Blackwell Auctions has obtained several important pieces by San Francisco designer John Dickinson (American, 1920-1982), which will be offered in the December event.
Included are five of Dickinson’s signature rope stools (three white and two painted), an Etruscan side table and an X-leg side table. Each piece embodies the unique creativity and artistry that made Dickinson an icon of 20th century American design.
As well, two of Dickinson’s original fiberglass molds, used to form the Etruscan and X-leg tables, have also been brought in. These molds are one-of-a-kind pieces of design history, and — as far as our research indicates thus far — none have ever been on the market. They will be offered as-found and unopened, as each of them has a table still enclosed inside.
All nine of the Dickinson pieces have superb provenance: They all originated from the artist himself, who gifted them to a personal friend in San Francisco in the 1970s. They were consigned by his friend’s surviving partner and have remained in the couple’s personal collection for nearly half a century.
John Dickinson is celebrated for his ability to merge functionality with unexpected, sculptural elements, elevating furniture design into an art form. His distinctive pieces are highly prized for their timeless appeal and whimsical nature. With bold shapes and crafted from unconventional materials, the products of Dickinson’s unique imagination continue to fascinate collectors and designers more than four decades after his passing.