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Widdicomb Furniture Co.

American

Admirers of vintage mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize the Widdicomb Furniture Company name for the fruitful partnerships it forged with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. But there is more to the Widdicomb story than the albeit quite covetable sofas and bedroom furniture it produced during the middle of the 20th century.

A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids, Michigan, a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The American city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. Furniture maker George Widdicomb emigrated from England to the United States in 1845, eventually setting up a cabinet shop in Syracuse, New York, before moving west to Grand Rapids. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.

The Widdicomb shop in Grand Rapids prospered, as the patriarch’s formal English training allowed him to produce pieces with superior craftsmanship compared to those of his competitors. Although the Civil War halted business and took the life of one of the Widdicomb brothers, the family’s survivors would start anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, soon renamed the Widdicomb Furniture Company.

John Widdicomb, however, split from the family business in 1897 to create the John Widdicomb Company, where he would go on to focus on Louis XV- and French Provincial-style furnishings. Chairs made in these styles have distinct characteristics, such as floral motifs carved in the frames and gently angled backrests. John's company also remained a family affair: The founder’s son, Harry, assumed control of the company when his father died in 1910, while John's nephew Ralph Widdicombe — who retained the English spelling of his last name and joined the John Widdicomb Company at its start — designed every single piece of the offerings at his uncle's manufacturing outfit until he retired in 1951. Ralph was an internationally distinguished furniture designer whose modern mahogany bedroom suite won first prize at the Paris Exposition in 1900.

The original iteration of Widdicomb, which was helmed by John's older brother William while John ran his own brand, had shifted from making period revival styles of furniture, such as Georgian and Chippendale, to manufacturing modern pieces in the late 1920s. Today vintage Widdicomb seating, tables and other pieces produced during the postwar years are particularly sought after by collectors of mid-20th-century furniture.

In 1959, master woodworker George Nakashima created his Origins collection for Widdicomb when the firm merged with Mueller Furniture Corporation and was known, for around 10 years, as Widdicomb-Mueller. Origins, a revered Shaker-influenced group of nightstands, upholstered lounge chairs, dining-room tables and more, saw Nakashima working with woods like Carpathian elm and laurel in his Pennsylvania studio.

Eventually, the two Widdicomb companies would combine in 1970, operating under the name John Widdicomb Co.

In 2002, the business closed after more than a century of operations, and its assets were acquired by Stickley Furniture. Interestingly, it was not the first time Widdicomb and Stickley overlapped: In the final years of the 19th century, the companies opened a shared storehouse in London, while John Widdicomb and Albert Stickley would travel Europe together for the purposes of research.

Find vintage Widdicomb coffee tables, case pieces, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.

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Style: Art Deco
Creator: Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Gorgeous Restored Three-Drawer Chest by Widdicomb in Cream Lacquer
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. The...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Pair Available- Breathtaking Restored Art Deco Commode by Widdicomb, circa 1938
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent commodes are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Widdicomb Modern Original Figured Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Widdicomb modern original Art Deco three-drawer commode with figured mahogany drawer fronts. Picture frame style casing with recessed curved front pli...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Donald Deskey Art Deco Dressing Table Vanity with Round Mirror for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in St. Louis, MO
Wonderful period streamline Art Deco design vanity dressing table & vanity stool with large round mirror by Donald Deskey (1894-1989) for Widdicomb furniture in maple veneer with alu...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Aluminum

1930s Donald Deskey Art Deco Low Maple Dresser with Round Mirror for Widdicomb
By Donald Deskey, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Wonderful period streamline Art Deco design low dresser with round mirror by Donald Deskey (1894-1989) for Widdicomb furniture in maple veneer with aluminum details. Cream lacquered ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Aluminum

Sleek Donald Deskey Art Deco High Boy Dresser for Widdicomb Furniture in Maple
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in St. Louis, MO
Wonderful period streamline Art Deco design highboy dresser by Donald Deskey (1894-1989) for Widdicomb furniture in maple veneer and aluminum details. Cream lacquered handles and hig...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Aluminum

Incredible Art Deco Commode in Curly Maple by Donald Deskey for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Donald Deskey Art Deco Black Lacquer, Burled Carpathian Elm & Walnut Sideboard
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco Machine Age sideboard was designed by Donald Deskey (the visionary behind Radio City Music Hall) and realized for the Widd...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Elm, Walnut, Lacquer

12 Drawer Mahogany Dresser C. G. Kimerly Widdicomb, circa 1946
By C.G. Kimerly, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Camden, ME
C. G. Kimerly in the Gibbings style 1940s Widdicomb modular 12 drawer mahogany dresser with circular brass pulls. Four separate three drawer cases fasten together resting on a common...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Mahogany

Breathtaking Restored Art Deco Chest by Widdicomb, circa 1950- Pair Available
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. Th...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Breathtaking Art Deco Commode by Donald Deskey with Unique Hardware, circa 1935
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent chest is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Completely installation ready. A magnificent example from a rare case series...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Restored Pair of Cream Lacquer Art Deco Commodes by Widdicomb, c. 1948
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent commodes are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Mahogany

1930s Art Deco Donald Deskey for Widdicomb Carpathian Elm and Black Lacquer Vani
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in Esperance, NY
This stunning machine age Art Deco vanity was realized by the esteemed 20th century luminary- Donald Deskey- who designed the iconic Radio City Music Hall...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Elm

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By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
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Majestic and elegant chest of drawers by Osvaldo Borsani produced in the Varedo Atelier of his father Gaetano Borsani , original in every part, with bakelite handles, 1930s Art Deco chest of drawers, commode , in burl walnut with mirror, polished to wax. Excellent condition. Measures cm: D 53, W 120, H 100. mirror cm: W 90 H 75. About Osvaldo Borsani Osvaldo Borsani (born 1911, Varedo, Italy–died 1985, Milano, Italy) was an Italian designer and architect, born into a family of furniture makers with along and well established artisanal tradition. His father, Gaetano Borsani, owned his own furniture shop, the Atelier di Varedo, where the 16-year-old Osvaldo received his first training. At that time, the designer of the atelier was the architect Gino Maggioni, who brought with him influences of the early 20th century Jugendstil movement from Vienna and who instilled in the young Borsani an appreciation for the arts and crafts and furniture making. Osvaldo Borsani first studied fine arts at Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan, graduating in 1931, and then pursued studies in architecture at Politecnico di Milano, where he graduated in 1936. In 1933, two years before graduating as an architect, Borsani designed the Casa Minima project for the V Triennale di Milano (Milan Triennial), along with architects Cairoli and Varisco. This project earned him a silver medal for its Rationalist code and geometries, and he received positive reviews from the critic Edoardo Persico of Casabella magazine. Villa Borsani And Other Prominent Architectural Work In 1937, Osvaldo Borsani designed Villa Presenti in Forte dei Marmi, a sea town in Tuscany where the Italian aristocracy and industrial elite would build their houses, a project that displayed the same rationalistic rigor displayed in Casa Minima, but softened by the use of mediterranean finishes and materials. Villa Borsani designed by Osvaldo Borsani. Varedo, Italy Villa Borsani. Varedo, Italy In 1943, Osvaldo designed and built his own house, the Villa Borsani, in Varedo, which, despite being conceptualized under strict Rationalist principles, incorporated objects and art of younger artists that communicate a freer approach to the human expression. The Villa Borsani project involved artists such as Adriano Spilimbergo, Fausto Melotti, Lucio Fontana (who made the ceramic fireplace and the ceramic Madonna), and Agenore Fabbri (who made the bronze statue in the staircase). To this day, Villa Borsani has been preserved with most of its original furniture and it remains with Osvaldo Borsani’s family along with the extensive archives of his work. Osvaldo Borsani As a Successful Product and Furniture Designer After Villa Borsani, Osvaldo continued to develop many projects for the Milanese bourgeoisie, frequently with many of the same artists whom he employed for his villa. A particularly strong relationship was the one that Osvaldo developed with artist Lucio Fontana, a close friend since the time of the Accademia de Belle Arti di Brera, and whom Borsani assigned to make a large metal balcony for the Tecno company in 1956. Osvaldo Borsani’s design work, just as his larger architectural projects, which he also considered design work, very often incorporated elements created by other artists and designers such as: Roberto Crippa, Arnaldo and Giò Pomodoro, Agenore Fabbri, Fausto Melotti, Andrea Cascella...
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Pair High Quality Walnut French Louis XV Style Commodes Dressers, Circa 1960
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
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Previously Available Items
1930s Art Deco Donald Deskey for Widdicomb Carpathian Elm and Black Lacquer Vani
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in Esperance, NY
This stunning machine age Art Deco vanity was realized by the esteemed 20th century luminary- Donald Deskey- who designed the iconic Radio City Music Hall...
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1940s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

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Elm

Widdicomb Dressing Table Desk Art Deco, 1930s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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A versatile 1930s Widdicomb Art deco dressing table that can also serve as a desk. The table is in good to very good condition. Overall the piece is in very good condition, however ...
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Widdicomb Art Deco White Lacquered Nightstand, Newly Refinished
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A gorgeous Art Deco white lacquered nightstand By Widdicomb Furniture Co. USA, circa 1930s White lacquered maple, with chrome and bakelite hardware. Measures: 18"W x 13.7...
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Widdicomb Art Deco White Lacquered Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
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A gorgeous Art Deco white lacquered five-drawer highboy dresser chest By Widdicomb Furniture Co. USA, circa 1930s White lacquered maple, with chrome and bakelite hardware...
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Donald Deskey for Widdicomb Nightstand
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald Deskey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hard to find nightstand! Donald Deskey for Widdicomb, 1930s. This is the blond wood and cream painted version, white has been repainted. Entire nightstand needs to be refinished. Ver...
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Donald Deskey for Widdicomb Nightstand
Donald Deskey for Widdicomb Nightstand
H 28.25 in W 17.25 in D 13.25 in
Five-Piece Art Deco Bedroom Set in Rosewood by Donald Deskey for Widdicomb
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Spectacular five-piece Art Deco bedroom set in rosewood by Donald Deskey for John Widdicomb, circa 1930s. The set has been professionally refinished a...
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This stunning Art Deco machine age cocktail table was created by Donald Deskey, one of the most acclaimed designers of the 20th Century- for the Widdicomb Company, circa 1935. It off...
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Demilune Side Table in Carpathian Elm by Donald Deskey for Widdicomb Co.
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This important (and striking) side table was realized by Donald Deskey- the legendary American designer of Radio City Music Hall- for the Widdicomb Company, circa 1935. Executed in b...
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Exceptionally Rare Restored Pair of Modern Chests by Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of modern three-drawer chests by Widdicomb, circa 1930. Stout, expertly crafted solid Oak construction. Beautiful fluting detail accent the case and drawer handles. A...
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1930s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Materials

Oak

Rare American Art Deco Vanity, circa 1927
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare American Art Deco vanity and vanity stool, made by Widdicomb, circa 1927. These designs were featured in one of the first exhibitions of Ar...
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1920s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

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Rare American Art Deco Vanity, circa 1927
Rare American Art Deco Vanity, circa 1927
H 67.5 in W 54.75 in D 15.75 in
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Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare American Art Deco chest or dresser, made by Widdicomb, circa 1927. This design was featured in one of the first exhibitions of Art Deco des...
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1920s American Art Deco Vintage Widdicomb Furniture Co.

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Rare American Art Deco Dresser, circa 1927
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H 35.5 in W 50.75 in D 19.75 in
Pair of Rare American Art Deco Nightstands, circa 1927
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Pair of rare American Art Deco nightstands, made by Widdicomb, circa 1927. These designs were featured in one of the first exhibitions of Art De...
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Widdicomb Furniture Co. furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Widdicomb Furniture Co. furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Widdicomb Furniture Co. furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Widdicomb Furniture Co. were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by George Nelson, Paul Frankl, and Henredon. Prices for Widdicomb Furniture Co. furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $550 and can go as high as $120,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,895.
Questions About Widdicomb Furniture Co.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024
    To identify Widdicomb furniture, look for a paper label. On tables, you will usually find it on the underside of the tabletop, while it is typically affixed to the bottoms of seats on chairs. With casegoods, search for the label on the backs or bottoms as well as inside drawers and cabinets. The paper label will identify the maker and may also provide information about the name of the collection and/or the year of production. A certified appraiser or expert antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Widdicomb furniture.

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