John Widdicomb for John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Faux Tortoise Wall Mirror
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 44 in (111.76 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Plainview, NY
- Reference Number:
John Widdicomb
In the Widdicomb family, furniture ran in the blood. 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, Michigan. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. 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. Admirers of mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize Widdicomb for the partnerships with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. 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.
Today, Stickley continues to produce John Widdicomb Company furniture, including French, Italian, English and Russian reproductions, as well as modern works from the first half of the 20th century.
Find vintage John Widdicomb bedroom furniture, tables, case pieces and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Plainview, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Black and Faux Crystal Accent Beveled Wall MirrorLocated in Plainview, NYA Mid-Century Modern accent beveled wall mirror with faux yellow crystal design. The metal frame is painted in black and the faux crystal pieces create a flower motif. The mirror wil...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Style Resin Round Mirror in Emerald and Ebony , a Set of 3Located in Plainview, NYA chic and fashionable set of three Mid-Century Modern mirrors in three different sizes. The mirrors are handmade using resin and pure leather in the back of each mirror. The three m...Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Resin
- Lighted Art Deco Style Vanity Mirror or Wall MirrorLocated in Plainview, NYLighted Art Deco Style Vanity Mirror or Wall Mirror A delightful vanity or wall mirror featuring multicolored buttons and a faux leather f...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco Wall Mirrors
MaterialsFaux Leather, Milk Glass
- Vintage Moroccan Vanity or Wall Mirror Arched in Brass and Orange Natural BoneLocated in Plainview, NYAn antique arched Moroccan vanity or wall mirror, handmade of natural bone and engraved with beautiful tribal designs. The mirror frame is inlaid in br...Category
Vintage 1980s Moroccan Moorish Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- 19th Century French Belle Epoque Gilded Circular Etched Glass MirrorLocated in Plainview, NYA 19th Century French belle époque era neoclassical style round mirror. The stunning mirror is beautifully gilded and shows fine and ...Category
Antique 19th Century Belle Époque Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Giltwood
- Vintage Small Moroccan Door Style MirrorLocated in Plainview, NYA vintage Moroccan small mirror designed as an an antique style arched door handmade of brass and camel bone. The doors open to reveal the mirror inside. Such a lovely piece to decor...Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of John Widdicomb Mirrors 1979By John WiddicombLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA pair of classic mirrors by John WIddicomb, 1979. Black laquer finish, minimalist elegant design. Signed on the back.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMahogany
- Magnificent John Widdicomb Brass Wall Mirror Mid Century ModernBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJDramatic and Substantial Solid Brass Mirror with modernist Curved Arch Set in a Floating Rectangular Frame Designed By John Widdicomb in The 1960's. This piece measures 47” t x 28” ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut MirrorBy John WiddicombLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modern John Widdicomb rectangular walnut framed mirror, Widdicomb label to reverse. Dimensions: 33" H x 57" W. Dealer: S138XXCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern John Widdicomb Brutal MirrorsBy John Widdicomb, T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in W Allenhurst, NJMid Century brutal mirrors by John Widdicomb. Thin profile with iconic arched tips.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern Wall MirrorLocated in Brooklyn, NYSleek vintage modern wall mirror featuring a small shelf, stamped RS. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Rattan Wall MirrorLocated in Barcelona, ESA lovely handcrafted bamboo and rattan mirror with squared /rhombus shape and a highly decorative frame with ovals and circles. Spain, 1960s. It has all the taste of the Mediterranea...Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror