Items Similar to Tête e Tête Gaming Set by William Westenhaver for Witco, c 1950, Signed
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 20
Tête e Tête Gaming Set by William Westenhaver for Witco, c 1950, Signed
About the Item
This circa 1950s ornately crafted tête e tête with carved exotic details and soft furry sheepskin are a testament to William Westenhaver's modern rustic creations. Influenced by Polynesian natives sculpting their ancestral deities in to wood furnishings, Westenhaver fused his own graphic-design education and modernist artistry in to his designs. Both seats flip up to reveal storage, signed with original Witco label under one seat.
Westenhaver joined forces with Western International Trading Company (WITCO) in 1957 to bring his vision of Polynesian inspired furniture to life. Witco successfully brought the "tiki-fever" found in bars and restaurants of the era, directly into the American home.
This tête e tête is fabricated from red walnut with a distinct wood grain, and embellished with furrows, scrolls, flourishes, emblems and markings, of the Pop Primitivism movement. Being a fan of the movement, Elvis Presley created a "Jungle Room", dressed entirely in Witco furnishings at his Graceland Estate. If you're assembling your own "Jungle Room", inspired by the tropical trend in decor right now, or curating a design scheme that incorporates some whimsey this piece would aptly achieve those notions.
This Exotic Carved Tête e Tête by William Westenhaver for Witco would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Space Age Mod, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Post-Modern, Contemporary or Zen / Minimalism room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Hollywood Regency, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office.
MEASUREMENTS:
H 19.5" x W 61" x D 15.5"
Seat Height: 16"
CONDITION:
Excellent restored condition. Wood was refinished with a lacquer coat for long term protection from regular use. Seats were reupholstered with soft sheepskin in a taupe color.
- Creator:Witco (Manufacturer),William Westenhaver / Witco (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Width: 61 in (154.94 cm)Depth: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished. Excellent restored condition. Refinished and reupholstered with furry sheepskin in a taupe color.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: AUTOM002251stDibs: LU1330234208802
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2015
2,128 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
20th Century Specialists
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Long Beach, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllLucite Hanging 'Bubble Chair' by Eero Aarnio for Adelta, Signed
By Adelta, Eero Aarnio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very vintage example of the iconic lucite bubble chair designed by Eero Aarnio in 1968 and produced by Aldelta. Signed with 'Eero Aarnio Adelta M...
Category
1990s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Chrome
$3,800 Sale Price
22% Off
Caned Sculptural Cabinet by Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House, 1950s, Signed
By Grosfeld House, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very rare sculptural caned cabinet was designed by Vladimir Kagan and crafted by Grosfeld House during the 1950s in New York, documented in early Grosfeld House advertisements (see photos). Featuring sculpted legs, a caned door (with original unaltered caning in excellent vintage condition) with brass handle, and interior outfitted with two compartments, one side with an adjustable shelf. While the cabinet is small in size, it is huge in personality.
Vladimir Kagan's works have been highly valued by collectors and art / design investors, and his earlier works in the 1950s for Grosfeld House and Kagan-Dreyfuss are among the most sought after by 'purist collectors' like myself. Why do I prize his 1950s works above all else? I can write a short book on this, but one easy to explain reason is that this was a period unlike the rest of his career, where items produced in this time are hallmarked within that period - a distinction that his later works lacked. Essentially, everything post the early 60s blended together with the decades thereafter. A novice Kagan collector is content with anything by Kagan, even items produced by Directional and American Leather Company...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Walnut, Cane
$14,100 Sale Price
21% Off
Important Double Dresser by Vladimir Kagan for Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950s, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very rare and important sculptural double dresser was designed by Vladimir Kagan and handcrafted by Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc during the 1950s in New York. Each of the two chests are s...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
$48,700 Sale Price
23% Off
Cork Sideboard / Dresser by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, c. 1950s, Signed
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This restored Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Furniture sideboard cabinet or dresser, circa 1950s, features beautiful refinished Mahogany and cork with brass x-shaped pulls and is signed ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Brass
$5,000 Sale Price
26% Off
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Aluminum Lounge Chairs in Edelman Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible pair of restored and reimagined Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1962 Collection, Tandem modular seating that was originally designed for Chicago O'Hare Airport, w...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House Set of Nesting Tables, Very Rare 1950s, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Grosfeld House
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extremely rare collectors set of nesting tables by Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House (1950's USA), fully restored. This set is signed underneath the center table with original Grosfeld House sticker label, and documented in early Grosfeld House advertisements.
This Mid-Century Modern set of four tables feature a Walnut coffee table with sculptural legs, and three nesting tables that have similar sculpted legs with a formica top and a brass accent leg.
Ideally used as either a coffee table or side / end table that can convert when needed to provide additional surface space for guests, entertaining, arts and crafts projects, and more.
Vladimir Kagan's works have been highly valued by collectors and art / design investors, and his earlier works in the 1950s for Grosfeld House and Kagan-Dreyfuss are among the most sought after by 'purist collectors' like myself. Why do I prize his 1950s works above all else? I can write a short book on this, but one easy to explain reason is that this was a period unlike the rest of his career, where items produced in this time are hallmarked within that period - a distinction that his later works lacked. Essentially, everything post the early 60s blended together with the decades thereafter. A novice Kagan collector is content with anything by Kagan, even items produced by Directional and American Leather Company, but for true connoisseurs of Kagan, simply put: the 1950s was the bees knees.
This table set was acquired along with several other Grosfeld House pieces also designed by Kagan, including a caned desk (now sold to a very famous celebrity client), leather swivel desk chair with sculptural base, rare and coveted four-seat sofa with swiveling lounge chair, small caned...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Materials
Brass
$19,300 Sale Price / set
21% Off
You May Also Like
Unusual Pair Teki Modern Lounge Chairs by William Westenhaver for Witco
By William Westenhaver / Witco, Witco
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual pair oversized, Teki Modern lounge chairs by William Westenhaver for Witco, definitely over the top, same chairs can be seen in Elvis Presley's Graceland. Crazy carved walnut...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
William Westenhaver for WITCO Pair of Geometric Cedar Lounge Chairs
By William Westenhaver / Witco
Located in New York, NY
Brutalism gets an idiosyncratic accompaniment from Pop Primitivism with these rough-hewn, swiveling, chairs. Artist William Westenhaver was co-founder of the WITCO furnishings firm l...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Cedar
Pair of William Westenhaver Witco Swiveling Lounge Chairs Cedar & White Fabric
By William Westenhaver / Witco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by William Westenhaver, he made these chairs for his company, Western International Trading Co. in the 1960s. His pieces were revolutionary in the world of Tiki, blending it...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Cedar
Vintage Witco Style Dining Chairs Willian Westenhaver
By William Westenhaver / Witco
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Brutalist carved wood Elvis Jungle Room style dining chairs. In the manner of William Westenhaver/Witco. Item features high back shield and lion ...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
$2,160 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Restored Witco Tiki Carved Wood Frog Ottoman Toad Stool
By Witco, William Westenhaver / Witco
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Jump at the opportunity to own this adorable Witco frog ottoman. This frog foot stool is one of the most rare Witco pieces. Call it what you will, a footstool, or a toad stool. He’s a seat for your bottom or your feet. The tiki inspired frog was carved from a single piece of swamp cedar wood. These Witco foot stools seldom come to market. When they do pop up, they’re battered and tattered. This charming guy is has been beautifully restored. The faux leopard upholstery is new. Mr. Froggy is looking chipper with freshly painted eyes and mouth, matching original spec. Fortunately, he has his original knobby eyeballs.
The seat turns so you and Mr. Froggy can keep watch. You’ll have a grin just as big when you make this guy a part of your home. We have several more pieces from Witco including a sofa, dining table with chairs, group of large and small cat figurines, wall mounting shield...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Cedar, Paint, Faux Fur
Spanish Colonial Revival Small High & Narrow Back Chair Red Velvet Style Witco
By Witco
Located in Topeka, KS
Outstanding vintage Spanish Colonial Revival or Mediterranean style small narrow high back chair comprised of dark stained wood with red velvet ...
Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Spanish Colonial Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
American Studio Craft Chair
Fur Coat Dress
American Regency Chair
Tropical Retro Dress
Long Embellished Coat
Retro Long Fur Coat
1950 Vintage Fur Coats
Art Deco Fan Chair
Vintage Sheepskin Coat
Art Deco Fur Coat
Witco Tiki
Apartment 61
Furry Chair
Polynesian Dress
Witco Bar
Elvis Presley Bar
Witco Tiki Bar
Furry Lounge Chair