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.
John Scott Bradstreet - Bronze Lotus Bowl - United States - circa 1900
Located in Chatham, ON
JOHN SCOTT BRADSTREET (Attributed) - Arts & Crafts cast and patinated bronze center-piece flower bowl taking the form of a lotus - later patinated flower 'frog' - unsigned - United S...
Bronze
Talwin Morris Style of, an Arts & Crafts Copper Vase with Enamel Decorations
Located in London, GB
Talwin Morris style of, an Arts & Crafts Glasgow School cylindrical copper vase with wonderful oblong enamels to each side and stylised elongated tree de...
Copper, Enamel
Jerome "Jerry" & Evelyn Ackerman Victorian Shoe Corset Button Hook or Hook & Eye
Located in Studio City, CA
An interesting piece acquired directly from the estate of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman (please see photo from their home studio wall of the couple working on their pottery early in their careers). The Ackermans began their career in design primarily in ceramics in the early 1950s. After finishing at Alfred University, Jerome worked at the Jenev Design Studio developing ceramic molds...
Brass
Antique Arts & Crafts Stained Slag Glass Window, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts paneled multicolored stained slag glass window USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 33"W x 1.75"D x 35.5"H. Good vintage condition.
Wood, Art Glass, Paint
Antique Copper Vase with Hindu Scenes, 19th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th century floor bronzed copper large vase. Tall brass Indo Persian vase in a trumpet shape. Handcrafted large sculptural elegant bronzed color metal copper vase. Delicately handmade and etched, hammered and carved with very Fine jungle, animals like elephants and deers and tigers, monkeys and Hindu figures scenes designs. Probably a story from the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures. This summary is a traditional legendary account, based on literary details from the Ramayana and other historic mythology-containing texts of Buddhism and Jainism. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic Ramayana. 19th century collector piece, museum quality, nice dark copper antique patina. Hand-hammered decorative metalwork Hindu Folk Art.
Brass, Copper
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Arts And Crafts Complete Set Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Tools, Must Haves
Located in South Burlington, VT
Complete Arts And Crafts Set Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Tools, Four Pieces Handsome Heart and Curved Masterwork Design Dark original patina from good age; light use wear. Dimens...
Iron
Middle Eastern Tinned Copper Coffee Pot, 19th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th century Middle Eastern Arabian tinned copper coffee pot. A bird on top of the handle. Hand-hammered and chased copper with figures and animal ...
Copper
Middle Eastern Tinned Copper Pot, 19th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th century Middle Eastern Arabian tinned copper coffee pot. A bird on top of the handle. Embossed, hand-hammered and chased tinned copper with figures and wild animal designs riveted finish on handle. Missing lid, probably used to make coffee, tea or boil water. Middle Eastern copper collectible...
Copper
John Bradstreet Bronze Lotus, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
From the 1890s until his death in 1914, John Bradstreet, the important American Arts and Crafts furniture and interior designer, worked from The Crafts House, his landscaped orientalist compound in Downtown Minneapolis. There, he also received his clients, and dealt in Asian art acquired on frequent trips to the Far East. He used similar bronze Japanese lotuses...
Bronze
Pino Vase in Antique Copper by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pino vase Antique copper finish Hand repousse Limited Edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto shee...
Copper
$1,926
H 30.71 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Spanish Gothic Revival fireplace tool set wrought iron dragon 1920 hand forged
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
An exceptional five-piece fireplace tools set with stand, handcrafted in Spain from wrought iron during the late Art Nouveau period (circa 1920s–1930s). This sculptural ensemble feat...
Wrought Iron
Archaic Bronze Ding Warring States Period
Located in Dallas, TX
Chinese Bronze Archaistic Warring States Period Ding Pot. Circa 500 BCE A beautifully shaped medium size bronze ritual vessel with three elegant feet and a l...
Bronze
Indian Vintage Metal Water Vase with Cork Style Top and Circular Body
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Indian metal water vase from the mid-20th century, with circular belly and cork inspired wooden top. Crafted in India during the midcentury period, this metal water vase charms...
Metal
19th Century Japanese Bronze Vase, Gilt Bird Decoration, Meiji Period
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Meiji Period diminutive bronze vase with lovely etched and applied decoration. A raised gilt bird is shown flying above etched bamboo on one side, gilt applied lilies wi...
Bronze
Indian Antique Large Ceremonial Hand Crafted Copper Yoni
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and rare antique Indian copper Yoni Shiva Lingam Ceremonial water Vessel dating from the 19th century. The Yoni represents the Hindu godd...
Copper
$850
H 13.5 in W 12 in D 7 in
Large 19th Century Antique Indian Hindu Ganesha Figural Votive Brass Oil Lamp
Located in Portland, OR
A large antique early 19th century Indian brass votive oil lamp modeled as the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha, circa 1800. A finely cast brass figure of Lord ...
Brass
$6,700
H 15.5 in W 19.5 in D 1.75 in
Nepalese Filigree and Stone and Glass Inlay Votive Plaque, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and impressive Nepalese gilt copper filigree votive plaque inset with coral, turquoise, and colored glass "gems", 19th/20th century, Nepal. This large votive plaque would ori...
Stone, Coral, Copper
Wrought Iron and Brass Arts and Crafts Fireplace Tool Set
Located in New York, NY
Four piece wrought iron and cast brass fireplace tool set, including a poker, shovel, tongs, and the stand. The set is in good, original, cl...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$3,262
H 11.62 in W 5.71 in D 4.73 in
Antique circa 1880 Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved and Painted Whip Hook
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks which has the original paint This is a fine exa...
Wood
$490
H 7.5 in W 3.63 in D 2.63 in
Black Forest Carved Bear Whip Holder or Wall Hook, Antique German 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved Bear as a Whip Holder or Wall Hook. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your wall. Made of hand carved wood. Found at an es...
Wood
Chinese Black Enamel Cloisonné Chrysanthemum Flower Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese black enamel cloisonné and brass ginger jar vase with chrysanthemum flowers, dogwood flowers and a butterfly and beautiful rich colors. Hand crafted on solid brass.
Enamel
Japanese Bronze Vase by Seizan
Located in Fukuoka, JP
This beautiful bronze vase is made using the centuries-old Murashido technique, which gives each item a unique, one-of-a-kind pattern. The vase has a simple, elegant design with a rounded base and a flared neck. It measures 23 cm (9 inches) in diameter and 14.5 cm (5.5 inches) tall and weighs 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs). The vase has some minor scratches on the surface, but these do not detract from its overall beauty. This vase would make a perfect addition to any home and would be a timeless and cherished heirloom. The Murashido technique is a traditional Japanese method of creating a beautiful swirling patina on bronze. The freshly cast object is dipped in a mixture of oils, which reacts with the metal to create a unique pattern. Each vase is slightly different, making them truly one-of-a-kind. This vase is a perfect example of the Murashido technique. The swirling pattern is mesmerizing, and the vase is sure to be a conversation starter in any home. Whether you're looking for a unique piece of art or a beautiful vase to display flowers, this Murashido vase...
Bronze
Roycroft Hammered Copper Vase, Arts and Crafts Movement, Brown Patina
By Roycroft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice elegant shape with flower petals like riffles at top, rare shape for the Roycroft style.
Copper
Sold
H 0.28 in W 5.83 in D 6.74 in
Japanese Antique Mirror Muromachi '14th-16th centuries' White Bronze Mirror
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese mirror. Mirrors made of copper have been made in China, South Korea, and Japan for a long time. Very beautifully decorated mirrors have been made since anci...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 4.34 in
Old Japanese Copperware or Incense Burner in the Shape of a Lion/Carved Figurine
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We Japanese introduce unique items with unique aesthetics, purchasing routes, and ways that no one can imitate. This is an old Japanese copper incense burner...
Copper
Set of Four Arts and Crafts Hand-Hammered Copper Pots
By Roycroft
Located in Buffalo, NY
Set of four arts and crafts hand-hammered copper pots wonderfully crafted hand-forged handels possibly Turkish, Mid Eastern in origin, sizes range ...
Brass, Copper
Antique Indian Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Indian silver box; an addition to our diverse Asian silverware collection. This fine antique Indian silver box has a...
Silver