John Stuart Desks
American
Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
5
to
1
5
5
5
5
3
1
1
5
2
3
2
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
5
4
3
2
2
4
3
61
26
26
22
22
Creator: John Stuart
John Stuart Georgian Burl Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch
By John Stuart
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
By John Stuart
USA, circa 1960s
Gorgeous burled walnut, with leather wr...
Category
1960s American Georgian Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Brass
Milo Baughman Attributed Lacquered Desk
By Milo Baughman, John Stuart
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Milo Baughman attributed lacquered desk. Desk has been re-lacquered in the original white finish and polished.
Would work well in a variety of interiors such as modern, mid centu...
Category
1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Chrome
1970's Brazilian Rosewood And Steel Desk/Dining table By John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 1970's mid-century modern Brazilian rosewood steel and lacquer desk or dining table by John Stuart, fully restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Steel
Vintage John Stuart White Lacquered Campaign Wood Desk X-Chrome Base Two Drawer
By West Michigan Furniture Co., John Stuart
Located in North Miami, FL
This newly restored vintage John Stuart campaign 2 drawer desk and or writing desk is white lacquered over wood with chrome handles and 2 X-frame ...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Chrome
Modern Lacquered Writing Desk with Brass Accents by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Dallas, TX
A timeless vintage piece, this midcentury writing desk feels glamourous, manufactured for John Stuart Inc. Adorning its exterior of glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass acc...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Vintage 7ft 1970s Mid-Century Modern Rosewood & Oak Executive Desk by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
This beautifully-made executive desk features a design reminiscent of Roger Sprunger and the unparalleled build-quality for which Dunbar is renowned. The clean, Minimalist lines are...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Oak, Rosewood
TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase
By Tomlinson
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chippendale style secretary desk by Tomlinson. Crotch mahogany with brass hardware, pediment top with three finials and bracket feet. Upper blind bookcase...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale John Stuart Desks
Materials
Brass
Early 20th-Century Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid with Brass
Located in Opole, PL
Early 20th-Century Neoclassical Writing Desk Inlaid with Brass
We present you a Neoclassical writing desk from the early 20th century.
It is...
Category
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical John Stuart Desks
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Roger Sprunger Rosewood and Stainless Steel Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern executive desk in the style of Roger Sprunger. Rosewood with stainless steel double pedestal base. Three drawers including one file and two regular with two pull...
Category
1970s American Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Stainless Steel
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes
This is a very r...
Category
1860s English High Victorian Antique John Stuart Desks
Materials
Hardwood
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Secretary Desk with Bookcase
Located in Brea, CA
Vintage secretary desk
Good condition. Upholstered in a black and white floral toile inside.
Top has working locking key.
Drawers open and cl...
Category
20th Century John Stuart Desks
Materials
Wood
Desk French Style Writing Desk, Black Lacquer with Grey Leather Writing Surface
By Selva
Located in Toronto, CA
We present a beautifully finished desk made in Italy by Selva in cherry wood, with a leather writing surface. This item has been recently re-stained by our expert team in a black lac...
Category
20th Century Italian John Stuart Desks
Materials
Leather, Cherry
H 31 in W 55.25 in D 27.75 in
Important Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau Bookcase Desk Desk-Chair & Filing Cabinet
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique museum quality, 4-piece Parisian Art Nouveau office furniture set.
As far as we know, this is the most complete, Louis Majorelle office furniture set that has been offered in the world in the past 50 years. Most collectors and enthousiasts will know how rare a set like this is, but what makes it even more astonishing is its condition. Apart from the leather on the back of the original desk chair, this set could hardly be in better condition and it would certainly grace any museum for applied arts. The only known office set that comes close to this original and complete set is in the collection of the MAAS museum in Sydney, Australia. So if you are looking for an original, great condition and very rare, antique office interior by one of the world's best Art Nouveau designers then this is your chance. We are convinced it will be the only one you'll ever get. Also, because the Majorelle filing cabinet in this set is the first one of its kind that we have ever seen.
For this amazing set of four we have created three listings so that we are able to show you enough pictures of the many hand carved and hand-crafted wooden, bronze, glass and design details per item. Mind you, this stunning and almost 8 feet tall 'bibliotheque' or 'library bookcase' is the first one of the three listings that, together, show and describe this unique Louis Majorelle office of amazing quality and beauty. In image 8 of this listing is a photo of the complete set as shot in one of our facilities.
This here Majorelle bookcase is the largest and best condition specimen that you will ever see and the workmanship is as good as you will ever be able to find. The deeply hand carved organic plant motifs are simply amazing and these motifs are to be found in all four pieces that this set consists of. What makes this stunning and predominantly solid nutwood bookcase extra special are the inlaid geometrical patterns in both the door panels and in the sides. However, the most impressive and aesthetically special features are the mint condition art glass panels with the top quality forged and hand hammered brass details in the upper part of each door. These metal worker's details, by the way, are the same organic plant motifs as the hand carved ones in the legs and in the 'roof' of this largest ever Majorelle cabinet (as shown in image 9 of this listing). Especially with the doors open you can see the vivid irridescent colors that are in the glass art panels. Below these art glass panels in the doors are large and also superb condtion, beveled glass windows. All the bookshelfs inside of this work of art bookcase are height adjustable and all are in very good condition too. All three doors come with perfect working locks and each door has its own bronze Majorelle designed key (one key is original and we had two more cast). Finally, this antique and museum quality, Art Nouveau gem...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau John Stuart Desks
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Free Shipping
H 94 in W 82.3 in D 19.4 in
1970s Chinoiserie-Style Walnut Desk with Engraved Leather Top & Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the world of French elegance with our vintage 1970s chinoiserie-style desk, a symbol of refined craftsmanship and artistic expression. Expertly handcrafted from p...
Category
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Brass
H 30 in W 60 in D 28 in
Vintage Desk Cabinet in Teak, 1960s
By WK Möbel
Located in HEILOO, NL
Teak wooden cabinet with fold-out desk, produced in Germany in the 1960s.
The cabinet has 2 doors with lock and stands on adjustable metal legs.
The top of the cabinet folds fo...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your documents. Opened, it has a large teak writing top that ex...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Desks
Materials
Rosewood
Danish Rosewood Desk and Bookcase with Sliding Doors, 1950
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A beautiful Danish rosewood desk cabinet with upper shelving. Features adjustable shelving with additional storage behind the 2 sliding doors and an extendable writing surface. Has a...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Rosewood
Previously Available Items
Mid-Century Rosewood Desk by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn, John Stuart
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Gorgeous mid-century Danish modern Technocraft rosewood executive desk designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son. Beautiful choice grain throughout this well cared for masterpiece. Top ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Chrome
Midcentury Desk by John Stuart
By Knoll, John Stuart, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration in this georgous and amazingly crafted walnut desk by John Stuart featuring unique fluted legs with polished chrome pulls and feet. In wonderful original condi...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Metal
Early 1950's Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
This fine example of early 1950's streamlined furniture designed by Paul T. Frankl and made by Johnson Furniture Company. Two-tone black satin lacquer and bleached wood finish make t...
Category
1950s American Art Deco Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Wood
Early 1950s Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co., John Stuart
Located in Miami, FL
Rarely seen exquisite Paul Frankl designed mid century modern desk or vanity in cherry and black satin lacquer with brass X-pulls. With a John Stuart store tag and made by Johnson Fu...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Cherry, Lacquer
American Mid-Century Modern Rare Partners Walnut Desk by John Stuart
By John Stuart, Janus Collection
Located in San Diego, CA
This beautiful John Stuart desk features unique details, drawer pulls, Sturdy dovetail construction and Classic midcentury aesthetic make this a perfect addition to any home. Freshly...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Desks
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Desk by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Amazingly crafted walnut desk by John Stuart. Unique fluted legs and metal hardware.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks
Materials
Metal
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Executive Desk in Birch
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Stuart, John Widdicomb
Located in New York, NY
This wonderfully modern executive desk by designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, comes in vibrant birch, with three graduated drawers and pull-out writing surface, supporting...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Desks
Materials
Birch
John Stuart desks for sale on 1stDibs.
John Stuart desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Stuart desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by John Stuart were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Harvey Probber, Thomasville, and John Van Koert. Prices for John Stuart desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,995 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,800.