John Dickinson Rare Pair of Three Legged African Nesting Tables, circa 1980
View Similar Items
John Dickinson Rare Pair of Three Legged African Nesting Tables, circa 1980
About the Item
- Creator:John Dickinson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Primitive (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1980
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: nestingtables161stDibs: LU78387827293
John Dickinson
Playful, sculptural, unexpected: Illustrious designer and decorator John Dickinson created interiors, lighting fixtures, seating and other furnishings that were wholly peculiar and unlike anything seen before. The Berkeley, California, native mined design movements of bygone eras for elements he would later integrate into what would become his signature anthropomorphic work.
Dickinson was inspired by Art Deco designers such as Jean-Michel Frank, who similarly drew on the past for his extravagant pieces, and found appeal in the claw-foot tables and seating that Georgian-era furniture makers produced.
Although Dickinson attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, he returned to the West Coast following graduation. He worked for decorating firms and furniture stores, and, in 1956, he set up his own practice in San Francisco, where he reinterpreted heritage in his sculptural lamps, stools and chairs with legs that terminate in hooves or resemble bones and tree branches.
Dickinson’s spare but sophisticated furniture is often associated with a “golden age” of San Francisco decorating that includes the work of designers Charles Pfister and Michael Taylor. Wider recognition over the years owes to collectors’ interest and exhibits such as “Fantasy and Function: The Furniture of John Dickinson,” which opened at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2003.
Despite his irreverent approach, Dickinson’s pieces were luxury items. He crafted lamps of unpolished brass and tables in chalky white plaster with a resin coating. His most iconic works are his Etruscan tables with legs resembling hooved animal feet and his Three-Legged African table, which was inspired by an artifact he discovered in an import shop. Dickinson took on only handpicked, young, well-to-do clients who were willing to give him free rein to experiment with these unusual forms and industrial materials. Leading department stores like Lord & Taylor, however, were also among his clientele. In 1977, Dickinson was commissioned to design a furniture collection for Macy’s. It featured white lacquered bookcases that drew on urban architecture and table lamps with bodies that mimicked animal bones.
Owing to his untimely death, and the fact that he worked in plaster, a highly breakable material, few of Dickinson’s original pieces exist to this day. Their scarcity renders every remaining Dickinson design a valuable heirloom guaranteed to make a statement in any room.
Find vintage John Dickinson furniture on 1stDibs.
- Karl Springer Set of Three Waterfall Nesting Tables in Python 1980s 'Signed'By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYExceptional set of 3 waterfall nesting tables in white python by Karl Springer, American 1980's (metal label reads “Karl Springer”). Largest table comes with a glass top. These tab...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsPython
- Pair of Large Waterfall Nesting Tables in Lucite 1970sLocated in New York, NYPair of large scale waterfall nesting tables in Lucite, American 1970s. The scale of these tables makes them impressive.Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsLucite
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Elegant Pair of Nesting Tables, 1950sBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in New York, NYClassic pair of nesting tables model 3323 in walnut with flared leg design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, American 1950's. These tables are very elegant and beautifully mad...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Ta...
MaterialsWalnut
- Tommi Parzinger Rare Set of 3 Nesting Tables in White Lacquer 1940s, 'Signed'By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture CompanyLocated in New York, NYRare set of 3 nesting tables model M111, beautifully made in white lacquer with etched nickel X accents on the tapering legs by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, American 1940's (signed “Charak Modern” on label on bottom). These tables are exquisite and a beautiful example of Parzinger’s refined design aesthetic. Newly relacquered by Lobel Modern...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Ta...
MaterialsNickel
- Set of Nesting Tables by Charak ModernBy Charak Furniture CompanyLocated in New York, NYSet of three nesting tables, amoebic black lacquered tops with brass legs, by Charak Modern, American, 1940s. Label on bottom. Largest table is a trapezoid; medium table is a rectang...Category
Vintage 1960s American Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
$7,500 / set - Pair of Sculptural Round End Tables in Solid Lucite, 1990sLocated in New York, NYPair of solid lucite end tables, round with tapering legs, custom design, American 1990's. These were custom made for a NYC apartment. They are beautiful...Category
1990s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsLucite
- Set Of Three Rosewood Nesting TablesLocated in Chicago, ILBeautifully wood grained and completely restored, these rosewood nesting tables have many style points in common with Dunbar pieces from the same era. Each table slides into the next...Category
Vintage 1960s American Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsRosewood, Maple
$1,500 / set - R&Y Augousti Pair of Mosaic Inlay Nesting Side Tables, 1980s, SignedBy R & Y AugoustiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis ingenious pair of nesting side tables designed by Ria & Yiouri Augousti for R&Y Augousti (France circa 1980), feature mosaic inlays, u...Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWood
$1,750 Sale Price / set53% Off - Straw Marquetry Nesting Tables, set of ThreeLocated in Dallas, TXSet of Three Straw Marquetry Nesting Tables,Category
20th Century Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
- Set of Three English Nesting Side Tables, c. 1900Located in High Point, NCSet of three nesting oak side tables from England. Tops of the tables have beveled edges, following down to simple aprons with channeled decoration and supported on hand turned legs,...Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Side Tables
MaterialsOak
- Set of Three Inlaid Nesting End Side TablesLocated in Lambertville, NJSet of three inlaid nesting end side tables. The largest is 18 1/2" by 14 1/2" by 22 1/2" tall, the smallest is 12 1/2" by 13 1/2" by 20 1/2" tall. Book matching veneer and inlay. Ni...Category
Early 20th Century American Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsWood
- Rare Pair of Post-Modern Lacquered Nesting Tables Signed by Pietro CostantiniBy Pietro CostantiniLocated in San Diego, CAStunning pair of Italian post-modern lacquered nesting tables signed by Pietro Costantini, circa 1990s. The table tops are made of hardwood veneer with a clear high gloss lacquer fin...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsChrome
$2,800 Sale Price / set20% Off