Italian Style Gilt Bombe' Commode
View Similar Items
Italian Style Gilt Bombe' Commode
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 49.25 in (125.1 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some wear to gilding and minor scratches.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1212227536282
John Widdicomb
In the Widdicomb family, furniture ran in the blood. 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, Michigan. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. 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. Admirers of mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize Widdicomb for the partnerships with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. 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.
Today, Stickley continues to produce John Widdicomb Company furniture, including French, Italian, English and Russian reproductions, as well as modern works from the first half of the 20th century.
Find vintage John Widdicomb bedroom furniture, tables, case pieces and more on 1stDibs.
- Gilt Appointed Continental CommodeLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVisually stunning. Dramatically accented and deeply carved. A commode of generous proportions and fine details. Unusual.Category
Vintage 1920s European Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Louis XV Style CommodeLocated in West Palm Beach, FLFashioned with dramatic dore' bronze appointments and fitted with a thick white marble top. The 4 drawer chest is generously scaled with outstanding classic bombe' form.Category
Vintage 1960s Romanian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
$1,495 - Classical Italian Inlaid CommodeLocated in West Palm Beach, FLExquisitely inlaid with various fruitwoods of magnificent scale and proportions. The piece features a central sunburst with adjacent foliate embellishments . In addition, the sides...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Carved Chippendale Style MirrorLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAppointed with a pagoda crown flanked by Ho Ho birds and decorated with a white washed finish, the mirror is dramatic and imposing in scale. Superior quality and workmanship.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Chippendale Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Wood
- Italian Inlaid Document BoxLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA fine specimen in the provincial fabled Sorrento style with prominent colorful figures. The piece is generously scaled and beautifully appointed. Each side, as well as top, with...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Decorative Boxes
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Classic Italian SconcesLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAn elegant and dramatic pair of highly stylized sconces.Category
Early 20th Century Italian Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$1,095 / set
- Italian Bombe' CommodeLocated in Dallas, TXFine 18th century Italian lacquered and gilded bombe shaped commode, Circa 1780. This commode has a beautiful patina. Sure to make a statement in any home.Category
Antique 1780s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
$18,150 - Italian Louis XV-Style Bombe CommodeLocated in Houston, TXBurled wood in a soft warm hue makes this piece exceptional The graceful curves of this bombe form add to the Beauty of this commode. Scroll work design in a marquetry Inlay fur...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Moorish Style Inlaid Bombe CommodeLocated in Bradenton, FLCamel bone and mother of pearl inlaid three drawer commode with ball turned pulls and geometric detail. The double bombe serpentine chest extensively ...Category
Late 20th Century Moorish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMother-of-Pearl, Wood
- Diminutive Italian Walnut Bombe CommodeLocated in Lambertville, NJA diminutive walnut bombe chest made in Italy, mid 20th century. The figurative grain with three shapely drawers and brass handles with a recent French Po...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Italian Bombe Two-Drawer CommodeLocated in San Francisco, CAItalian bombe two-drawer commode. Hand painted with glass top and key lock 42 x 19 x 56Category
20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Antique Louis XV Style Bombe CommodeLocated in Laguna Beach, CAContinental antique Louis XV style parquetry inlaid bombe marble top commode, 19th century.Category
Antique 19th Century European Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMarble, Brass
$1,200 Sale Price40% Off