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.
Magazine Table by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Fraser, MI
Magazine Side Table. Designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb.
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Bleached Mahogany Sabre End Tables - Pair
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sabre Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 30 wide x 18 deep x 20 inches high Good Vintage Condition ...
Mahogany
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Model 1781 Two-Tier Lamp Table, 1953
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Model 1781 Two-Tier Lamp Table, 1953 A two-tier table designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Company, model 1781, produced i...
Mahogany
Widdicomb Walnut Parquetry Top End Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
A very special side table, by Widdicomb Furniture, post-T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. It features an ash rift-cut, diamond-shaped parquetry top, surrounded by a wooden gallery edge, and a ...
Ash
Mid-Century Circular Side Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, 1955
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American circular wooden end / side table with a descending graduated bottom stretcher shelf, resting on cabriole legs. (T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS FOR WIDDICOMB MANUFACTURIN...
Wood
TH Robsjohn Gibbings Pair of Saber Leg Side Tables for Widdicomb, circa 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Troy, MI
Pair Robsjohn Gibbings Sabre Leg Side Tables 1950s Model 3335 for Widdicomb USA circa 1950 Petite side tables in bleached mahogany with rare double cross stretcher base and sabre le...
Mahogany
Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Walnut Triangular Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern sculpted walnut triangular coffee table or occasional side table By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Measures: 36" W x 32.5" D x...
Walnut
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Occasional Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut occasional table by George Nakashima for Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Widdicomb, c.1960s for their "Origins" collection. The table features three tapered dowel legs wi...
Walnut
Widdicomb Trapezoidal Side Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut side table by Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Widdicomb, c.1950s. The table features trapezoid table top with faceted tapered legs and faceted stretchers. This design is similar ...
Walnut
T.H.. Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb Klismos Round Saber Leg Lamp Table 1955
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A versatile Klismos or Saber Leg table designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. The legs are slightly darker than the top. This form works we...
Walnut
Widdicomb Walnut Octagon Lamp Side Lamp Table 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A versatile Widdicomb lamp, side or end table with tapered legs and an octagon shaped, book matched top and a single drawer. The point to point or diagonal distance of the top is 26” .
Walnut
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Square Mahogany Coffee Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Bainbridge, NY
T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb square mahogany Coffee Table. Side Table. Circa 1960. Featuring a solid board surface, beautifully grained Mahogany veneer, with solid turned ma...
Mahogany
Pair of Widdicomb Modern American Mid-Century Parsons Style Wooden End Tables
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century walnut Parsons-style end tables with rectangular forms and a lower stretcher shelf suspended between four square legs. (WIDDICOMB MODERN)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Wood, Walnut
1950s Side Table Model 3361 by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb in walnut
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Victoria, BC
This side table, model 3361, was designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in 1957, produced by the John Widdicomb Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The piece reflects Robsjohn-Gibbings’ ...
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Bleached Mahogany Sabre Side Tables - Pair
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Franklin Park, IL
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sabre Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 30 wide x 18 deep x 20 inches high Good Vintage Condition ...
Mahogany
Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut Single Drawer Open Compartment Side
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century walnut end / side tables with an open compartment above a single lower drawer with a rounded walnut bar drawer pull with tapered brushed chrome caps at e...
Metal, Chrome
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Widdicomb Two Tone Drawer Side Table Flared Legs 1951
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A professionally restored Widdicomb side table #1650 designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. The two tone table features a mahogany book matched rectangular top, beechwood flared and rev...
Beech, Walnut
Mid-Century Maple End Tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century maple end / side tables with a rectangular two-tiered form with reverse tapered dowel legs connecting the lower shelf and tabletop. (T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBIN...
Wood
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Sabre Leg Side Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two tier side table by T.H Robsjohn Gibbings, manufactured by Widdicomb c.1950s, USA. This beautiful walnut table features a large round table top with lower display shelf and three ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut Klismos Leg Coffee Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern walnut klismos leg coffee table or cocktail table designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb furniture. Elegant and graceful square top with a two-tier desig...
Wood
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent John Widdicomb Square Coffee Side Table Mid-Century Modern
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., John Stuart Inc.
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent square coffee or side table by Widdicomb for John Stuart circa 1950. This fine table is in very nice vintage condition with only light signs of age. It measures 18.5"t x ...
Brass
Square Side Table, Widdicomb Furniture Company, US, circa 1950
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful neoclassically inspired midcentury side table from the Widdicomb furniture company in painted wood and cork. Numbered: 3406.
Wood
Burl Side Drinks Table By Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., John Widdicomb
Located in New York, NY
A round burl wood side or drinks table by Widdicomb, circa mid-20th century, USA. Table has a brown burl veneer wood top with beautiful design, and butter hue center with a tri-foot ...
Wood, Burl, Paint
Pair of Widdicomb End Tables with Verre Églomisé Top and Resin Sides, circa 1960
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of Hollywood Regency end tables or side tables by Widdicomb with Verre Églomisé gold leaf on glass and resin breeze block sculptural sides set in ma...
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern X Base Magazine Table by Widdicomb, Circa 1940-50
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A single, vintage Mid-Century modern American X base magazine side table made of hand crafted Mahogany and Birchwood, designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb, in good...
Birch, Mahogany
3 T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut Parsons Design End Side Tables
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Queens, NY
3 American mid-century square Parsons-style walnut end / side tables. (T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS FOR WIDDICOMB FURNITURE CO.)(PRICED EACH)
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Two-Tier End Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century circular two-tier end / side table with a circular top and lower shelf, supported by four tapered square legs, finished in walnut veneer...
Wood
Klismos Occasional Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Klismos occasional table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb furniture. Banded edge top sits on swooping tapered saber legs. Nicely refinished with original Widdicomb TH Robsjohn Gibbings...
Walnut
Pair of Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb End or Side Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
A strong pair of Robsjohn Gibbings designed black end or side tables. These need to be refinished. "Original Black" finish is worn. Signed and dated on underside. 1954
Wood
Mid-Century Side Tables by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, Circa 1955
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Mid-Century American rectangular wood end / side tables with a smooth veneer and fine beveled edge, supported by a wrought iron H-stretcher frame with rounded shoulders. (PAU...
Iron
Widdicomb Mid-Century American Blond Maple Cantilever Side / End Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century (circa 1950) 'Cantilever' blond maple end / side table with a rectangular form, lower shelf that extends beyond the plane of the tabletop, and four square legs. ...
Wood, Maple
$1,401Sale Price|20% Off
Coffee Table T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb in Wood, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Milano, IT
American designed coffee table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for the Widdicomb manufacture from the 1950s. The coffee table is made of walnut wood and under the base of the top there is...
Wood
Vintage "Sherry" Side Table By Widdcomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crafted by the prestigious Widdicomb Furniture Company for their "Sherry" collection, known for its exceptional woodwork and attention to detail, this side table is a perfect example...
Wood
Widdicomb End Table with Églomisé Top and Resin Breeze Block Sides, circa 1960
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Hollywood Regency end table or side table by Widdicomb with Verre Églomisé gold leaf on glass and resin breeze block sculptural sides set in mahogany fra...
Gold Leaf
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Occasional Side / End Table for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Occasional Side / End Table for Widdicomb. A seldom seen model. Can be used as a nice end table or set in a living space as a side occasional table. Beautiful...
Brass