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.
Vintage Burl Wood and Bronze Freestanding Wall Unit by John Stuart
By John Stuart, West Michigan Furniture Co.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning mid-century modern freestanding wall unit is a true masterpiece designed by John Stuart and crafted by West Michigan Furniture. This exquisite piece exudes elegance wit...
Bronze
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles. Oiled walnut with aluminum detail in great condition. We have a variety of ca...
Aluminum
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf Wall Unit, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookshelf, bar, media cabinet, vitrine...
Glass, Wood, Teak
$3,245
H 78.75 in W 64.57 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in The Hague, NL
Original freestanding wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, model Royal, in the 1960s for Royal System, Denmark. Freestanding wall unit consists 3 black metal uprights, one cabinet an...
Metal
$60,000 / set
H 96 in W 156 in D 18 in
Exceptional Large Signed Paul Evans 1969 Directional Sclupted Bronze Wall Unit
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Paul Evans in the 1960s for the prestigious manufacturer Directional, this incredible piece is very likely one of a kind. While others exist, none have as many bays (4) o...
Bronze
$7,679
H 66.93 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
Vintage Cado Bookshelf, Teak Wood, Danish Design, 1960s, Modular Unit
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage bookshelf "cado" is an original design item realized by Paul Cadovius, Denmark, in 1960s. Wall unit in teak structure. Five different cabintes ...
Wood
50 Piece Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 50 pieces of this amazing Barzilay walnut wall unit with aluminum accents. Please contact us for custom pricing and visit our L...
Aluminum
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 84 in W 75.25 in D 22 in
Rosewood Metal Glass and Formica Wall Unit Baugnman Attributed for John Stuart
By John Stuart, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Stunning wall unit having rosewood cabinets with white Formica surfaces, brushed metal trim, and tinted glass shelves. Impressive three bay unit, having storage cabinets, drawers and...
Metal
$1,593
H 78.75 in W 33.86 in D 13.78 in L 59.06 in
Danish Vintage Reol Shelve Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Meet a true icon of Danish modern: the reol (shelving) system by Kai Kristiansen. Clean lines, clever proportions, and that effortless Scandinavian cool—this modular system is everyt...
Rosewood
Elio Monesi Modular Wall Unit and Credenza, Italy, 1950s
By Elio Monesi
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique wall unit with matching credenza designed by Elio Monesi (1927–1994), created for his private home in Milan. The system is composed of two rosewood wall panels and three wenge...
Rosewood, Wenge
$14,013 / item
H 73.75 in W 39.5 in D 17 in
Amuneal's Black Wood, Steel, and Bronze Industrial Wall Mounted Shelving
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Charred Pine, Steel and Bronze Shelving with Formed Returns. This single bay Loft Shelving Series unit is wall-mounted to support five shelves, using custom machined brass fittings on bent steel posts. Amuneal’s proprietary machined hardware clamps onto the posts so that the shelves can be easily adjusted at any time. The burnt oak shelves are milled in house from pine before being hand-finished using the traditional Shou Sugi Ban process of burning the wood. Ebonized oak is a similar looking alternative black wood option. Once completed, the shelves are sealed with a protective coating that keeps that burnt finish from rubbing off. The combination of blackened steel posts, machined and patinated brass hardware and the charred oak shelves make this a stunning and sculptural shelving...
Brass, Steel
Teak Cado System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional wall unit in teak by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. The unit shown is an example of what we typically stock. Units are sold by the component - wall ...
Teak
$960Sale Price|65% Off
H 21.25 in W 38 in D 13.25 in
Midcentury John Stuart Brass and Marble Hanging Entryway Shelf with Mirror
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Esperance, NY
Midcentury John Stuart brass and marble hanging entryway shelf with mirror. Very nice midcentury hanging marble and brass shelf with matching...
Brass