Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane Parsons Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood & Cane Parsons Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Come chilling to the veneer as seen in the photos and minor wear to some of the cane backs. All items are sold in the condition they are acquired in and nothing has been done to restore or repair them.
- Seller Location:Delray Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6663231271782
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.
- Mid Century Modern Cane and Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs - a PairLocated in Delray Beach, FLElevate your dining room with this pair of Mid Century Modern Cane and Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs. These chairs masterfully combine chrome frames and cane backrests in an iconic...Category
20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane
- Mid Century Modern Chrome and Cane Cantilever Dining Chairs - Set of 4Located in Delray Beach, FLThe Mid Century Modern Chrome and Cane Cantilever Dining Chairs, a set of four, elegantly combine classic and contemporary design elements. These chairs feature sleek chrome frames and original cane seating, offering a stylish contrast. Three chairs boast high-quality Breuer chair company...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane
- Mid Century Modern Faux Cane and Chrome Dining Chairs - Set of 4Located in Delray Beach, FLElevate your dining experience with this set of four Mid Century Modern Faux Cane and Chrome Dining Chairs. These chairs pay homage to th...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Mid Century Modern Marcel Breuer Style Cane and Chrome Cantilever Dining ChairsLocated in Delray Beach, FLImmerse yourself in mid-century design with this set of four Marcel Breuer Style Cane and Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs. These chairs feature chrome cantilever frames, cane backres...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Mid Century Modern Chrome and Cane Marvel Breyer Style Cantilever ChairsLocated in Delray Beach, FLEmbrace mid-century modern sophistication with these Chrome and Cane Marvel Breyer Style Cantilever Chairs. Featuring a sleek cantilever design, these chairs combine polished chrome ...Category
20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane
- Danish Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs by Boltinge - Set of 4Located in Delray Beach, FLEmbrace Scandinavian elegance with this set of four Danish Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs by Boltinge. Featuring clean lines and a minimalist design, these chairs are a testament t...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- John Widdicomb Parsons Dining ChairsBy John WiddicombLocated in Dallas, TXAn outstanding set of Mid-century Modern Parsons Dining Chairs by John Widdicomb Co., The Orientation Group, circa 1970's. It is rare to find a set of eight, fully restored. It includes eight (8) side chairs model# 2074 and two (2) arm or captains chairs model# 2074 1/2. Thoughtful and precise design coupled with unparalleled American craftsmanship. A selection of some of the most subtly elegant elements of Oriential influence on European design, harmoniously combined: these dining chairs for instance, the enduring charm of the Orient currently being rediscovered. Featuring a simple and elegant design, expertly recovered in a teal colored velvet uphostery with solid wood dark stained legs offer a nice contrast. Today vintage Widdicomb...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
$18,450 / set - John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of SixBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA beautiful set of six Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1950s Solid sculpted walnut frames, with caned seat backs and teal vinyl upholstered seats. M...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Walnut
- Set of 6 Iconic John Widdicomb Parsons Style Dining ChairsBy John WiddicombLocated in Hopewell, NJAn elegant set of six John Widdicomb Parsons dining chairs, fully marked with brass tags, from the 1960s. Great timeless silhouette and "bones",...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Set of Six John Widdicomb Caned Back Dining ChairsBy John WiddicombLocated in Hanover, MASet of six walnut dining chairs by John Widdicomb, circa 1960. The four side chairs have woven radio cane backs. The two arm chairs have upholstered backs which match the seats. See ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Walnut
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern High Back Dining Chairs, Set of SixBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1960s Sculpted solid walnut frames, with upholstered seats and backs. Measures: Side ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Set of 6 Mid Century Walnut & Holly Hunt Fabric Dining Chairs by John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in New York, NYThis refined set of six dining chairs were realized by the illustrious John Widdicomb Co. and handmade in Grand Rapids Michigan circa 1950. They feature rectilinear legs in beautiful...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak