John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Pink Lacquered Nightstands, Pair
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:French Provincial (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Professionally refinished. Excellent condition.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- 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: South Bend, IN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Nightstands, 1950sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of French Rococo or French Provincial Louis XV style bedside tables or end tables By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Solid carved cherry wood, with original cream lacque...Category
Vintage 1950s American French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Oak and Burl Wood Nightstands, PairBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style nightstands By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1960s Solid oak, with burl wood tops and original brass hardware. Measures: 1...Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Nightstands, Circa 1950sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style carved nightstands By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1950s Solid carved cherry wood, with original painted and gold gilt finish and ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Nightstands, Circa 1950sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of French Rococo or French Provincial Louis XV style nightstands By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1950s Solid carved cherry wood, with original cream lacquered and gol...Category
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Wood Nightstands, Circa 1940sBy John Widdicomb, Ralph WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of mid-century French Provincial Louis XV style nightstands or end tables By Ralph Widdicomb for John Widdicomb Co. USA, Circa 1940s Solid cherry wood, with ...Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb French Provincial White Lacquered Nightstands, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style nightstands or end tables By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1950s Solid cherry wood in white lacquered finish, with original b...Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Louis XV Style French Provincial NightstandsLocated in Dallas, TXPair of Louis XV Style French Provincial Nightstands with single drawer. Refinishing recommended.Category
Vintage 1960s French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Stunning Pair John Widdicomb French Regency Louis XVI End Table NightstandsBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJA gorgeous pair mid-century French Regency Louis XVI style Night stand end tables by John Widdicomb, circa 1960s. We especially love the well carved floral ball feet with original br...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern John Widdicomb NightstandsBy John WiddicombLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful pair of vintage modern end tables feature sculpted drawer pulls with brass fixtures on each side. The unique "L" shaped design sits on top of four unusual legs. This l...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Blonde NightstandBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb mid century blonde nightstand This nightstand measures: 18 wide x 13 deep x 26 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- John Widdicomb Midnight Blue Stained NightstandsBy John WiddicombLocated in New York, NYPair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands featuring a custom stain color in a dark sapphire/midnight blue and brushed solid brass hardware and sabots. Night stands have 2 drawers, upper...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Nightstands - PairBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Nightstands - Pair Each nightstand measures: 25 wide x 18 deep x 24.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass