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 5 Drawer Oak Dresser with Large Mounted Mirror
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique chest of drawers features hardwood construction, original oak finish, four dovetailed drawers with brass hardware, and a mounted mirror with adjustable swivel function. ...
Brass
American Studio Craft Artist David N. Ebner, Sapele Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in Bellport, NY
David N. Ebner, American Studio Craft artist: Sapele wood chest of drawers is a sculptural masterpiece. There are three pull-out drawers, other woods on request. Originally designed ...
Wood
$3,600
H 81.5 in W 68.5 in D 19 in
Lane Staccato Mid Century Modern 9 Drawer Oak Brutalist Mirrored Dresser Lowboy
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Dayton, OH
1970s Vintage Lane Furniture Staccato collection Brutalist style Oak 9 drawer dresser vanity with mirror or Lowboy, 568-07. The cabinet base showcases Lanes iconic cubed brutalist f...
Mirror, Oak
19th C. Large Fine Figured Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The top made of book matched figured wood with cross banding and fine herringbone string inlay. With a bull nose edge. The tall chest with two short over three long drawers with book matched fronts and matching herringbone string inlays, and fine pierced brass bales and a key. The carved skirt rail raised on all bracket feet. Measures Width. 47 1/2", Depth 23", Height. 45 1/4" Condition: Please see all detail photos. The chest top with some expected scratches and some loss to the finish, slight alligatoring, chipped top front edge corners, some chips and breaks to the drawer moldings (a few preserved for...
Brass
Large Scale Rustic Spanish Pine 6-Drawer Dresser
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique rustic Spanish style cabinet in finished pine. A versatile, well made and heavy piece with a stacked, architectural pattern on the front, the wraps the sides, adding visual ...
Pine
Oak Parquetry Six Drawer Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A light oak parquetry six-drawer dresser in dawn finish. This beautiful hand-carved oak dresser includes six drawers with mirrored herringbone starburst ...
Wood
English Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Woodbury, CT
English, mahogany five-drawer chest with rosewood crossbanded top. Beaded drawers have inset olivewood stringing and oval brass hardware featuring the Prince of Wales triple plume an...
Mahogany
Mount Airy Janus Mid Century Walnut 8 Drawer Dresser
By Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mount Airy Janus mid century walnut 8 drawer dresser This dresser measures: 59.75 wide x 19 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Walnut
6-Drawer Silver Trim Mirrored Dresser
Located in New York, NY
Custom 6-drawer silver trim mirrored dresser with Lucite knobs. Customization is available in different sizes, finishes, and hardware.
Silver Leaf
$8,500
H 48.5 in W 43 in D 22 in
American Sheraton Tiger Maple and Cherry Chest of Drawers. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Sheraton tiger maple and cherry four drawer chest of drawers with original cherry knobs, flanking turned bulbous ringed columns, and resting on the original turned bulbous f...
Cherry, Maple
$15,147 / item
H 41.34 in W 53.15 in D 17.72 in
Booleanos Dresser 3 Drawers, Chest of Drawers in Warm Wood Veneer, Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Booleanos Dresser 3 Drawers, Chest of Drawers in Warm Wood Veneer, Joel Escalona Each piece of the Booleanos collection recreates an optical illusion that blurs the line between two...
Wood, Plywood
$1,500
H 33.5 in W 42 in D 22 in
Antique Victorian Quartersawn Oak Serpentine Oxbow Dresser & Mirror Washstand
Located in Dayton, OH
Charming late 19th century Victorian Era Dresser and mirror. Features a quartersawn oak frame with serpentine oxbow front. Features a 2 over 2 design with four dovetailed drawers accented by wooden turned pulls and escutcheons along the center. The dresser is surmounted by a wishbone mirror...
Mirror, Oak
Antique 1930's Art Deco Design Dresser with Mirror in oak
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Art Deco oak sideboard with beveled mirror and coromandel wood accents. The cabinet is mainly crafted from solid oak, with the exception of the panels. The piece is in a neat, light...
Oak
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 72 in D 19.5 in
Jay Spectre Modern White Oak dresser 7 drawer post modern Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jay Spectre bleached oak veneer 7 drawer Dresser with ribbed drawer pulls, resting on a chrome plinth, Made by Century Furniture c. 1980s Made in USA. Labeled in Drawer - Has origina...
Steel
George Nakashima Studio Craft 8 Drawer Dresser in American Walnut
Located in San Diego, CA
A true heirloom of American Studio Craft, this George Nakashima solid walnut dresser embodies everything collectors cherish about Nakashima’s work: honesty of materials, quiet master...
Walnut
George Nakashima Studio Craft 8 Drawer Dresser
Located in San Diego, CA
A true heirloom of American Studio Craft, this George Nakashima solid walnut dresser embodies everything collectors cherish about Nakashima’s work: honesty of materials, quiet master...
Walnut
Antique Tiger Oak 3 Drawer Dresser or Dressing Table with Oval Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A stunning tiger oak wood dresser with an oval mirror. Sourced from an estate in Kansas, this gorgeous wood piece has fabulous grain. The piece could be used as a dresser, dressing t...
Metal
Vintage Drexel Heritage Maracay Armoire
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Incredible vintage Maracay armoire by Drexel Heritage. Features two large spacious drawers and two ornate cabinet doors which open to reveal shelving wi...
Wood
Mid Century American of Martinsville Bleached Mahogany Dresser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage midcentury dresser. Made by the iconic American of Martinsville group. A chic bleached mahogany cabinet with brass hard...
Brass
Rustic 1900s Dresser with Original Oxblood Paint
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple and efficient early 1900s dresser. Rustic charm with amazing patina from age and use. Oxblood paint finish has achieved the perfect appearance. F...
Wood
Sold
H 38.25 in W 42 in D 19.07 in
American Craft Hard Rock Maple 4 Drawer Dresser with Sculptural Pulls by Sikes
By Sikes Chair Company, Herman de Vries
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning design of a solid hard rock maple four drawer dresser made by American Company Sikes. This is from The "Colonist Craft" line 1930s-1940s - So...
Maple
Pair of 1940s Cerused Oak Dressers Commodes by Jamestown Lounge Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Reduced from $2,850. Each. Beautiful cerused oak highlights this pair of 1940s dresser commodes by Jamestown Lounge Company. From their British oak line, they exhibit a smart Hollyw...
Oak
Sold
H 35 in W 75 in D 20 in
Vermont Handcrafted Furniture Custom Cherry Prairie 10-Drawer Split Top Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vermont furniture designs ten-drawer cherry dresser, custom prairie straight-leg option. Prairie, a strategic mix of the mission and crafts...
Cherry
Paul Frankl Station Wagon Dresser
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful dresser by Paul Frankl, Station Wagon Series birch and blond mahogany, metal tag half-superimposed on a "Johnson Furniture Co. Grand Rapids M...
Birch, Maple
Handcrafted Pine Dresser with Koa Wood Drawer Pulls
Located in Denton, TX
1970s ten-drawer dresser made of pine with koa wood handles with lots of storage it has a hippie coastal look.
Pine
Pair of Baker Fruitwood Chests
By Charlie Baker
Located in Bellport, NY
Pair of four drawer fruitwood chests by Baker. Two small top drawers and two lower drawers all open with original brass pulls. The outer case is made of solid fruitwoods and the draw...
Fruitwood