British-born designer, interior decorator and author T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings was one of the great American tastemakers in the middle decades of the 20th century. Much like Edward Wormley, Robsjohn-Gibbings was a design classicist by education and inclination, but he would come to create some of the most gracious and livable modern furnishings of the era.
Robsjohn-Gibbings studied architecture at the University of London, then held various jobs that included designing décors for passenger liners and working as the art director of a film studio. In the early 1930s, while employed by the upper-crust interior designer Charles J. Duveen, Robsjohn-Gibbings experienced an epiphany during a visit to the British Museum.
Examining the furniture depicted on ancient Greek ceramics — lithe stools and klismos chairs — he realized that he had found a design touchstone. By 1936, Robsjohn-Gibbings had moved to New York and set up a showroom on Madison Avenue for his modern reinterpretations of Classical Greek designs. Aided by contacts he’d developed while working with Duveen, he quickly established a clientele that included Elizabeth Arden, Doris Duke and Thelma Chrysler Foy.
Through his writings for magazines and books, Robsjohn-Gibbings earned a public following and was established as an urbane arbiter of taste. From 1943 to 1956, he produced an understated line of modernist furnishings for Widdicomb, which included one of the icons of the period: the tiered, biomorphic Mesa coffee table (1951). Robsjohn-Gibbings moved to Athens, Greece, in 1966, and created a new line of antiquity-inspired pieces for the firm Saridis. The series turned out to be his swan song.
Collectors’ interest in Robsjohn-Gibbings was reignited in the 1980s when the 200-plus pieces from his 1936–38 commission for the Bel-Air estate of Los Angeles socialite Hilda Boldt Weber — pared-down neoclassical pieces rendered in blond wood (with the occasional flourish) — came on the market. (Up until then, the collection had remained in the house, despite its having changed hands several times.)
But his work for Widdicomb remains his most widely known, appreciated for its elegance and generous proportions. Robsjohn-Gibbings despised the stern aesthetic associated with his Bauhaus contemporaries, and a keynote of his modernist pieces is that they have no sharp angles. His chair and sofa frames, table legs and even many cabinets feature softly contoured edges. In whatever style he designed, Robsjohn-Gibbings was guided by simplicity and timelessness. He wanted his furniture to be lived with happily.
Find antique T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings coffee tables, dining tables, credenzas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Set 4 Gibbings Widdicomb Dining Chairs New Alcantera Faux Suede Upholstery MINT!
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set 4 Gibbings Widdicomb Dining Chairs New Alcantera Faux Suede Upholstery MINT!
Ultrasuede, Walnut
Large Robsjohn-Gibbings Dresser Secretary w Bookcase
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-century modern Robsjohn Gibbings walnut multifunction cabinet.
Pair of Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb End or Side Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
A strong pair of Robsjohn Gibbings designed black end or side tables. These need to be refinished. "Original Black" finish is worn. Signed and dated on underside. 1954
Wood
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb MCM Bleached Mahogany Cane Brass Highboy Dresser
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Bleached Mahogany, Cane and Brass Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 34.5 wide x 20 deep x 40.75 inches high All pieces of furniture...
Mahogany
Widdicomb Banded Mid Century Modern Side Table Tapered Walnut Leg
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice banded walnut side table by Widdicomb.
Walnut
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings #1705 Lounge Chair for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare model #1705 sculpted lounge chair designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Fully restored.
Wood
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 15.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in w...
Mahogany
Pair of White Lacquer Gibbings for Widdicomb Dressers Bachelor Chests Brass Pull
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of iconic Mid-Century Modern bachelor chests dressers cabinets designed by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. Heavy solid brass ring drawer pulls.
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Stool by Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Highland, IN
Typical of Robsjohn-Gibbings' refined aesthetic, this stool is elegant and sexy, with graceful lines. The base is finished in black lacquer and topped with a seat upholstered in a ch...
Upholstery, Mahogany
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Brass leg Mahogany Coffee Table Bench
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An iconic T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb brass leg coffee table or bench. A slab of mahogany floats on splayed brass legs. Exaggerated bull nos...
Brass
Round Vintage Ottoman by T.H. Robjohns-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in North Miami, FL
This simple yet distinguished designed round ottoman by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings with turned wood feet, has been reupholstered in a neutral cotton fabric.
Cotton, Wood
MCM T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings For Widdicomb Klismos Style Extension Dining Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings For John Widdicomb French Walnut Klismos Style Dining Table with Two Extension Boards and 6 Chairs This exquisite Mid Century Modern dinin...
Walnut
Rare Brass Floor Lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare model #213 brass floor lamp designed by T.H.Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Shade not included.
Brass
Pair of Vintage T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Lounge Chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique pair of his and hers chairs feature upholstered seats with simple yet shapely black lacquer frames. Exquisite modern design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings makes a striking imp...
Upholstery, Wood
Chest of drawers by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare wooden chest of drawers by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, USA circa 1950. 4 drawers. Marks : widdicomb designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings
Wood
Pair of T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Lounge Chairs, Model 1720
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb lounge chairs of ebonized walnut- Model 1720. Circa 1955.
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Rare Sideboard or Cabinet in Walnut, Rattan and Brass
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb rare 1950s sideboard or cabinet in rich deep walnut including central drawers with original circular woven rattan handles and brass end caps, cab...
Brass
Vintage MCM Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers - a Pair
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your home with this stunning pair of American-style Vintage Mid-Century Modern Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers. Exemplifying Robsjohn-Gibbings' signature cle...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Free Form T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Brass Leg Cloud Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Free Form T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Brass Leg Cloud Coffee Table Elevate your living space with the MCM Free Form T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings brass leg cloud coffee table...
Bronze
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Occasional Side / End Table for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Occasional Side / End Table for Widdicomb. A seldom seen model. Can be used as a nice end table or set in a living space as a side occasional table. Beautiful...
Brass
Coffee Table, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Los angeles, CA
Coffee Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Glass, Wood
Pair of Robsjohn Gibbings Feather Endtables Nightstands
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Robsjohn Gibbings feather handle endtables nightstands. A more scarce model to come across. Aged finish. Most likely will require refinishing. Price listed is for each pie...
Wood
Robsjohn Gibbings Cart for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings Cart for Widdicomb in an Original Black Lacquer Finish. The sliding and removable black tray with brass handles is included. The wheels need a minor adjustment re...
Wood
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Walnut Square Crossed Trestle Occasional
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (1950s) walnut occasional / side table with a square top supported by a crossed trestle base with curved sabre feet. (T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS FOR WIDDICOMB FURNIT...
Wood, Walnut
Robjsjohn Gibbings Mirror for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Robjsjohn Gibbings mirror for Widdicomb Some vintage wear. Overall quite nice. Widdicomb label attached to backside. Can be hung vertically, or ho...
Wood
Gibbings for Widdicomb Square Two Tier Walnut End Center Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American walnut Mid-Century Modern square two tier coffee side center end lamp table stand in restored condition.
Walnut
$1,800Sale Price|30% Off
Rare Lucite and Chrome Column Lamp by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Hansen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Lucite and Chrome Column Lamp, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Hansen, circa 1960's. It is signed with the Hansen impressed mark on the diffuser. Price noted below includ...
Chrome
1950s T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Lounge Chair in New White Fabric
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Large Walnut Lounge Chair, Model WWZ, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture circa 1955. The elegant design features a frame of solid walnut (seemingly ...
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
Marble Block Lamp by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Hansen
By Hansen, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Rectangular black marble table lamp with patinated brass hardware. Marble base height 16 inches.
Marble, Brass