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.
T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings Walnut Bookcase or Display Cabinet, Newly Refinished
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase or display cabinet By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, "Colosseum" Collection USA, 1950s Beautiful sculpted wal...
Glass, Walnut
Gibbings for Widdicomb Bookcase with Glass Sliding Doors Mid Century
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut Widdicomb bookcase with sliding doors.
Glass, Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb Walnut Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Mid Century
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A Mid Century walnut bookcase with sliding glass doors designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. Fully marked on the bottom and produced in September of 1951.
Glass, Walnut
Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers With Bookcase, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut three-drawer dresser or server with bookcase hutch top By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Measures: 51.25"W x 20....
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers, C. 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Westport, CT
One of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings classics, designed for The Widdicomb Furniture Company, circa 1950-1950. This walnut chest of drawers or highboy features five large drawers providing a...
Nickel
$1,050
H 48.04 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century Triangular Bamboo and Rattan Italian Corner Bookcase, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing mid-century bamboo and Rattan triangular corner bookshelf. Franco Albini inspired the design of this piece, produced in Italy during the 1970s. This piece is fantastic thank...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Wicker, Cane
$5,895
H 40.25 in W 24 in D 10 in
Art Deco Bookcase or Display Cabinet of Burr Walnut with Paneled Glass Door
By Heal's
Located in Austin, TX
A fine period Art Deco Era display cabinet or bookcase from England, circa 1930s, featuring a beautiful veneer surround of burr walnut, with a paneled glass door and working lock and...
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Burl
$6,299Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 46.46 in W 42.52 in D 11.82 in
Grete Jalk Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Design Teak Bookcases, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design teak bookcases set designed by Grete Jalk and produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, movable vertical partition...
Teak
$16,850
H 43 in W 51.5 in D 18.5 in
Two Sliding Door Dressers Chests Cabinets by T H Robsjohn-Gibbings and Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and fine pair of dressers / chests / storage cabinets designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for the John Widdicomb Company, 1950s. The mahogany cases have been expertly refinished ...
Brass
$3,250
H 58.25 in W 62.25 in D 18.25 in
20th Century Walnut Bookcase Display Cabinet with Turned Columns
Located in Round Top, TX
Small walnut display cabinet crafted in dark walnut. The bookcase features turned column details flanking three doors. The upper door panels contain beveled glass, allowing for clear...
Glass, Walnut
$29,900
H 34.5 in W 70.5 in D 17.75 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, "Colosseum" Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut "Colosseum" cabinet designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1950s.
Walnut
Parts Square Glass Bookcase
Located in Paris, FR
Bookcase Parts square glass with structure in welded smoked glass, 10mm thickness. With 3 cubes in welded blackened glass, 10mm thickness. Also available with welded clear glass stru...
Glass
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Bow Front Bookcase Credenza
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage design...
Glass, Oak
$647Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage
By Robert Heritage
Located in Leicester, GB
We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. Shipping to the US £450 in a custom made crate A beautiful long slim gla...
Hardwood
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Dresser
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful minimalist dresser designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Features waterfall edges, book matched walnut, and great edge details. The top drawers have partitions ...
Walnut
$2,950
H 80.5 in W 66 in D 13.5 in
Antique Eastlake Victorian Walnut Wavy Glass Triple Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Eastlake Victorian Walnut Wavy Glass Triple Bookcase Display Cabinet. Item fe...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 48.75 in D 14 in
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bookcase, 1950
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern walnut bookcase By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950 Measures: 48.75"W x 14"D x 31"H. Very good vintage condition. The bookc...
Walnut
Sold
H 68.25 in W 78.25 in D 17.5 in
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Display Bookcase Cabinet, 1950s, Signed
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular display cabinet by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb features six cabinet spaces in an alternating checkered pattern with three glass display doors and three with gorgeous veined walnut doors. Inside the glass display doors are removable glass shelves and inside one of the cabinet interiors are four slide out drawers. All cabinet spaces have movable pegs to add or remove shelving and can be positioned at your desired height. Beneath all of this are two pull out drawers which are seemingly hidden in plain sight. So much storage space in this large expansive display bookcase. The back is finished in similarly grained walnut so it can be floated in a room with the back visible. There are seams to the wood panels and screws that are visible so if you wish to have us finish the back by filling in the seams and covering the screw holes, contact us for details. An incredible piece of 1950s American Modern design history by a prolific designer, T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings, this cupboard cabinet by Widdicomb is ideal for collectors and interior designers looking for gobs of storage space while retaining beautiful and classic style. This vitrine cabinet by TH Robsjohn Gibbings...
Glass, Walnut
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Maple and Brass Bookcase
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern bookcase or room divider designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. The bookcase has gorgeous wood grain and features sculpted solid maple co...
Brass
Sold
H 31.25 in W 48.75 in D 14 in
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Glass Front Bookcase, 1954
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. The bookcase features beautiful walnut wood grain and sleek midcentury design. It...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 36 in D 14 in
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Glass Front Bookcase, 1951
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
A very nice Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. The bookcase features a clean and simple midcentury design. It has two sliding g...
Bookcase or Vitrine Cabinet Designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bookcase or Vitrine Cabinet, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950's. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bookcase, vitrine, or dis...
Brass
Large Hutch or Wall Unit by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
A large-scale walnut display cabinet with locking storage and sliding glass doors. Designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb.
Large Scale Bookcase designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Scale Bookcase designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950's. It is a versatile piece and can be used as a bookcase, vitrine, or display case. These pieces are...
Glass, Wood
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Bookcase for Widdicomb Furniture Company, 1949
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Bookcase for Widdicomb Furniture Company with two adjustable shelves and two sliding glass doors. Signed on bottom w...
Glass, Wood
Rare T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Vitrine
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (1905-1976) Rare tall cabinet in walnut with four doors, the two above with glass, open to reveal two glass shelves and a yellow silk upholstered interior. Th...
Walnut, Glass, Upholstery