Playful, sculptural, unexpected: Illustrious designer and decorator John Dickinson created interiors, lighting fixtures, seating and other furnishings that were wholly peculiar and unlike anything seen before. The Berkeley, California, native mined design movements of bygone eras for elements he would later integrate into what would become his signature anthropomorphic work.
Dickinson was inspired by Art Deco designers such as Jean-Michel Frank, who similarly drew on the past for his extravagant pieces, and found appeal in the claw-foot tables and seating that Georgian-era furniture makers produced.
Although Dickinson attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, he returned to the West Coast following graduation. He worked for decorating firms and furniture stores, and, in 1956, he set up his own practice in San Francisco, where he reinterpreted heritage in his sculptural lamps, stools and chairs with legs that terminate in hooves or resemble bones and tree branches.
Dickinson’s spare but sophisticated furniture is often associated with a “golden age” of San Francisco decorating that includes the work of designers Charles Pfister and Michael Taylor. Wider recognition over the years owes to collectors’ interest and exhibits such as “Fantasy and Function: The Furniture of John Dickinson,” which opened at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2003.
Despite his irreverent approach, Dickinson’s pieces were luxury items. He crafted lamps of unpolished brass and tables in chalky white plaster with a resin coating. His most iconic works are his Etruscan tables with legs resembling hooved animal feet and his Three-Legged African table, which was inspired by an artifact he discovered in an import shop. Dickinson took on only handpicked, young, well-to-do clients who were willing to give him free rein to experiment with these unusual forms and industrial materials. Leading department stores like Lord & Taylor, however, were also among his clientele. In 1977, Dickinson was commissioned to design a furniture collection for Macy’s. It featured white lacquered bookcases that drew on urban architecture and table lamps with bodies that mimicked animal bones.
Owing to his untimely death, and the fact that he worked in plaster, a highly breakable material, few of Dickinson’s original pieces exist to this day. Their scarcity renders every remaining Dickinson design a valuable heirloom guaranteed to make a statement in any room.
Find vintage John Dickinson furniture on 1stDibs.
Custom Pair of Occasional Tables Wood + Grasscloth John Dickinson USA
By John Dickinson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1920 - 1982 Dickinson was an interior designer. Most of his furniture designs were custom made for homes and businesses. He also did a small short lived line of furniture for Drexel...
Wood, Grasscloth
John Dickinson Lacquered Y Table, ca 1970s
By John Dickinson
Located in Cathedral City, CA
John Dickinson Lacquered Y Table, ca 1970s This is a rare Y-table (model 118) in lacquered resin, designed by John Dickinson. This is a special table and would fit in a variety of d...
Resin, Lacquer
$3,250
H 20 in W 32 in D 32 in
Rare "Et Cetera" Faux Book Coffee Table, John Dickinson, Drexel, USA, c. 1960s
By John Dickinson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a very rare coffee / end table designed by John Dickinson for Drexel and produced between 1961-1962 as part of a very limited edition design from Drexel's 'Et Cetera' col...
Oak
Pair of St. Charles Occasional Tables by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: (Listing is for a pair). Bleached ash with inlaid marble - sold individually or as a pair. Copper plated steel leg Waterborne finish. Dimensions: 15.5” H x 20” W x 20”. Cus...
Marble
A Pair of Dunbar Three Tier Occasional Tables
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar three tier occasional tables # 4423. Refinished in dark brown walnut.
Mahogany
$2,036
H 22.84 in W 27.17 in D 27.17 in
Vintage John Dickinson style Hollywood Regency gilt wood swagged table USA 1970s
By John Dickinson
Located in Hastings, GB
Decorative Hollywood Regency gilded carved wood table in the form of swagged & ruched fabric. Silver gilt top. USA, 1960s / 70s. There's some age-related wear to the gilt finish in p...
Wood, Giltwood
John Dickinson for Randolph and Hein Attributed Console Table
By John Dickinson, Randolph & Hein
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic 20th century lacquered side or console table attributed to John Dickinson for the illustrious design firm Randolph and Hein, San Francisco, California. The rare table featu...
Wood
Pair of Z-Base Side End Occasional Table
By Established Lines, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Durable, all about slick lines, minimalistic mid-century modern decor end or side table has a nice heft to it. Solid oiled walnut finish acacia top. Solid stainless steel rod base. T...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
John Dickinson “Draped Table” for Sutherland, 1970s
By Sutherland, John Dickinson
Located in Renens, CH
This sculptural table by John Dickinson is crafted from galvanized steel, meticulously formed to resemble flowing draped fabric. Brass trim...
Brass, Steel
Pair of Sarreid, Ltd. Riveted Brass Clad Cube Occasional Tables
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Sarreid, Ltd. brass clad cube end/occasional tables with copper rivets and rounded brass handles. 16" x 16" x 16" Each weigh about 35lbs
Brass, Copper
$3,600 / set
H 15.25 in W 16 in D 16 in
Sculptural Hollywood Regency Style Draped Rope Occasional Tables or Stools
By Nobilis, John Dickinson, Alberto Pinto
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Italian or French lacquer faux draped side or end tables featuring original gilt painted roped detailing on all four sides. Surrealist stools feature white lacquer...
Plaster, Wood
Signed John Dickinson Table
By John Dickinson
Located in Nashville, TN
Galvanized metal table in the stye of a draped table with brass trim.
Brass
Pair of Burl Wood Side Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from exotic mappa burl veneers, intricately pieced to showcase its highly figured, swirling grain and interplay of light and dark tones. A Brazen bronze leaf finish undernea...
Wood
John Dickinson Crate Tables from the Firehouse, San Francisco, 1970
By John Dickinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson Crate Tables from the Firehouse, San Francisco, 1970 Handmade by John Dickinson from pinewood, these iconic crate tables were created in 1970 for Dickinson’s firehouse...
Pine
Sold
H 20 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
John Dickinson Pair of Rare End Tables with Wood Motif 1970s, 'Signed'
By John Dickinson
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of rare end tables, model 102, in cast plaster over rebar with wood motif by John Dickinson, American late-1970's (signed "John Dickinson San Francisc...
Steel
Sold
H 23.5 in W 30.5 in D 21 in
Sculptural John Dickinson Footed Side End Coffee Tables, Plaster White Pair
By John Dickinson, Sutherland
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of iconic John Dickinson footed end side tables. These early 2000s sculptural anthropomorphic tables are made of glass-fiber reinforced concrete in original plaster chalk white matte finish. These authentic statement pieces are artfully cast from John Dickinson original molds in materials designed to withstand the elements. Each piece features beautiful texture and unique etchings. For interiors and exteriors. Both pieces are marked to the underside of rectangular top with the John Dickinson signature stamp. Both sculpture and furniture, these modern and whimsical organic pieces can be placed together to form a unique coffee table grouping...
Concrete
Vintage John Dickinson Plaster 'Africa' Table, circa 1970s
By John Dickinson
Located in San Antonio, TX
This vintage John Dickinson plaster "Africa" table is in overall good condition. Shows wear consistent with age and use. Please see photos for c...
Plaster
John Dickinson Rare and Important 3 Legged African End Table, circa 1980
By John Dickinson
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important 3 legged African end table, model 101-A, in plaster over rebar by John Dickinson, American circa 1980. This is a wonderful example of John Dickinson's iconic desig...
Steel
Heavily Patinated John Dickinson Galvanized Steel Occasional Table
By John Dickinson, Sutherlands
Located in Dallas, TX
John Dickinson galvanized steel occasional table signed to brass plate. Manufactured under license by David Sutherland. This example was one of th...
John Dickinson Rare and Important 3 Legged African Nesting Tables 1970s
By John Dickinson
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of rare and important 3 legged African nesting tables, models 101-A and 101-B, in plaster by John Dickinson, American circa 1980. These are wonderful examples of John Dickinson'...
Plaster
Sold
H 23.5 in W 30 in D 20.25 in
John Dickinson Square “African” Plaster End-Table, USA, c. 1976-1980
By John Dickinson
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully preserved plaster “African” end-table by John Dickinson. One of his most popular and recognizable designs, Dickinson produced these tables from 1976 to 1980. These mon...
John Dickinson Pair of Rare and Important "Etruscan Tables" 1980
By John Dickinson
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "Etruscan Tables", model 115, in white plaster by John Dickinson, American, 1980 (signed "John Dickinson San Franscisco" on bottoms).
Plaster
John Dickinson Pair of Rare Galvanized Steel End Tables, 1970s
By John Dickinson
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of rare fine end tables model No. 107 with fabric motif in galvanized steel with brass binding by John Dickinson, American 1970s. These are exceptional iconic tables.
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 20 in Dm 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Rare John Dickinson White Plaster Africa Side End Table 1970s
By John Dickinson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic piece by John Dickinson. The iconic "Africa" table, on three legs, in white plaster, circa the 1970s. In great condition. The dimensio...
Plaster
Sold
H 26 in W 23 in D 23 in
Custom and Unique Large John Dickinson "Africa" Table with Original Receipt
By John Dickinson
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Unique and extra large "Africa" side table by John Dickinson, circa 1973. The table is overall much bigger than standard tables. Copy of original receipt from Dickinson's office.