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.
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
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
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
John Dickinson, Sutherland, Sculpted Africa Side Table, Painted Plaster, 21st c.
By Sutherland, John Dickinson
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 Style Drape Rope Tassel Plaster Table, 1970's
By John Dickinson
Located in Rochester, NY
In the style of John Dickinson, a trompe l'oiel textured plaster small side table / stand w/ drape, rope and tassel design. As found all original vintage condition w/ nicely aged sof...
Plaster
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
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Side Table in great vintage condition. Measures 27" in width, 17" in depth and 25" in height.
Bone, Rosewood
Pair of Postmodern Serge Roche Inspired Faux Stone Plaster Tables
By John Dickinson, Sirmos, Serge Roche, Frances Elkins, Dorothy Draper
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of postmodern Serge Roche inspired faux stone plaster tables. Stunning pair of vintage Serge Roche, Dorothy Draper, Sirmos or John Dickinson inspired faux stone or faux rock plaster...
Glass, Plaster
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
$87,500
H 19 in Dm 36 in
John Dickinson Prototype African Table from the Firehouse, San Francisco 1975
By John Dickinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson Prototype African table from the Firehouse, SanFrancisco; Painted wood. This unique table anchored the seating area in the Firehouse where Dickinson would entertain h...
Wood
$2,495
H 18 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Mid-Century Modern White John Dickinson Style Cast Fiberglass Coffee Table
By John Dickinson
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century modern white cast fiberglass John Dickinson style coffee table. It has the iconic faux drape and rope motif that is associated wi...
Fiberglass
John Side Table by Meg Morrison
Located in Geneve, CH
John side table by Meg Morrison Materials: Ceramic Dimensions: W 24.5 x D 24.5 x H 50 cm Hand sculpted ceramic vase with a soft robin's egg blue finish. Water tight for flowers. Inc...
Ceramic
$15,500 / set
H 18.25 in W 17 in D 17 in
Vintage Ron Seff Shagreen and Bone Inlaid Rare Side Tables Cream, Off White Pair
By Ron Seff
Located in North Miami, FL
These fabulous dice shaped pair of rare vintage restored shagreen and bone inlaid side tables are by Ron Seff and are from the late 1970s or early 1980s. They have angled corners. Th...
Brass
Modern Black Cube Plaster Side Table, Lightweight Design, 21st Century
Located in Wainscott, NY
21st Century Modern Black Cube Style Plaster Side Table / Pedestal is chic and sophisticated in any setting. Lightweight
Plaster
Vintage Lacquered Paw Foot Side Tables After Dickinson - A Pair
By John Dickinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This whimsical pair of side tables draws dramatic inspiration from the iconic surrealist designs of John Dickinson. Each piece features three sculptural legs terminating in oversized...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
John Saladino Side Table
By John Saladino
Located in New York, NY
Presenting a stunning designer accent, occasional, or coffee table created by the prestigious John Saladino Furniture of New York. This exquisite piece features a minimalist modern ...
Metal
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 Randolph & Hein, John Dickinson
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