Pair of Sculptural Mahogany Armchairs by J. Stewart Clingman, 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Sculptural Mahogany Armchairs by J. Stewart Clingman, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU108404230003
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.
- Massive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950sBy Angelo MangiarottiLocated in New York, NYMassive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950s. Excellent condition. Would make for a gorgeous centerpiece on a dining table, mantel or in a foyer or entryway. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic Central Park townhome or your eccentric Brooklyn brownstone, our team is happy to help. We ship anywhere, so we can also assist you with that retro Palm Springs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMarble, Carrara Marble
- Massive 3-Tier MONOLITH Enamel and Brass Chandelier by Blueprint Lighting, 2016By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYOur massive handcrafted 3-Tier Monolith chandelier is a dramatically scaled version of our wildly successful Monolith. This commanding statement pi...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGold, Brass, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Large "POP" Wall Sconce in Bronze and Black Enamel by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYEnamel color may be specified with no additional lead time in most cases. Our standard enamel colors are shown in the final images-there is no additional lead time or cost for these colors. Frame patina may be specified, but may impact lead time slightly. The dramatic "POP" wall sconce in bronze and black enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, 2019. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism and is a perfect POP of color and bold design. Striking design scaled to work well flanking a doorway in a foyer, behind a bar, around a breakfast nook, or as a luxe addition to a master suite, nursery or glam room...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- ASTER Brass and Enamel Chandelier by Blueprint Lighting, 2017By Arteluce, Arredoluce, Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYOur standard enamel colors are shown in the final images--there is no additional lead time or cost for these colors. Please contact us with questions and custom requests--we respond quickly and thoroughly! ASTER: a chic, simple brass chandelier with enameled spun aluminum orbs by Blue Print Lighting, 2017. This design is an Italian Modern classic with characteristics of both Mid-Century Modernism and Contemporary design. It offers a sculptural and architectural element as the focal point of your space. The perfect statement piece for any sophisticated interior! Drop height as shown is 28", but this can easily be customized for your space at no additional charge. Dimensions of the lamp body are 34" diameter and 5" h. This piece may use any E12 candelabra base bulb up to 60 watts (or use LED). Bulb is not included. UL-listed May be fully customized: drop height, scale, enamel color, metal finish--you name it and we can do it! Lead time for customization is currently 3-4 weeks. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic central park townhome or your eccentric Brooklyn brownstone, our team is happy to help. We ship anywhere, so we can also assist you with that retro palm springs...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Petite Centric Wall Sconce in Black Enamel Mesh and Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYThe Petite Centric wall sconce or flushmount is a stately take on French modernism, featuring a spun metal mesh shade. A more compact versio...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
- MiniPOP Wall Sconce in Brass + Gray Enamel by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYMiniPOP wall sconce--a more compact version of our wildly popular 4 foot tall POP wall lamp. Shown in natural brass and our "Pearl" light gray enamel and...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- 1950s Armchairs by J. Halabala, PairLocated in High Point, NCThis pair of Mid-Century Modern gems was designed by J. Halabala in Czechia. The iconic frame with bentwood armrests and asymmetrical hay legs punctuate soft geometry of the upholste...Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery, Bentwood
Sold$2,995 / set - 1950s Pair of Carver Armchairs by Andrew MilneBy Andrew MilneLocated in London, GBAn absolutely stunning and very rare pair of carver chairs by Andrew Milne. They were designed in the 1940’s for Heal’s, this pair dates from the 1950’s. They have a spectacular des...Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
$4,162 / set - 1950s Pair of Vintage G Plan ArmchairsBy G Plan FurnitureLocated in London, GBA superb and extremely rare pair of vintage armchairs by G Plan. They were made in England, and they date from the 1950-60s. The quality is outstanding, they are very stylish and co...Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBouclé, Wood
$4,098 / set - 1950s Sculptural Teak Curved Slatted Bentwood Scroll Armchairs, Set of 2By ThonetLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThese extremely rare and stylish original bentwood chairs are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Just look at the curves and details on this beauty!...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- 1950s, Upholstered Armchairs by Jindrich Halabala, PairBy Jindrich HalabalaLocated in High Point, NCA pair of armchairs by Czech furniture designer J. Halabala. Made in the 1950s, distinctive bentwood furniture designs were produced in Central European furniture factories throughou...Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Bentwood
- Pair of Carl Malmsten of Armchairs, circa 1950sBy Carl MalmstenLocated in London, GBCarl Malmsten Armchairs, circa 1950s A pair of upholstered armchairs from Swedish master: Carl Malmsten. This model is a lighter variation on the Samsas chair with taller legs. This...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Beech
$10,182 / set