Industry Leader Nat Ancell Dead at 90

Furniture World Magazine

Nathan S. Ancell, industry leader and founder of Ethan Allen has passed away. He was born August 8, 1908, in New York City. Ancell attended New York City Grade Schools, graduated from Columbia College in 1928, and from Columbia Law School in 1930, at the age of 22. He practiced law for three years. He became involved in the furniture business after his friend, Ted Baurnritter, married his sister. Ancell joined his brother-in-law in the firm of T. Baurnritter Co., Inc. and later started Ethan Allen, the vertically integrated furniture manufacturer/retailer. Nat Ancell is considered to be the father of the gallery concept in the home furnishings industry. His focus was always on the consumer and her desire to create a beautiful home. His manufacturing, display and marketing focus reflected this single minded philosophy. Ancell was an outspoken critic of the status quo in the furniture industry. He advocated a strict consumer focus for the home furnishings industry and lamented the fact that the industry hires and promotes so few women executives. He founded the Home Furnishings Council and was philanthropist of the highest order.