British-born designer, interior decorator and author T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings was one of the great American tastemakers in the middle decades of the 20th century. Much like Edward Wormley, Robsjohn-Gibbings was a design classicist by education and inclination, but he would come to create some of the most gracious and livable modern furnishings of the era.
Robsjohn-Gibbings studied architecture at the University of London, then held various jobs that included designing décors for passenger liners and working as the art director of a film studio. In the early 1930s, while employed by the upper-crust interior designer Charles J. Duveen, Robsjohn-Gibbings experienced an epiphany during a visit to the British Museum.
Examining the furniture depicted on ancient Greek ceramics — lithe stools and klismos chairs — he realized that he had found a design touchstone. By 1936, Robsjohn-Gibbings had moved to New York and set up a showroom on Madison Avenue for his modern reinterpretations of Classical Greek designs. Aided by contacts he’d developed while working with Duveen, he quickly established a clientele that included Elizabeth Arden, Doris Duke and Thelma Chrysler Foy.
Through his writings for magazines and books, Robsjohn-Gibbings earned a public following and was established as an urbane arbiter of taste. From 1943 to 1956, he produced an understated line of modernist furnishings for Widdicomb, which included one of the icons of the period: the tiered, biomorphic Mesa coffee table (1951). Robsjohn-Gibbings moved to Athens, Greece, in 1966, and created a new line of antiquity-inspired pieces for the firm Saridis. The series turned out to be his swan song.
Collectors’ interest in Robsjohn-Gibbings was reignited in the 1980s when the 200-plus pieces from his 1936–38 commission for the Bel-Air estate of Los Angeles socialite Hilda Boldt Weber — pared-down neoclassical pieces rendered in blond wood (with the occasional flourish) — came on the market. (Up until then, the collection had remained in the house, despite its having changed hands several times.)
But his work for Widdicomb remains his most widely known, appreciated for its elegance and generous proportions. Robsjohn-Gibbings despised the stern aesthetic associated with his Bauhaus contemporaries, and a keynote of his modernist pieces is that they have no sharp angles. His chair and sofa frames, table legs and even many cabinets feature softly contoured edges. In whatever style he designed, Robsjohn-Gibbings was guided by simplicity and timelessness. He wanted his furniture to be lived with happily.
Find antique T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings coffee tables, dining tables, credenzas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Set of Six Armchairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings or Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of six dining armchairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Fully restored.
Fabric
$76,000 / set
H 33 in W 22 in D 21 in
Breathtaking Restored Set of 8 Arm Dining Chairs by Gibbings, Cane Backs
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional, meticulously restored set of eight (8) modern Klismos arm dining chairs by the esteemed T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950. The custom cane back is a New modification to the original vintage chair. An ALL ARM set of this size of these difficult to find seating examples is the collector's equivalent of capturing a Purple Unicorn. Expertly crafted solid walnut construction with stellar lines and detail. Artistry and execution that is beyond incredible. Finished in a medium walnut stain - aged to absolute perfection. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, rare and coveted chair...
Cane, Walnut
$5,347
H 39.25 in W 25.5 in D 26 in
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Style Baker Milling Road Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Baker Furniture Company, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Franklin Park, IL
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Style Baker Milling Road Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 21 wide x 25 deep x 39.25 high, with ...
Upholstery, Wood
$12,000 / set
H 38 in W 22.25 in D 24 in
Pair of Six Dining Chairs by J. Stuart Clingman for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Six Dining Chairs by J. Stuart Clingman for Widdicomb. The chairs are made of solid mahogany wood with a lacquer finish and feature brass spacer details. They have been reuph...
Brass
$2,800Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 34 in W 18 in D 22 in
Set of 6 Sabre Leg Dining Chairs by Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare and Iconic set of 6 Mid Century Sabre Leg Dining Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. There are 2 arm chairs and 4 side chairs. These chairs are authentic, classic ...
Walnut
$5,400 / set
H 33 in W 23 in D 21 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Set of Six Dining Chairs for Widdicomb, circa 1952
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Camden, ME
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings set of six walnut spindle back dining chairs for Widdicomb, circa 1952. The chairs are in excellent condition with original upholstery.
Walnut
$8,000 / set
H 34.5 in W 23.25 in D 20 in
1950s Set of Six T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Model 4209 Dining Chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six dining chairs, Model 4209, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture. The chairs were manufactured in Grand Rapids, Michigan, circa 1950s. Their...
Upholstery, Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombSet of Six Dining Chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish set by Robsjohn-Gibbings features unique and sturdy Mid-Century construction. The rounded edges and ladder back design offer style with comfort. Please confirm item loca...
Wood
$99,000 / set
H 32 in W 22 in D 21 in
Extraordinary Set of 12 Klismos Chairs by Robsjohn-Gibbings, Custom Cane Back
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional, meticulously restored set of twelve (12) modern Klismos dining chairs by the esteemed T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1948. The set consists of two (2) Ho...
Cane, Walnut
$4,995 / set
H 42 in W 22 in D 26 in
Set of Eight Sabre Leg Chairs by Leighton Hall - Showroom Samples
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a set of eight Sabre Leg Mahogany Dining Chairs by Leighton Hall. There are two arms and six sides. These Sabre leg chairs (LH-1086) have a transitional design with their clean lines which fits well with a variety of dining table styles. They look great with a traditional table or a contemporary table. The chairs feature curved Sabre shaped front legs and fluting. The backs have a scroll shape in a classic Regency style. They have a medium brown mahogany color with a satin sheen. These chairs come with a standard muslin base fabric. So they are ready for the customer to add their own permanent custom fabric. These chairs are like new. They have been used for less than six months as showroom samples. They are in almost like-new condition. The suggested manufacturer’s retail price for the chairs new: Arm chair: $1,000 each; side chair : $950 each; ($7,700 for the set) Additional chairs are available upon request. Approximate Dimensions: Arm Chair: Height: 42”; Width: 23.625”; Arm Height: 27.25”; Seat Height...
Mahogany
Set of Four Edward Wormley Dining Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four dark walnut dining armchairs with tapered legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have been reupholstered with blue and green velvet with a lin...
Upholstery, Walnut, Velvet
Set of Six George Nakashima Dining Chairs for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six dining chairs by George Nakashima for Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Widdicomb, c.1960s. The walnut and hickory set consists of four side chairs and two armchairs. T...
Walnut, Hickory
Wishbone Dining Chair Set by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Shedua Wood, 1970s
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Wishbone chair by California designer, Arthur Espenet, c.1970s, USA, is a masterclass in innovation, crafted from Shedua wood and a tan leather web seat. Moving away from traditi...
Leather, Hardwood
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet
By Walter Gropius, Ben Thompson, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six W199 dining armchairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet, c.1950's, Austria. The chairs showcase a bent birch wood frame and legs. The seats have been newly uph...
Upholstery, Birch
Edward Wormley Dining Armchair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut dining armchair with splayed back legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been newly reupholstered in a Pierre Frey textured fabric - a perfect t...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Set of Four Early Walter Lamb Bronze & Canvas Dining Chairs
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four early dining chairs by Walter Lamb dating from the late 40s or early 50s, predating his work with Brown Jordan. The set consists of two armchairs and two side chairs that...
Bronze
