Church Candle Snuffer

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.

Religious art has had an enduring and significant role throughout history and continues to resonate with modern audiences. Over the years, vintage and antique religious artifacts have become popular with collectors and the devout alike, and religious art has been used to express devotion across a range of media.

Historic examples of religious art remain evocative. From the Renaissance to 1800, many Old Masters actively explored sacred themes from Christianity. In the Baroque period, painters infused religious scenes with intense emotions through the technique of chiaroscuro, which uses strong contrasts between light and dark.

From the 18th to 19th century, Gothic Revival saw designers using elements that evoked the Middle Ages. Artists found inspiration in the romantic qualities of medieval paneling, furniture and other accoutrements, such as candelabras, statues and crosses. Works created in the Gothic style add drama and a grandiose elegance to any room.

Religious art reflects the diversity of beliefs around the world. Islamic art and Judaica are just a couple of examples of the vibrant expression that has coursed through faith-based art over the centuries. Sculptures have long depicted the image of Buddha, while intricately carved reliefs have stunningly depicted deities from Hinduism, like Ganesh. Members of Nepalese religions that emphasize shamanism have made ornate drums, artistically enhanced with images of animals like birds.

In some cases, artisans have created pieces that celebrate specific religious holidays such as the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. But even everyday items are an opportunity to bring both art and religion into a space. For example, designers of furniture over the years have drawn on elements found in cathedrals and other religious settings in order to elevate their work.

On 1stDibs, find a varied collection of antique and vintage religious artifacts and other objects that can be searched by style, period, artist and material, such as wood or metal.