John Widdicomb Modern Desk
View Similar Items
John Widdicomb Modern Desk
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 64 in (162.56 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bridgeport, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: 829611stDibs: LU1755211674741
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.
- Antique American Inlaid Serpentine DeskLocated in Bridgeport, CTLate 18th-early 19th century mahogany drop-front writing desk with satinwood banding and marquetry fan design. Outfitted with interior drawers. Brass hardware in caduceus pattern. Sc...Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Chippendale Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Monumental Antique English Regency Style Partner’s DeskLocated in Bridgeport, CTA truly exceptional Antique English Partner’ Desk notable not only for its size, but also for the Handsome Wood and Magnificent Splayed Base. Grand scale mahogany English Regency Sty...Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Antique English Kidney Form Leather Top DeskLocated in Bridgeport, CTMahogany kidney form desk with gilt-embossed brown leather top (The Leather top replaced at a later time). The desk with a center drawer flanked by 4 drawers each side on front. Fini...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Georgian Desks
MaterialsBrass
- A Fine George III Style Mahogany Partners DeskLocated in Bridgeport, CTA massive partners desk having a black leather tooled inlay and gilt embellishments. The whole having twelve drawers and brass pulls in three parts. Lacking a key. Dimensions: 60" ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century George III Desks
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Classic Antique French Cherry Desk with Breadboard TopLocated in Bridgeport, CTA Classic Antique Provincial French writing table with breadboard top. Plank top two drawer desk featuring scalloped knee hole and apron with two drawers with brass pulls on simple c...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Provincial Desks
MaterialsCherry, Wood
- 19th C. Ship Captain's Inlaid Burl Davenport DeskLocated in Bridgeport, CTA fine Captain’s desk in particularly well chosen and colorful Burl wood with string inlaid details and ebonized moldings. The very top with a 3/4 brass gallery and worn brass plaque...Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Nautical Objects
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Chippendale Style Secretary DeskBy John WiddicombLocated in Toledo, OHJohn Widdicomb Chippendale Style Secretary Desk. circa 20th century. A two-piece slant front walnut Chippendale desk model #2086. Banded wood inl...Category
20th Century Chippendale Desks
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Double Dresser Secretary DeskBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Double Dresser Secretary Desk This secretary desk measures: 70 wide x 21 deep x 45 high All piece...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- John Widdicomb for Mastercraft Black Lacquered and Brass DeskBy John Widdicomb, MastercraftLocated in Dallas, TXThis Classic writing table or desk by John Widdicomb for Mastercraft. Composed of a large black lacquered wood top with canted corners that sits atop a brass frame. Brass legs swoop ...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Bert England Persian Walnut and Leather Desk for John WiddicombBy Bert England, John WiddicombLocated in Chicago, ILFrom California designer Bert England's Orientation Group for John Widdicomb Company, this extraordinary desk is made of Persian walnut and solid mahogany. Wrapping around the fr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Midcentury Desk by WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Pasadena, TXWiddicomb Vintage midcentury desk by Widdicomb Oak with caramel Naugahyde top. The finished back allows for flexible placement in room. ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
- T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Kneehole Desk for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Hanover, MAAmerican Classical modern kneehole desk designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Co. in figured walnut with contrasting maple moldings. Original label in center drawer. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMaple, Walnut