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Arts and Crafts Toys

ARTS AND CRAFTS STYLE

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.

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Style: Arts and Crafts
1920’s Felix The Cat Wooden and Leather Toy
Located in Chicago, IL
1920’s Felix The Cat Wooden and Leather Toy This 1920s Felix the Cat toy is a collectible vintage toy featuring the iconic character Felix the Cat. These t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

19th Century American Folk Art Rocking Horse
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century American Folk Art rocking horse Fantastic American Folk Art hand carved rocking horse with ample remains of red and white paint...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Wood

Vintage Heavy Quality Alpine Sledge in Beech
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage heavy quality Alpine Sledge in beech. This is a great piece fully working or for display, it has iron runners and an old sisal rope. The sledge is 10” high, 43” long...
Category

Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Beech

Vintage Fishing Boat Ship Model a, Rab NJ 8592
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 48" fishing boat ship Model A - Rab NJ 8592. Item features a nice impressive size, finely painted details, lights up in areas (has not been tested). ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Wood, Paint

Super French Vintage 1920 Antique Painted Rocking Horse
Located in Markington, GB
French vintage lovely 1920 antique painted rocking horse. Measures: Height 51cm, depth 40cm, width 115cm.
Category

Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Wood

Swedish Hand Carved Sculpture of a Lion Made in Birch, Early 1900
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare hand carved sculpture of a lion in birch. Made in Berglinds toy factory in Nyköping, Sweden, early 1900s. The factory's main design idea was that the toys both should be tough...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Birch

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Hermanos Calavera Conquistador in Oiled Walnut by Miguel & Ilse Silva for Wooda
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These handsome but quirky brothers designed by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda are the result of an engaging mix of personality, love, fun and mischievousness. Los Hermanos Calavera(...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Toys

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Set of 3 Small Elemental Spinning Tops in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
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Small Agua Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
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19th Century Romanian Polychrome Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century Romanian hand carved wooden rocking horse. Featuring a colorful polychrome finish on a base decorated with a floral m...
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Small Cairn Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
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Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Arts and Crafts Toys

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Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
No Reserve
H 3.55 in W 5.52 in D 1.97 in
Constructivist plywood rocking horse, Switzerland 1960s
Located in ECHT, NL
Minimal Bauhaus design rocking horse. It is made from sheets of plywood. Simple yet ingenious construction making it a sturdy toy. I was made during the 1960s in Switzerland. The pl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Plywood

Putaway, Vintage Toy Chest in Lacquered Metal, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Putaway, vintage toy chest in lacquered metal, circa 1960.
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Mid-20th Century Canadian Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Metal

Beautiful Hand Carved Excotic Ironwood Lion Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
beautiful unique solid hand-carved ironwood lion sculpture with beautiful detail great condition and great subject, circa 1970's.
Category

20th Century American Arts and Crafts Toys

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Swedish Wooden Toy Horse Rocker
Located in Charleston, SC
A charming handmade wooden toy horse rocker. Very sturdy for children. Sweden, circa 1900 Surprising pieces and objects, authentic, decorative and rare...
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Early 1900s Swedish Antique Arts and Crafts Toys

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Swedish Wooden Toy Horse Rocker
Swedish Wooden Toy Horse Rocker
H 26 in W 43 in D 12 in
Small Tree Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
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Materials

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Vintage Toy, Marx Toys Wind Up Chariot and Horses, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
This Marx Toys Wind up Chariot and Horses is a vintage mechanical toy representing a red chariot dragged by two painted tin horses. Original...
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Materials

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Previously Available Items
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Located in New York, NY
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Category

1920s Vintage Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Wood

Antique Children's Toy Sled
Antique Children's Toy Sled
H 11 in W 23 in D 11 in
19th Century American Folk Art Rocking Horse
Located in San Francisco, CA
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Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Wood

Antique American Carnival Game Wheel, Early 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique American carnival game wheel, early 20th century Fine old antique game wheel for decorative display. The wheel is made from wood and c...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Iron

Antique Toy Horse, 1880s
Located in Asaa, DK
Beautiful and decorative toy horse. All original paint, saddle and wheels. Carved of solid wood and hand painted. Complete with saddle and stirrups. Rare condition. Scandinavian origin.
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Arts and Crafts Toys

Materials

Wood

Antique Toy Horse, 1880s
Antique Toy Horse, 1880s
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 11.03 in
Italian Antique Double String Paint Decorated Table Harp
Located in Stamford, CT
An Italian antique double string paint decorated table harp. This shining example of musicality is certain to draw attention and spark a conversa...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Toys

Arts And Crafts toys for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Arts and Crafts toys for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage toys created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, paint and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Arts and Crafts toys made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for toys differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $2,750 while the average work can sell for $1,350.

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