John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
American
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.
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Creator: John Stuart
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.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$720 Sale Price
20% Off
Modern Lacquered Writing Desk with Brass Accents by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Dallas, TX
A timeless vintage piece, this midcentury writing desk feels glamourous, manufactured for John Stuart Inc. Adorning its exterior of glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass acc...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chest/Desk, John Stuart, Paul Frankl Design
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid Century Modern Chest/Desk, John Stuart, Paul Frankl Design
A recently white lacquered seven graduating drawer dresser or chest having an interior desk that folds down to reveal a 13 1/2 inch deep by 37 1/2 inch wide writing surface desk...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
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John Stuart desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
John Stuart desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Stuart desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by John Stuart were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by Milo Baughman, John Van Koert, and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Prices for John Stuart desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $900 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,950.
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