Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
$4,200
H 25.5 in W 100 in D 32.5 in
Rare and Exceptional Mid Century Walnut Four Seat Sofa from John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A phenomenal mid century wood framed sofa originally purchased from John Stuart in New York City in 1959. Elegant frame with slightly angl...
Walnut
$8,000 / set
H 26 in W 66 in D 27 in
Pair Curved Mid-Century Modern Sofas / Settees, Loveseats John Stuart for Irwin
By John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Curved Mid-Century Modern Sofas / Settees Labeled John Stuart, Walnut Irwin Furniture Company settees or loveseats designed by John Stuart. Both bearing labels. The pair having lovely sleek frames covered in a clean modern textile. A fine addition to any home or office. At the ripe age of 23 Robert Irwin rose from office clerk to plant superintendent of the Grand Rapids School Furniture Co. In 1900 he and some associates purchases Royal Furniture Co, and later it transferred to his very own label in Irwin. Irwin specialized in high end reproductions based off of European and ancient American...
Fabric, Walnut
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 48 in D 30 in
Danish Modern Solid Teak "Minerva" Daybed / Sofa by Peter Hvidt for John Stuart
By John Stuart, Peter Hvidt
Located in San Diego, CA
An absolutely gorgeous Danish modern solid teak "Minerva" daybed / sofa by Peter Hvidt for John Stuart, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good original vintage condition with a brigh...
Teak, Chenille
$8,000
H 32 in W 80 in D 30 in
Teak & Cane "FD" Sofa by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart
By France & Søn, John Stuart, Hvidt & Mølgaard, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make your living room the envy of the neighborhood with this breathtaking teak & rattan sofa designed by legendary Scandinavian Modern duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. ...
Brass
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 83.5 in D 32 in
Outrageous Milo Baughman Style Rosewood Chrome Case Sofa John Stuart
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Outrageous Milo Baughman style rosewood and chrome case sofa. The rosewood case is gorgeous with a deep dark rich color and highly figured graining throughout. The chromed steel legs...
Chrome
Modern Steel Studio Sofa Stephen K Stuart
By Stephen K Stuart
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Stephen K Stuart. Manufacturer: Modern steel. Period or model: 20th century. Specs: Metal, leather. Condition: This modern steel studio sofa...
Aluminum
John Mascheroni Curved Sofa
By John Mascheroni
Located in Chicago, IL
This 1980s sofa designed by John Mascheroni epitomizes the era's sleek, minimalist aesthetic with its elegantly curved silhouette. Upholstered in a rich ochre boucle fabric, the sofa...
Bouclé
Sculptural Sofa by Renzo Zavanella (1900-1988), Italy
Located in New York, NY
Asymmetrical corner sofa with a high backrest and new off-white upholstery. The sculptural form and organic contours are characteristic of the avant-garde designs of architect and de...
Upholstery
Spirit Sofa by John Hutton
By John Hutton
Located in San Francisco, CA
A “spirit” sofa by John Hutton for Dohghia. Covered in a deep rust colored velvet with decorative velvet rosettes across the back. Retains Donghia label. ...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of John Mascheroni Curved Sofas
By John Mascheroni
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of John Mascheroni curved sofas, an elegant duo of modern furniture that adds a touch of sophistication to any living space. These beautifully crafted sofas feature strikin...
Bouclé
3 Piece Modular Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988
By Vladimir Kagan, Preview
Located in Chicago, IL
3 Piece Modular sectional sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988. Original white fabric is in good condition. There is a spot on one cushi...
Fabric
Teddy Bear Sofa, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Teddy Bear Sofa, 1970's. Fabric is original, with no rips, tears or stains. Made by Schweiger. Measures 100" long, 37" deep, 27.75" tall, seat height ...
Velvet
Pair of Brass Frame Sofa's, 1960
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Brass Low Frame sofas circa 1960. Restored and newly reupholstered. Sofa's measure 92" long, 34.5" deep 28" tall, seat height 13", 26" deep.
Brass
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Leather Sofa
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Chicago, IL
Leather sofa designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, Italy, 1980. All original and in great vintage condition. Arms are removable.
Leather
Pair Post Modern Sculptural Sofa, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Post Modern Sculptural Sofa’s 1980’s. Sofas are in original upholstery which are in great vintage condition.
Upholstery
William Plunkett White “Kingston” Sofa, 1967
By C.J. Plunkett & Co
Located in Chicago, IL
William Plunkett "Kingston" Sofa, 1967. Restored and reupholstered.
Stainless Steel
