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.
1960s John Stuart French Provincial Style Console Sofa Table or Desk
By John Stuart
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Midcentury French Provincial style console sofa table by John Stuart. Base features a white painted finish with curved cabriole legs and one single drawer. Top is stained wood. Table could also be used as a long desk.
Brass
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage John Stuart Palm Beach Coral Lacquered Fretwork Console Table Glass Top
By John Stuart
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Such a beautiful faint coral, newly lacquered, console table. New glass top. Fretwork details on the legs, skirt, top and sides. This console table is full of beautiful details.
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
$3,100
H 31.5 in W 59 in D 17.5 in
Antique French Flip Top Envelope Library Table Console Sofa Entry Table Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Versatile Size Antique French Oak Flip Top Envelope Table, Writing Desk or Sofa Table with Trestle Base and Double Drawers ~~c. 1920s-30s Versatile piece that can be used ...
Oak
$770Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.5 in W 48 in D 19 in
John Stuart Mid Century Modern Hairpin Leg Maple Writing Desk Table Drawers MCM
By John Stuart
Located in Dayton, OH
John Stuart Hairpin Desk, circa 1960s. Features a minimalist open form with plank top set between three dovetailed oak drawers set on turned and tapered legs with brass feet and a h...
Maple
$1,900
H 30 in W 40 in D 13 in
Mid-Century Italian Modern White Marble & Brass Floating Console Table or Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning and simple modern console table from Italy circa 1960's. Beautiful pure white marble with curvy brass legs.
Marble, Brass
Vintage Boho Brown Lacquered Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold architectural statement with this monumental vintage console table, a striking example of 1980s Postmodern design. Finished in a deep, lustrous espresso brown lacquer, th...
Wood, Lacquer
$4,106
H 30 in W 41.5 in D 17.75 in
Early 20th Century French Hand Carved Oak Kidney Shaped Console Table or Desk
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A very elegant hand carved oak console table, writing desk or dressing table, France, circa 1910-1920. A very good quality piece with molded edges and carved detailing on cariole leg...
Oak
Vintage Marble Top Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage metal and marble console Table. This table features ornate metal frame, legs and accenting. The beautiful beveled edge leading up to the marble surface top is an eye catching...
Slate, Steel
$1,688
H 32.5 in W 36 in D 15 in
1970s Chippendale Walnut Burl Console Table with Fretwork and Banded Top
Located in Germantown, MD
1970s Chippendale walnut burl console table with fretwork and banded top. Amazing fretwork on legs. Large drawer with two original brass drop down pulls. Walnut burl and banded top ...
Walnut, Burl
Fine French 1970s Palisander Desk-Console-Commode
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French 1970s desk in palisander with seven drawers and one door. As all sides of the piece are veneered, it may be placed in the middle of a room. Can also be used as a consol...
Palisander
$2,707
H 27.56 in W 35.44 in D 16.54 in
1960s Italian Art Deco Midcentury Walnut Brass Small Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern small desk or writing table secretaire, in beautiful decorated and veneer wood with three drawers and covered sides. This beautiful p...
Brass
$1,650
H 34 in W 53 in D 15 in
Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Table. Item Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 34" H x 32" H (to surface) x 53" W x 15" D.
Hardwood
Queen Anne Style Console or Desk Speckled by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Simply stunning console table or petite writing table desk lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). Beautifully crafted in the...
Brass
Palm Beach Regency Bamboo Console Table
Located in Redding, CT
Palm Beach Regency Bamboo Console Table. Amazing two toned textural piece. Perfect to add some pizzazz to that bare entryway or hallway. Ideal for coastal or organic boho style homes.
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
John Stuart Smoked Antique Mirrored Console Table
By John Stuart
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, console table you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful table is statement pie...
Glass, Wood
Walnut Console Table by John Stuart, 1950s
By John Stuart
Located in Westport, CT
A console table executed in walnut by John Stuart, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, featuring two drawers and side doors that open up to reveal shelving. Other designers fro...
Walnut
Walnut Console by John Stuart, 1950s
By John Stuart
Located in Westport, CT
A console table or sideboard in walnut by John Stuart. Executed in walnut, featuring slopping curves and sudden sharpness. The two top drawers can be used for silverware storage or k...
Brass
Black Lacquer Painted Decorated Three Doors Small Credenza Brass Pulls
By Harvey Probber, James Mont, John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern three doors painted black and Perl lacquer petit credenza cabinet console hall entry table.
Brass
John Stuart Stamped Console Table
By John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lovely vintage console table with wonderful walnut grain. Tiered top with sturdy wide legs. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer)