Most people recognize the name Ethan Allen furniture as one of the premier furniture brands in the United States. What is the history of Ethan Allen furniture.
The history of the Ethan Allen company reaches as far back as the 1930s when two brothers-in-law purchased a failing furniture company in Beecher Falls Vermont.
History of Ethan Allen Furniture
Plentiful Vermont forests of hard rock maple and pine trees made the Beecher Falls Furniture Company’s product extremely durable and hearty, but challenging economic times eventually led to their bankruptcy.
Nathan S. Ancell and Theodore Baumritter saw potential and struck to purchase the vestiges of the furniture company, renaming it “Ethan Allen” after the Revolutionary War Hero from Vermont. The throw-back to the revolutionary times also fit the new company’s classic colonial lines and simple style.
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Vintage Mirror, Ethan Allen Furniture
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Vintage Mirror, Ethan Allen Furniture
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Vintage Corner Cabinet, Attributed to Ethan Allen Furniture
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Vintage Nightstand, Small Chest, Ethan Allen Furniture
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Although the Etahan Allen Furniture co. still produces fabulous high quality pieces today, Bohemian’s favors Ethan Allen furniture from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. In brief Bohemian’s furniture store considers this period the “Golden Age of Ethan Allen.”
Strong dovetail joinery, thick maple and cherry woods, and classic colonial styles: all hallmarks of Ethan Allen’s best lines. Bohemian’s vintage store loves the traditional shaker and colonial styles that seem to work in all types of homes. In the long run we know that vintage Ethan Allen furniture will last for years to come.
History of Ethan Allen Furniture
Take a look at the back of most Ethan Allen furniture from this furniture period and you will find real wood, not particle board or staples. Most cabinets and dressers use wood panels in between the drawers. And most wood grain continues from drawer front to cabinet face in a seamless fashion. As a general rule, Ethan Allen of this time period is made with native United States forest woods, not imported woods from Asia. Above all and more specifically, Ethan Allen furniture is made of New England’s prime growing forests. Hard New England winters produce slow growing trees and tight grain woods. Not so great of a climate for… well… most things, but Perfect for making furniture!
Rachel F.
Bohemian’s
www.eBohemians.com
I have my parents Ethan Allen Maple 4 poster frame (header and footer) purchased in 1942. It is in very good shape. What would be the value of these pieces?
Hi Alice! If you really want the Ethan Allen Desk to look original, I suggest purchasing an Ethan Allen Catalog from the 1980s. Many are available on Ebay from $20-$40. Even if you don’t find the exact model, you should be able to get a good idea on the colors and finishes that were available during that decade. I would recommend Mohawk Brand finishes and lacquers for your refinishing job. They are fairly easy to apply and tend to look great on vintage Ethan Allen Furniture. Minwax is another good company for stains. Best of luck! Thanks for writing!
I have an Ethan Allen desks probably from the 1980s that needs refinishing. How do I find out exactly which desk it is and what color options were available at that time. I’d like for it to be as close to the original as possible although, I’m not a big fan of the dark color on it now. I found the number under a drawer but can’t locate any information definitely associated with it.
Hi Michelle. It sounds as though it could be from before 1938, but I am not entirely sure. When I have seen the Baumritter Ethan Allen stamp it was from the 1960s-1970s collection that reproduced some Early American styles. It is odd that it is not marked Ethan Allen as well, though… Does the font and writing have any resemblance to the later 1970s marks? Thanks for reading.
Hello, I came across a Baumritter New York pie/Drop leaf with the sliding arm underneath , looks like maple—it does not say ethan allen on it —would that then be from about 1938, before they officially stamped ethan allen on it—there is one for sale online but that one is marked ethan allen, baumritter and the model numbers are different, also the leafs do not seem to have a sliding bar underneath
Most likely it would have a lacquer or polyurethane as the top coat. You could try to use a product called wipe on poly that is available at the large big box hardware stores, it may be hard to blend in unless the entire table top is refinished.
Keep it and enjoy your find. With loose legs the piece would not have any real value on the open market place (maybe $10-$20 bucks)
Hi! I recently bought a home and as I was bringing in my furniture that was in storage I noticed my coffee table legs were a bit wobbly so turned it over and noticed a stamp that said Ethan Allen First American maple and birch nutmeg then other numbers. I got it at a garage sale in 2010 for 20 bucks maybe? So my question is does it have value? I plan on keeping it because its so sturdy anyway!
Hi, I just purchase an Ethan Allen dining room set and didn’t notice that a spot in the finish looks like it was melted with nail polish or something that would melt the finish. I was wondering if anyone know what type of finish they used way back in the 1970 or 1980. Thank you.
Much of the Vermont Ethan Allen furniture was Maple and Birch from the northern Vermont area, hard rock maple. The line was popular in the beginning of the 1970’s. The Baumritter line does not get much value at times at auction but sturdy useful furniture for sure, solid wood. If you love it and have someone inexpensive that can refinish for you then sure do it. If its expensive i would just look for a similar Ethan Allen table on the market and purchase that one.