T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut Sofa
View Similar Items
1 of 2
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut Sofa
About the Item
Measurements:
L: 91'"
D: 35"
SD: 22"
BH: 32"
SH: 18"
Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings (1905 - 1976) was a British-born architect and furniture designer.
Robsjohn-Gibbings studied architecture at London University. He afterwards worked briefly as a naval architect, designing ocean liner interiors, and then as art director for a motion picture studio. In 1926, he became a salesman for an antiques dealer who specialized in Elizabethan and Jacobean furniture, and Robsjohn-Gibbings was assigned prominent accounts such as Elizabeth Arden and Neiman Marcus.
In the late 1930s and 1940s he was the most important decorator in America. After opening a shop on New York's Madison Avenue in 1936, Robsjohn-Gibbings proceeded to design houses from coast to coast for such scions as tobacco heiress Doris Duke, Alfred A. Knopf, and Thelma Chrysler Foy.
The design work of T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings is hallmarked as a modern mixture of the classical elements of Ancient Grecian design, and Art Deco design. It features mosaic floor reproductions, sculptural fragments, and sparse furnishings, all combining to achieve his trademark brand of modern historicism.
He disliked the prevailing tastes of the day, describing them as "an indigestible mixture of Queen Anne, Georgian and Spanish styles." He likewise considered Bauhaus-style modernism a fraud; he expressed his views in his writings such as Goodbye, Mr. Chippendale (1944), a spoof of modern interior design, Mona Lisa's Mustache: A dissection of Modern Art (1947), and Homes of the Brave (1953).
One of the designer's most important residential commissions was Hilda Boldt Weber's mansion Casa Encantada in Bel-Air. Creating more than 200 pieces of furniture for the house between 1934 and 1938, Robsjohn-Gibbings indulged his passion for Greco-Roman design by incorporating sphinxes, dolphins, lions' paw feet, and Ionic columns in table bases, torchères, and select pieces of furniture, nonetheless keeping the interior design simple and elegant. Casa Encantada survived was sold intact to llConrad Hilton]] in 1952 and similarly sold on to its next owner, David Howard Murdock. He retained some of what was called the "opulent simplicity", but sold off the contents in the early 1980s. The architect might have appreciated the irony that, although the fine fittings and structure remained virtually untouched, these rooms made the perect background for the new owners fine collection of eighteenth century English furniture. It has since been sold again.
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings much preferred the visual vocabulary of the classical world, particularly ancient Greek furniture and design. Robsjohn-Gibbings' look was widely emulated, and, from 1943-56, he worked as a designer for the Widdicomb furniture company in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In 1960, he met Greek cabinetmakers Susan and Eleftherios Saridis, and, together, they created the Klismos line of furniture, which drew heavily on classical forms. It is still in production. Robsjohn-Gibbings eventually moved to Athens, where he became designer to Aristotle Onassis.
His honors include the 1950 Waters Award and the 1962 Elsie de Wolfe Award.
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 91 in (231.14 cm)Depth: 35 in (88.9 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Excellent Restored Condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: U10031378361339
You May Also Like
- Lovely Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut SofaBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Pemberton, NJLovely Robsjohn-Gibbings attributed walnut sofa with sexy flared feet and double bowed front bottom edge. Yes, this piece will need to be reupholstered but that's what you designers ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Sofa, Walnut, Velvet, USA, 1950sBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in High Point, NCA walnut and beige velvet fabric sofa designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1950s. Seat height 19.5”Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Sofa, WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Raleigh, NCA sofa, model 1678, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his typical fashion, Robsjohn-Gibbings blends a modern expressio...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Maple
- Vintage T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Bleached Walnut Sofa for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in East Hampton, NYLoveseat by T.H Robsjohn Gibbings, for Widdicomb. This sofa features rounded original solid bleached walnut wood frame with armrests. The cushions have been newly reupholstered in a ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Sofa, Walnut, Canvas, Velvet, USA, 1950sBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in High Point, NCA walnut, beige canvas webbing and brown velvet sofa designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1950s. 16” seat hei...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsCanvas, Velvet, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Sofa for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Dallas, TXA rare armless sofa / daybed with brass legs. Designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Royal Alpaca / Angora.Category
Vintage 1950s Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
