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.
Henredon Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mahogany Coffee Table, Circa 1970s
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie carved mahogany coffee table or cocktail table By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 46"W x 46"D x 14.5"H. Very g...
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Style Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Coffee Table
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie coffee or cocktail table In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Red lacquered finish, with hand-painted Chinese sce...
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
John Widdicomb Italian Provincial Parquetry Top Two-Tier Coffee Table
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Provincial style two-tier coffee or cocktail table By John Widdicomb USA, late 20th century Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood parquetry and brass sabots. ...
Brass
Henredon Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mahogany Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie carved mahogany coffee table or cocktail table By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 50"W x 39.75"D x 14"H. Profe...
Mahogany
Mario Buatta Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Extension Dining Table, Circa 1970s
By John Widdicomb, Mario Buatta
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie extension dining table By Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1970s Faux tortoise shell finish, with carved Asian motif...
Wood, Paint
John Widdicomb Italian Provincial Parquetry Top Two-Tier Coffee Table
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Provincial style two-tier coffee or cocktail table By John Widdicomb USA, Late 20th Century Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood parquetry, and brass sabots. Measur...
Brass
Hollywood Regency Coffee Table by Muller & Barringer for Kittinger
By Kittinger, Theodore Muller, Isabelle Barringer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Iconic Hollywood Regency gold gilded, oil drop medallion flower cocktail table designed by Theodore Muller and Isabelle Barringer for Kittinger. Large circular bullnose top supported...
Wood
1960s Chinoiserie Ming Coffee Table Style James Mont Hollywood Regency
By James Mont
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a circa the 1960s Coffee Table, Chinoiserie style, inspired to James Mont. Ming inspiration Style Black lacquer with Burl Wood Attributed to Chin Hua Colle...
Wood, Burl
Casa Bique Chinoiserie Chow Leg Carved Square Coffee Table Attr Robert Marcius
By Robert Marcius, Casa Bique
Located in Topeka, KS
Phenomenal vintage chinoiserie Ming style chow leg coffee table with carved designs and a beveled glass insert produced by Casa Bique Ltd. in the Philippines and attributed to Robert Marcius. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. Exquisite!!! That’s only one way to define this fabulous vintage coffee table Attributed to Robert Marcius for and by Casa Bique Ltd. Casa Bique’s items are purported to have been manufactured in the same factory as Maitland Smith, so you know it of the highest quality. Just look at the gorgeous curves on this beauty! Let’s start with the classic Ming style chow legs...stunning!! But then your eyes are immediately drawn to the fabulous intricate carved detail of leaves and vines all around the edges and down the legs of the coffee table. And the over-all finish is absolutely phenomenal!!! Details indicative of the high style designs produced by Casa Bique Ltd. It has a square frame and a lovely, beveled glass insert. This coffee table is exactly what you need to add a touch of chinoiserie or island flair to your home whether your style is mid-century modern, traditional, contemporary, or Asian. It would be beautiful placed in front of your sofa or maybe within a grouping of lounge chairs! And what a perfect piece to make your sunroom an island paradise! We know you have fallen in love with this incredible chinoiserie coffee table as much we have. What are you waiting for?? You need to make it your own! Robert Marcius was born in Greenville, Mississippi and he began designing and producing sculptures, jewelry, and objects d’art when he moved to New Hope, Pennsylvania in 1972. He formed a partnership with Gene Jonson, and they formed “Jonson and Marcius” and moved their business to Manhattan. During this time, he supplied Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Bloomingdale's with jewelry and Karl Springer with accessories, furniture, and sculptures. After seeking out Jonson and Marcius in 1975, Lorin Marsh launched their business of an original and unique line of furniture and accessories. Cartier and Tiffany also featured items manufactured by Jonson and Marcius. During the 1980’s Marcius sold his partnership and moved his operations to North Carolina where he designed the product and direction for Casa Bique Ltd. until the early 90’s. For 4 decades he has developed and designed for such clients as Frederick Ramond, Garcia Imports, Casa Stradivari, Thomasville, Lane, Kinder- Harris, The Platt Collections, and many others. He continues to sculpt and paint via Marcius LLC. -LinkedIn. Casa Bique Ltd. had been an exclusive Thomasville-based importer and manufacturer for many years. Casa Bique ceased operations in early 2004 and has reestablished as “Classics by Casa Bisque...
Glass, Wood
Vintage English Chinoiserie Lacquered Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The vintage English Chinoiserie lacquered coffee table is a charming addition to any home. With its unique Chinoiserie design and classic lacquered finish, it brings a touch of elega...
Wood
In the style of Samuel Marx for Quigley Oval Cocktail Coffee Table
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
Chinese style Asia Modern mirrored coffee, or cocktail table in the style of Samuel Marx, Haines, Robbsjohn et al. Chinese Red finish, with inset mirror surface. This example shows ...
Wood, Mirror
Large Chinese Art Deco Lacquered Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Chic and sleek lacquered Chinese art deco style low rectangular coffee table, circa 1940s. Features raised and outward-curving edges on two sides of the top. Good structural conditio...
Wood, Lacquer
