Pair of Armchairs by Widdicomb
View Similar Items
Pair of Armchairs by Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Manufacturer)
- Similar to:T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Wood is in excellent condition, velvet upholstery is in very good condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: AJGR051stDibs: LU923811233751
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.
- Mid Century Arm Chairs by Jack Van Der MolenBy Jack Van der MolenLocated in New York, NYPair of mid century arm chairs by Jack Van Der Molen for Jamestown Lounge Co. A pair of Grand Haven Chairs by Jack Van Der Molen. Noted as the famous Grand Haven Chair, winner of the coveted House Beautiful Classic Award given for exceptional value in design, construction and comfort.” In 1959 Jack Van Der Molens Grand Haven Chairs received House Beautiful Magazine "Best Chair of the Year" award. These chairs excel in style, design and comfort, having a timeless aesthetic with a Mid Century bow to traditional. Beautifully sculpted wood frames with clean lines, tapered legs, and accented webbing, they invite you to sit in them. This pair of MCM Grand Haven Chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Oak
- John Widdicomb Asian Inspired ChairsBy John WiddicombLocated in New York, NYJohn Widdicomb Asian inspired chairs. Vintage Mid-Century Modern chairs by John Widdicomb. Chinese-inspired solid walnut wood chairs, set of four,...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
$1,800 Sale Price / set25% Off - Henry Rosengren Hansen ArmchairsBy Henry Rosengren Hansen, Brande MøbelindustriLocated in New York, NYHenry Rosengren Hansesn Armchairs. Stunning pair of Henry Rosengren Hansen sculpted Armchairs in rosewood produced by Brande Mobelindustri in Denmark. Beautiful aesthetic quality s...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Rosewood
$3,800 / set - Pair of 19th Century Klismos ChairsLocated in New York, NYA pair 19th century Danish Klismos chairs. Collected in Copenhagen elegant pair of late 19th century Danish Klismos Chairs. Ebonized hardwood wi...Category
Antique 19th Century Danish Chairs
MaterialsHardwood
$4,200 / set - Arne Vodder Armchairs for France & DaverkosenBy Arne VodderLocated in New York, NYArne Vodder Mid-Century armchairs with pivoting back support. A rare and early pair model B092 / 188F by Arne Vodder one of the second generation master of Danish Mid Century Desig...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak
$3,200 / set - Russel Wright Lounge ChairBy Russel Wright, ThonetLocated in New York, NYRussel Wright lounge chair for Thonet. Iconic American mid century lounge Chair designed by Russel Wright produced by Thonet. Solid maple wood frame legs, well built spring bound woo...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Maple
- Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Sleek Lined Armchairs for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILPair of expertly restored sleek lined arm chairs designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Holland & Sherry wool upholstery in a grey and white very small checker board patt...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Open ArmchairsBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILRestored T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings maple framed open armchairs with new dark chocolate wool upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Maple
- Walnut Open Armchairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in North Miami, FLNewly upholstered solid walnut armchairs by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture, circa 1950. Two available, priced and sold individually at $3200 each.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Chinoiserie ArmchairsBy James MontLocated in New York, NYPair of chinoiserie armchairs, ebonized with stylized fabric, in the style of James Mont, American, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
$5,500 / set - Pair of Vintage Sculpted Oak Armchairs by Madison FurnitureBy Madison FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning pair of vintage modern arm chairs feature unique "box" style sides. The beautiful wood grain and floating angled backrest add to the allure. Smooth edges and plush blue upholstery ensure comfort in any modern interior. Made by Madison Furniture Industries...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood, Wood, Oak
$420 Sale Price / set43% Off - Pair of Armchairs by Rino Levi, Brazilian MidCentury DesignBy Rino LeviLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Rino Levi, the pair of armchairs its made of caviuna wood, a type of Jacaranda Rosewood. The chair has a unique manufacturing stamp and recently upholstered in Fine white...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Linen, Rosewood