Pair Bachelors Chest/Nightstands by Robsjohn Gibbings
View Similar Items
Pair Bachelors Chest/Nightstands by Robsjohn Gibbings
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU94131171154
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.
- Pair of Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency ChestsBy Dorothy Draper, HenredonLocated in Dallas, TXSpectacular, rare pair of Hollywood Regency chests by Dorothy Daper. From her 1960's Viennese Collection for Henredon, this "original ...Category
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
$8,500 / set - Gold Leaf Chest / Commode by John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in Dallas, TXThis gorgeous Louis XV chest by John Widdicomb has incredible French style with a classic serpentine Bombay silhouette, elegant French styled details, and raised design with gold lea...Category
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Nightstands by Russel Wright for Conant BallBy Conant Ball, Russel WrightLocated in Dallas, TXIconic pair of early 20th century American modernist nightstands featuring drawers with wooden pulls and dovetail joints, designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940. Beginning in the late 1920s through the 1960s, Russel Wright created a succession of artistically distinctive and commercially successful items that helped bring modern design to the general public. Good vintage condition with some cosmetic imperfections due to age and use. Labeled with the branded mark "American Modern Built by Conant-Ball Co.". Matching dresser and chest of drawers...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
$2,560 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Burl Wood Nightstands by Milo Baughman for LaneBy Milo Baughman, Lane FurnitureLocated in Dallas, TXStunning Vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of burl wood nightstands by Milo Baughman for Lane. The timeless beauty of burl wood, a naturally occurring wood pattern, and clean modernis...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBurl
- Pair of Mint Green Vintage NightstandsLocated in Dallas, TXFabulous pair of 1970s transitional nightstands in mint green. Crafted from high-quality materials and built to last, these side tables feature...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Louis XVI Night Stands
MaterialsMetal
$1,950 / set - Pair of Louis XV Style French Provincial NightstandsLocated in Dallas, TXPair of Louis XV Style French Provincial Nightstands with single drawer. Refinishing recommended.Category
Vintage 1960s French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Dresser Bachelors ChestBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in New York, NYSophisticated tailored design three drawer chest designed by T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb circa 1950/1960’s. The dresser features three deep drawers, each having a dowel form pull, and a picture frame molding cabinet...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Bachelor Four Drawer Chests DressersBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of Mid-Century Modern walnut bachelor chests by Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb 3 Drawer ChestsBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Hanover, MAPair of American classical modern chests of drawers designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Co. in figured walnut with contrasting maple moldings. Both have original la...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMaple, Walnut
- T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Chest or Dresser Pair AvailableBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Atlanta, GAElegant Modern chest or dresser, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. This chest is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
$2,800 / item - Pair Sliding Door Dressers Chests Cabinets by T H Robsjohn-Gibbings & WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Kansas City, MORare and fine pair of dressers / chests / storage cabinets designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for the John Widdicomb Company, 1950s. The mahogany cases have been expertly refinished ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Designed Tall Chest, by WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings designed tall chest, fitted with five concealed long drawers by manufactured by Widdicomb furniture company. A sleek iconic work, ready to place. Beautiful c...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
$3,840 Sale Price20% Off