Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.
The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.
American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.
Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.
Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.
Three Hand-forged Wrought Iron Trivets 18th Century Italian Iron Rests
Located in Milano, MI
From Italy a unique set of three 18th and 19th century assorted Italian flat iron trivets used to place hot irons to protect the preservation of tables, cloth and from hot charcoal a...
Iron
19th Century Wooden Spool Candlesticks, Arts and Crafts, USA
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Industrial 19th century wooden spool candlesticks with hand poured pear candles.
Wood
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
18/1900s “Prince & Princess” cordovan/gold leather box
Located in Skien, NO
Antique wooden letter/keepsake box from ca. the 1920s, covered in 1800s’ cordovan / gold leather with a natural patina. The leather features decorated and hand-painted detailing, inc...
Wood, Birch, Leather, Patent Leather
Very Collectable Antique Hand Carved Double Flower Printing Block for Wallpaper
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this hand carved in sycamore wood printing block with double flower detail This piece is part of a suite, I ...
Sycamore
Very Collectable Antique Hand Carved Blue Flower Printing Block for Wallpaper
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this hand carved in sycamore wood printing block with blue flower detail This piece is part of a suite, I ha...
Sycamore
Very Collectable Antique Hand Carved Twelve Flower Printing Block for Wallpaper
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this hand carved in sycamore wood printing block with twelve flower detail This piece is part of a suite, I ...
Sycamore
19th Century English Hand-Carved Bread Board
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English bread board made from sycamore. the border is hand carved with the word bread and a hand-carved design of oak leaves and acor...
Sycamore
1900s Butcher's Pig Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Vintage carved and painted pine butcher's trade sign. Molded frame, insized text reading "Porkies Pen" pig in relief. 33" x 40" Period: First quarter of the 20th century or earlier ...
Wood
Antique Leather Photo Album With Music Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Unique antique photo album with a music box, which starts to play when opening the closure.
Leather, Paper
18th Century George III Mahogany Footed Knife Boxes
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exceedingly rare and important pair of George III-period mahogany knife boxes of exceptional quality and condition. The boxes are of serpentine form with refined crossbanded and c...
Serpentine
$721
H 9.06 in W 7.09 in D 3.94 in
French Gilt Copper Eagle Sculpture 19th century Arts & Crafts Décor
Located in London, GB
19th Century French Gilt Copper Eagle Sculpture (30 cm) A finely detailed 19th century French gilt copper model of an eagle, expertly cast and richly chased with naturalistic feathe...
Brass, Copper, Ormolu
18th Century Pewter Charger
Located in High Point, NC
18th century pewter charger from England with London marks on the back of the rim, which is pictured. Gorgeous patina.
Pewter
Early 20thC Hubley Bouquet of Flowers Cast Iron Doorstops
By Hubley Manufacturing Company 2
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Antique cast iron Doorstops by Hubley in original paint. No breaks or cracks in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear to the paint....
Iron
$1,059
H 24.61 in W 6.3 in D 4.14 in
Antique Danish 1841 Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift Colorful Hand-Carved Wood
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Danish or Scandinavian mangle board (clothing and bedding press) dated 1941. It has this text cut into it: KM JDR 1841 and a short text painted on both sides of the handle. I...
Wood
1900s Antique Hand Carved Wooden Cane
Located in Plainview, NY
An early 20th century hand carved wood men's cane. The cane features beautiful hand carving of flowers painted in multiple colors. The name of what it seems to be the original owner ...
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Knife
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic wood carving of a knife. Just under 12" in length. Completely made by hand with built in grip. Carved HLC on blade. Interesting tabletop object.
Wood, Paint
U.S. Post Office Postal Window with Teller's Window, Early 1900s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderfully unique U.S. Post Office postal window with teller's opening from the late 1800s. Most likely used in a country store. Original finish oak wood. Brass plate reads 'US POST OFFICE CORBIN CABINET LOCK CO. NEW BRITAIN CONN. USA'. Small oak window pushes up and down to show whether they are open or closed. Numbered boxes noting customers post office box...
Metal, Brass
French 18th Century Copper Pressure Cooker
Located in Round Top, TX
A wonderful 18th century copper pressure cooker from the Southwest of France. A great addition to any copperware collection.
Copper
Sold
H 20.08 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Dutch Hand-Carved Wooden Knitting Needle Case, Amsterdam School, circa 1920s
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
A Dutch hand-painted wooden knitting needle case, dating to circa 1920, crafted during the years of the Amsterdam School. Its octagonal form is painted with bold red and green floral...
Wood
Sold
H 34.1 in W 98.8 in D 16.9 in
French Primitive Carpenter’s Workbench in Solid Beech, Early 20th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This authentic French carpenter’s workbench, crafted from solid beech in the early 20th century, is a striking testament to traditional woodworking heritage. Measuring an impressive ...
Beech
Antique Hand Carved Folk Art Mallard Duck Decoy, C.1920
Located in London, GB
Two separate antique duck decoys. c.1920 Beautifully hand carved and very charming. One solid wood with a lovely warmth, the other carved and painted to mimic a male mallard. Woo...
Wood
Old Barrel Of French Manufacture
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Old barrel of French manufacture This cylindrical container is made of solid oak. This barrel has aged and blackened over time to the point of giving it a greyish color. This phen...
Oak
Solid Oak Workshop Workbench
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This workbench is a real work table. The base and the thick top are made of oak. The tray is pierced with holes for the « valet » (metal piece in the shape of a sign which is used t...
Oak
Sold
H 18 in W 10 in L 18 in
Early 1900s Arts & Crafts Pine Tree Shaped Cast Iron Andirons in a Grand Size
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Craftsman made andirons in the arts and crafts style which was a reaction to the industrial revolution of the early 20th century. These andiron were hand crafted and would make a gre...
Iron
19th C. Wood Spindle Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Industrial 19th century wooden spool candlesticks with hand poured pear candles.
Wood
Sold
H 8.27 in W 2.13 in D 1.7 in
Japane Wood Carving Jizo Bodhisattva Statue /Buddha Statue, circa 1400s-1600s
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We Japanese introduce unique items with unique aesthetics, purchasing routes, and ways that no one can imitate. It is an old Japanese wooden Buddha statue...
Wood
Japanese antique pottery "Bizen" jar around the 14-15th century / old vase
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is "Bizen ware". Bizen is a historic kiln located in Okayama prefecture, Japan. It is said to have originated around the 8th century. It is a kiln that continues to this day in Ja...
Ceramic
18th-19th Century Lee Dynasty White Porcelain Vase
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a white porcelain vase from the 18th to 19th centuries. It is called lantern vase in Japan because it is shaped like a lantern. You can see stains on the vessel. If this is...
Ceramic