Vintage French Provincial Style Chest of Drawers by John Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Vintage French Provincial Style Chest of Drawers by John Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 47 in (119.38 cm)
- Style:French Provincial (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some wear as seen in the photos. The green finish appears to have been a modification made over possibly a pink coat. All items are sold in the condition they are acquired in and nothing has been done to restore or repair them.
- Seller Location:Delray Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6663232105252
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.
- French Provincial Style Wooden Chest of Drawers by Polo Ralph LaurenLocated in Delray Beach, FLOur French Provincial Style Wooden Chest of Drawers by Polo Ralph Lauren combines classic elegance with functionality, perfect for any home setting. Showcases the romantic elegance ...Category
Vintage 1980s American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Vintage Travertine Top Chests of Drawers by Henredon- a PairLocated in Delray Beach, FLExceptional pair or commodes/small dressers by Henredon. Each feature 7 spacious drawers with Italian travertine tops.Category
Vintage 1980s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTravertine
- Regency Chic "Aloha" Chest of Drawers by Dixie - 3 DrawersLocated in Delray Beach, FLDiscover the charm of the Regency "Aloha" Chest of Drawers by Dixie, blending classic elegance with a playful twist. This piece features three spacious drawers, refined lines, and a ...Category
20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Antique Altona Rococo Chest of Drawers, by IrwinLocated in Delray Beach, FLExceptional antique English style altona chest of drawers made by Irwin. Features gilded gold accents with Burl and walnut throughout the surfaces.Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century Modern Chest of Drawers by KroehlerLocated in Delray Beach, FLDiscover the charm of the Mid Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Kroehler, a perfect blend of style and functionality. With its classic clean lines and minimalist aesthetic, this che...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Regency Chic "Aloha" Chest of Drawers by DixieLocated in Delray Beach, FLEmbrace the blend of luxury and tropical flair with the Regency Chic “Aloha” Chest of Drawers by Dixie. This exquisite chest features three spacious drawers with faux bamboo acce...Category
20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Cherry Commode or Chest of DrawersBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style commode or dresser chest By John Widdicomb USA, late 20th century Carved solid cherry wood, with original brass hardware. Drawers...Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Style Tall Chest DresserBy John WiddicombLocated in Esperance, NYFor sale is this very heavy well made dresser by John Widdicomb. All drawers are dovetailedCategory
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Lacquered Highboy Dresser, RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style highboy dresser By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1940s White lacquered mahogany, with original brass hardware. Measures: 39.25...Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Chippendale Walnut Block Front Chest of Drawers, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Chippendale style four-drawer block front dresser chest or commode By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1960s Solid walnut, with origin...Category
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage French Provincial Louis XV Style Chest of DrawersLocated in Forney, TXA vintage French Provincial walnut and oak semainier chest of drawers. Handcrafted in France in the Mid-20th Century, high quality solid wood construction, finished in elegantly s...Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Antique John Widdicomb Art Deco Burl Wood Chest of Drawers, Circa 1920sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Art Deco three-drawer dresser chest or commode By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1920s Exotic burl wood, with hand-painted details and original hardware. Measures: ...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBurl, Paint