Widdicomb, Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 71.75 in (182.25 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 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:High Point, NC
- Reference Number:
Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Admirers of vintage mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize the Widdicomb Furniture Company name for the fruitful partnerships it forged with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. But there is more to the Widdicomb story than the albeit quite covetable sofas and bedroom furniture it produced during the middle of the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids, Michigan, a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The American city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. 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. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
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. Today vintage Widdicomb seating, tables and other pieces produced during the postwar years are particularly sought after by collectors of mid-20th-century furniture.
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.
Find vintage Widdicomb coffee tables, case pieces, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: High Point, NC
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Widdicomb, Dresser, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950sBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in High Point, NCAn oak and brass dresser designed and produced by Widdicomb, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mount Airy, Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy Mount Airy Furniture CompanyLocated in High Point, NCA walnut and brass dresser designed and produced by Mount Airy, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- American Designer, Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sLocated in High Point, NCA walnut and brass dresser designed and produced in the US, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- American Designer, Dresser, Walnut, USA, 1950sLocated in High Point, NCA walnut dresser designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- American Designer, Dresser, Walnut, USA, 1950sLocated in High Point, NCA stained walnut dresser or commode designed and produced in the US, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Richard Artschwager, Dresser, Walnut, USA, 1950sBy Richard ArtschwagerLocated in High Point, NCA walnut cabinet designed and produced by Richard Artschwager, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern Dresser, Walnut, USA 1950sBy John Widdicomb, T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Stamford, CTT.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern Dresser, Walnut, USA 1950s Chic mid-century double dresser in solid walnut bearing hidden drawer pulls. The front of the 6 draw...Category
Mid-20th Century American Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Refinished Dresser / Credenza 1950s, SignedBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis elegant refinished dresser by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb (USA) features gorgeous walnut grain with three drawers and one cabinet door, all with integrated pulls. Signe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nakashima "Origins' Walnut Dresser for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., George NakashimaLocated in San Diego, CAA very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern monumental triple dresser. The Origins Group was created by George Nakashima, widely considered one of the world's greatest ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb MCM 4 Drawer Walnut Cane and Brass Highboy DresserBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Countryside, ILRobsjohn gibbings for widdicomb mid century 4 drawer walnut cane and brass highboy dresser. This highboy dresser measures: 34.5 wide x 21.25 deep x 40.75 inches high. All piece...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Walnut Dresser with Brass Legs, Newly RefinishedBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern six-drawer long dresser or credenza By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Book-matched walnut, with sculpted walnut drawer pul...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Midcentury RWAY Walnut and Brass DresserBy RWAYLocated in Los Angeles, CAOriginal 1950s RWAY dresser. Dark walnut with brass. Classic midcentury piece in good condition.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass