Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
High Back Lounge Chair by Hvidt and Molgaard, Nielsen
By John Stuart, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic high back version of the iconic Hvidt - Molgaard lounge chair, made by France and Daverkorsen, distributed by John Stuart Inc. This example is in very fine, original, untouc...
Upholstery, Teak
Mid Century Modern Teak Lounge Chair & Rocking Chair Set by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of restored teak lounge chairs, with one being a set chair and the other a rocker. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, brand new cushions, foam, etc. Very...
Fabric, Teak
Pair Mid Century Danish Modern Beech Lounge Chairs by Grete Jalk - John Stuart
By Grete Jalk, John Stuart
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Beech Mid Century Danish Modern Lounge Chairs by Grete Jalk for John Stuart. Cushions are fairly new and in excellent condition with very little wear. Wood frames we...
Fabric, Rubber, Beech, Lacquer
John Stuart Tufted Lounge Chairs in Cherry Red Velvet, 1970
By John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of John Stuart tufted upholstered chairs in cherry red velvet/velour in excellent condition on chrome metal frames. Glamorous. Made in Grand Rapids Michigan.
Steel
$2,800 / set
H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 24 in
Handsome Set of Five John Stuart Walnut Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By John Stuart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome set of 5 John Stuart walnut dining chairs. This well crafted set consists of 2 arm chairs and 3 side chairs. The seat seats pads h...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Ottoman by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant vintage modern foot stool features black lacquered legs. Unique walnut cross beams connect each leg adding sturdiness and style. The sleek black vinyl top is molded for comfo...
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
$425Sale Price|28% Off
H 27.5 in W 27.5 in D 22.75 in
Minimalist Safari Sling Lounge Chair in Natural Canvas and Solid Wood, c 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage sling lounge chair channels the rugged elegance and clean utility of Scandinavian Modern design, closely echoing the aesthetic of Karin Mobring’s iconic “Diana” Safari c...
Fabric, Wood
Danish High Back Leather Lounge Chair, 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Danish high back leather lounge chair in well-aged red leather with down cushions and teak legs.
Leather, Teak
$3,450
H 37 in W 27.25 in D 31 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Classic Danish Tufted Leather Lounge Chair
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Charming and very elegant Classic Danish lounge chair by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen. Simple yet very refined design lines and very comfortable to sit in even for a tall pe...
Leather, Beech
Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Green Olive Velvet Upholstery
Located in Antwerp, BE
The soft and sensuous green olive velvet upholstery is in absolutely outstanding original condition. Rippled waterfall style pleated tailoring is punct...
Upholstery, Wood
$11,800 / set
H 25.5 in W 31 in D 26 in
Pair of Custom Pink Silk Velvet Tufted Lounge Chairs by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of custom tufted lounge chairs upholstered in pink silk velvet with wood legs. Made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Can be done in different colors and fabrics. Sale price f...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mölgaard-Nielsen, 1930s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of two (2) Scandinavian Modern armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Solid Cuban mahogany wood with hand-sculpted armrests and upholstered seat and back. Produced ...
Wool, Mahogany
Case Lounge Chair in Velvet and Walnut by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Maurice Villency
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Gorgeous case chair with figural walnut sides and square chrome legs attributed to Milo Baughman for Thayer-Coggin. The chair was bought from New York based retailer, Maurice Villenc...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Raleigh, NC
Low profile and extremely comfortable pair of Jens Risom style lounge chairs. Soft velvet upholstery with contrasting black wood frame.
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of Lounge Chairs Grete Jalk Danish Teak, 1960s
By Grete Jalk
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Grete Jalk lounge chairs, Denmark, 1960s. Excellent condition. New cushions, freshly reupholstered. Perfect condition.
Fabric, Teak
$4,200
H 29.5 in W 30 in D 31.5 in
Danish 1930s Art Deco Lounge Chair in Red Mohair with Carved Armrests
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Curvy and eye-catching Danish club chair from the 1930s or 1940s. Set on mahogany bun feet typical of the Art Deco period and with a low backrest with small wings giving it a very co...
Mohair, Mahogany
Finn Juhl Bwana Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl, John Stuart
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960s. A rare Model 152 Bwana Lounge Chair by Finn Juhl for France & Son - retailed by John Stuart of NYC. Features solid teak construc...
Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 28 in W 28 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Walnut Upholstered Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
By John Stuart
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a pair of Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Walnut Upholstered Lounge Chairs. Featuring a rounded back design, walnut trim, modern legs, and a beautiful original blu...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Rare Arne Vodder Rosewood FD164 Adjustable Lounge Chair c1960s
By John Stuart, France & Søn, Arne Vodder
Located in Oakland, CA
Arne Vodder's iconic FD164 Reclining Lounge Chair in rare rosewood c1960s. This is a one-person-owner who had no kids, no pets, and was a non-smoker. This is a wonderful example with...
Fabric, Rosewood
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Lounge Chair FD-145
By Peter Hvidt, John Stuart, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in New York, NY
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Lounge Chair model "FD 145". A spindle back lounge chair By Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen produced in Denmark by France & Daverkosen. A ...
Textile, Oak, Teak
Ole Wanscher Model 109 Walnut Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian modern, lounge chair with ottoman by Ole Wanscher for France & Son distributed by John Stuart features a supple, walnut frame with ladder back and matching ottoman newly...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of John Stuart Campeche Chairs
By John Stuart
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of Campeche styled chairs for John Stuart is a stunning addition to any home. The chairs were designed by John Stuart, a well-known furniture designer from the mid-20th cen...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 24.25 in D 30 in
Ole Wanscher for John Stuart Walnut Lounge Chair Reupholstered in Blush Tweed
By Ole Wanscher, John Stuart
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous rare midcentury lounge chair, by Ole Wanscher for John Stuart; labeled on bottom of backrest. Walnut wood, newly reupholstered in blush tweed. Model FD-109, structurally sou...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Beech
John Stuart Style Rounded Lounge Chair in Custom Red Leather
By John Stuart
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
John Stuart style rounded lounge chair in custom red leather. Clean, bright frame with rich red leather upholstery and accent pillow.
Chrome
Arne Vodder FD 164 Teak Adjustable Lounge Chair
By France & Søn, Arne Vodder, John Stuart
Located in Fulton, CA
A fine, original example of Arne Vodder's FD 164 adjustable, high back teak lounge chair. Exceptional original vintage condition with original finish and origin...
Teak
Sold
H 30.5 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish 135 Teak Lounge Chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
By Finn Juhl, John Stuart
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an incredible, Danish teak armchair, 135 teak lounge chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen for France & Søn, circa 1950s. In excellent condition. The cushions...
Teak
Mid-Century McCobb Style Blue Velvet and Walnut Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Erwin Lambeth, John Stuart
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern armchair, designed by K.C. Lambeth for Erwin Lambeth and retailed by John Stuart, circa 1960s. The newly reupholstered walnut chair has sculptural lines ...
Walnut, Velvet
John Stuart Swiveling Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By John Stuart
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A olive green leather swiveling armless lounge chair and swiveling ottoman with dark walnut star bases by John Stuart for his Hastings Square Collection. Retains the paper label this...
Leather