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 Set of Three Tables, 1940s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Hamburg, PA
Elevate your space with this elegant set of three nesting tables designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Co. in the United States during the 1940s. Crafted from wa...
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables, USA, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Manhasset, NY
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern, Three Interlocking Nesting Tables, Side or End Tables, USA, 1950s A set of three nesting tables designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibb...
Walnut
Curvaceous Desk by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous desk, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This desk is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of finish color.
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Biomorphic Coffee Table, Model 1759
Aluminum
$1,395
H 27.75 in W 28 in D 28 in
Widdicomb Mid Century Modern Round Lamp Table T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings 1947
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An elegant Widdicomb lamp table attributed to T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings and made in 1947. Wonderful proportions. This table was sold through the iconic Kaufmann's Department store in Pi...
Mahogany
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Desk, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut desk designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 60.0"W x 27.0"D All items s...
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Saber Leg Dining Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Saber Leg Dining Table Solid Walnut legs with mahogany framed edge to the top. Table is 29" high and 57" x 38" and has one 37" leaf fully extended 94" fully ex...
Mahogany, Walnut
T.H Robsjohn Gibbings Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Coffee walnut table for Widdicomb, 1960
Walnut
Mid Century Dining Table by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Mid Century dining table designed by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. This example is in very good, original condition, showing only light wear consistent with age. Specifically, an inconsequential veneer flaw at the corner, and light cosmetic wear - please see images. The table opens to accept a large ( 20 in W ) leaf ) extending the width from 72 to 92 inches. This listing is for the dining table only.
Ash
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings End Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined End or Side Table, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This piece is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice o...
Wood
$1,800
H 22.25 in W 23.5 in D 29 in
Sculptural X Table by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Pair Available
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural X Table, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This table is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of color. Th...
Wood, Walnut
Widdicomb Table Designed by T.H. Robsjohn - Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Table designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for the Widdicomb Furniture Company. We had the table professionally refinished. Table measures 30" wi...
Wood
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Dining Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant mid century dining table, designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. Clean lined design with elegant splayed legs. It expands from 58-78" width...
Metal
$3,400Sale Price / set|38% Off
H 20 in W 24 in D 24 in
Pair of Klismos Leg Side Tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Klismos leg side tables designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. They are currently being refinished an...
Walnut
T.H.Robsjohn-Gibbings Nesting Tables for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of classic nesting tables designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and manufactured by Widdicomb ca' 1950's. Restored and looking sharp. Small table dimensions; 16 in. W x 23.5...
Maple
Sold
H 24 in W 26 in D 23 in
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Nesting Tables in Walnut for Widdicomb 1950s Sabre Legs
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazing set of 3 nesting / drinks tables. Perfect for parties. Extremely well constructed and very stable. They compact very tightly. Signed with Widdicomb label. Measures: Large ...
Walnut
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Astoria, NY
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern pair of nesting tables, of rectangular outline, the inset tops raised on tapered column legs. Made in 1955. Measures: Larger ...
Wood
Classic Set of T.H.Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Nesting Tables
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of three nesting tables designed by T.H.Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s. Elegant and sculptural these tables have a great look and will work with modern or t...
Walnut
Sold
H 24 in W 22 in D 26 in
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings MidCentury Modern Walnut Nesting Tables Widdicomb 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $3,250...Super set of three matching Mid Century Modern nesting / stacking tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb model no. 1783. In very, very good condition. B...
Walnut
Sold
H 24 in W 22 in D 26 in
1950s Robsjohn Gibbings Mid Century Modern Nesting Stacking Tables for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $3,250....Mid Century Modern super set of three matching nesting / stacking tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb model no. 1783. In very good condition. Slight...
Wood
Set of Three Nesting Tables by Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite set of three nesting tables designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Mid-century modern tables constructed from radiant grain mahogany featuring a rectangular top ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 22.25 in W 19 in D 24.75 in
Four Mid Century Black Nesting Tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Beautiful pair of black nesting tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. There tables are walnut but were recently professionally sprayed semi gloss black. British-born designer, interior decorator and author T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (1905–76) 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 decors 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, he had moved to New York and set up a showroom on Madison Avenue for his modern reinterpretations of classic 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...
Walnut
Pair of Nesting Tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Denton, TX
A beautiful pair of model no. 1783 midcentury nesting tables by American designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Big table dimensions: 24.75 D, 19.25 L, 20.5 H Small Table dimensions: 23....
Wood
Sold
H 25.25 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Side Nesting Table Set by Robsjohn-Gibbings, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic pair of nesting table sets, both including three side tables that fit into one another, by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa the 1950s...
Wood
Sold
H 25.25 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Set of Nesting Side Tables, Robsjohn-Gibbings Widdicomb 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a gorgeous set of nesting table, including three side tables that fit into one another, by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa the 1950s. In excelle...
Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 24.02 in D 25.99 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Midcentury Set of Nesting Tables by Widdicomb, USA, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Set of three nesting tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Manufactured in the United States in the 1950s by Widdicomb. Solid and veneered wood. Label underneath the smaller table. ...
Wood