Stunning 3 Piece John Widdicomb Sectional Sofa Mid-Century Modern
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 115 in (292.1 cm)Depth: 90 in (228.6 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 5
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. This sofa sectional is in nice vintage condition. It retains its original fabric and will need to be reupholstered. The ebonized legs show some minor scuffs and dings. The rosewood tables have some minor scuffs and dings-nothing serious.
- Seller Location:Pemberton, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU943227766902
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Pemberton, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Stunning 3 Piece Octagon Bernhardt Sofa Sectional Mid-Century ModernBy BernhardtLocated in Pemberton, NJA stunning 3 piece octagon angled sofa produced by Bernhardt, circa '70s. It features 3 angular sections retaining the original upholstery in usable condition. It measures 27"T x 149...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Stunning Vladimir Kagan 3 Piece Omnibus Sectional Sofa Mid-Century ModernBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Pemberton, NJStunning 3 piece Vladimir Kagan Design Omnibus sofa sectional. This sectional retains its original fabric and will need to be reupholstered as the fabric is worn and dated. Fully sup...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- Stunning 4-Piece Erwin Lambeth Circular Curved Sofa Sectional Mid-Century ModernBy Erwin LambethLocated in Pemberton, NJStunning 4-piece circular Erwin Lambeth sectional sofa. This vintage sectional sofa is quality through and through from the down-filled seat cu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Stunning Harvey Probber attr. 2 Piece Octagon sectional Sofa Mid-Century ModernBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Pemberton, NJStunning Harvey Probber attributed 2-piece octagon-shaped sofa sectional. We just love the octagon shape along with the shapely brass legs-very high e...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Unusual 2-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa Mid-Century ModernLocated in Pemberton, NJUnusual 2-piece curved sectional sofa. We love the wonderful space aged sculpted quality of this sectional-looks great with or with-out the molded pillows. The original fabric is dat...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Wonderful Eight Piece Sectional Sofa Mid-Century ModernLocated in Pemberton, NJWonderful eight-piece sectional sofa. This set will need to be re-upholstered but that's what you designers are looking for anyway-right? We have several other sectionals in this sty...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid-Century Modern 2-Piece Sectional SofaLocated in East Hampton, NYThis very Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa in original fabric shows the wonderful Classic architectural design of the era. Low and deep, we left this beauty in its as-found condition so you can select your own fabric. We offer re-upholstery and restoration service...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern to Modern & Hollywood Regency 2 Piece Angled Sectional SofaLocated in Topeka, KSStunning Mid-Century Modern to modern & Hollywood Regency white fabric two piece angled sectional sofa with square tapered wood legs. Beautiful c...Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Style 3 Piece Curved Sectional SofaBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Chicago, ILMid Century Modern Vladimir Kagan Style 3 Piece Curved Sectional Sofa This is a vintage Vladimir Kagan Style 3 Piece Curved Sectional S...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Mid Century Post Modern 3 Piece Sectional, 1970Located in Chicago, ILMid Century Post Modern 3 Piece Sectional, 1970. Original upholstery shows minor wear on back and fading. Measures Section 1 90" deep, 30" tall, 18" seat height, seat depth 23". Sect...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Large Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Two-Piece Sectional Sofa, LabeledBy Harvey ProbberLocated in St. Louis, MOLarge Mid-Century Modern 1950s Harvey Probber two-piece sectional sofa with mahogany tapered legs. Sofa has original fabric, it needs to be reupholstered and foam replaced. There is ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Six Piece Mid Century Boxy Modern Modular or Sectional L Shaped SofaLocated in Philadelphia, PAA classic boxy modular sofa circa 1970's. A very simple timeless design. Single chairs measures W 28 D 35, corner piece measures W 35 D 35, and the ottoman measures W 29 D 29. Fabric...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric