Bert England for John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Leather Top Desk
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer),Bert England (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 52 in (132.08 cm)Depth: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly refinished. Very good condition. Surface scratches and patina to original leather. Overall shows beautifully.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:
John Widdicomb
In the Widdicomb family, furniture ran in the blood. 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, Michigan. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. 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. Admirers of mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize Widdicomb for the partnerships with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. 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.
Today, Stickley continues to produce John Widdicomb Company furniture, including French, Italian, English and Russian reproductions, as well as modern works from the first half of the 20th century.
Find vintage John Widdicomb bedroom furniture, tables, case pieces and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: South Bend, IN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Campaign Burl Wood Executive DeskBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign executive desk By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burl wood, with original brass hardware. Measures: 72"W x ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Bert England for Johnson Furniture Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dresser, RefinishedBy Bert England, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut long dresser or credenza By Bert England for Johnson Furniture USA, 1960s Measures: 76"W x 19"D x 31.5"H. Professionally...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- John Widdicomb Burl Wood and Brass Executive Desk, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern executive writing desk By John Widdicomb and produced by Mastercraft USA, Circa 1970s Measures...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk, RefinishedBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Patchwork bleached walnut top, with solid walnut legs and brass-capped feet....Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency walnut extension dining table By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 72.5"W x 42"D x 29"H. Extends up to 132.5"W with three 2...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Bert England for Johnson Furniture Patchwork Walnut Dining Table, RefinishedBy Johnson Furniture Company, Bert EnglandLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Bert England for Johnson Furniture USA, 1950s Gorgeous inlaid walnut patchwork parquetry top, with tapered solid ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Bert England Walnut Desk for John WiddicombBy Bert England, John WiddicombLocated in Philadelphia, PABert England for John Widdicomb faux-Tourtise shell finish body with a black vinyl work surface and drawer fronts. Asian inspired brass handles. Desk is finished on all sides! Fin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut
- Bert England Persian Walnut and Leather Desk for John WiddicombBy John Widdicomb, Bert EnglandLocated in Chicago, ILFrom California designer Bert England's Orientation Group for John Widdicomb Company, this extraordinary desk is made of Persian walnut and solid mahogany. Wrapping around the fr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Modern Bert England for Widdicomb Leather Top DeskBy Bert England, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Keego Harbor, MIThe Bert England for Widdicomb Leather Top Desk is a remarkable blend of style and functionality. Designed by renowned designer Bert England...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Mid-20th Century Walnut Executive Desk by John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in Ava, MOPresenting this exceptional desk by John Widdicomb. We've had many desks come through our collection and this Desk by Widdicomb shows off some of ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Executive Desk by John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant mid-century vintage desk from skilled craftsmen of Grand Rapids' John Widdicomb Fine Furniture. An ample walnut desktop measuring over 10 square feet offers plenty of workspa...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid Century Leather Top Walnut DeskBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in Denton, TXStrong bold design by John Van Koert for Drexel furniture. A combination of walnut and oak makes this desk a stunning vintage piece of art. The writing surface is 30.25" high.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Oak, Walnut