John Widdcomb, Cabinet, Wood, Brass, USA, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.25 in (81.92 cm)Width: 82.5 in (209.55 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:High Point, NC
- 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: High Point, NC
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- John Van Koert, Cabinet, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950sBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in High Point, NCAn oak and brass cabinet designed by John Van Koert and produced by Drexel, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in High Point, NCA brass and walnut cabinet designed and produced by American of Martinsville, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl, Cabinet, Mahogany, Brass, Cork, USA, 1950sBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in High Point, NCA dark-stained mahogany, brass and cork cabinet, designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, c. 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl, Cabinet, Mahogany, Cork, Brass, USA, 1950sBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in High Point, NCA stained mahogany, brass and beige-lacquered cork cabinet, designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, Grand Rapids Michigan, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in High Point, NCA brass and walnut cabinet designed and produced by American of Martinsville, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Henredon, Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950sBy HenredonLocated in High Point, NCA walnut cabinet or sideboard designed and produced by Henredon, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- Bar Cabinet Veneered Wood Brass Maple, Italy, 1950sLocated in Milano, ITCabinet with swing doors with bar equipment inside, veneered wood, brass details, important decoration on the doors, maple and brass inlays.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Style, Cabinet, Gold, Black, Lacquered Wood, Metal, USA, 1950sLocated in Stamford, CTTruly one of a kind monumental cabinet. This exquisite piece with a sunburst or spider web design is magnificent in both size and beauty. A great springer representation with the fla...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Cabinet Veneered Wood Marble Brass Mirror Glass, Italy, 1950sLocated in Milano, ITBuffet cabinet with mirror, with hinged doors, veneered wood, lacquered carved wood, marble base with brass profile, back-treated glass top, decorative paint on the doors.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- U. Mascagni Cabinet Wood Italy, 1950s-1960sBy Umberto MascagniLocated in Milano, ITBuffet cabinet with mirror with hinged doors and central visible drawers; wood covered with vinyl material, doors with decorated glass, top with transpa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsAluminum
- 1950s Eric Johansson Teak Wood CabinetBy Eric Johansson, Abrahamssons MöbelfabrikLocated in Madrid, ESCabinet, Linen Cabinet in teak wood designed by Eric Johansson for Abrahamssons Möbelfabrik. Sweden, 50s. Featuring an elaborate carved decoration in diagonal squares and elegant ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Cabinet Mahogany Veneer Brass, Italy, 1950sLocated in Milano, ITCabinet with bar space in the middle with a flap door, double swing doors on the sides, stained mahogany veneer, important decorative drawing carved in brass.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass