Pair of Night Stands by T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Pair of Night Stands by T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (Designer),Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Has been refinished. Our collection is "vintage" and not "new" therefore due to the natural aging process and use of the material, expect minor flaws and imperfections, including restored and refinished pieces. Please contact us to request a detailed condition report for this item.
- Seller Location:Ft Lauderdale, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU88501015270
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
British-born designer, interior decorator and author T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (1905–76) was one of the great American tastemakers in the middle decades of the 20th century. Much like Edward Wormley, Robsjohn-Gibbings was a design classicist by education and inclination, but he would come to create some of the most gracious and livable modern furnishings of the era.
Robsjohn-Gibbings studied architecture at the University of London, then held various jobs that included designing décors for passenger liners and working as the art director of a film studio. In the early 1930s, while employed by the upper-crust interior designer Charles J. Duveen, Robsjohn-Gibbings experienced an epiphany during a visit to the British Museum. Examining the furniture depicted on ancient Greek ceramics — lithe stools and klismos chairs — he realized that he had found a design touchstone. By 1936, he had moved to New York and set up a showroom on Madison Avenue for his modern reinterpretations of classic Greek designs. Aided by contacts he’d developed while working with Duveen, he quickly established a clientele that included Elizabeth Arden, Doris Duke and Thelma Chrysler Foy.
Through his writings for magazines and books, Robsjohn-Gibbings earned a public following and was established as an urbane arbiter of taste. From 1943 to 1956, he produced an understated line of modernist furnishings for Widdicomb, which included one of the icons of the period: the tiered, biomorphic Mesa coffee table (1951). Robsjohn-Gibbings moved to Athens, Greece, in 1966, and created a new line of antiquity-inspired pieces for the firm Saridis. The series turned out to be his swan song.
Collectors’ interest in Robsjohn-Gibbings was reignited in the 1980s, when the 200-plus pieces from his 1936–38 commission for the Bel-Air estate of Los Angeles socialite Hilda Boldt Weber — pared-down neoclassical pieces rendered in blond wood (with the occasional flourish) — came on the market. (Up until then, the collection had remained in the house, despite its having changed hands several times.)
But his work for Widdicomb remains his most widely known, appreciated for its elegance and generous proportions. Robsjohn-Gibbings despised the stern aesthetic associated with his Bauhaus contemporaries, and a keynote of his modernist pieces is that they have no sharp angles. His chair and sofa frames, table legs and even many cabinets feature softly contoured edges. In whatever styled he designed, Robsjohn-Gibbings was guided by simplicity and timelessness. He wanted his furniture to be lived with happily.
Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Admirers of vintage mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize the Widdicomb Furniture Company name for the fruitful partnerships it forged with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. But there is more to the Widdicomb story than the albeit quite covetable sofas and bedroom furniture it produced during the middle of the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids, Michigan, a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The American city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. 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. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
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. Today vintage Widdicomb seating, tables and other pieces produced during the postwar years are particularly sought after by collectors of mid-20th-century furniture.
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.
Find vintage Widdicomb coffee tables, case pieces, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.
- Pair of Polished Steel Nightstands or End Tables Karl Springer 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLPair of polished steel nightstands or end tables Karl Springer 1980s. Polished mirror stainless steel over wood. Glass tops. Single drawer. 2...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Night Stands
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Pair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLPair of Signed Steel Brass Headboards by Karl Springer 1980s Presenting an extraordinary discovery from a lavish Palm Beach, Florida estate, we offer a breathtaking pair of custom-designed headboards hailing from the early 1980s. Crafted by the renowned Karl Springer Workshop, these headboards stand offer timeless elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship. Each headboard bears the leather signature tags of the legendary Karl Springer himself, elevating their value to a remarkable level of rarity. Prepare to be captivated by the opulent allure of these headboards, where steel, brass, and leather unite in perfect harmony. The exquisite combination of materials transcends the ordinary, forging an extraordinary visual symphony. Stealing the spotlight, the headboards boast a captivating ‘black oxide’ and brass finish, bestowing an air of sophistication and mystique upon their surroundings. Indulge in the magnificence of these headboards’ grand dimensions, which, when ingeniously combined, transform into a magnificent king headboard. With every glance, your eyes will be drawn to the mesmerizing gunmetal and brass details adorning the lustrous brass structure, imparting a sense of regality and grace. Marvel at the unique touch that Karl Springer Workshop has imparted upon these headboards—the embossed pale pink/beige lizard leather. This textured body elevates the headboards to an entirely new level of luxurious refinement, evoking a sense of untamed opulence. To authenticate their origin, the headboards bear the distinctive leather Springer labels, a testament to their exclusive craftsmanship. Designed with practicality in mind, these headboards mount...Category
Vintage 1980s Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Mid Century French Side or End Tables French 1960sLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLPair of mid century French side or end tables French 1960s Pair of mid century French side or end tables French 1960's. Unique tables d'appoint on carved poly chromed wood base / sh...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsIron
- Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional 1960sBy Directional, Kipp StewartLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLPair of Slipper Lounge Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional 1960s Newly upholstered in slate gray / dark indigo cotton fabric with fiv...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Chairs by the Campana Brothers for Edra, 'Jenette'By Edra, Campana BrothersLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLPair of Chairs by the Campana Brothers for Edra, 'Jenette' Pair of Red Jenette chairs by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy, 21st century. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Glass Vases by Toni Zuccheri for Barovier & Toso Murano Italy, 1980sBy Toni ZuccheriLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLA pair of glass Vases by Toni Zuccheri for Barovier & Toso Murano Italy 1980s Green and black blown glass bud vases, vessels or bottles both sign...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Bottles
MaterialsGlass
- T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Petite Night Stands for Widdicomb Brass Legs Cane HandlesBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Dallas, TXEspresso-stained mahogany single drawer cabinet with elegantly tapered solid brass legs and cane-wrapped handles with solid oak interiors. A very understated yet sophisticated design...Category
Mid-20th Century American Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Walnut Stand with Brass PullBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Rockaway, NJSingle Mid-Century Modern walnut Stand with one drawer and a brass pull by Widdicomb.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Glove Box NightstandsBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILGlove box nightstands model #4001 designed by T.H. Robjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, 1950s. Restored walnut box with a single pull-out drawer with cane and brass accent handles. Stands on brushed brass tapered legs, original label in the drawer. These iconic nightstands...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMarble, Brass
$7,196 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of 1950s Walnut Nightstands or End Tables, Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Chicago, ILPair of 1950s Walnut Nightstands or End Tables, featuring one drawer with silvered spear shaped handles and an open upper compartment for storage. Classic midcentury design by T....Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Reverse Tapered Legs End TablesBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in St. Louis, MOPair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb with reverse tapered legs end tables, shown in original finish. Included in price is refinishing of walnut, either as shown in lighter fi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Sculpted Walnut Nightstands, RefinishedBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut nightstands By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Measures: 24"W x 17"D x 24.25"H. Professionally r...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut