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Not only is the Stickley John Widdicomb furniture collection beautifully designed, it is steeped in English and American traditions. It is used in embassies and manor houses around the world, and is famous not only for the quality of craftsmanship involved in its construction, but also for its unique designs and the use of beautiful hand-painted veneers and motifs.
George Widdicomb left England in 1845 for New York, where he set up a furniture store in Syracuse. He left Syracuse in 1857 and headed to Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he opened another cabinet shop along with several other carpenters. His experience in making fine English furniture paid off, because his style quickly became popular in an area of the United States that was more used to the pioneering style of furniture.
His products were a breath of fresh air and his business grew rapidly. John Widdicomb was George’s fourth son, and he inherited his father’s ability to create the most beautiful furniture from local wood, as well as mahogany from Haiti and Mexico. John established his own business across the street from his father, producing wooden mantels and other forms of interior joinery.
The Dean of Furniture Design
John’s nephew Ralph Widdicombe joined him as a designer and eventually became known as the Dean of Furniture Design. They would work together for 53 years until John retired in 1951. The company continued in business until May 2002, when the Grand Rapids plant was closed and L. & JG Stickley acquired the assets.
It now operates as a Stickley division in Manlius, New York. John Widdicomb furniture is still available as a collection marketed by Stickley, offering a large number of reproductions of French, English, Italian and Russian design, in addition to a selection of furniture in the style of American modern art. John Widdicomb furniture is handcrafted to a very high quality and produced in limited quantities.
The John Widdicomb furniture collection offered by Stickley Furniture is suitable for any vintage home or public building looking for high-quality reproduction furniture. The inlays and parquet are superb, using a number of high-quality mahogany and wood veneers.
Russian cabinets look fabulous and offer insight into how Russian nobles and the royal family furnished their castles and palaces. With vintage rear mirrors, touch lighting, and adjustable glass shelves, this is a beautiful reproduction piece of furniture that would grace any home and is available in single, double, or triple widths (126 inches). Alternative backs are available in smooth wood or off-white moire,
Dining Tables and Chairs
The 68-inch long Russian table is made in the Catherine II style, topped with matching walnut veneers and with an inlaid ebony frame. Alternatively, you can choose a 78-inch long Georgian dining table, topped with Circassian walnut and satin wood inlays. The table rests on two mahogany pedestals, intricately turned and resting on saber legs with reeds.
You have the option of choosing chairs to accompany you, with and without arms. An example is a beautiful baroque Queen Anne side chair with finely curved cabriolet legs. Another is the Georgian lyre-backed chair, with tapered square legs. You may prefer a Russian chair to match the Russian table, the John Widdicomb Russian Side Chair with Tapered Legs. Each of these three chairs is upholstered and covered with a brocade or fabric appropriate to the time.
The John Widdicomb Furniture Collection offered by Stickley Furniture offers a wonderful selection of occasional tables and chairs, credenzas and other cabinets, and a total of 34 possible stained, lacquered, marbled or painted finishes and many of Widdicomb’s pieces are available in a selection of sizes and ornaments.
The Saracen Occasional Table
One particularly attractive side table is the 26-inch diameter Saracen circular table. Standing 29.5 inches tall, the design of this table was inspired by a 15th century Indian textile pattern. It offers a series of patterns radiating from the center. These are inlaid in a number of attractive woods, namely satin wood, Indian rosewood and ebony, and there is also some teak and faux ivory decorated. The upper part is supported by five saber legs joined by a centered arched stretcher. You need to see this to appreciate its great beauty that smells of ancient India.
The John Widdicomb Furniture Collection is offered by L. & JG Stickley, of Manlius New York. If you need reproduction furniture, John Widdicomb furniture is just one of the reproduction collections Stickley offers. Each piece is handcrafted with care and love, and the new St. Croix collection allows you to furnish your home in the old colonial Caribbean style.
No matter what style you are trying to recreate in your home, you will find what you want in the Stickley furniture range. The John Widdicomb Furniture Collection is particularly useful for those looking to create the old Russian and French Imperial eras, or if you prefer, the Georgian period of English and American history.
