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.
Early and Rare Evert Sodergren Sculptured Chair, c. 1955
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The 'Sculptured' chair was originally designed in 1953 by Pacific Northwest master craftsman and cabinetmaker, Evert Sodergren, and it is the crown jewel of his oeuvre which spanned ...
Brass
Artisan Crafted American Steer Horn, Hide Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Artisan made arm chair featuring substantial steer horn frame and upholstered in a Palomino colored hide. Hand applied bronze nail heads around seat perimeter complete this unique sc...
Horn, Cowhide
$1,260Sale Price|20% Off
Colonial American Armchair by Herman de Vries for Sikes Furniture Company
By Sikes Chair Company, Herman de Vries
Located in San Diego, CA
A Craftsman armchair by Herman de Vries in solid maplewood; hand-hewn spindles, shaped seat on splayed squared legs. Crafted in the 1930s. Original condition shows some wear and scra...
Maple
Midcentury White Oak Sling Chair with Velvet Cushions
Located in Asheville, NC
Vintage sling chair in white Oak with beautiful joinery and dowel finishes. Piece features light brown velvet cushions in great condition. 29”W x 33...
Canvas, Velvet, Oak
Studio Lounge Chair by Richard Harrison, US, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Custom, handmade armchair designed by Richard Harrison. This remarkable, lightweight and sculptural chair is made of walnut. The chair has beautiful connections and is in excellent c...
Walnut
Craftsman Campaign Prayer Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-20th century, craftsman, Campaign or prayer chair features a carved cherry frame with newly upholstered luggage tan leather seat and back.
Leather, Cherry
Armchair by “Móveis Cimo”, Brazil 1940s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Barcelona, ES
Classic armchair designed and produced by “Móveis Cimo” in 1940s, made of solid “imbuia” wood, curved “imbuia” plywood and brass details. Very strong and c...
Brass
$6,760Sale Price / item|20% Off
Walnut Rocking Chair by Chris Miano, Bouclé Upholstered Lounge Design
By Chris Miano
Located in Edgewater, NJ
Constructed from solid Walnut this Rocker-lounge chair is designed and built to last. Its seat and backrest are upholstered with a natural Bouclé fabric.
Bouclé, Walnut
Hans Wegner Sawbuck Chair
Located in New York, NY
A Danish oak and leather armchair. Designed by Hans Wegner Name - Sawbuck chair Model Number - CH-28 armchair was designed by Hans Wegner in 195...
Oak, Leather
$3,865 / set
H 42.52 in W 23.23 in D 29.53 in
Stunning Pair of Victorian Military Campaign Folding Chairs Steamer Liner Pieces
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of Victorian circa 1880 military campaign style folding chairs A very good looking and highly collectable pair of desk steame...
Upholstery, Oak
David N. Ebner. Studio Craftsman, Sassafras Wood Book Chair
Located in Bellport, NY
Master craftsman David N. Ebner's sassafras wood book chair with his exclusive graphite Finish. Please see the newly published book "David Ebner: Stu...
Wood
Renaissance "Chayère" Chair
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This chayère chair of beautiful proportions stands on a rectangular box base enriched by vermiculure motifs executed in flat-plane. This base is topped by a moulding of strong gadroo...
Walnut
Bamboo Lounge Chair with Beige Cushions, Model Bamboo
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This low bamboo lounger is made of natural bamboo with a slight stain to get that cool vintage look, cushions in a natural beige colored linen. The lou...
Fabric, Bamboo
Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1920s
By Jules Leleu, Paul Follot, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of Art Deco chairs, France, 1920s. The chairs are currently undergoing restoration and the original fabric can be conserved or the chairs can be reupholstered in COM. P...
Fabric, Wood
$4,250
H 33.75 in W 29 in D 25.5 in
Vintage Rustic American Long-Horn Steer Chair with Leather Seat, circa 1960s
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A captivating chair composed of symmetrically-placed horns from Texas long-Horn steer which form the back, sides & leg supports, with a wide seat upholstered in leather that is original. The horns have been matched perfectly for color and size, which together with the choice of leather, gives a very pleasing visual experience. The chair has a label (business card) stapled on the bottom from Jean Roy...
Horn, Leather
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant armchairs by Bernt Petersen, with rosewood frames and comfortable natural leather seats and backs. Smooth lines with nicely contrasting materials. Leather in very goo...
Leather, Wood
$15,995 / set
H 32.75 in W 35 in D 41 in
Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues, Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Anchored in the bold horizons of 1960s Brazilian modernism, the Jangada lounge chair and ottoman by Jean Gillon stands as a testament to artful craftsmanship, organic structure, and ...
Leather, Rosewood
$20,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29 in W 30.5 in D 36.25 in
Brazilian Rosewood Lounge Chairs by Fátima Arquitetura e Interiores, 1960s
By Fatima Arquitetura Interiores (FAI)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and substantial pair of Brazilian modern lounge chairs produced by Fátima Arquitetura e Interiores, Brazil, circa 1960s. Executed in richly figured solid rosewood, these lounge...
Leather, Rosewood
Faux Bamboo Directors Chair by Telescope Chair Company
Located in New York, NY
Stylish folding directors chair, by Telescope Furniture. This example has a turned wood faux bamboo frame, and stenciled bamboo motif canvass backrest sling...
Upholstery, Wood
$807Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 31.75 in W 21.75 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Willett Furniture Company Solid Cherry Spindle-Back Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Crafted in the mid-20th century by the esteemed Willett Furniture Company of Louisville, Kentucky, this pair of spindle-back armchairs exemplifies the brand’s dedication to craftsman...
Wood, Cherry
Vernacular Springer Chairs w/ Slatted Seat Antique
By Kem Weber
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Springer chairs evolution of the rocking chair this pair with a slat seat, found in rural Texas this set has seen a lot of tea sipping on the porch. Condition is as can be seen, pres...
Steel
Late 18th Century New England Ladder Back Armchair
Located in New York, NY
American shaker ladder back armchair, circa 1800, origin: New England, America, With distinctively carved arms, ring-turned details on front and b...
Wood
American Steer Horn, White Hide Chair
Located in New York, NY
Artsian made armchair featuring American steer horns and new white hide upholstery.
Horn, Hide
Craftsman Oak Fire House Dining Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six, Classic, 1940's, craftsman, oak, firehouse dining armchairs feature spindle backs and sides with metal reinforcement rods and wonderful oak grain throughout.
Oak
Pair of Armchairs Solid Oak by Unicor
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Pair of armchairs from the 70s made of solid oak by Unicor, Unicor is a US Federal Prison system program and the furniture craftsmanship exampled with ...
Oak
L & JG Stickley "Model #367" Spindle Morris Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
L. & J.G. Stickley oak spindle Morris chair, model # 367, Arts & Crafts / mission form, with corbel supports under each arm, Thru-Tenon construction, black leatherette seat and back ...
Wood
Craftsman Oak and Leather Recliner Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Solid and handsome, early 20th century, craftsman recliner armchair features a carved oak frame that reclines 5 inches back at 1 inch intervals with...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 35 in W 25.5 in L 35 in
Rare & Whimsical Cushman Hard Rock Maple Chair w. Heart Cut-Outs Mortise & Tenon
By Herman de Vries, H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company
Located in Hudson, NY
Excellent condition well documented Cushman chair with heart cutout, carved seat, and wedged mortise and Tenon construction. This is an excellent example...
Maple
Sold
H 34 in W 22.75 in D 19 in
Four Cushman Vermont Hard Rock Maple Americana Armchairs by Herman DeVries
By Herman de Vries, H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company
Located in Hudson, NY
Modern craftsman style chairs produced by Cushman Vermont. Made of Vermont hard rock maple. Designed by Herman DeVries. Metal ID tags attached. Measure...
Maple
Set of 6 Cushman Vermont Rock Maple Dining Chairs Designed by Herman DeVries
By H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company, Herman de Vries
Located in Hudson, NY
Set of 6 Vermont rock maple dining chairs designed by Herman DeVries for Cushman. Measures: armchairs: H 34 in. x W 22.75 in. x D 19 in. side chai...
Maple
Sold
H 52 in W 31 in D 45.5 in
Oversized Sam Maloof Style Studio Craftsman Rocking Chair, Signed and Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredibly stunning large scale studio rocking chair by Charles Jacobs, signed and dated 11-8-85. This monumental Sam Maloof style craftsman chai...
Hardwood
Pair of Wooden Studio Armchairs by H. Wayne Raab, US, 1970s
By H. Wayne Raab
Located in Berlin, DE
This pair of wooden American craft chairs is designed by Woodworker H. Wayne Raab. The chairs have an individual design and are made of solid waln...
Walnut