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 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
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
John Dickinson Mid-Century Modern Style Sculpted Africa Side / End Table, Signed
By John Dickinson, Sutherland
Located in Stamford, CT
John Dickinson Mid-Century Modern Style Sculpted Africa Side / End Table, Signed 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
Signed John Dickinson 1970s White Plaster Low Side Table with Hoofed Feet
By John Dickinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
A signed John Dickinson plaster low side table from circa 1970 with white finish, X-Form base and hoof feet. This iconic John Dickinson plaster low side table, dating back to around ...
Plaster
$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
Vintage Solid Brass Round Side Table by Jansen, Glass Top, Ca. 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage solid brass round side table with glass top by Jansen. The four legs are attached at bottom with an X stretcher and center finial. A very simple and elegant small drinks table.
Brass
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
$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
$2,252
H 19.49 in Dm 19.69 in
G. Moscatelli Nightstand or Side Table, Lacquered Wood and Crystal, Italy 1970s
By Gianni Moscatelli, Formanova
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant and rare nightstand or side table designed by Gianni Moscatelli and produced by Formanova in Italy during the 1970s. This small round table is crafted in black lacquered ros...
Crystal, Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Andrianna Shamaris Mid Century Style Teak Wood Side Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Single slab reclaimed teak wood side table with a natural oil finish revealing the beautiful grain in the wood. Floating on mid century style legs. Own an Andrianna Shamaris origi...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
$36,000 / set
H 26 in Dm 22 in
John Dickinson for Sutherland "African" Three-Legged Tables, Set of Three
By John Dickinson, Sutherland
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking and highly decorative set of three sculptural "African" side tables designed by John Dickinson and produced by Sutherland Furniture. This iconic form, originally conceived...
Steel
$1,500
H 26.5 in W 59 in D 15 in
1970s Vintage Brass & Glass Neoclassical Console Table With Hoof Feet
By Maison Jansen
Located in Elkton, MD
Elegant vintage brass and glass console table featuring a sleek rectangular design with neoclassical influences. The table has a thick beveled glass top supported by fluted brass leg...
Brass
$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
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
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
$5,240
H 18.12 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
'Maracanã' Side Tables, by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The exquisite 'Maracana' side table is a rare and highly sought-after piece created by Guiseppe Scapinelli, a celebrated Italian designer who made a significant impact on the São Pau...
Marble
$3,450
H 17 in W 27.5 in D 14 in
René Prou Iconic Black Iron & Glass French Side, End Table Mid-Century Modern
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic 1930 Jean Prouvé Black Wrought Iron and Glass Side, End or Sofa Table made in France in 1930. Comes with the original 0.63 inches thick Glass Top....
Wrought Iron
$474Sale Price|50% Off
H 33.08 in W 27.56 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage TV Side Table, Beechwood, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
TV side table from the 1960s. It was manufactured in Poland in 1960s. The table was made of beechwood, it was also full renovated. Excellent condition.
Beech
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