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.
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Strap Hinge Sideboard
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period strap hinge sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet with plate rack By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Quarter sawn oak, wi...
Copper
Imperial Furniture Grand Rapids Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period strap hinge eight-leg sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet In the manner of Gustav Stickley By Imperial Furniture Co. US...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts sideboard or bar cabinet with plate rack By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Quarter ...
Copper
Harvey Ellis for Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet Designed by Harvey Ellis for Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Beautiful quarter sawn oak...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Large Oak Bookcase with Glass Doors, c. 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in San Francisco, CA
American Arts and Crafts bookcase by Gustav Stickley featuring clean lines and functional design. The two glass doors open to reveal four interior shelves. Retains original red “Als...
Iron
Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Gustav Stickley Craftsman Two Door Bookcase
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular simple be yet so elegant. A beautiful piece from the Arts and Crafts and the premier Craftsman Gustav Stickley. Still in its original fumed oak finish and with it all the...
Iron
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard, Circa 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period strap hinge sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet with plate rack By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Quarter sawn oak, wi...
Copper
Stickley Harvey Ellis Inlaid Bookshelf Mission Oak Arts Crafts
By Harvey Ellis, Gustav Stickley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mission Oak Bookcase, designed by Harvey Ellis for Stickley, originally designed in the 1910s, this is example was made by Stickley in the 1990s. Retains the Stickley lab...
Oak, Wood
Early Harvey Ellis for Gustav Stickley Mission Mahogany Sideboard, Circa 1905
By Harvey Ellis, Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet Designed by Harvey Ellis for Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1905 Mahogany, wit...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Strap Hinge Sideboard
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period strap hinge sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet with plate rack By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Quarter sawn oak, wi...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sideboard, Newly Refinished
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet with plate rack By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Gorgeous quarter sawn ti...
Copper
$6,230Sale Price|30% Off
Antique GUSTAV STICKLEY Bookcase, signed with' paper with RED DECAL w7983
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Gustav Stickley Two-Door Bookcase. Good original finish in excellent condition with real thru tenon construction twice on each side. Has original glass. The case...
Wrought Iron
Gustav Stickley Sideboard Model #814 with Original Bronze Hardware C1905
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular early (1905) Gustav Stickley mission oak arts & crafts sideboard with the most desirable hardware, bronze strap hinges & door , drawer pulls. All hand hammered exclusive...
Bronze
$5,460Sale Price|30% Off
Antique GUSTAV STICKLEY One-Door China Cabinet/ ON SALE
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is a SUPERB Antique Gustav Stickley One-Door China Cabinet with excellent original finish. The case has an excellent selection of quarter-sawn oak - .perhaps the best we’ve ever seen! Great original hardware w/ original patina. Gustav Stickley used two larger hinges on the doors to make them easier to open. There are three (3) fixed shelves, along with the bottom of the cabinet. The shelves are also solid, quarter sawn oak. The piece is signed with a red Stickley decal, and an original Gustav Stickley paper label. The door has 12 separate panes of glass, not just one large one. The back is in good condition. Often, inexpensive or auction pieces...
Bronze
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...
Copper
$6,560Sale Price|20% Off
ANTIQUE signed GUSTAV STICKLEY Two-Door Bookcase Model 716 - W7984
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Gustav Stickley Narrow 2-Door Bookcase model #716 circa 1914. The bookcase has EXCELLENT original finish, very crisp with NO DROP of overcoat, original hand hamme...
Glass, Oak
Antique Gustav Stickley Arts & Crafts Oak China Cabinet, Ca. 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique Gustav Stickley China Cabinet circa 1910, made in Eastwood, NY and signed on the label. The cabinet features quarter sawn white oak ...
Glass, Oak
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Refinished
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Quarter sawn oak, with original hammered c...
Copper
$4,920Sale Price|40% Off
Antique GUSTAV STICKLEY Drop Front Desk PERIOD DESK - W5844 MUST SELL
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Gustav Stickley drop front desk from the early 1900s in good condition with a great selection of quarter-sawn oak. This des...
Oak
$45,500Sale Price|30% Off
ANTIQUE important Gustav Stickley Wardrobe - W1875 EXTRA OFF
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
Antique Gustav Stickley Wardrobe This is one of the cleanest & nicest pieces I’ve seen in the last 50 years. This wardrobe looks like it was made yesterday. It was purchased by a m...
Oak
$45,000Sale Price|50% Off
IMPORTANT Antique Desk/Bookcase by Gustav Stickley -W7794 MUST SELL
By Harvey Ellis, Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an extremely important Antique Desk/Bookcase by Gustav Stickley and Harvey Ellis. This is one of the most important pieces made by Gustav Stickley. It was designed in 1902...
Glass, Oak
Antique Gustav Stickley Model 820 One Door China Cabinet - W5547
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Gustav Stickley Model 820 One Door China Cabinet in very good condition. It has the original finish and all hardware is the original hammered bronze. It is STURDY ...
Bronze
Signed Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Restored
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Early 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hamm...
Copper
Important GUSTAV STICKLEY nice EARLY Dresser IN MINT CONDITION- W7798
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an important circa 1901 Gustav Stickley made circa 1901 in pristine condition. The dresser has through tenon construction all around. It is perhaps the best selection of oak we've seen in the time we've been here. The back of the piece is also in excellent condition, which is unusual. It is STURDY & STRONG and ready for use in your home or office. WE HAVE TWO OTHER Gustav Stickley dressers...
Mirror, Oak
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Dresser, Circa 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers with mirror By Gustav Stickley (signed with red decal) USA, Circa 1910 Gorge...
Copper
Important GUSTAV STICKLEY nice EARLY Dry Sink - W7736
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an important Gustav Stickley Dry Sink in pristine condition. Through Tenon construction all around. Excellent selection of oak. The back is made from very heavy solid wood,...
Oak
Antique Gustav Stickley Model 911 Dresser with Mirror - W7083
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is a SUPERB antique Gustav Stickley Dresser with mirror. Made circa 1915, the dresser is in pristine condition. The dresser has a good or...
Iron
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Arts & Crafts Stand with Drawer by Gustav Stickley -early red decal-W7958 SALE
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
Arts & Crafts Stand with Drawer by Gustav Stickley - SIGNED! - This is a nice Gustav Stickley Stand with two drawers in good condition. The stand has the original finish. There are...
Mahogany
Harvey Ellis for Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Arts & Crafts Buffet Server
By Harvey Ellis, Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period sideboard buffet or server Designed by Harvey Ellis for Gustav Stickley (signed with red decal) USA, Circa 1900 Gorg...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Buffet Server, Refinished
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period sideboard buffet or server By Gustav Stickley (signed with red decal) USA, Circa 1900 Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, wit...
Copper