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Gustav Stickley Furniture

American, 1858-1942

Gustav Stickley was one of the principal figures in the American Arts and Crafts movement and the creator of the Craftsman style. As a furniture designer and publisher of the magazine The Craftsman, he adopted many of the ideals of the British design reform movement and popularized both its philosophy and its aesthetics in the United States.

Born in Wisconsin, Stickley moved with his family to Pennsylvania when he was a teenager and began working in his uncle’s chair factory in the town of Brandt. There, he learned the techniques of late-19th-century furniture making at a time when the vogue was for Victorian revival furniture, which was characterized by extensive ornamentation.

In 1883, Stickley established a furniture company called Stickley Brothers with two of his brothers, Albert and Charles (Gustav’s other siblings, Leopold and John George, would later form L & J.G. Stickley Inc.). When Stickley Brothers foundered, he partnered five years later with salesman Elgin Simonds to form a new firm, Stickley & Simonds, which produced traditional furniture that appealed to the burgeoning American middle class. The success of this venture enabled Stickley to travel to Europe, where he discovered the writings of John Ruskin and William Morris, the two preeminent thinkers of the British Arts and Crafts movement. Stickley also traveled to France, where the Art Nouveau movement impressed him with its imaginative designs and skilled craftsmanship.

Stickley parted ways with Simonds at the turn of the 20th century and decided to focus his creative energies on producing furniture in what became known as the Craftsman style, incorporating some of the elements of the designs and movements he had encountered in Europe.

The pieces Stickley created, which he stamped with the logo of a joiner’s compass, were rectilinear, largely free of ornament, made of oak, and built in such a way that the nature of their construction was plainly visible — all reflections of the tenets of the Arts and Crafts movement. While some people referred to Stickley’s furniture as Mission furniture — a term that references the furnishings of the Spanish missions in California — Gustav commonly called his work “Craftsman” owing to the inspiration he found in the British Arts and Crafts movement.

Stickley benches and rocking chairs were popular, and his leather-upholstered armchairs combine practicality, comfort and an understated silhouette. He also made side tables — an unusual example designed during the early 20th century was adorned with an octagonal Grueby Pottery tile in a cool shade of green, which made it an ideal piece for an art pottery collector.

In 1901, Stickley launched The Craftsman magazine, which contained articles on all manner of domestic topics, from gardening and cooking to art and design, as well as poetry and fiction. In addition to popularizing Stickely’s own designs, the magazine acquainted Americans with the Arts and Crafts style in all its forms through its graphic design and the bungalows, art pottery, and hammered-copper lamps pictured in its pages. It also encouraged readers to practice craft themselves, promoting an early form of the do-it-yourself ethos. 

In 1904, Stickley founded the Craftsman Home Builders' Club, which allowed subscribers to his magazine to order architectural plans for the Arts and Crafts–style structures that were featured in its pages; eventually, this became one of its most popular features.

An ill-timed attempt to set up a New York showroom led to Stickley’s filing for bankruptcy in 1915. The outbreak of World War I, waning interest in the Arts and Crafts style, and increased competition all conspired to thwart Stickley's efforts. The Craftsman ceased publication a year later. When he died, in 1942, Arts and Crafts had been replaced by modernism as the favored aesthetic. It enjoyed a resurgence, however, in the 1970s, and Stickley is now regarded as one of the most important American designers in the first half of the 20th century.

Find antique Gustav Stickley tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Gustav Stickley
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Extension Dining Table with Six Leaves
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mission oak Arts & Crafts extension dining table By Gustav Stickley USA, circa 1900 Measures: 54"W x 54"D x 30"H. Extends up to 118.5"W with six 10.75...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Oak

Signed Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Newly Restored
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak with beautiful exposed dovetail joints, and o...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered coppe...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk or Library Table
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered coppe...
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Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Mid Century Solid cherry oval dining table with 2 leaves by Stickley
By Gustav Stickley
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Solid cherry dining table with 2 leaves by Stickley. Very good vintage condition - super solid Dining table. Classic oval design wi...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Cherry

1900 Gustav Stickely Early Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Youth Rocking Chair
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Monrovia, CA
GUSTAV STICKLEY Early American Craftsman Mission Quarter Sawn Oak Youth Rocker 1900s. Early American Antique Piece Of Furniture and History. This Early Antique Craftsman Mission Quarter Sawn Oak Rocker Is Also Known As A Sewing Rocker. This Early American Arts and Crafts Rocker...
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Late 19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

Stickley Side Table
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Pasadena, TX
This elegant occasional table with one fixed shelf and subtle shoe foot design was originally designed by Gustav Stickley circa 1904 and is pa...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Mission Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Oak

Vintage Gustav Stickley Morris Chair
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Fort mill, SC
A 1910’s vintage Gustav Stickley Morris chair with original seat pad and restored back pad recovered in a dense soft pile brown corduroy ...
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Early 1900s English Mission Antique Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Rope, Oak

Early Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Library Table or Writing Desk
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk, library table, or center table By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 3...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Oak

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts sideboard or credenza with plate rack By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with ooze leather lined t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Extension Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mission oak Arts & Crafts pedestal extension dining table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 48"W x 48"D x 29.13"H. Extends up to 96"W with ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Oak

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Extension Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mission oak Arts & Crafts extension dining table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 48" W x 48" D x 29.63" H. Extends up to 96" W with four ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Oak

41.5 Stickley Mission Collection Bookcase
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Pasadena, TX
From the Stickley Mission Collection reissued in the 1990s. 2005 Cherry construction with 4 adjustable shelves. Stickley seal and brand. M...
Category

Early 2000s North American Mission Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Massive Mission Oak c. 1920's Sofa Large Bench Sette Loveseat Couch
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Massive tall back and sides Arts & Crafts mission oak bench settee signed Stickley. Even arm early 1900s design.
Category

20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Oak

Signed Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hamme...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Early Gustav Stickley Ebonized Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak in original ebonized...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission oak Arts & Crafts sideboard or credenza By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Copper

Gustav Stickley Chest of Drawers
By Gustav Stickley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A nine drawer oak dresser with iron pulls.
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1910s American Modern Vintage Gustav Stickley Furniture

Materials

Iron

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Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Settle Sofa, Circa 1900
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Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sewing Rocking Chair, Circa 1900
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Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Gate Leg Drop Leaf Dining Table
By Gustav Stickley
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  • Stickley Trestle Dining Table Mission Oak
  • Stickley Trestle Dining Table Mission Oak
  • Stickley Trestle Dining Table Mission Oak
  • Stickley Trestle Dining Table Mission Oak
H 30.5 in. W 42 in. D 76 in.

Gustav Stickley furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gustav Stickley furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gustav Stickley furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gustav Stickley were created in the Arts and Crafts style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Stickley Brothers, and L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.. Prices for Gustav Stickley furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £1,522 and can go as high as £10,412, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £3,924.

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