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.
John Stuart, Curved Settee, Walnut, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
John Stuart, Irwin Furniture Co., American Mid-Century Modern, Curved Settee, Walnut, Fabric, USA, 1950s A single settee or loveseat designed by John Stuart for Irwin Furniture Comp...
Fabric, Walnut
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...
Mohair, Wood
$48,000
H 27.8 in W 56.5 in D 24 in
Ib Kofod-Larsen "Elizabeth" Settee, Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1950s
By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in High Point, NC
A black leather and rosewood settee, designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by Christensen & Larsen, Denmark, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 14.63" Arm Height (inches): 22.5" ...
Leather, Rosewood
Heywood Wakefield, Settee, Maple, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in High Point, NC
A maple and green velvet fabric settee designed and produced by Heywood Wakefield, USA, 1950s. Seat height 16” All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Velvet, Maple
$25,000
H 32 in W 51 in D 33.5 in
Walter Lamb Bronze Patio Settee for Brown Jordan, Curved Design, 1950s
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze two seater settee by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The settee has a beautiful curved construction in tubular bronze with a patinated verdigris finish. The sofa has one rounded support at the middle of the sofa and a stretcher that runs the length of the piece. The armrests carry the same curved detail with double bronze tubing. This piece has been newly reroped. All Walter Lamb patio furniture at DEN has been restored with the utmost attention to the designer’s original specifications. We rope all seating...
Bronze
ISA Bergamo, Settee, Brass, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and light beige fabric settee, designed and produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s. 14.5" seat height Condition: Vintage fabric in fair condition. All items ship from High ...
Brass
$7,243Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 51.97 in D 27.56 in
Newly upholstered Kvadrat Jens Risom settee or two seater USA - 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Kvadrat Jens Risom settee or two seater. Oak frame
Fabric, Wood
$4,200
H 32.5 in W 48 in D 26 in
French Empire Style Curved Walnut Settee With Dolphin Arms, New Green Silk
Located in Southampton, NJ
A classic French Empire Style curved back settee with distinct Neoclassical design elements in the carved gold dolphin arms & carved Klismos legs. Newly upholstered in gorgeous ...
Silk, Walnut
American Designer, Settee, Bamboo, Rattan, Iron, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo, rattan and black-lacquered iron settee or bench designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.75"H x 41.25"...
Iron
Italian Designer, Settee, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded bamboo, rattan and floral-printed fabric sofa, settee or loveseat designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches):...
Bamboo, Rattan
Georgian Walnut Settee
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early George III walnut settee of very graphic form, the square back over deep seat having gentle scrolled arms, the square legs with original brass castors and having dramatic ...
Velvet, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Sofa Model 4906, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Edward Wormley Model 4906 sofa, made by Dunbar in the USA, 1950s. Fast shipping worldwide.
Brass
$1,252
H 26.78 in W 40.56 in D 26.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Divanetto Settee, Fabric Upholstery, Italy, 1950
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Divanetto con imbottitura a molle e schienale con lavorazione a capitonnè, rivestimento in tessuto.
Fabric
Louis XV Curved Settee
Located in Greenwich, CT
A curved Louis XV settee, upholstered throughout including on the reverse, the back with foliate carving over molded frame, having scroll carved arms, standing on cabriole legs endin...
Beech
Edward Wormley Open Frame Sofa, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A very rare two-seat Edward Wormley open frame sofa, made by Dunbar, in the USA, 1950s. Newly reupholstered in high quality fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Fabric, Wood
Italian Designer, Settee, Walnut, Fabric, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and white fabric settee designed and produced in Italy, 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 14" Arm Height (inches): 23.94" All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Fabric, Walnut
Sigvard Bernadotte Settee
By John Stuart, France & Daverkosen, Sigvard Bernadotte
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1950s. A scarce Model FD132 settee or bench by Sigvard Bernadotte for France & Daverkosen - retailed by John Stuart of NYC. Features solid beech frame with light amber f...
Faux Leather, Beech
Walnut and Cane Settee by Erwin Lambeth
By John Stuart, Erwin Lambeth
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Walnut and cane settee by Erwin Lambeth. This piece was retailed by John Stuart Inc.
Cane, Upholstery, Walnut