An American 19th Century White Wicker Tête-à-Tête
View Similar Items
An American 19th Century White Wicker Tête-à-Tête
About the Item
- Creator:Heywood-Wakefield Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Diameter: 21 in (53.34 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:American Craftsman (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890s
- Condition:Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Bellport, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8046814562
Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Created by the 19th-century merger of two venerable Massachusetts furniture makers, Heywood-Wakefield was one of the largest and most successful companies of its kind in the United States. In its early decades, the firm thrived by crafting affordable and hugely popular wicker pieces in traditional and historical styles. In the midst of the Great Depression, however, Heywood-Wakefield reinvented itself, creating instead the first modernist furnishings to be widely embraced in American households.
The Heywoods were five brothers from Gardner, Massachusetts, who in 1826 started a business making wooden chairs and tables in their family shed. As their company grew, they moved into the manufacture of furniture with steam-bent wood frames and cane or wicker seats, backs and sides. In 1897, they joined forces with a local rival, the Wakefield Rattan Company, whose founder, Cyrus Wakefield, got his start on the Boston docks buying up lots of discarded rattan, which was used as cushioning material in the holds of cargo ships, and transforming it into furnishings. The conglomerate initially did well with both early American style and woven pieces, but taste began to change at the turn of the 20th century and wicker furniture fell out of fashion. In 1930, the company brought in designer Gilbert Rohde, a champion of the Art Deco style. Before departing in 1932 to lead the Michigan furniture maker Herman Miller, Rohde created well-received sleek, bentwood chairs for Heywood-Wakefield and gave its colonial pieces a touch of Art Deco flair.
Committed to the new style, Heywood-Wakefield commissioned work from an assortment of like-minded designers, including Alfons Bach, W. Joseph Carr, Leo Jiranek and Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, a Russian nobleman who had made his name in Europe creating elegant automotive body designs.
In 1936, the company introduced its “Streamline Modern” group of furnishings, presenting a look that would define the company’s wares for another 30 years. The buoyantly bright, blond wood — maple initially, later birch — came in finishes such as amber “wheat” and pink-tinted “champagne.” The forms of the pieces, at once light and substantial, with softly contoured edges and little adornment beyond artful drawer pulls and knobs, were featured in lines with names such as “Sculptura,” “Crescendo” and “Coronet.” It was forward-looking, optimistic and built to last — a draw for middle-class buyers in the Baby Boom years.
By the 1960s, Heywood-Wakefield began to be seen as “your parents’ furniture.” The last of the Modern line came out in 1966; the company went bankrupt in 1981. The truly sturdy pieces have weathered the intervening years well, having found a new audience for their blithe and happy sophistication.
Find a collection of vintage Heywood-Wakefield desks, chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Bronze MFA Bench by American Studio Craft Artist David N. EbnerBy David N. EbnerLocated in Bellport, NYAn awarding winning bronze studio crafted bench by American artist, David N. Ebner. MFA stands for Museum of Fine Arts and located in Boston, MA. This piece has a wonderful Asian el...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Benches
MaterialsBronze
- "The Quarry Collection" Settee by Studio Artist Ryan Dart, 2018By Bones Studio, Ryan DartLocated in Bellport, NYRyan Dart is no ordinary designer.This year winner at the New York AD show "Best in Design" 'Above, The Quarry Collection Settee,fine craftsmans...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Settees
MaterialsBirch
- Carolina Bamboo & Cane BenchLocated in Bellport, NYThe Carolina Bench beautifully hand crafted in Spain of bamboo and cane. The seat is covered in a sunbrella natural tone fabric. The bottom level is gre...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Benches
MaterialsLinen, Bamboo, Cane
- Late 19th Century Bronze Footed PlanterLocated in Bellport, NYA large antique bronze two handled decorated planter.Category
Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsBronze
$900 Sale Price21% Off - 19th Century Pennsylvania Pine Jelly CupboardLocated in Bellport, NYAn antique Americana pine wood jelly cupboard. Original milk stain paint. Origin: Lancaster, Pennsylvania.Category
Antique 1890s American Primitive Cupboards
MaterialsPaint, Pine
- Late 19th Century French Apothecary ScaleLocated in Bellport, NYA French goose neck brass and mahogany apothecary scale. Two drawers with brass pulls, solid mahogany woods, lovely restored condition.Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Apothecary Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- American Victorian Wicker LoveseatBy Larkin & Co.Located in New York, NYAmerican Victorian natural wicker woven roll design high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on back and apron. (LARKIN & CO. label)Category
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Loveseats
MaterialsWicker
- Late 19th Century Tete-a-TeteLocated in New York, NYLate 19th century Tete a Tete with carved wood frame and an upholstered, linen-blend, cushioned seats.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Loveseats
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair 19th Century English Cast Iron Garden BenchesLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is an extraordinary pair of Victorian cast iron benches in a fern pattern. The iron casting is of the highest level of artistry and craf...Category
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
$9,400 Sale Price / set20% Off - Vintage Wrought Iron Woodard Chantilly Rose Tete-a-tete Style LoveseatBy John Salterini, Russell WoodardLocated in Cumberland, RIVintage wrought iron woodard Chantilly rose Tete-a-Tete Style loveseat. In stock and ready to ship for your enjoyment is this versatile loveseat and table arrangement made by Russell Woodard and of the highly sought after and most desirable pattern "Chantilly Rose" This woodard wrought iron 3 piece set features a Garden Loveseat Settee with a two-tiered glass topped table. The beautiful rose and leaf motif is found along back rests, arms rests, and curved legs. Original Grayish blue patina combined with included ivory outdoor cushions, adds to its elegance. Arrange this versatile set as a Tete-a-Tete style combinations with fitted matching Woodard Wrought Iron table...Category
Mid-20th Century Romantic Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsMetal, Iron, Wrought Iron
- French 19th Century Napoleon III Tête-à-Tête or Confident SofaLocated in Puglia, PugliaUnusual French armchair called tête-à-tête in French, or conversation chair, 19th century Napoleon III period. The upholstery is original from the time, in fair condition with signs ...Category
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Loveseats
MaterialsSilk, Velvet, Beech
- 19th Century Victorian Mahogany "Tête-à-Tête" (Head to Head) Lovers SetteeLocated in Los Angeles, CAA very fine and rare English 19th Century Victorian mahogany "Tête-à-Tête" (Head to head) Lovers or Kissing Settee, The rounded arched crests over S-shape...Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Settees
MaterialsMahogany
$7,600 Sale Price36% Off