Mid-Century Gentleman's Chest by Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 48 in (121.92 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Some nicks, scratches, dings (examples shown). Professional refinishing available.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:
Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Admirers of vintage mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize the Widdicomb Furniture Company name for the fruitful partnerships it forged with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. But there is more to the Widdicomb story than the albeit quite covetable sofas and bedroom furniture it produced during the middle of the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids, Michigan, a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The American city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. Furniture maker George Widdicomb emigrated from England to the United States in 1845, eventually setting up a cabinet shop in Syracuse, New York, before moving west to Grand Rapids. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
The Widdicomb shop in Grand Rapids prospered, as the patriarch’s formal English training allowed him to produce pieces with superior craftsmanship compared to those of his competitors. Although the Civil War halted business and took the life of one of the Widdicomb brothers, the family’s survivors would start anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, soon renamed the Widdicomb Furniture Company.
John Widdicomb, however, split from the family business in 1897 to create the John Widdicomb Company, where he would go on to focus on Louis XV- and French Provincial-style furnishings. Chairs made in these styles have distinct characteristics, such as floral motifs carved in the frames and gently angled backrests. John's company also remained a family affair: The founder’s son, Harry, assumed control of the company when his father died in 1910, while John's nephew Ralph Widdicombe — who retained the English spelling of his last name and joined the John Widdicomb Company at its start — designed every single piece of the offerings at his uncle's manufacturing outfit until he retired in 1951. Ralph was an internationally distinguished furniture designer whose modern mahogany bedroom suite won first prize at the Paris Exposition in 1900.
The original iteration of Widdicomb, which was helmed by John's older brother William while John ran his own brand, had shifted from making period revival styles of furniture, such as Georgian and Chippendale, to manufacturing modern pieces in the late 1920s. Today vintage Widdicomb seating, tables and other pieces produced during the postwar years are particularly sought after by collectors of mid-20th-century furniture.
In 1959, master woodworker George Nakashima created his Origins collection for Widdicomb when the firm merged with Mueller Furniture Corporation and was known, for around 10 years, as Widdicomb-Mueller. Origins, a revered Shaker-influenced group of nightstands, upholstered lounge chairs, dining-room tables and more, saw Nakashima working with woods like Carpathian elm and laurel in his Pennsylvania studio.
Eventually, the two Widdicomb companies would combine in 1970, operating under the name John Widdicomb Co.
In 2002, the business closed after more than a century of operations, and its assets were acquired by Stickley Furniture. Interestingly, it was not the first time Widdicomb and Stickley overlapped: In the final years of the 19th century, the companies opened a shared storehouse in London, while John Widdicomb and Albert Stickley would travel Europe together for the purposes of research.
Find vintage Widdicomb coffee tables, case pieces, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Gentleman's Chest by UnagustaBy UnagustaLocated in Brooklyn, NYTall chest of drawers in walnut by Unagusta. Nine total drawers, cabinet space, curved front, and tapered legs. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Tall Mid-Century Gentleman's ChestLocated in Brooklyn, NYLarge chest of drawers with side cabinet storage. This all in one unit features five deep drawers and left side cabinet space with top drawer and adjustable shelves. Please confirm l...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- 1960s Gentleman's ChestLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern chest of drawers in walnut with brass cat eye handles and lattice front doors. Drawers plus storage space give you options for your bedroom. Please confirm locatio...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Gentleman's Chest by Unagusta FurnitureBy UnagustaLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern tall chest of drawers made by Unagusta Furniture. Five wide drawers, two hidden by wavy doors, with sculpted wood handles. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Edmond Spence Designed Gentleman's ChestBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Brooklyn, NYTall chest of drawers with checkerboard pattern. Designed by Edmond Spence, with Mid-Century Modern lines. Please confirm location NY or NJ.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Atomic Age Boomerang Gentleman's ChestLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern tall chest of drawer with sculpted base and matching boomerang handles. Five wide drawers in a cabinet that floats above the...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Six Drawer High Boy Gentleman's Chest by Robsjohn, Gibbings for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in New York, NYImpressive six drawer high boy chest designed by T H Robsjohn- Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture, ca 1950's. The drawers each feature a dowel form pull which runs across it's front. T...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Gentleman's Chest for Widdicomb, Newly RestoredBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., George NakashimaLocated in South Bend, INA very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern gentleman's chest or highboy dresser By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1960 Gorgeous sc...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- George Nakashima East Indian Laurel Wood Gentleman's Chest for WiddicombBy George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in South Bend, INA very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern gentleman's chest or highboy dresser By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1959 Gorgeous ex...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Gentleman's Chest for Widdicomb, Circa 1960By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George NakashimaLocated in South Bend, INA very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern gentleman's chest or highboy dresser By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, Circa 1960 Gorge...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Gentleman's Chest with 3 DrawersLocated in Freehold, NJThis Mid-Century Modern gentleman's chest features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, two dovetailed drawers with carved wood pulls...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gentleman's Tall Chest by UnitedLocated in Wilmington, DEMid-Century Modern Walnut Gentleman's tall chest Offered is an excellent example of American mid-century modern design; a walnut dresser from the 1960's. Features dovetailed drawe...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut