Bert England Persian Walnut and Leather Desk for John Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer),Bert England (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 52 in (132.08 cm)Depth: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent restored condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84199694663
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Bert England Orientation Group Walnut and Brass Bar Cabinet for John WiddicombBy Bert EnglandLocated in Chicago, ILOften misattributed to Monteverdi Young, this bar cabinet constructed of walnut woods, solid brass, and anodized aluminum is actually designed by Bert England for his John Widdicomb ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Sligh Walnut Curved Front Desk with Leather TopBy Sligh-Lowry Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILElegant and timeless walnut and tooled brown leather top curved front five drawer desk or writing table from Sligh. Cabriole legs and scalloped bottom and centre drawers as well as c...Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mariani for Pace Grey-Green Leather Executive Desk and CredenzaBy Pace Collection, i4 MarianiLocated in Chicago, ILItalian executive desk by Mariani for Pace Collection. Modular desk assembles in pieces for easy adjustments and moving. Teal grey leather has tooled borders where the hides are join...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Desks
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Laminate
- Pierre Paulin Bird's-Eye Maple and Walnut Inlay Executive DeskBy Pierre Paulin, Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Chicago, ILRare Pierre Paulin executive desk for Baker. Bird's-eye maple veneers inlaid with dark walnut in the signature motif for the Paulin Collection. Drawers are fitted to give a floating ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Desks
MaterialsBirdseye Maple, Walnut
- Landstrom Furniture Bleached and Limed Mahogany Six-Drawer DeskBy Landstrom FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILLandstrom furniture desk in bleached and limed mahogany. Aged nickel over copper drop disc pulls and trefoil escutcheons. Five drawers to the left, a single drawer above the opening ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsCopper, Nickel
- Drexel Sandia Collection Jacobean Drop-Front DeskBy DrexelLocated in Chicago, ILDrexel drop front desk from the Sandia Collection, circa 1960s. Interesting writing desk marrying the form of a Govenor Winthrop drop front desk with early English Jacobean...Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Bert England Walnut Desk for John WiddicombBy John Widdicomb, Bert EnglandLocated in Philadelphia, PABert England for John Widdicomb faux-Tourtise shell finish body with a black vinyl work surface and drawer fronts. Asian inspired brass handles. Desk is finished on all sides! Fin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut
- Bert England for John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Leather Top DeskBy Bert England, John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern writing desk or executive desk By Bert England for John Widdicomb "Orientation Group" USA, 1960s Walnut, with leather top and original Asia...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb for Mastercraft Black Lacquered and Brass DeskBy Mastercraft, John WiddicombLocated 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
- Mid Century Modern Bert England for Widdicomb Leather Top DeskBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., Bert EnglandLocated in Keego Harbor, MIThe Bert England for Widdicomb Leather Top Desk is a remarkable blend of style and functionality. Designed by renowned designer Bert England...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- 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
- Modernist Desk by John Van Koert for DrexelBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Sagaponack, NYA boldly angled modernist single pedestal desk having a distinctive raised gallery with sliding doors and a warm dark grey leather surface.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass