT, it could fetch up to $3,000 in the right setting).
On the other hand, a Kent Grand Rapids dining set from the 40s-70s fetches (at least around where I am in the hundreds of dollarsusually between $250 to $500 for a dining set. The chairs alone would only fetch $10-$20 each. This is a huge price difference
Add to that that if the dining table was from the first Kent, it would be an antique. I have never seen any of the Kent furniture sell so I am not sure how that would price out. For that you would need to check with an antique/vintage dealer in your town to figure it out. That could be even more valuable than a COFFEY piece--I am just not sure.
The huge price differences are why it is so important to know exactly what you have before you try to sell it so you get the true value for what you have and can market it correctly.
My fear is if the chairs are a different brand (and one that is highly collectibleeven if they are NOT a Kent Coffeythere are many other MCM brands right now that are highly sought after), someone would snatch your pieces up at the low ball Kent Grand Rapids price and sell the chairs off at their much higher value.
Better you know that upfront and the money can go into your pocketnot someone elses!
I am looking forward to learning more about exactly what you have!!
Thanks for sharing! Post back with more info.
PS...I just noticed there were a bazillion typos in my post. My deepest apologies. I was having all kinds of computer issues and what I was seeing on my screen is NOT what was finally posted. I hate when that happens. If you can't understand any of my note, please let me know and I will clarify! I am so excited to learn more about your lovely set!
Hello! Thank you so much for the information. The table and chairs were purchased as a set and the chairs have the same label, yet the table label is the best version-mostly there. The maker is definitely the company that was short lived - I checked with the museum. I discussed with my parents. They bought the set in 1955 from a catalog For Kent which gave them multiple options for table tops and leg designs and chair combos in a host of different wood species. My parents dont know the difference between what was considered modern or more of a classic or older design. The set was purchased through a furniture distributor in Philadelphia. My mother in law paid extra to have the double pedestal as she did not want corner legs on the table nor the thinner structure of then modern designs. She wanted unencumbered leg room and wanted multiple extension leaves.
The chairs I agree are very popular mid century design and the company must made the table as a one off.
The chair cushions come off and the fabric has been reupholstered-which is why the labels are in worse shape.
Thanks for the information!!!
Thanks so much for the update!! Have you decided what to do about selling?
Because of the size and the unique situation where they are matched (by brand) but not by style, you probably would be best served by having a consignment shop or antique store (even through they are technically antiques which are 100 years old or older) sell them for you.
Because Mid Century Modern items are super hot right now (but getting near the end of the craze) you could end up getting more for the chairs than the table...which is crazy (after I did my initial research I did a little more digging).
Post back how the sale goes. These are great pieces with a great story!! To me the story needs to go with the furniture because people love that and truly I find pay more when there is some history that goes with the item!
Blessings!!
Thank you. I have had a few local antique dealers come by -those specializing in mid century. Awaiting their thoughts and which dealer will give me the best deal.
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