Tallboy Chest by John Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Tallboy Chest by John Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 45.75 in (116.21 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:circa 1951
- Condition:almost like new condition. Original finish near impeccable.
- Seller Location:South Charleston, WV
- Reference Number:Seller: Widdicomb tallboy1stDibs: LU161629112001
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.
- Tallboy by Paul McCobb for Planner GroupBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Charleston, WV42.25" tall, 36" wide and 18.25" deep. Masculine Upright dresser by Paul McCobb. A sophisticated restoration has been performed on two pieces and both...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$3,995 / set - Refinished Dresser and Mirror by Paul McCobb for Planner GroupBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Charleston, WVMirror measures: 47" x 17". Dresser is 60" wide, 18.25" deep and 33" tall. Paul McCobb Dresser and Mirror. A sophisticated restoration has been performed on two pieces and both are listed separately. This pieces provided a contrast between the black lacquer and the birch elements and brass knobs. An uncommon element to this suite is the seldom seen original Paul McCobb mirror...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Tallboy by Unagusta in black American walnutBy UnagustaLocated in South Charleston, WVExceptional piece by Unagusta. 48.5" tall, 40.5" wide and 21.25" deep. A avant-garde company before a fire destroyed the factory in NC in 1955 although they remained with some operations into the 60's. Their designs were intricate, modernist, leading and they were renown for high-end pieces. This tallboy chest has exceptional minute details, finger pulls beneath the 4 large drawers and side finger pulls for the 2 top drawers - all 4 drawers to the lower section are curved. Remnants of label to interior of drawer. An extensive restoration has been done with all drawers clean. Contains Black American...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany, Oak, Walnut
- Exceptional Triple Dresser and Mirror by UnagustaBy UnagustaLocated in South Charleston, WVExceptional piece by Unagusta. 64.5" wide, 32.5" tall and 21.25" deep. The mirror is 55.5" wide, 35.75" tall and the special plinth used when mounted to the dresser adds 1.5" in height). A avant-garde company before a fire destroyed the factory in NC in 1955 although some operations kept going into the 60's. Their designs were intricate, modernist, leading and they were renown for high-end pieces. This triple dresser comes with an immense mirror that can be mounted on the dresser top or wall hung. It has a small plinth...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany, Oak, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern Vanity with Large MirrorBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in South Charleston, WV60" wide, 22" deep and 24.5" tall. Mirror is 50" wide and 36.25" Tall. Overall height 60.75" Leather & light Primavera wood. Maker unknown, and in the style or after Paul Lazlo and...Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsGlass
- Lane Tuxedo Black Walnut Double DresserBy Lane FurnitureLocated in South Charleston, WV58 x 18 x 30" tall. 1961 Lane Furniture Tuxedo series black walnut with rosewood dovetails or bowties. Featuring chevron finger pulls. refinished lacquer and in excellent condition. ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
Sold$2,520
- John Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern, Nightstand, Walnut, Greek Key Motif, 1950sBy John WiddicombLocated in Stamford, CTJohn Widdicomb, Mid-Century Modern, Nightstand, Walnut, Greek Key Motif, 1950s Single mid-century cabinet having three drawers with solid brass modern drawer pulls. Each drawer hav...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Chest of DrawersBy John WiddicombLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of midcentury chests by John Widdicomb Company. Polished brass hardware compliments the fruitwood drawers. Please confirm location NY or NJ.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$2,400 / set - John Widdicomb Vintage Burled Bachelor Chests, a PairBy John WiddicombLocated in Hartville, OHExtraordinary in every way. Uber Rare 1950’s Burled Wood Bachelor Chests from John Widdicomb. Condition Disclosure: Please understand nearly all of our inventory is comprised of ra...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Dressers
MaterialsWood
- 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 Co Bachelor ChestsBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Brooklyn, NYPair of matching chests made by John Widdicomb. Original brass hardware compliments a superlative finish on choice fruitwood. Great style and form. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$2,200 / set - John Widdicomb Art Deco Black Lacquered Dresser Chests, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern dressers or bedside chests By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1940s Black lacquered mahogany, with brass accents. Measures: 36"W x 19....Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass