Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
Exquisite Restored Set of 6 Vintage Walnut Klismos Chairs by Stewart MacDougall
By Stewart MacDougall, Glenn of California
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking rare set of six (6) "Athens" Klismos dining chairs by Stewart MacDougall for Glenn of California, circa 1955. Expert walnut construction with stellar detail. An unforg...
Walnut
Exquisite Restored Set of 8 Vintage Walnut Klismos Chairs by Stewart MacDougall
By Glenn of California, Stewart MacDougall
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking rare set of eight (8) "Athens" Klismos dining chairs by Stewart MacDougall for Glenn of California, circa 1955. Expert walnut construction with stellar detail. An unfo...
Walnut
Incredible Set of 8 Walnut Cane Dining Chairs by Barney Flagg, circa 1960
By Barney Flagg
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of iconic organic dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly custom upholstered and installation ready. Expert custom upholstery service is available. An exquisite set of eight (8) rare dining chairs by Barney Flagg for Heritage, circa 1960. Single surviving examples from this series are nearly impossible to locate; a set of this size is the Collector's equivalent of capturing a Unicorn. Expertly crafted walnut construction highlighted by a lovely fine cane panel back. Design, material selection and quality that is beyond incredible. Without doubt this is one of the most elegant and desired chair designs of the 1960s. Magnificent organic art intended to anchor an important dining room. Excellent Restored Condition. Meticulous complete professional restoration. All chairs are tight, stout, sturdy and suitable for routine heavy use. All caning is NEW, intact and complete. Expert custom upholstery in a fine neutral textured Larsen fabric. The pair of host chairs...
Cane, Walnut
Breathtaking ALL ARMS Set of 8 Walnut Cane Dining Chairs by Barney Flagg, c 1960
By Heritage Furniture, Barney Flagg
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent large ALL ARMS set of iconic organic dining chairs is UNIQUE on the World market. This Rare set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listin...
Cane, Walnut
Stellar Set of 8 Walnut Dining Chairs by Michael Taylor for Baker, circa 1955
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A magnificent meticulously restored set of eight (8) dining chairs from a boutique series by the esteemed Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, circa 1955. There are two (2) host and six (6) side chairs; host arm height is 24.25 inches. Taylor's masterful design executed in the superior walnut selected for this particular production, resulted in some of the finest dining chair examples produced during the 1950s. As with most Taylor seating designs, the chairs are extremely comfortable. Stout, exceptionally crafted and intended for heavy regular use. Organic perfection. From a time when the Lincoln Continental...
Walnut
Exquisite Restored Set of 10 Vintage Walnut Klismos Chairs by Stewart MacDougall
By Stewart MacDougall, Glenn of California
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking rare set of ten (10) "Athens" Klismos dining chairs by Stewart MacDougall for Glenn of California, circa 1955. Expert walnut construction with stellar detail. An unfor...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Walnut & Cane Dining Chair by American of Martinsville, 6 pcs
Located in Plainview, NY
A set of six Mid Century Modern dining chairs, a testament to the refined craftsmanship of the American Furniture Co of Martinsville, VA. This co...
Cane, Walnut
Handsome Set of Five John Stuart Walnut Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By John Stuart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome set of 5 John Stuart walnut dining chairs. This well crafted set consists of 2 arm chairs and 3 side chairs. The seat seats pads h...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of 6 Mid Century Wormley Dunbar Style Cane & Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This Mid Century Modern set of 6 cane back dining chairs is built for lifetimes made of mahogany newly refinished and stained as per o...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
Thomasville Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie high back dining chairs By Thomasville USA, Circa 1970s Solid carved walnut frames, with upholstered seats. ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Walnut Dining Chairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century solid walnut side chairs with a lattice back, in the manner of Jacques Adnet.
Fabric, Wood
Seven Robsjohn-Gibbings Style Spindle Back Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Hanover, MA
Seven sinewy curved walnut spindle-back dining chairs; 2 arm chairs and 5 side chairs, exceptionally well made (note cross-stretchers and tightness of joints, curved swan-like arms, hex blocks and bowed spindle rails). Maker unknown but clearly in the style of Robsjohn-Gibbings. Solid quality Mid-Century Modern dining chairs that feel good to the touch. Measure: Arm height 26.5 Sold only as a set of seven. We recovered two chairs in an ivory moire...
Walnut
