Mid 20th Century Vintage John Widdicomb Cane King Headboard
About the Item
- Creator:John Widdicomb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 47 in (119.38 cm)Width: 79.5 in (201.93 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In great vintage condition. Minor scuffs and blemishes appropriate to age and use.
- Seller Location:west palm beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5852239570602
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: west palm beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Mid 20th Century Vintage Regency King Cane HeadboardLocated in west palm beach, FLTransform your bedroom into a regal retreat with this Vintage Regency King Cane Headboard, embodying timeless American elegance. Crafted with meticulous cane detailing and classic re...Category
Mid-20th Century American Regency Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsCane, Rattan
- Mid 20th Century Vintage John Widdicomb Nightstands - a PairBy John WiddicombLocated in west palm beach, FLA fabulous pair of vintage MCM nightstands. Chic warm wood with brass hardware. Made by the iconic John a Widdicomb group and tagged inside the ...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Mid 20th Century Vintage Coastal Rattan King HeadboardLocated in west palm beach, FLEmbrace coastal living with this Vintage Coastal Rattan King Headboard. Crafted with American flair and coastal charm, its rattan design brings a touch of relaxation and seaside vibe...Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsRattan
- Mid 20th Century Vintage Coastal Carved Bamboo King HeadboardLocated in west palm beach, FLTransform your bedroom into a coastal sanctuary with this Vintage Coastal Carved Bamboo King Headboard—an iconic piece of American craftsmanship that brings the beauty of the shoreli...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood
- Mid 20th Century Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Hourglass King HeadboardLocated in west palm beach, FLA gorgeous vintage Mid-Century modern walnut hourglass design headboard in a king size. Acquired at a Palm Beach estate.Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Late 20th Century Vintage Coastal Pencil Reed King HeadboardLocated in west palm beach, FLTransform your bedroom into a coastal retreat with this Vintage Pencil Reed King Headboard. Inspired by classic American craftsmanship, this headboard exudes timeless charm with its ...Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsReed
- John Widdicomb Faux Bamboo and Cane King Size HeadboardBy John WiddicombLocated in Germantown, MDJohn Widdicomb faux bamboo and cane king size headboard. Good condition. 2 Caning over wood panels. Removable panels. New finials. Measures 80" in width an...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsHardwood, Cane
- Midcentury John Widdicomb Headboard KingBy John WiddicombLocated in BROOKLYN, NYJohn Widdicomb sculptural tall post king size bed headboard with tapered double spires, circa 1950. Frames show typical age-appropriate signs of use which we have tidied. Overall ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood
- Widdicomb Mid Century King Walnut HeadboardBy John WiddicombLocated in Countryside, ILWiddicomb Mid Century King Walnut Headboard This headboard measures: 79 wide x 2.25 deep x 38.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Handsome John Widdicomb Double Spire King Size Headboard Mid-Century ModernBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJJohn Widdicomb sculptural tall post king size bed headboard with tapered double spires, circa 1950. A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut king size headboard by John Widdicom...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Widdicomb Mid Century King HeadboardBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Countryside, ILWiddicomb Mid Century King Headboard This headboard measures: 79.5 wide x 1.25 deep x 37.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had i...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood
- Lovely John Widdicomb Light Walnut Headboard Mid-Century ModernBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJLovely John Widdicomb light walnut 60" headboard. This piece is in very nice vintage condition. Please see my other 1stdibs offerings for the more pieces of this collection.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut