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 Kapel for Glenn of California Expandable Bar Cart Cabinet
By John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Mid-Century bar cabinet features an expandable formica top with raised edges, spacious storage shelves, and a wide drawer for organizin...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pistachio green rolling bar cart from the Precedent series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1960. 3 tiered rolling cart featuring a textured glass top and casters. Precedent by Drexel...
Wood
$2,150
H 27 in W 45.25 in D 45.25 in
1960's Mid-Century Modern John Kapel for Glenn of California Dining Table
By John Keal, John Kapel, Drexel, Glenn of California, Brown Saltman
Located in Burbank, CA
Original vintage Midcentury Modern dining table for sale. It's made of walnut with a black x design on the top, and has black accents on the solid walnut base. It was designed by Joh...
Walnut
$3,295
H 26.5 in W 45.25 in D 45.25 in
John Kapel for Glenn of California Mid Century Walnut Dining Table
By Glenn of California, John Kapel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Kapel for Glenn of California mid century walnut dining table The table measures: 45.25 wide x 45.25 deep x 26.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 25.5 All pieces of ...
Walnut
Brass and Steel Bar Cart
By Maison Jansen
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern four-tier rolling serving trolley in the style of Maison Jansen. Elegant Neoclassical brass medallion accented frame with two floating clear glass shelves....
Brass, Steel
Midcentury McGuire Faux Bamboo Bar Cart
By McGuire
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dynamic faux bamboo bar cart with well grained oak panels, reed wrapped corners, finished all around, recessed casters and slide out service space. Signed McGuire in the drawer.
Reed, Oak
Wicker Trolley Bar Cart, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A beautiful trolley table or tea cart made of a black painted metal frame with wicker shelves manufactured in midcentury in Austria, circa 1950. The wicker is in excellent condition. Wear of use on the metal particularly on the handles. The trolley is in the style of the wicker carts...
Metal
$2,995
H 23.75 in W 29.5 in D 20 in
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Teak Expanding Bar or Cocktail Cart by Poul Hundevad
By Hundevad & Co., Poul Hundevad
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Scandinavian Modern teak expanding bar or cocktail cart by Poul Hundevad. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that t...
Metal
$2,800
H 30 in W 38 in D 17 in
Mid Century Modern Flip Top Black Laminate Serving Cart Bar Cabinet Wheels MINT!
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid Century Modern Flip Top Black Laminate Serving Cart Bar Cabinet Wheels MINT!
Brass
Route Brown Bar Cart
By Enrico Pellizzoni
Located in Milan, IT
Impress guests with this charming and functional bar cart that perfectly displays your favorite drinks and glassware during formal dinners and parties. Supported by a slender metal frame with a bronze painted finish, the two oval shelves...
Wood
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.75 in W 29.25 in D 18.75 in
Kurt Ostervig Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Expandable Two Tier Tea Bar Cart
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Kurt Ostervig Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Expandable Two Tier Tea Bar Cart Manufactured by: Jason Møbler Designer: Kurt Østervig Place of Origin: Denmark Period: Mid-Century Mode...
Brass
Giuseppe Scapinelli Tea Bar Cart
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Washington, DC
An elegant and highly sculptural bar cart by Giuseppe Scapinelli, one of the most celebrated figures of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern design. Executed in solid caviúna wood with white...
Formica, Wood
Mid Century John Wisner Tile Top Bar Cart For Ficks Reed
By John Wisner
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic 1960’s Mid Century design with Stained Rattan Frame, Tile inlaid Top with Stylish Asian Characters framed by Cinnabar framing, Lower Shelves clad in Geometric Patterned Bambo...
Ceramic, Rattan
Walnut Bar Cart by Jack Cartwright for Founders Milo Baughman
By Glenn of California, John Kapel
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century modern bar cart designed by Jack Cartwright. Founders, maker. From the "Patterns" series, model 42190. Beautifully sculpted doors and concealed handles. An understated f...
Wood
Half Oval Expandable Serving Cart Tray Table
By Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Italian brass and glass expandable serving cart.
Brass
Round Chrome & Smoked Glass Expandable Serving Tea Bar Cart Shepherd Castors
By Milo Baughman, Le Corbusier
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bauhaus Era Mid Century Modern Round Chrome & Smoked Glass Expandable Serving Tea Bar Cart Shepherd Castors MINT!
Chrome
Two-Drawer Walnut Server for John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A server in walnut with two drawers and a lower shelf, on brass casters, retailed by John Stuart in the 1960s.
Brass
John Stuart 1950s Danish Drop-Leaf Rolling Bar Server
By John Stuart
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $1,500....A John Stuart Danish import, this walnut server or bar has a white laminate top with drop leaf ends, a centre drawer and an inset glass stretcher shelf near th...
Laminate, Walnut