Do you remember the credenza mystery I wrote about here? You know, the one in Don Draper’s office, Season 4 of Mad Men?
If you’re just catching up, here’s another look at this mystery piece.
Source: Modernica Blog
As you know, I tried to find out more information on this interesting piece, but in spite of my searching wasn’t able to find out much on its designer influence. I speculated that the design was Powell & Evans inspired, but asked for feedback if any of you, my awesome readers, knew otherwise.
And because a very thoughtful reader responded, the mystery has been solved. And for that, thank you so much!
This credenza is in fact a rare 1960s Witco Oceanic Tiki piece. Here’s a much better look at it… take a very close look!
Source: Vintage and Modern
Do you notice anything slightly out of whack?
Here’s another photo for you to compare. Pay attention to the drawers on either side of the middle section…
Source: Modernica Props
In the first photo the sets of drawers are actually placed each on the wrong end of the credenza, skewing the carved design. If you look at the photo above you’ll see how the carved pieces fit together, and should actually look.
Thank you to Senor Amor for pointing this out in his comment here! What a keen eye Senor has both for detail, and for great pieces 
Here is a close-up of the middle section.
Source: Vintage and Modern
Want to know what else I discovered?
I learned that this credenza is actually a 9-drawer dresser, and that it’s part of a whole bedroom suite. Here’s a look at a few of the matching pieces I was able to find.
Mens Chest Dresser.
Source: KRRB
Highboy Dresser.
Source: Oodle
Large Mirror (that attaches to the 9-drawer dresser).
Source: Oodle
Headboard.
Source: Oodle
I searched for bedside tables as well, but nothing came up…
Until Senor Amor’s comment. As luck would have it, Senor just happens to be selling some of the pieces to the suite, and a set of bedside tables was in the mix.
Here’s a look at the side tables!
Source: Los Angeles Craigslist
If you’re at all interested in the items Senor is selling, remember, these are rare vintage pieces that are tough to find. Here’s the link for more information:
Witco Oceanic Tiki Pieces – Los Angeles Craigslist
So there you have it! The Mad Men credenza mystery is solved. It’s from Witco and is part of the Oceanic Tiki series.
And I found this little piece of information on Witco from Retro Renovation blog:
Hi,
My name is Burke Hovde (aka…The Witco Kid on www.tikicentral.com). I’m the son of Ron Hovde, one of the Witco Co-Founders and Artists with Bill Westenhaver. I grew up with Witco everywhere. Witco wallhangings and furniture are all over my parents house and our family’s cabin. Witco started out as Western International Trading Company and imported South Pacific home furnishing items like Capishell Lamps. They also were into carvings that eventually evolved into the rough cedar chain saw carved furniture and Tikis that most people know Witco for. The artwork and production plant was in Mt. Vernon, Washington and they eventually sold $15 million worth of Witco products throughout the world over a 10 year run in the 1970′s. Through my Ebay Storefront at “intertrader2005″ you can purchase a book on “Fun and Profitable Chainsaw Carving” that Ron Hovde and Bill Westenhaver published under their company Westho (i.e. Westenhaver/Hovde) after Witco shut down. If I can answer any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at hovdeinternational@hotmail.com
Cheers!
Burke Hovde
Hovde International
As you can see from my blog article today, if it wasn’t for thoughtful readers sharing their knowledge by leaving a comment, I wouldn’t be any the wiser. And as you can see by the comment left on Retro Renovation blog, some of Witco’s history has also been shared.
And this is the power of leaving a comment! I am always grateful to hear from you, to learn more by what you have to say, and from the knowledge you have to share…
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!
xo
It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story!
If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.
Looking for a colour consultation click here.
Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed
Follow my Boards on Pinterest
Like my Page on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.
Very cool — and glad my blog could be part of the continuing story of discovery!!!!
Hi Pam!
This is a perfect example of what blogs bring to the table – a whole world of interesting information connecting and clicking to tell a larger piece of the story! So nice to connect with you! I love your blog, and have enjoyed articles in the past as well
Just amazing how things come together
That’s so cool! Those are some fantastic pieces, such an interesting end to your mystery.
Hmmm, I wonder if they have a chair, too?
How fun is that???!!!! I love learning new things ……. I can just smell the Pina Coladas.
I know! Who would’ve thought Tiki, but now that we know, it seems so evident in the flair of the design. Ahhh, yes, the smell of the Pina Coladas!!!
That is really cool Sheila! I know you love finding out the history of pieces so you must have been thrilled to receive this information. Very beautiful pieces. I love the credenza the best. You should write to Mad Men and let them know! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
This little undertaking was so much fun! I love that it was inspired by an email inquiry, and that a reader’s comment solved the mystery! And now I have a whole new world to explore as a result
My favorite pieces are the credenza and the men’s chest dresser. I think they’re both just beautiful…
Wow, Sheila! I am digging that credenza, so glad you brought it to our attention!!! A fabulous credenza is one of the most functional pieces of furniture you can own.
You have the coolest posts Sheila! These pieces of furniture are such works of art!
Thanks, Rosa! I am really intrigued by these pieces, and I love that the carving isn’t symmentrical – it seems to tell more of a story…
You always amaze me with your detective work and knowledge of.. well, everything.. Love the dresser!! total work of art.
Thank you, Danielle! I love sleuthing out these things… I keep vowing that one day my blog will be all about my own work, all my own photos… and then another mystery comes along! What to do, what to do?!!!
Wow this is so cool Sheila. I hadn’t noticed it on Mad Men but will be keeping an eye out now for it. I love that you found all this information about it from a blog comment.
Wow, that’s an impressive line of furniture! And how lucky for you that one of your readers was able to help you identify the piece that got the ball rolling
The blogospehere is full of great people 
The set is for sale in Milwaukee, WI if anyone is interested. https://apps.facebook.com/marketplace/local/wauwatosa-wi/?f=2981028836&etype=post&cm_mmc=Share_Listing-_-POST-_-NA-_-NA&code=AQBMSzZjxM8a_TS843DV1WOQMcT5nSKexkSfzX0LqaltmClE-baXL4GsBD4Ti-b6iejY0zINtNcV1Kdtv00xw_dca12QPCpC5Jj0cYNvR2MOO2G3eWyj1CnphA9p_Woc-klJ91RSIOH0cv49nJ7dmOVPch8Cc-s6yOThYQhfL-2X6YrI-rFKaAM-IUEWa2fMOG0&rfb_domain=facebook.oodle.com
Amy
I have the “mad men” credenza and I am not so sure it is actually Witco. Reason being is that Witco was known for hand carved furniture. This piece looks carved but the freeforn front is actually a poured plastic or resin. Could this have been identified as Witco purely by the info given by one high end mid century seller online and then picked up on by other sellers?
Thank you for your feedback! This has certainly been a mystery, and I honestly wouldn’t want to make a call on where the other online sellers got their information from. That’s definitely where the true experts come in, but I am satisfied that at least we have Witco connected to the roots of the design. To even find images of this credenza design was extremely difficult. Since writing the articles, I have seen it pop up on ebay now and again… So your point is definitely well taken that if the credenza is not carved wood, it is probably a knock-off design. I really appreciate your comment. Great food for thought.
Thanks for your response Sheila. I agree with your first thoughts attributing the design influence to Philip Lloyd Powell. That’s exactly what I thought after researching the style.
I just came upon your blog now and though I love those bedroom pieces, I must tell you they were not designed or made by William Westenhaver’s/Ron Hovde’s WITCO company. The internet is an unreliable source on these things in as much info is gleaned from e-bay sellers whose labels are often wild guesses, and full of wrong buzzwords to get their wares to show up in searches. Though Witco did make abstract modernist decor, and also full bedroom sets out of carved wood, these are not by them. For the full story of Witco, see my book “Tiki Modern”.