John Widdicomb Mid Century Burlwood Campaign Executive Desk
View Similar Items
John Widdicomb Mid Century Burlwood Campaign Executive Desk
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: 2021-04281stDibs: LU5408222415592
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.
- Dunbar Contract Division Mid Century Executive DeskBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILDunbar contract division Mid Century executive desk Desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 28.5 inches high All pieces of furniture ca...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsPlexiglass, Wood
- Standard Furniture Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive DeskBy The Standard Furniture CompanyLocated in Countryside, ILStandard Furniture Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk This desk measures: 66 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Double Dresser Secretary DeskBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Double Dresser Secretary Desk This secretary desk measures: 70 wide x 21 deep x 45 high All piece...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Jens Risom Style Mid Century Half Round Walnut Executive DeskBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens Risom style mid century half round walnut executive desk The desk measures: 95.5 wide x 47.75 deep x 29 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call rest...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Jens Risom Style Mid-Century Half Circle Walnut Executive DeskBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens Risom style mid-century half circle walnut executive desk. This desk measures: 95.5 wide x 47.5 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches. All pieces of furni...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- John Widdicomb for Mastercraft Black Lacquered and Brass DeskBy Mastercraft, John WiddicombLocated in Dallas, TXThis Classic writing table or desk by John Widdicomb for Mastercraft. Composed of a large black lacquered wood top with canted corners that sits atop a brass frame. Brass legs swoop ...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Bert England Persian Walnut and Leather Desk for John WiddicombBy Bert England, John WiddicombLocated in Chicago, ILFrom California designer Bert England's Orientation Group for John Widdicomb Company, this extraordinary desk is made of Persian walnut and solid mahogany. Wrapping around the fr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Oak Campaign DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYWith four large drawers, sculpted legs, and a black-stained writing surface, this vintage campaign desk is perfect for any home office or study. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
$1,120 Sale Price30% Off - 1970s National Mt. Airy Military Campaign Style Executive DeskBy National Mt. AiryLocated in Dallas, TXAnother good looking campaign style piece for your collection! We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage executive desk hand crafted in the Military Campaign style by Mt. Airy, which is one of the higher quality campaign manufacturers. This well-made desk executed out of oakwood which has a lovely warm patina to it, the cuts of timber are lovely with great proportions from any angle. Supporting a rectangular top with a central drawer flanked on either side by a column cabinet with four drawers each having a top and bottom drawer, two of which are double as a filing drawer in the middle offering plenty of storage space. Solid finished back all standing on a plinth base to make it more stable. The brass inset military handles & brass corner brackets are all original and in brass. Signed "National Mt...Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Desks
MaterialsOak
- Restored 1960s Mid-Century Modern Oak and Brass Executive DeskLocated in Los Angeles, CAStep into the world of mid-century modern design with our beautifully restored 1960s executive desk. This exquisite piece, hand-crafted from a blend of oak wood and brass, is a testa...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
$4,706 Sale Price25% Off - 1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk with Chrome AccentsLocated in Los Angeles, CAExperience the timeless elegance of our 1960s Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk, masterfully constructed from select walnut wood. This vintage writing table, restored to impeccable c...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
$3,956 Sale Price25% Off