Pair of Slipper Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Pair of Slipper Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer),T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 27.75 in (70.49 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Chairs have recently been fully restored but legs do have a few minor nicks, which is very standard for chairs of this age.
- Seller Location:Palm Desert, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU79773303882
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
British-born designer, interior decorator and author T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings was one of the great American tastemakers in the middle decades of the 20th century. Much like Edward Wormley, Robsjohn-Gibbings was a design classicist by education and inclination, but he would come to create some of the most gracious and livable modern furnishings of the era.
Robsjohn-Gibbings studied architecture at the University of London, then held various jobs that included designing décors for passenger liners and working as the art director of a film studio. In the early 1930s, while employed by the upper-crust interior designer Charles J. Duveen, Robsjohn-Gibbings experienced an epiphany during a visit to the British Museum.
Examining the furniture depicted on ancient Greek ceramics — lithe stools and klismos chairs — he realized that he had found a design touchstone. By 1936, Robsjohn-Gibbings had moved to New York and set up a showroom on Madison Avenue for his modern reinterpretations of Classical Greek designs. Aided by contacts he’d developed while working with Duveen, he quickly established a clientele that included Elizabeth Arden, Doris Duke and Thelma Chrysler Foy.
Through his writings for magazines and books, Robsjohn-Gibbings earned a public following and was established as an urbane arbiter of taste. From 1943 to 1956, he produced an understated line of modernist furnishings for Widdicomb, which included one of the icons of the period: the tiered, biomorphic Mesa coffee table (1951). Robsjohn-Gibbings moved to Athens, Greece, in 1966, and created a new line of antiquity-inspired pieces for the firm Saridis. The series turned out to be his swan song.
Collectors’ interest in Robsjohn-Gibbings was reignited in the 1980s when the 200-plus pieces from his 1936–38 commission for the Bel-Air estate of Los Angeles socialite Hilda Boldt Weber — pared-down neoclassical pieces rendered in blond wood (with the occasional flourish) — came on the market. (Up until then, the collection had remained in the house, despite its having changed hands several times.)
But his work for Widdicomb remains his most widely known, appreciated for its elegance and generous proportions. Robsjohn-Gibbings despised the stern aesthetic associated with his Bauhaus contemporaries, and a keynote of his modernist pieces is that they have no sharp angles. His chair and sofa frames, table legs and even many cabinets feature softly contoured edges. In whatever style he designed, Robsjohn-Gibbings was guided by simplicity and timelessness. He wanted his furniture to be lived with happily.
Find antique T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings coffee tables, dining tables, credenzas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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.
- "Klini" Chaise by T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, SaridisLocated in Palm Desert, CAThis is a beautiful and rare "Klini" ('couch') designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Saridis of Athens. In 1960 T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings re-created 22 models representing iconic Greek furniture from the 6th to the 4th centuries B.C. His work was put on exhibit in Athens in 1961, gaining worldwide recognition for its style and craftsmanship. Made of walnut, the back rest, the leather laced seat, and the legs resemble the Klismo chairs. This piece is in wonderful condition. The leather is still intact and one can tell upon inspection that previous owners have taken good care of it resulting in minimal wear over the years. Elevate your space with a rare and striking T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings original Klini! Excerpt from pg 115 of "Furniture of Classical Greece" By T.H. Robsjohn- Gibbings and Carlton W. Pullin on the Klini as seen on picture #14 in this listing: "Walnut couch with leather thongs seat, a re-creation of the Greek couch...Category
Vintage 1960s Greek Greco Roman Chaise Longues
MaterialsWalnut, Leather
- Pair of Asian Inspired Slipper Chairs with Cashmere Velvet UpholsteryLocated in Palm Desert, CAThis is an exceptionally well crafted pair of asian inspired slipper chairs, newly upholstered in a cashmere velvet with bleached wood accents. Circa 1940s, these chairs reflect the ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Chinoiserie Slipper Chairs
MaterialsTextile, Wood
- A Pair of High Chests by Paul Frankl for Johnson FurnitureBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Palm Desert, CAThis pair of high chests designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture were produced in the 1950s. Standing the test of time, the craftsmanship of...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of "Man Ray" Chairs by Philippe StarckBy Philippe StarckLocated in Palm Desert, CAThis pair of "Man Ray" chairs by Philippe Starck was inspired by the photographer Man Ray, who in one of his most famous fashion photographs, dressed a model in an evening gown and seated her in a wheelbarrow as in a luxurious armchair. The bleached wood frames have a "wheelbarrow" style wheel for the rear support, these chairs were manufactured for Clift Hotel...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$5,500 / set - Pair of Mirrored Dining Chairs by Philippe StarckBy Philippe StarckLocated in Palm Desert, CAThese unique mirrored chairs are from Clift Hotel, San Francisco Circa 2001. Clift Hotel was an Ian Schrager property and interiors were designed by Philip...Category
Early 2000s American Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMirror, Wood
- A Pair of Cobalt Blue Swiveling Tub Chairs designed by William HainesBy William Billy HainesLocated in Palm Desert, CAOffered here a pair of swiveling tub chairs, sitting on a stylized Chinoiserie base. The bases are painted black. The chairs have been newly upholstered in Romo/Zinc Ocelot - Midni...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Upholstered Slipper ChairBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Garnerville, NYT.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb slipper chair. The slipper chair traditionally is an armless chair that sits closer to the floor than other chairs. Featuring that elegantly tape...Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Wood
$2,316 Sale Price20% Off - T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Slipper ChairBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Boynton Beach, FLTimeless elegant design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in original finish. Believed to be original upholstery but could have been redone in its lifetime. Some stains to the upholstery cou...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Slipper Lounge Chairs - PairBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Countryside, ILT.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Slipper Lounge Chairs - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 27 wide x 26 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 17 inches All pieces of...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Single T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Elegant Slipper Chair Walnut FrameBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in St. Louis, MOBeautiful design by T. H Robsjohn-Gibbings in original finish, with older silk upholstery. Elegant splayed legs on walnut frame, original finish shows minor scuffs. Upholstery shows stains, needs to be updated. From one owner estate, no label, home filled with other Gibbings pieces. This one recently sold...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Chair and Ottoman for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Toledo, OHT.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings chair and ottoman for Widdicomb Furniture. T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (1905-1976) produced and understated a line of mode...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Lounge Chairs a Pair for Widdicomb USA 1955By T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Paris, FRPair of Widdicomb Slipper chairs Timeless and elegant design by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in the 1950s Chairs from the 1950-1960s, excellent vintage cond...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Slipper Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
1970s Corporate America Has Never Looked So Chic
Photographer Susan Ressler revisits the office life of decades past, whose style still resonates.
In Dragonette’s New Palm Desert Digs, Great Design Springs Eternal
Since leaving Los Angeles, Patrick Dragonette is experiencing a new kind of creative freedom.