Skip to main content

Gustav Stickley Benches

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.

1
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
16
161
62
46
44
Creator: Gustav Stickley
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 Benches

Materials

Oak

Related Items
Apollo Loveseat, Sofa, Daybed, Dark Brass Frame and Cream Boucle by Lara Bohinc
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo loveseat comprises of a series of playfully fine, elongated metal loops, which embrace the upholstered cushion rolls together to form its lo...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Chrome and Upholstery Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This bold entry bench features a tufted top with a sharp chrome base. With both style and comfortable functionality this piece will add a sense of style to any room you place it in. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Chrome

Modernist Vintage Grey Leather Bench Loveseat De Sede 1980s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage sofa bench or loveseat Model DS-2011 from leather in grey color by De Sede. An authentic gorgeous sofa or loveseat with a steel ...
Category

1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Steel

Apollo Loveseat, Sofa, Red Metal Frame and Red Wool by Lara Bohinc, in stock
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo loveseat comprises of a series of playfully fine, elongated metal loops, which embrace the upholstered cushion rolls together to form its lo...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts Oak Window or Hall Seat with Large Pierced Hearts
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. An Arts and Crafts oak window or hall seat with large pierced hearts to each end with moulded edges to the seat and an octagonal shaped stretcher.
Category

20th Century English Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Oak

Tranquilo Loveseat in White Oak with Spindle Back
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Everyone knows the love seat is nothing more than a glorified bench, or a miniature couch, but the fact is it's often a necessary item for city dwellers who lack the room for a secti...
Category

2010s American Shaker Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Linen, Oak, Walnut

Handmade Italian Modern Craftsman Bench / Sofa in the Spirit of Andrea Branzi
By Andrea Branzi
Located in New York, NY
A stunning, unique Italian Modern Craftsman sculpture / sofa / bench in the spirit of Andrea Branzi's Modern Rustic / Brutalist Aesthetic as seen in "Domestic Animals". This original...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Loveseat in Cream Shagreen with Velvet Upholstery and Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Brass

Pure Bench Matteo Thun Contemporary Natural Cedar Made in Italy Riva 1920
By Matteo Thun
Located in Cantù, IT
Bench made from a single block of scented cedar. Distinguished by its minimalist and extremely natural design. Rests on feet made from the same wood.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Santa Rosa Bench in White Oak
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a design that is at home in ...
Category

2010s American Shaker Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Santa Rosa Bench in White Oak
Santa Rosa Bench in White Oak
H 18 in W 14 in D 48 in
French Rustic Chic Wooden Benches
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous pair of wooden benches from the late 1800s/early 1900s, of the rustic chic style. The benches are simple and rustic, but at the same ti...
Category

Early 1900s French Rustic Antique Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Wood

French Rustic Chic Wooden Benches
French Rustic Chic Wooden Benches
H 19.69 in W 34.45 in D 9.26 in
Santa Rosa Bench in Walnut
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a design that is at home in ...
Category

2010s American Shaker Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Santa Rosa Bench in Walnut
Santa Rosa Bench in Walnut
H 18 in W 14 in D 48 in
Previously Available Items
Stickley Mission Collection White Oak Trestle Bench
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Pasadena, TX
42" Stickley Mission Collection bench Part of the Stickley Furniture Mission Collection, this trestle base bench in white oak can serve as...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Mission Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Oak

Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Settle Sofa, circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mission Arts & Crafts settle sofa or bench By Gustav Stickley (original branded label) Eastwood, NY, circa 1900 Quartersaw...
Category

Early 19th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Oak

Large and Rare Mission Oak Sofa Bench by Gustav Stickley, circa 1910, USA
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Girona, Spain
Large and rare mission oak sofa bench by Gustav Stickley Rare and absolutely stunning form circa 1910, USA Very good vintage condition.
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Gustav Stickley Benches

Materials

Oak, Leather

Gustav Stickley benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Gustav Stickley benches 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 benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Gustav Stickley were created in the Arts and Crafts style in united states during the 20th century. Prices for Gustav Stickley benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $12,500 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,500.

Recently Viewed

View All