John Widdicomb Mid-Century Dresser
View Similar Items
John Widdicomb Mid-Century Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 74 in (187.96 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Newly restored and finished.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 9523-P6170786NZd/f1stDibs: LU92181192626
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.
- Mid-Century Modern Dresser by John StuartBy John Stuart Inc.Located in Brooklyn, NYThis stylish two-tone vintage bedroom dresser features rich wood finish mixed with black leatherette door fronts. Accented by chrome handles an...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$2,380 Sale Price35% Off - Mid-Century Dresser by BassettBy Bassett FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYTall chest of drawers in walnut by Bassett Furniture. Mid-century modern straight line design with five wide drawers. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ).Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern John Widdicomb NightstandsBy John WiddicombLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful pair of vintage modern end tables feature sculpted drawer pulls with brass fixtures on each side. The unique "L" shaped design sits on top of four unusual legs. This l...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Style Teak DressersLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis pair of teak dressers features a minimal design with three large drawers. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsTeak
$3,250 / set - Tall Midcentury Highboy Dresser by John Stuart IncBy John Stuart Inc.Located in Brooklyn, NYThis tall midcentury dresser by John Stuart Inc. features warm walnut tones accented by aluminium trim and chrome drawer pulls. This substantial mid-ce...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Diamond Front Dresser by Albert ParvinLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful diamond front dresser features three wide center drawers contained behind sculpted diamond front doors. Unique drawer pulls and brass tipped tapered legs add to the mi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
$1,680 Sale Price25% Off
- John Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern, Nightstand, Walnut, Greek Key Motif, 1950sBy John WiddicombLocated in Stamford, CTJohn Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern, Nightstand, Walnut, Greek Key Motif, 1950s Single mid-century cabinet having three drawers with solid brass modern drawer pulls. Each drawer hav...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Highboy DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 36 wide x 21 deep x 52.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Highboy DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 40.5 wide x 20 deep x 47 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Highboy DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 36 wide x 21 deep x 52.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Lowboy DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 70.25 wide x 21.5 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Gorgeous John Widdicomb Asian Influenced Tall Dresser Mid-century ModernBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJThis 5 drawer dresser is a fine example of the level of craftsmanship and the standards of the John Widdicomb Furniture Company. This piece is made of solid wood, using dovetail, and...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass