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.
John Dickinson Rope Table, Painted Plaster, Post-Modern, USA, 1980s
By John Dickinson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Dickinson rope table, model 111. Painted plaster that only shows very minimal signs of wear. Excellent vintage condition. This table is very heavy / sturdy. Signed by the make...
Plaster
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
John Dickinson, Sutherland, Sculpted Africa Side Table, Painted Plaster, 21st c.
By John Dickinson, Sutherland
Located in Stamford, CT
John Dickinson, Sutherland, Sculpted Africa Side Table, Painted Plaster, 21st c. A painted plaster occasional table signed John Dickinson for Sutherland. The conical top above three stylized large shaped legs inspired by African design. One leg with minor repair. Strong and sturdy. Licensed reproduction by Sutherland. John Dickinson (1920-1982) Model African side table Painted plaster Model originally created in the 1970s Bibliography: J. Lovine & T. Merrill, "Modern Americana...
Plaster, Paint
John Dickinson Rare Bone Cigarette Side Table 1977
By John Dickinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson Rare “Bone” Cigarette Table, 1977 Rare and sculptural cigarette side table designed by John Dickinson, executed in carved and painted wood, 1977. An iconic example of ...
Wood
$21,900
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
John Dickinson Style Plaster Vintage Console Circa 1960
By John Dickinson
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This is a John Dickinson-style plaster console from around the 1960s. The console features a sculptural, organic design resembling stacked stone or rock formations, giving it a natur...
Plaster
$1,100
H 18.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Wolfgang Hoffman Art Deco Streamline Cigarette Side Table for Howell
By Wolfgang Hoffmann
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An Art Deco streamline chromed round side table or cigarette table with black Formica top, three rod shaft and stepped bottom base. Manufactured by the Howell company known during th...
Chrome
On Hold|$8,900
H 21.5 in W 20.25 in D 20.25 in
John Dickinson White plaster Etruscan table for Sutherland .two available
By John Dickinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic Tuscan table designed by John Dickinson…Cast in plaster/concrete… … Manufactured by Sutherland with signatures to the bottoms… 21 1/2“ x 20 1/4...
Plaster, Paint
$1,650
H 20.25 in W 11.75 in D 19.75 in
Post Modern Glass and Acrylic Side Table in Manner of Shlomi Haziza, c. 1980s
By Shlomi Haziza
Located in Peabody, MA
Postmodern glass and acrylic side table in the manner of Shlomi Haziza, c. 1990s. The top is beveled glass. The colored acrylic elements are faceted, creating a prismatic effect.
Glass, Acrylic
Pair of Trompe l'oeil Drink Tables After John Dickinson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of Trompe l'oeil drink tables featuring composite faux marble blocks appearing to be wrapped in a draped cloth and tied with rope. Made in the manner and style of John...
Composition
Brass Side Table Signed by Lukasz Friedrich
By Lukas Friedrich
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass side table signed by Lukasz Friedrich. Side rable "Drops" Materials: patinated, carved brass, Dimensions: D 40 cm...
Brass
21st Century Diplopia Monochrome Cubic Marble Side Table
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
The Diplopia coffee table was conceived from the idea of creating an object that conveys an optical illusion. The stereographic effect is produced through combining different kinds o...
Marble
John Rubinstein, Side Tables, Wood, USA, 1990s
By Pollaro
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood side tables designed by John Rubinstein and custom-made by Pollaro, USA, c. 1990s. Wear consistent with age and use, including some natural wood cracking. Overall Di...
Wood
Pair of Post Modern Red Lacquer Round Side Tables, 1980s, USA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Post Modern Red Lacquer Round Side Tables, 1980s, USA Geometric End Tables in Memphis style A versatile pair of 1990's barrel or dowel-shaped side tables crafted from lacque...
Wood, Lacquer
Post Modern Travertine Side Table by Stone International. Circa 1980s
By Stone International
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Post Modern Travertine Side Table by Stone International. Circa 1980s Features a minimalist design with a light tan polished travertine stone, beautiful natural stone veins a...
Travertine
Tord Bjorklund Post-modern Side or Coffee Table, Memphis Style, Sweden, 1980s
By IKEA, Tord Bjorklund
Located in Vienna, AT
A round folding Memphis style coffee / side / occasional flip-top table in yolk-yellow. Designed in 1986 by Tord Björklund for Ikea. This collapsible table is made of metal, has love...
Metal
Rare trapeze terrazzo side table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare trapeze terrazzo side table. Great combination of wood and stone. Cantilevered top. Stone surface height - 20", Overall height 22".
John Dickinson African Leg Table, Signed
By John Dickinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson African leg coffee table. Round table with 6 animal paw legs. Very heavy. Cast of glass fiber reinforced concrete and plaster “John Dickinson” signature on underside. ...
Concrete
Vintage Signed John Dickinson Africa Table
By John Dickinson
Located in Dallas, TX
A vintage plaster 'Africa' table designed by John Dickinson. Beautiful patina to table with minimal wear. Signed to bottom of one foot "John Dickinson / San Francisco".
Plaster
Sold
H 24 in W 32 in D 28 in
Pair of Leather and Lacquered Side Tables by John Dickinson for Randolf & Hein
By John Dickinson, Randolph & Hein
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This pair of side tables were designed by John Dickinson and were put into production by San Francisco based furniture makers Randolf & Hein. Exhibiting all the hallmarks of Dickinso...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 21.25 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Rare Plaster Etruscan Table by John Dickinson, United States, c. 1975
By John Dickinson
Located in New York City, NY
Plaster Etruscan Table by John Dickinson, United States, c. 1975. This rare and important example of 1970s American design has been well-preserved a...
Plaster
Vintage Boho John Dickinson Draped Plaster Side Tables, a Pair
By John Dickinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of vintage John Dickinson side tables. Iconic draped plaster design with a rope tie. Two tone finish to feature the drape look. A...
Rope, Plaster
Vintage Boho John Dickinson Draped Plaster Side Tables, a Pair
By John Dickinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of vintage John Dickinson side tables. Iconic draped plaster design with a rope tie. Two tone finish to feature the drape look. A...
Rope, Plaster
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
Authentic John Dickinson Original African Series Table, Model 103
By John Dickinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
From the imagination of John Dickinson (1919-1982), we offer this authentic, iconic occasional table fashioned of cast plaster over rebar. The primitive animal paw-legged piece is a ...
Plaster
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
John Dickinson African Leg Table
By John Dickinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson African leg coffee table. Round table with 6 animal paw legs. Very heavy. Cast of glass fiber reinforced concrete. “John Dickenson...
Concrete
Vintage John Dickinson Tables, circa 1980s
By John Dickinson
Located in San Antonio, TX
These John Dickinson tables are in overall good condition. Plaster. Shows wear consistent to age and use. Refer to photos. circa 1980s. USA. Dimensions: 31" D x 21" W x 24" H.
Plaster
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