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.
Pair of German Nautical Aluminum Hanging Ship Lights, Wiska Co. 20th Century
By Wiska
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of German nautical aluminum hanging ship lights, Attributed to Wiska Co. 20th Century.
Aluminum
Bottega Intreccio Woven Wicker Caratteri Cocolla Mini PendantLamp, by M.Bernabei
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Pendant light with lampshade in intertwined wicker. 135 meters of wicker are carefully selected and then skilfully shaped for over 6.5 hours of patient intertwining. The Cocolla lamp...
Wicker
Brass and Crystal Chandelier, Arts and Crafts Style, Antique, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Stunning 3 Branch Brass and Crystal Chandelier This is an excellent quality piece, it has a brass crown hung with crystal drops in the centre this has 3 branches supporting brass...
Crystal
Large French Gilded Brass Chandelier This is a very good quality piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Gilded Brass Chandelier This is a very good quality piece, it has 8 arms and hangs from a chain which could be altered to suit your needs The light has a superb bright...
Brass
Bottega Intreccio Woven Wicker 21stCentury Sfera Mini, Caratteri, by M. Bernabei
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Pendant light with lampshade in intertwined wicker. 138 meters of wicker are carefully selected and then skillfully shaped for over 7 hours of patient intertwining. The Sfera lamp is...
Wicker
Arts & Crafts Wrought Iron & Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This antique eight-light chandelier features a combination of hand-hammered bronze and iron elements with a deep, aged patina. The central frame is constructed from multiple curved i...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
$1,868 / item
French Red Feathers Chandelier
By B.L.M
Located in Paris, FR
French chandelier in goose feathers and painted white metal, handmade in France by the artist.
Metal
A Flat Rim Arts & Crafts Vaseline/Uranium Glass Shade & One with a Frilly Rim
Located in London, GB
A flat rim Arts and Crafts Vaseline/Uranium Glass Shade and one with a frilly rim. Left flat rim measures: Height 3 1/4", width 6". Right frilly rim measures: Height 4 5/8", width 5...
Uranium Glass
$1,868 / item
Rooster Tail Feathers Chandelier, France
By B.L.M
Located in Paris, FR
Rooster tail feathers chandelier and its metal structure. Bronze black and bronze red feathers.
Metal
Gothic Nickel Plated Bronze 6 Arm Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Arts & Crafts style six arm chandelier made of brass with nickel plate and gilt finishes. This requires six standard Edison style medium base bulbs. The frame is adorned with dec...
Steel, Nickel, Brass
Bottega Intreccio Woven Wicker Caratteri, Vicevera Pendant Lamp, by M. Bernabei
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Pendant light with lampshade in intertwined wicker. 70 meters of wicker are carefully selected and then skillfully shaped for over 3 hours of patient intertwining. The Viceversa lamp...
Wicker
Bottega Intreccio Woven Wicker Caratteri, Seia 35 Pendant Lamp, by M. Bernabei
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Seia 35 Modular pendant light with lampshade in intertwined wicker. 35 metres of wicker are carefully selected and then skilfully shaped for ove...
Wicker
A Monumental Pair of Birmingham Guild of Handicrafts Style Chandeliers
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of huge English wrought iron pendant lights each with a pierced globe supported by a spirally worked shaft. The curved arms are unusually happy as with up-lighters or dow...
Wrought Iron
Antique cir1910 Hanging Lamp circa 1910 Mica Stickley era W7529 - 50% SALE
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
50% OFF SALE This is a great circa 1910 Mica hanging lamp in excellent condition. The lamp has one socket (original). There is slight wear to the shade consistent with normal wear....
Iron
Bottega Intreccio Woven Wicker Caratteri, Seia 98 Pendant Lamp, by M. Bernabei
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Seia 98 Modular pendant light with lampshade in intertwined wicker. 98 (not 95 price list 2018) meters of wicker are carefully selected and th...
Wicker
Iron Vintage Heraldic English Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage iron arts and crafts style chandelier with 5 arms and handsome shields.
Iron
$1,755Sale Price|35% Off
William Benson Polished Bronze Chandelier, Arts and Crafts Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Polished bronze chandelier by William Benson for Morris & Co, UK circa 1920 Rare piece that would fit well in an eclectic Hollywood regency inspired decor. Check out our Goldwood storefront...
Bronze
$1,868 / item
Black French Feathers Pendant
By B.L.M
Located in Paris, FR
Pendant in raw metal and feathers of rooster tail., handmade in France by the artist.
Metal
$2,228 / item
Black Feathers and Metal Pendant, France
By B.L.M
Located in Paris, FR
French chandelier pendant made in rooster tail feathers and a structure metal.
Metal