John Widdicomb Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Campaign Burl Wood Executive Desk
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1970s
- Condition:Very good original vintage condition. Minor surface wear expected with age and use. 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 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
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Nightstand, Circa 1970sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency three-drawer nightstand or bachelor chest By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burl wood, with original brass hardware. ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Bert England for John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Leather Top DeskBy John Widdicomb, Bert EnglandLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern writing desk or executive desk By Bert England for John Widdicomb "Orientation Group" USA, 1960s Walnut, with leather top and original Asia...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Gentleman's ChestBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency or Campaign style highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid cherry wood, with ori...Category
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Highboy Dresser, 1950sBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign five-drawer highboy dresser By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid cherry wood, with original brass hardwa...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered NightstandsBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style three-drawer bedside chests By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid cherry wood, with o...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
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
- Vintage Burl Wood and Brass Campaign Desk by John WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., John WiddicombLocated in North Hollywood, CAVintage burl wood campaign desk designed by John Widdicomb for Widdicomb Furniture in the United States, circa 1960. This exceptional executive desk from Widdicomb is a stunning exam...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- 1970s Burl Wood Waterfall Desk by John Widdicomb for John StuartBy John Widdicomb, John StuartLocated in Boston, MAJohn Widdicomb for John Stuart burl wood waterfall desk, circa 1970s. Acquired from the Searles Castle in NH. Comes with original glass topper, which helped protect the top throughou...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Lacquered Brass Executive Desk by Mastercraft for John WiddicombBy John WiddicombLocated in Brooklyn, NYGorgeous executive desk built by Mastercraft for John Widdicomb Furniture. A gold abstract splatter over an ebonized lacquered top helps the brass legs stand out in any room. Please...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 1950's Hollywood Regency Italian Oyster Patchwork Burl Wood DeskBy Hekman Furniture, Paul Evans, Maison JansenLocated in Burbank, CAVintage 1950's Hollywood Regency desk or console table for sale. Made in Italy in the 1950's, and has beautiful burlwood patchwork with saber legs. It has three drawers with the orig...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass