Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Finn Juhl Model 192 Set of Midcentury Teak Chairs '1960s'
By Finn Juhl, John Stuart
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son and imported by John Stuart, this handsome set of chairs features generous and comfortable seats that float within teak frames. They are uphols...
Teak
Vintage Teak Mini Chair from Madura Island, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mini stool from the late 20th century features a beautiful wood texture, crafted from a solid block of teak. Stools such as these were used on the Island of Madura by workers in...
Wood, Teak
$2,205 / set
H 36.03 in W 15.36 in D 18.31 in
Rustic Wood French Chairs Set of Four, Art Deco Style, Circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of four rustic wood French chairs. Manufactured in French, circa 1950. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Ma...
Rattan, Wood
$8,192
H 28.75 in W 50.79 in D 21.26 in
19th Century Infants Coffin Casket, Carved Wood, Etched Glass, Memento Mori
Located in Lowestoft, GB
For sale a very rare early 19th century infants coffin carrier, this would of been housed on a horse and cart hearse. The casket has a decorative wrought...
Wrought Iron
$1,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 30.75 in D 22.5 in
1960s James Mont Style Black Lacquer Asian Modern Chinoiserie Ming Chairs - a Pa
By James Mont
Located in Esperance, NY
1960s James Mont style black lacquer Asian Modern Chinoiserie Ming chairs - a pair.
Wood
Antique Chinese Temple Model
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful model resembles China's real temple with exquisite carvings. Peonies and lotuses flank delicate doors decorated with "double happiness" carvings. These flowers are symbols ...
Wood
$6,000 / set
H 31 in W 29 in D 36 in
Rare Midcentury Japanese Double Teardrop Rattan Suite by JRB Co. Tokyo — c.1960s
By Yamakawa Rattan, Sori Yanagi, Isamu Kenmochi, Tito Agnoli, Paul Frankl
Located in Rochester, NY
Japan’s golden age of rattan (1950s–70s) brought incredible Western Art Deco and island modernist designs to patio sets like this one. This is a rare set of double teardrop arms with...
Rattan
$2,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.5 in W 33 in D 11.5 in
19th Century Chinese Shrine Table with Black Lacquer and Carvings
Located in New York, NY
Rare 19th century Shrine Black lacquer with stage back panel painted as theater. Intricately carved detail of double dragons, long life symbol, with scroll work up sides. Set upon ...
Hardwood
1960s Hand Carved Wood Sculpture of Buddha Praying / Weeping
Located in Budapest, HU
This unique mid-century hand-carved wood sculpture depicts the "Weeping Buddha" in a tightly curled, meditative posture, his head bowed into his hands. ...
Wood
$8,625
H 44 in W 73 in D 23.5 in
Large Teak Cabinet from Java, with Four Drawers and Four Sets of Double Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A large Javanese teak cabinet from the early 20th century, with four drawers, and four sets of double doors. Born on the island of Java in the earl...
Teak
$1,230 / set
H 2.36 in W 6.3 in D 3.54 in
Set of 2 Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Armrests from Frem Røjle, 1960s
By Frem Røjle
Located in Hamburg, DE
A very rare detail for the 150 armchair by Frem Røjle. Two armrest pads made of molded plywood with teak veneer. These pads are usually missing or broken. They are simply clamped on...
Teak
Antique Chinese Table Top Cabinet
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A small antique Chinese cabinet with hand carved and painted decoration. The top with 2 small shelves with two hand painted doors and drawe...
Hardwood
1960s Asian Side Chair by George Zee
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Asian side chair by George Zee very interesting abstract Asian design.
$1,025 / set
H 46.5 in W 22.5 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Midcentury Wooden Vintage Side Chairs with Pierced Splats and Saber Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of vintage wooden side chairs with pierced splats and saber back legs. This charming pair of vintage wooden side chairs, with their pi...
Wood
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.5 in W 19 in D 12.5 in
19th Century Chinese Antique Temple House Model, Hand-Carved Wood
Located in Somis, CA
This beautiful shrine resembles the real life temple in the 19th century China. The decorated facade features gilded pheasants and Ru Yi shaped Lin Zhi, an herb ...
Wood
Aluminium Porthole Bistro Table
Located in Norwell, MA
Authentic ship's porthole with mahogany base. Four tapered legs with ship's grating shelf. Measures: 26" diameter x 42" tall.