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
Mt Airy Walnut Desk and Chair for John Stuart
By John Stuart, Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mt Airy Walnut Desk with Brass pulls and Walnut Armchair. Chair fits nicely under skirt of the desk. Sold through John Stuart. Elegant design, finished on back as well for many op...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Single Bay Teak Desk for John Stuart
By John Stuart, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Teak Single Bay Teak Desk. Solid Teak with a Locking Drawer. Iron legs with Teak Caps. Top shows a shadow from a Desk Pad, but over-all very ...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Original Eliel Saarinen for John Stuart, Black
By Eliel Saarinen, John Stuart
Located in Miami, FL
Original Eliel Saarinen for John Stuart. Original condition, desk has some chips, scratches and spots. We can help with refinishing.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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
Mid-Century Modern Chest/Desk, John Stuart, Paul Frankl Design
By John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
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
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
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White Lacquer Console or Desk
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Pair of Paul Frankl Four-Drawer Chests for Brown Saltman
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Pair of 1950s four-drawer chests with distinctive polished brass "X" drawer pulls.
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A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk
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H 34.5 in W 34.5 in D 27 in
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in GB
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H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
1960s National Mt Airy Mahogany Chippendale Writing Desk
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Antique French Console Table or Ladies Small Writing Desk, Restored circa 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
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H 27.25 in W 35.75 in D 16.38 in
French Louis XV Style Desk with Leather Writing Pad, Black with Brass Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style desk, with leather writing pad top, from the 19th century. This antique table from France has been designed in the Louis XV...
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H 30.75 in W 70 in D 33.5 in
1970s Chinoiserie-Style Walnut Desk with Engraved Leather Top & Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the world of French elegance with our vintage 1970s chinoiserie-style desk, a symbol of refined craftsmanship and artistic expression. Expertly handcrafted from p...
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H 30 in W 60 in D 28 in
Previously Available Items
Midcentury Desk by John Stuart
By John Stuart, Herman Miller, Knoll
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Early 1950's Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture
By John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
This fine example of early 1950's streamlined furniture designed by Paul T. Frankl and made by Johnson Furniture Company. Two-tone black satin lacquer and bleached wood finish make t...
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Mid-Century Desk by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Amazingly crafted walnut desk by John Stuart. Unique fluted legs and metal hardware.
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T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Executive Desk in Birch
By John Stuart, John Widdicomb, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
This wonderfully modern executive desk by designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, comes in vibrant birch, with three graduated drawers and pull-out writing surface, supporting...
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Mid-Century Modernist Desk or Vanity in Ebonized Walnut by Paul Frankl
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl
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Desk by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Norwalk, CT
Modernist desk by John Stuart with three side drawers and interesting sculptural form. Totally restored with deep coffee stain and polished brass details.
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Johnson Furniture Curved-Top Blonde Desk
By John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice design by Johnson Furniture curved top single pedestal desk.
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T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Ebonized Desk
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Stuart
Located in New York, NY
Seven drawer desk by TH Robsjohn Gibbings. Newly refinished in a deep espresso with newly polished original hardware on drawers.
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Large Executive Solid Walnut Desk by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid walnut executive desk by John Stuart.
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Mid Century Art Deco Walnut Vanity Dressing Table
By John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice mid century modern with art deco influence vanity by John Stuart.
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
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Parsons Style Writing Desk Marked John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in New York, NY
Burl top, three drawer Parsons desk, with aluminum trim. Minor wear and loss to the aluminum trim, overall excellent condition.
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1940s American Art Deco Vintage John Stuart Desks and Writing Tables
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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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