Early 20th Century Spanish Revival Walnut Bench by Kittinger

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A handsome early 20th century Spanish revival walnut bench with deeply carved rosettes, scalloped edge moulding and large hand forged … Read more A handsome early 20th century Spanish revival walnut bench with deeply carved rosettes, scalloped edge moulding and large hand forged iron stretcher. Made by the Kittinger Company, Buffalo, NY - circa 1915. Height to the top of the backrest is 35". Height below is to the top of the finial.

For over 150 years, The Kittinger Furniture Company has set an unparalleled standard among manufacturers of fine furniture.
Established in 1866, America held a wealth of natural resources, a burgeoning free-trade market, and a massive Western Frontier waiting to be developed. Industrial entrepreneurs were filled with high hopes and magnificent expectations. George and Oliver Colie were such entrepreneurs.
The Colies' opened a paper factory in the bustling Great Lakes port city of Buffalo, NY. Soon thereafter, they also began to manufacture upholstered furniture and that business boomed. In 1885 they opened a furniture plant that produced beautiful hand-crafted furniture in classic 18th century styles.
When George Colie's son-in-law, Irvine J. Kittinger, took the helm, The Kittinger Furniture Company was born. To Irvine Kittinger, quality was paramount.
In 1966, the Kittinger family sold the company to General Interiors Corporation which began the era of "revolving door"ownership.
Although respect for the furniture industry varied by owners, the quality of Kittinger Furniture remained excellent and was always the pride of its skilled workers. Unfortunately, due to mismanagement and the legal issues of Michael Carlow, Kittinger Furniture was forced to close its iconic Elmwood Avenue factory and the companies assets were scheduled for auction.
In 1996, Ray (a Master Cabinetmaker at Kittinger) and Karen Bialkowski purchased the Kittinger Furniture Company and all of its intellectual property. They quickly re-established the company and settled in a new factory in North Buffalo. Many of the original craftsman returned to work for the re-opened company.
Since taking ownership, Ray and Karen have grown and expanded the Kittinger Furniture Company. In 2014, the Kittinger Furniture Company opened a new factory and headquarters where all furniture is still made to order by the hands of skilled craftsmen. See less