John Widdicomb Mid Century Burlwood Bar Armoire
View Similar Items
John Widdicomb Mid Century Burlwood Bar Armoire
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 74 in (187.96 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: 2022-09931stDibs: LU5408228717172
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.
- Lane Mid Century Burlwood ArmoireBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILLane Mid Century Burlwood armoire This armoire measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 58 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBurl
- Milo Baughman Style Lane Mid Century Burlwood ArmoireBy Milo Baughman, Lane FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILMilo Baughman Style Lane Mid Century Burlwood Armoire This armoire measures: 42.25 wide x 18 deep x 58 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vinta...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBurl
- Mid Century Teak Wardrobe ArmoireLocated in Countryside, ILMid century teak wardrobe armoire The armoire measures: 45 wide x 21.5 deep x 62.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in w...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsTeak
- Century Furniture Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Armiore HighboyBy Century FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILCentury Furniture mid century burlwood and brass armoire highboy This highboy measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 56.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Dyrlund Mid Century Teak Tambour Door ArmoireBy DyrlundLocated in Countryside, ILDyrlund Mid Century Teak Tambour Door Armoire This armoire measures: 49.75 wide x 19 deep x 48.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage co...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsTeak
- 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
- Continental 19th Century French Walnut Armoire Outfitted to Function as a BarLocated in Miami, FLThis beautiful and massive armoire in French walnut, has been outfitted as a bar cabinet. The interior features a wine rack that will hold 47 bottles, ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Belgian Baroque Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsMarble
- Rare Arne Vodder Armoire / Bar Cabinet in Danish Modern TeakLocated in Kensington, MDStunning and hard to come by Danish Modern armoire designed by Arne Vodder. Plenty of storage for all of your wardrobe needs and gorgeous to beho...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsTeak
- Fine Antique Parquetry Armoire with Custom Dry Bar InteriorLocated in Bridgeport, CTA finely crafted armoire with parquetry banded double doors and sides inlaid with matching shaped burled panels. Brass escutcheons with a key. The carved cornice with ebonized moldin...Category
Antique 19th Century Hollywood Regency Dry Bars
MaterialsWood
- 20th Century French Provincial Style Walnut Armoire by John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in Southampton, NY20th century French Provincial style walnut armoire by John Widdicomb, marked with plaque. Behind two doors: Upper area is fitted with rail to hold hanging clothes. Plus two adjus...Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsWalnut
- John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mahogany Server or Bar CabinetBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency chinoiserie server or bar cabinet By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1970s Gorgeous mahogany, with original Asian-inspired brass hardware. Measures: 36"W x 18"D x 30"H. Very good original vintage condition. Matching china...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- John Stuart Mid-Century Bar CabinetBy John StuartLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique Mid-Century bar cabinet features an expandable formica top with raised edges, spacious storage shelves, and a wide drawer for organizin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsWood
$1,610 Sale Price28% Off