Inspired by the Arts & Crafts style in England, which rebelled against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution with a proud emphasis on handcrafted design, American Craftsman style similarly pushed against the lavishness of the Victorian era. Coined by Wisconsin-born Gustav Stickley, a furniture designer and publisher of The Craftsman magazine, American Craftsman furniture would influence homegrown styles that followed, such as Mission and the Prairie School.
Like the popular early 20th-century Craftsman houses — which feature meticulous woodwork on everything from built-in bookcases in the living room and cabinetry in the kitchen to earth-toned exteriors with exposed rafters — American Craftsman furniture was all about handmade storage cabinets, bedroom furniture, chairs and other pieces built with organic materials. “Simplicity and straightforwardness of construction has always been the leading characteristic of Craftsman furniture,” Stickley stated. And while he is often credited with most of the designs at the Craftsman Workshops in Eastwood, New York, others such as Harvey Ellis were influential in shaping the straight-backed chairs, beds with vertical slats and tables with exposed joinery that came to define the style.
Highly utilitarian with no unnecessary flair, American Craftsman furniture was designed to emphasize the essence of its modest construction and promote the natural beauty of the wood. Solid oak, cherry, walnut and mahogany were all favored by the movement’s principal figures. Another attribute commonly associated with the style is the integration of subtle details like tooled leather, inlaid metal and hammered iron handles.
Owing to the outbreak of World War I, the popularity of American Craftsman style waned as consumer spending dropped and furniture companies shifted to the production of wartime materials and goods specified in government contracts. Yet, by the 1960s, there was a renewed appreciation for this foundational modern American style, with Stickley and his contemporaries in demand for the clean, simple lines and sturdy construction of American Craftsman furniture.
Find a collection of antique American Craftsman chests, nightstands, seating, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Antique Americana Toleware Water Cooler Handled Bucket Wastebask Umbrella Stand
Located in Hyattsville, MD
We believe this is a Toleware Water Cooler Tank. Total height is 20 with added handle is 27 inches. Has small hole in bottom, but does not really effect use as trash can or umbrella ...
Metal
$440Sale Price|20% Off
1930s Ozark Swirl Pottery Early Touring Souvenir Cactus Bowl Dish Roadside Gift
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful pattern, one of the best I have seen. Rare in Small size. No drain hole. Sold as a shelf prop, would not use, does not ring true, has cracks.
Concrete
Large Hammered Copper Planter in a Fitted Wrought Iron Scrolled Base
Located in Hixson, TN
American craftsman large hammered copper planter which is fitted in a wrought iron scrolled base.
Copper, Wrought Iron
Rolling Stones Tour '24 VIP Gift Box Set - Hackney Diamonds
Located in San Diego, CA
Hard to find Rolling Stones tour '24 VIP gift box set - "Hackney Diamonds", circa 2024. The boxed set is in unused condition and includes a wireless phone charger, coffee cup, noteb...
Plastic, Paper
Antique French Tole Handled Bucket/Cachepot 'Labors of Cupid'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French Tole Handled Bucket/Cachepot 'Labors of Cupid' France, Circa 1900 A delightful Antique French Tole Handled Bucket/Cachepot, dating back to the early 1900s, originatin...
Metal
Large Footed Porcelain Vaso Planter in Matte Mint Green
By Cultivated Gardens for Middle Kingdom
Located in Manassas Park, VA
Middle Kingdom garden vaso are modeled after traditional terra cotta wares but are made from pigmented porcelain. The bowl can be moved from the base for planting and watering. The C...
Porcelain
$150
H 3.88 in W 3.38 in D 1.25 in
Aachen Cathedral Souvenir Building Architectural Model vintage German 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative building sculpture as a souvenir. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is due to age. Made of metal. This item was purchased as a souvenir at a Grand Tour in Europe an...
Metal
Antique Thai Green-Glazed Water Jar Planter with Loop Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Thai water jar, sold as is, features the traditional bulbous silhouette and looped shoulder handles characteristic of utilitarian vessels produced across Southeast Asia....
Earthenware
$1,175 / item
H 22.5 in W 13.5 in D 15.5 in
Deca Planter in Black by Force/Collide, Handcrafted, Large Size, New
Located in Seattle, WA
Force/Collide's award-winning signature planter is an ongoing production available in multiple colors and sizes. This original design is a nod to playful perspectives and spatial relationships. Proportions are thoughtful in aesthetic while optimizing function and user flexibility. The potting basin is built with extra volume for plants to grow, while integral legs serve as a built-in stand. The Deca Planter...
Steel
$1,175 / item
H 22 in W 13.5 in D 15.5 in
Deca Planter in White by Force/Collide, Handcrafted, Large Size, New
Located in Seattle, WA
Force/Collide's award-winning signature planter is an ongoing production available in multiple colors and sizes. This original design is a nod to playful perspectives and spatial rel...
Steel
$220
H 9.63 in W 2.38 in D 2.38 in
Statue of Liberty Souvenir Building Grand Tour Metal Vintage, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Statue of Liberty souvenir statue is being offered from a major estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Guaranteed old, original and as...
Metal
Art Deco Umbrella Stand, Spain 1940's
Located in New York, NY
Large faceted earthenware vase or umbrella stand, each facet adorned with a stylized female figure in different poses, finished in a faux antique bronze patina.
Earthenware
$220
H 9.63 in W 2.38 in D 2.38 in
Vintage Madonna of Montserrat, Our Lady of Montserrat Statue Grand Tour Souvenir
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Statue Madonna of Montserrat souvenir statue is being offered from a major estate sale in Vienna, Austria. Guaranteed old, original and as shown. It is impressive in siz...
Metal
A Grand Tour Souvenir: Neoclassical Column Thermometer
Located in New York, NY
A finely detailed late 19th–early 20th century decorative thermometer modeled after a Roman triumphal column, inspired by classical monuments such as Trajan’s Column in Rome. Cast in...
Bronze
Large Dichas Hanging Planter by Cristina Celestino
Located in Geneve, CH
Large dichas hanging planter by Cristina Celestino. Materials: PVC strings made from recycled plastic Dimensions: D 60 x H 21 cm Available in colo...
PVC
Pair Gladding McBean Ceramic Jardinieres, c 1930s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Gladding McBean & Company, one of California's most venerable potteries produced quality decorative jardinieres from 1929. This pair is in a nice large...
Pottery
Turned Burl Wood Weed Pot with Quartz Stone Inclusion
Located in Ferndale, MI
Nicely turned burl wood weed pot. Shows quartz stone caught during growth.
Burl
Rude Osolnik Turned Wood Cedar Weed Pot
By Rude Osolnik
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautifully executed Cedar wood weed pot.
Cedar
Collection of Seven Rude Osolnik Various Turned Wood Weed Pots
By Rude Osolnik
Located in Ferndale, MI
Seven Osolnik turned wood weed pots. Selection of woods and shapes. Smallest being 2.25 tall Largest just under four tall. All signed all excellent. Oliv...
Cherry, Elm, Olive, Holly
Rare Sculptural Three-Tiered Vessel by Tyler Povac
Located in Bellport, NY
A rare sculptural natural edge or wild edge three tiered vessel.Hand carved from one piece( apple wood) by studio artist Tyler Povac.
Wood