Stylized Ribbon Mahogany Cabinet or Dresser by John Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Stylized Ribbon Mahogany Cabinet or Dresser by John Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU106247195383
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.
- Classic Mid-Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of MartinsvilleBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning walnut Modernist dresser designed by Merton Gershun ,,manufactured by American Of Martinsville. Classic aluminum x's and asymetrical pulls. Beautiful original condition. Han...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Classic Mid Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of MartinsvilleBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning walnut modernist dresser designed by Merton Gershun, manufactured by American Of Martinsville. Classic aluminum x's and asymetrical pulls, minor stain to (see photo). Hand d...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall Walnut DresserBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Buffalo, NYTen-drawer dresser by Kip Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for their Drexel Declaration collection. Four exposed drawers with original spherical porcelain knobs and brass spacers. Six more...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsPorcelain, Walnut
- Stunning Regency Chest or Buffet by American of Martinsville in Cream LacquerBy American of Martinsville, Tommi ParzingerLocated in Buffalo, NYAn absolutely stunning chest/dresser from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Beautiful, stout hardwood case construction, with brass and leather accents. Fabulous...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Widdicomb Tall Walnut Dresser with Spear Shaped HandlesLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Widdicomb Tall Walnut Dresser with Spear-Shaped Handles T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Company tall five-drawer walnut chest of drawe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Dressers
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Midcentury Walnut Chest with Concealed Mirror, Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougallBy Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougallLocated in Buffalo, NYMidcentury walnut chest with concealed mirror, Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall for Drexal, superior quality and construction, amazing design, three g...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Dresser or Credenza, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern ten-drawer dresser or credenza By John Widdicomb USA, 1960s Mahogany, with original hardware and unique flared lags. Measures: 74" W x 2...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
- John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mahogany Server or Bar CabinetBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency chinoiserie server or bar cabinet By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1970s Gorgeous mahogany, with original Asian-inspired brass hardware. Measures: 36"W x 18"D x 30"H. Very good original vintage condition. Matching china...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Midnight Blue DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in New York, NYMid Century solid Cherry wood dresser custom stained updatred in a dark Sapphire Midnight Blue. The brass hardware has been professionally up...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$9,600 Sale Price2% Off - John Widdicomb Midcentury Hollywood Regency Triple Dresser or Credenza, 1970sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency triple dresser or credenza By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1970s Wood construction with lacquered faux marble finish in a gr...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Tall Campaign Style DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in Pasadena, TXA prime piece of furniture in burled elm veneer (over oak wood) by John Widdicomb. Dresser features Inset brass pulls in the "campaign" style allow for ease of use and style. Signed ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBronze
$1,920 Sale Price31% Off - Persian Walnut Dresser by Bert England for John WiddicombBy John Widdicomb, Bert EnglandLocated in Hanover, MALuxurious nine drawer dresser in Persian walnut designed by Bert England for the John Widdicomb's Orientation Group. End doors with chunky s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass