T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings 1905–1976
Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings was born in England in 1905. While studying architecture at the University of London, Robsjohn-Gibbings was fascinated by the restrained elegance of Greek and Roman art, so he often spent his spare time wandering the galleries of the British Museum. In 1929, he moved to New York where he worked for famed tastemaker Charles Duveen before establishing a career as an independent interior designer in 1936. In 1938, Harper’s Bazaar stated that Robsjohn-Gibbings felt that “the modern should stem from the very ancient,” as he believed that furniture should be steeped in the symmetry and rationality of Greek design. In 1946, Robsjohn-Gibbings had the chance to make his ideals manifest when he was invited to design a line of furniture for Widdicomb Furniture Company. His furniture line was hailed as a triumph by House Beautiful, and his design for a butler’s table was featured in the landmark Good Design exhibit of 1951 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
In addition to working as an interior designer, Robsjohns-Gibbings was also an astute critic of design culture in America and he was noted for his humorous novels like Goodbye, Mr. Chippendale, which poked fun at the American craze for all things antique in interior design. During the 1960s, Robsjohn-Gibbings moved to Athens, the birthplace of classicism, and his apartment overlooked the Parthenon. While living in Greece, Robsjohn-Gibbings designed interiors for both Aristotle Onassis and the Niarchos family. Robsjohn-Gibbings passed away in 1976. He left behind a legacy of classically-derived forms, and his elegant works reside in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among many others.
Upcoming Lots T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Auction Results T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
side tables from Casa Encantada, Bel Air, pair
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $6,250
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
lounge chairs, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $5,938
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
lounge chairs model 1702, pair
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $10,625
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
occasional table, model 1750
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $6,250
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
occasional tables model 1775, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,125
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
coffee table, model 1759
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $3,750
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
lounge chairs pair, and ottoman
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $4,550
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
lounge chairs model 1721, pair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $4,550
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
lounge chairs model WWZ, pair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
occasional tables model 1781, set of two
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $2,375
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
sofa
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $2,250
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
WAP cocktail table
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,750
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
coffee table, model 1786
estimate: $700–900
result: $1,375
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
slipper chair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,250
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Amoeba coffee table
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $8,125
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Pair of lounge chairs
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $3,375
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Chaise longue
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $8,125
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Grand Rapids
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $2,750
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
lounge chairs model WWZ, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,470
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
sofa, model 1678
estimate: $4,000–6,000
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
cabinet, model 1736
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $3,750
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Cabinet
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $8,450
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Cabinet
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $7,500
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Mirror, model 1656
estimate: $500–700
result: $1,188