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.
$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
Antique Arts & Crafts Apothecary Wood Carving Wall Mounted Brass Mortar & Pestle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Arts & Crafts Apothecary Wood Carving Wall Mounted Brass Mortar & Pestle. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 18" H x 10" W x 4.5" D.
Brass
$1,850 / set
Antique French Hand Hammered Copper Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 1900s copper pair of theater sign with big leather A. Bought sign handmade and constructed.
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Charles H. F. Turner American Arts And Crafts Pyrography Renaissance, 1898
Located in South Burlington, VT
A sensitive and superb antique Arts and crafts pyrography portrait of a lady in a feathered hat. This unique work of art was hand incised in 1898 by Charles H. F. Turner (1848-1908) . Signed obverse lower left : CHT 98 Boston Art Club Exhibition label verso: Flemish Girl- Artist C H...
Wood
Pair of Parchment Moroccan African Art Wall Curved Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp sha...
Iron
Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved Balinese Mask, Metal and Wood, 1950
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Indonesian mask carved from wood and decorated with polychrome pigments, attributed to Bali and associated with the traditional Topeng dance theatre, probably dating from the 20th ce...
Metal
A Pair of Mid Century Marble and Bronze Bookends A very attractive set
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Mid Century Marble and Bronze Bookends A very attractive set, the ends are heavy and made in marble, set on each one we have a bronze owl they are well balanced to hold ...
Marble
Parchment Moroccan African Art Handcrafted Wall Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp shad...
Iron
Most Unusual Arts & Crafts Stand w/ Hawaiian Art Deco Carved Panels
Located in Buffalo, NY
Most Unusual Arts & Crafts Stand with Hawaiian / Art Deco Carved Wood Panels. Pure Crafts . Mission form with a twist ! Piece has carved wood panels on each side with different moti...
Oak
Moroccan Hand-Painted Wall Sconce by Berber Tribes, Hide & Iron, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shad...
Iron
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
Parchment Moroccan African Art Wall Curved Sconce - 1
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shad...
Iron
Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved Balinese Mask, Metal and Wood, 1950
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Indonesian mask carved from wood and decorated with polychrome pigments, attributed to Bali and associated with the traditional Topeng dance theatre, probably dating from the 20th ce...
Metal
Urushi Tsumiki By Hideaki Hanano
Located in 台東区, JP
More than 20 years ago, I once visited Europe. It was just during the Christmas season, and I entered a vintage toy store attracted by the atmosphere of its exterior, which was faint...
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved Balinese Mask, Metal and Wood, 1950
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Indonesian mask carved from wood and decorated with polychrome pigments, attributed to Bali and associated with the traditional Topeng dance theatre, probably dating from the 20th ce...
Metal
Old large African mask in noble wood circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible old and large African mask in oble wood circa 1900.
Wood
Old African mask in noble hand carved and painted wood circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible old African mask in noble wood hand craved and hand painted circa 1900.
Wood
Old African mask in noble wood and metal circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible old African Mask in noble wood and metal circa 1900
Metal
large old African mask in noble wood hand craved and painted circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large old African mask in noble wood hand craved and hand painted circa 1900.
Wood
Old African Mask in noble wood circa 1900
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible old African mask in noble wood hand carved circa 1900.
Wood
Arts & Crafts Hand Crafted Tiled Plaque with a Oak Frame 1970
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Arts and Crafts hand crafted art tiles framed in oak. Central tile is of an American Indian on horseback in repose. Bronze colored tile framed by 12 square blue glazed tiles. We had ...
Clay, Oak
3 Early 20th century Hand Made Treen Items, Stoup, Stamp Box, Lidded Pot These
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
3 Early 20th century Hand Made Treen Items, Stoup, Stamp Box, Lidded Pot These interesting pieces, a lidded pot from Canterbury, the scene on the stamp box is worn it is Trinity Chu...
Beech
Gilt Artist Easel Picture Stand Adjustable Height
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A profusely carved gilded easel with adjustable height control circa We date this to circa 1930 Great for displaying paintings or a mirror Some of our items are in storage so please ...
Giltwood
A Pair of Mid Century Quirky Bookends on a Cricket theme
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Mid Century Quirky Bookends on a Cricket theme A very attractive set, the ends are very well detailed each depicting the wicket, bat and ball they are well balanced to ho...
Teak
Schweppes Table Waters Oak Trade Sign, Arts and Crafts Style, 1960
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Schweppes table waters oak trade sign board This charming Oak Trade Sign would have been hung on the wall at the entrance to a hotel or bar, it has gold...
Oak
Arts and Crafts 19th Century Shield Trophy with NIKE the Goddess of Victory
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts 19th Century Shield Trophy with Nike the Goddess of Victory The is an Arts and Crafts piece, the Oval Oak shield has an embossed Cope...
Heraldic Crest Framed & Painted on Slate from Borough of Finchley, Coat of Arms
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heraldic crest framed & painted on slate from Borough of Finchley, coat of arms. The coat of arms is 3 dimensional, it has been carved, painted and gilded, and set in golden b...
Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved Balinese Mask, Metal and Wood, 1950
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Elegant Indonesian mask carved from wood and decorated with polychrome pigments, attributed to Bali and associated with the theatrical tradition of Topeng. The oval face features ...
Metal
Pair of Very Large Antler Horn Bases Artist Signed Table Lamps Folk Art Modern
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very large Antler horn bases Artist signed table lamps Folk Art Modern.
Brass
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
Traditional “Pita” Belt and Buckle
Located in Mexico City, MX
Traditional “Pita” Belt and Buckle Pita comes from the fiber of the big maguey Or large Mexican cactus and is hand inlaid With Mexican charro designe. The remaining Leather is ha...
Leather