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.
Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Dresser or Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern long dresser or credenza By Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Declaration" Line USA, Mid-20th Century Walnut, with original brass hardware. Measu...
Brass
John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Dresser, 1960s
By Dale Ford, John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern six-drawer dresser or credenza By Dale Ford for John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous book-matched walnut, with original rosewood and aluminum...
Aluminum
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign Walnut Dresser
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style long dresser, credenza, or chest of drawers By Drexel Heritage USA, 1970s Beautiful book-matched walnut, with origin...
Brass
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Dresser
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern dresser or credenza By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1961 Sculpted walnut, with original hardware. Measures: 52"W x...
Walnut
Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency triple dresser or credenza By Romweber USA, Circa 1960s Cherry wood case, with burl wood banding and front, and unique Italian trav...
Travertine, Brass
Kipp Stewart for Calvin Furniture Mid-Century Sideboard Credenza, Refinished
By Calvin Furniture, Kipp Stewart
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, bar cabinet, or credenza By Kipp Stewart for Calvin Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Walnut, with rosewood inlays, and original brass hardwa...
Brass
John Stuart Casalinda Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Credenza Triple Dresser
By John Stuart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
John Stuart Casalinda Collection for Mt Airy Furniture Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Credenza Cabinet Triple Dresser. Item features 9 dovetailed ...
Walnut
Mount Airy Janus Mid Century Walnut 14 Drawer Lowboy Dresser Credenza Beautiful
By Mount Airy Furniture Company, Janus Collection
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Walnut 14 Drawer Dresser Credenza by Mount Airy part of the Janus collection. Beautiful walnut woodgrain. Made in USA circa 1960. Located...
Walnut
1960s Mid Century Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser by Mount Airy Janus Collection
By Mount Airy Furniture Company, John Stuart
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing Mid-Century Modern dresser designed by John Stuart for Mount Airy "Janus Collection,” ( it has the label in the back and also in the drawer, it is shown in the pictures above...
Walnut
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Walnut and Burlwood Lowboy Dresser
By Young Manufacturing Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Walnut and Burlwood Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 78 wide x 20 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Walnut, Burl
Mid Century Walnut Credenza Dresser Bassett
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Bassett credenza, dresser circa 1960’s. Featuring a beautifully grained walnut rectangle top above three spacious drawers in the center and two cabinets ...
Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Lane Perception Walnut Lowboy Dresser Credenza.
Located in Seattle, WA
This authentic Mid-Century Modern lowboy dresser credenza from the iconic "Perception" collection designed by Warren Church for Lane Furniture (Altavista, VA) features rich American ...
Walnut
