Breathtaking Restored Art Deco Chest by Widdicomb, circa 1950- Pair Available
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent Restored Condition. Exacting professional restoration. Hardware has been re-plated. Retains the Maker mark. Completely Installation Ready.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1152228146912
Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Atlanta, GA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pair Available- Breathtaking Restored Art Deco Commode by Widdicomb, circa 1938By Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Atlanta, GAThese magnificent commodes are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Restored American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Chest- Pair AvailableBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Atlanta, GAAn exquisite example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction restored in cream lacquer. Fabulous, chunky solid bra...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Incredible Art Deco Commode in Curly Maple by Donald Deskey for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., Donald DeskeyLocated in Atlanta, GAThis magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Dramatic Restored Nine-Drawer Chest by American of Martinsville, circa 1950By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Atlanta, GAA beautiful example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1950. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction finished in cream lacquer. Fabulous wormhole detail on...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Widdicomb Chest with Tulip Hardware, Choice of Lacquer ColorBy C.G. Kimerly, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Atlanta, GAA beautiful three ( 3 ) drawer chest by Widdicomb, circa 1940s. This unusual piece is highlighted by the seldom found Tulip style hardware coveted by Widdicomb enthusiasts. To be r...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Exquisite Restored Pair of Cream Lacquer Art Deco Commodes by Widdicomb, c. 1948By Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Atlanta, GAThese magnificent commodes are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair Sliding Door Dressers Chests Cabinets by T H Robsjohn-Gibbings & WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Kansas City, MORare 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 ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Antique John Widdicomb Art Deco Burl Wood Chest of Drawers, Circa 1920sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Art Deco three-drawer dresser chest or commode By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1920s Exotic burl wood, with hand-painted details and original hardware. Measures: ...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBurl, Paint
- T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Chest or Dresser Pair AvailableBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Atlanta, GAElegant Modern chest or dresser, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This chest is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Designed Tall Chest, by WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings designed tall chest, fitted with five concealed long drawers by manufactured by Widdicomb furniture company. A sleek iconic work, ready to place. Beautiful c...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- John Widdicomb Art Deco Black Lacquered Dresser Chests, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern dressers or bedside chests By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1940s Black lacquered mahogany, with brass accents. Measures: 36"W x 19....Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Dresser Bachelors ChestBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in New York, NYSophisticated tailored design three drawer chest designed by T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb circa 1950/1960’s. The dresser features three deep drawers, each having a dowel form pull, and a picture frame molding cabinet...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood