Vintage John Dickinson Plaster 'Africa' Table, circa 1970s
View Similar Items
Vintage John Dickinson Plaster 'Africa' Table, circa 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:John Dickinson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Diameter: 16.25 in (41.28 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Antonio, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5057119002972
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.
- Vintage Leather Patchwork Sofa Daybed, Circa 1970sBy De SedeLocated in San Antonio, TXVintage leather patchwork daybed sofa features quality leather in varying hues of warm browns with removable seat, arm, and back cushions. This daybed sofa has a deep seat, nice pati...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Danish Modern Tiled Table by Henning Kjærnulf, Circa 1960sBy Henning KjærnulfLocated in San Antonio, TXMid-century modern drop leaf tiled table made of oak by Henning Kjærnulf, Denmark, circa 1960s. Dimensions:23.5"x23.5"x20"5 (39" with leaves). Henning Kjærnulf b.1911-1975, was a ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsCeramic, Oak
- W.R. Dallas Ponderosa Pine "Texas" Table, Circa 1960sLocated in San Antonio, TXVintage rustic 'Texas' pine side or small coffee table by W.R. Dallas, circa 1960s. Dimensions: 34"x35"x18" "W.R Dallas Furniture Studios, handcraft...Category
Vintage 1960s American Rustic Side Tables
MaterialsPine
- Dutch Leather Sofa, Circa 1970sLocated in San Antonio, TXLarge vintage leather sofa, the Netherlands, circa 1970s features patina with metal legs. This leather sofa is in good overall condition. D...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Vintage 1970s Large Goatskin and Chrome Dining Table Attrib. Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in San Antonio, TXThis gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, goatskin top on a chrome base dining table is in overall good condition. Attributed to Karl Springer. There are a few scuffs and discoloration, please s...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsGoatskin
- Large Primitive Pine Sideboard, Belgium, Circa 1970sLocated in San Antonio, TXLarge primitive credenza is made of pine that has been stripped. Pine credenza has three doors that open to two large spaces for storage, there is no shelving and doors have wooden p...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Primitive Sideboards
MaterialsPine
On Hold$3,800
- Painted plaster African table attributed to John DickinsonBy John DickinsonLocated in Ferndale, MISolid and heavy cast plaster table . After the John Dickinson original "Africa " tables . There paw foot legs support round top that resembles an inverted dome . Fine condition re...Category
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Modern Rope & Tassel Plaster Side Table Style of John DickinsonBy John DickinsonLocated in Port Jervis, NYSimple and elegant plaster side table with faux drape and rope with tassels decorations. Style of John Dickinson. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, see pics. Can be p...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern End Tables
MaterialsPlaster
- John Dickinson style Tri-Pod Plaster African Side TableBy John DickinsonLocated in Las Vegas, NVFunctional 3 legged art table styled after John Dickinson "African" table. Formed of plaster over a rather stout interior frame. Heavy and well crafted piece, almost identical to an ...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsPlaster
- Signed John Dickinson 1970s White Plaster Low Side Table with Hoofed FeetBy John DickinsonLocated in Atlanta, GAA signed John Dickinson plaster low side table from circa 1970 with white finish, X-Form base and hoof feet. This iconic John Dickinson plaster low side table, dating back to around ...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsPlaster
- Original Production John Dickinson Galvanized Steel Drape End Table, SignedBy John DickinsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis exceptionally rare and high-sought after collectors item is the John Dickinson model #107 drape end table with trompe-l'œil fabric motif in galvanized steel and brass binding. This piece of functional fine art is suited for a design collector, art investor or an interior designer looking to impress a hard-to-please client who wants nothing but the best of the best. This iconic 1970s American design by John Dickinson was later produced by Sutherland, and even the Sutherland examples have great worth and collectibility. But nothing compares to the originals, like this one. An interior steel frame with adjustable feet gives this table ample sturdiness and is suited for regular every-day use - but can also be used as an impressive stand-alone sculpture. Original John Dickinson pieces are exceptionally hard to find. This example of the galvanized steel trompe l'oeil draped tablecloth table...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass, Steel
$17,500 Sale Price25% Off - John Dickinson Mid-Century Modern Style Drape End Table, Galvanized Steel SignedBy Sutherland, John DickinsonLocated in Stamford, CTJohn Dickinson Mid-Century Modern Style Drape End Table, Galvanized Steel Signed Priced well below site as well as market value is this fine work of this San Francisco-based designe...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass, Steel
$12,800 Sale Price20% Off