Pair of T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Lounge Chairs in Romo Fabric for Widdicomb
About the Item
- Creator:Widdicomb Furniture Co. (Maker),T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1955
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. This iconic set of Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs is in great condition. Newly professionally refinished walnut in original stain. Professionally reupholstered in high quality Romo fabric. Ready to ship.
- Seller Location:Saint Louis, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4235129560892
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
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.
Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Admirers of vintage mid-century modern furnishings likely recognize the Widdicomb Furniture Company name for the fruitful partnerships it forged with iconic designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and Mario Buatta. But there is more to the Widdicomb story than the albeit quite covetable sofas and bedroom furniture it produced during the middle of the 20th century.
A wealth of pine and oak forests rendered Grand Rapids, Michigan, a logging center during the 1800s, and it eventually gained recognition for its furniture industry. The American city became a destination for furniture makers who hailed from across the United States and beyond. 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. There, he opened a shop with his four sons, including John Widdicomb, whose name would help carry the family legacy into the 20th century.
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. Today vintage Widdicomb seating, tables and other pieces produced during the postwar years are particularly sought after by collectors of mid-20th-century furniture.
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.
Find vintage Widdicomb coffee tables, case pieces, dining chairs and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: St. Louis, MO
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Credenza for Widdicomb in Blue Lacquer with Nickel PullsBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Saint Louis, MOMid Century Modern blue lacquered Credenza designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb in the early 1950s with large Nickle plated Ring Pull...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsNickel
- Pair of Weiman Post Modern Lounge Chairs Newly Upholstered in Latte BoucléBy Weiman Preview FurnitureLocated in Saint Louis, MOEnvelop yourself in plush luxurious comfort in these modern Weiman Lounge Chairs with enveloping upholstered barrel backs and plunging thickly upholstered arms newly and freshly professionally upholstered in super soft latte bouclé. One of the most comfortable lounge chairs in our current inventory, this pair of Weiman armchairs is fully upholstered from top to bottom. Thick seat cushion and heavily padded arms and seat back create surround padded comfort. Beautiful modern silhouette. From the back, a cape of bouclé. From the side, arching arms take the form of dome shapes reminiscent of Moroccan Modern pieces designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb and add air. The latte bouclé fabric is rich in color - warm and inviting. The fabric has a great texture and is breathable - never hot or sticky. The texture ventilates well in warmer climates and is cozy in cooler temperatures. The bouclé fabric is also rated heavy duty (over 25k double rubs) and cleans up really well. Versatile to the max, these chairs are a great choice as side chairs, entry chairs, office chairs, etc. Easy to play with and incorporate into lots of rooms and settings. Ready to ship. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed with and also currently available in our shop- Adrian Pearsall 1924-T24 Walnut Side Table for Craft Associates Curtis Jere Post Modern...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Pair of Vanilla Creme Sheepskin Lounge Chairs with Bentwood Arms by ThonetBy ThonetLocated in Saint Louis, MOGet cozy in this luxurious pair of Mid-Century Modern bentwood lounge chairs by Thonet circa 1950 freshly reupholstered in vanilla creme sheepskins. Lounge on clouds of soft vanilla creme sheepskins that beckon you to stay awhile...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Upholstery, Bentwood
- Pair of Lucite Arm Chairs by Leon Rosen for Pace Collection c. 1970By Pace Furniture Company, Leon RosenLocated in Saint Louis, MOSexy pair of 1970s lucite arm chairs designed by Leon Rosen for Pace. Sculptural. Clean neutral look endeavors feelings of light and air. Angled lucite arm rests and legs. Wide and c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery, Lucite
- Pair of Sculptural 1970s Dunbar Chairs in Ivory BoucléBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Saint Louis, MOSultry pair of Dunbar sculptural chairs freshly transported from the 1970s now in ivory bouclé. Created by Lydia dePolo and Jack Dunbar, these are the perfect chairs for the buyer wh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Monumental Post Modern Pair of Weiman Lounge Chairs in Marmalade Orange FabricBy WeimanLocated in Saint Louis, MOIncredibly sculptural monumental size Post Modern Pair of Lounge Chairs by Weiman in new super soft Marmalade Orange upholstery. Two ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery
- Midcentury Upholstered Wood Lounge Chair by Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Detroit, MIThis beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern arm chair was designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (English, 1905-1976) for Widdicomb circa 1950. The unique and elegant design features clean, Minimalist lines and gentle curves. The chair is impeccably constructed with a solid wood frame, angled legs and sculptural...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of `T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Lounge Chairs for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILPair of `T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Lounge Chairs for Widdicomb, model 1651 Black lacquer frames, reupholstered with Great Plains boucle. We decided not to add buttons for a clean minima...Category
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Leather Lounge Chairs for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Los Angeles, CAElegant modern lounge chairs designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in collaboration with the famous Widdicomb Furniture company in the United States during the 1950s. These midcentury ergonomic lounge chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood, Walnut
- T H Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Highback Lounge Chairs - Pair 1By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Countryside, ILT.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid Century Highback Lounge Chairs - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 27.25 wide x 24.75 deep x 41 high, with a seat height of 16.5 inches All ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Arm ChairsBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Kansas City, MOElegant pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings armchairs.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCane, Mahogany, Upholstery
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Brass Accent Lounge Chair for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Los Angeles, CAT.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings brass accent lounge chair for Widdicomb. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern fu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass