John Widdicomb, Marble-Top Commode
View Similar Items
John Widdicomb, Marble-Top Commode
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 47 in (119.38 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Fine condition with very few minor surface marks.
- Seller Location:Stamford, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: 1031stDibs: 13051586323258
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.
- Pair of Painted Bombe Marble-Top Chests or Commodes by John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in Stamford, CTJohn Widdicomb made in England pair of painted Bombe marble-top chests. Each chest with oak secondaries in the Louis XV Fashion having painted leaf, vine and scroll design on an off-...Category
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Pair Of Russian Neoclassical Style Cabinets or Commodes Marble TopBy Maison JansenLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Maison Jansen Russian neoclassical style cabinets. These massive and impressive cabinets are wonderfully bronze mounted and each support a greenish black and white veined mar...Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Empire Cabinets
MaterialsMarble
- Ebony Hollywood Regency Bronze Mounted Commode, Sideboard, Chest, Marble TopBy Maison JansenLocated in Stamford, CTAn Ebony Louis XV commode or chest in the Hollywood Regency Fashion. This stunning French chest or commode has three over two drawers in the blockfront form with bronze pulls. The recently refinished chest...Category
Early 20th Century French Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Marble Top Bronze-Mounted Maison Jansen Style Marble Column Front CommodeBy Maison JansenLocated in Stamford, CTThis French neoclassical style marble top bronze-mounted Maison Jansen fashioned marble column front commode. This rare and hard to find fine commode or n...Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- A Rococo Style Commode, Chest, Dresser with a Marble Top, CarvedLocated in Stamford, CTA Rococo Style Commode, Chest or Bedside Stand having a Marble Top, Carved A finely carved two drawer commode or chest. The drawers themselves ...Category
Late 20th Century American Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMarble
- Maison Jansen, Louis XVI Style, Cabinet, Mahogany, Brass, Marble, France, 1940sBy Maison JansenLocated in Stamford, CTFine mahogany storage chest attributed to Maison Jansen. This Louis XVI style double hi chest has three drawers beneath a pair of bronze grilled doors with a finely bronze galleried ...Category
Vintage 1940s French Cabinets
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Lovely John Widdicomb Tall Dresser With Tamboured DoorsBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJGorgeous signed piece of john widdicomb tall dresser with tamboured doors. This dresser is in gorgeous condition with it original finish. I l...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Handsome Pair Asian Style John Widdicomb Bachelors Chests Mid-Century ModernBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJHandsome pair of John Widdicomb Asain style bachelors chests. These are fine examples of the level of craftsmanship and the standards of the John Widdicomb Furniture Company. These p...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Bonnet Top CabinetBy John WiddicombLocated in Hartville, OHVery Rare John Widdicomb Bonnet top cabinet with glass shelving. Beautiful hand painted details, intricate brass grating and hand carvings. Original...Category
Vintage 1960s American Beaux Arts Cabinets
MaterialsPaint
- 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
- French Louis XV Style Commode with Marble TopLocated in Cypress, CABeautiful French Louis XV Style commode with marble top, early 20th century. The moulded serpentine-shaped mottled marble top, is over two marquetry veneered long drawers mounted wi...Category
20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- Fancy John Widdicomb Regency Style Two Drawer CommodeBy John WiddicombLocated in Hopewell, NJElegant medium sized two drawer commode having magnificent glossy mahogany with curlicue paint and gilt decoration, shiny brasses and cabriole legs.Category
Early 2000s American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass