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.
English Arts & Crafts Bronze Seal, Cat & Mouse Motif, circa 1900–1930
By Robert (Mouseman) Thompson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Arts & Crafts Bronze Seal, Cat & Mouse Motif, circa 1900–1930 A finely cast English Arts & Crafts bronze desk seal, surmounted by a sculptural mouse crouched at the top of t...
Bronze
Lion Themed Bohemian Sulphide Multi Faceted Glass Paperweight Czech Circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a lovely and unique, cameo embedded recumbent lion themed hand blown fine quality art glass paperweight; from the Northern Bohemian region of Czechoslovakia, produced at the ...
Glass
Rookwood Pottery Arts & Crafts Glazed Ceramic Paperweight, 1940
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts period glazed ceramic art pottery "Potter at the Wheel" paper weight By Rookwood Pottery USA, 1940 Glazed ceramic, in a beautiful light blue color...
Pottery
Early 20thC Bohemian Sulphide Multi Faceted Glass Paperweight Czech Circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Quite a unique and substantial heavy hand blown fine quality art glass paperweight from the Northern Bohemian region of turn of the century (1910) Czechoslavokia; consisting of a sul...
Glass
Antique Florentine Grand Tour Pietra Dura Blossoming Rose Flower Paperweight
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique paperweight is unsigned, but presumed to have been acquired during a Grand Tour through Italy, and dating to approximately 1880 and do...
Stone, Marble
Vintage Brass Turtle Box Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique vintage brass turtle box and paperweight, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and as paperweight is really well constructe...
Brass
$708Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century XL Brass 7 Pound Weight Scale Apothecary Pharmacy Paperweight Desk
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy and very large, 7 pound scale weight, hourglass form.
Brass
Heintz Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze desk letter holder rack By Heintz Art Metal Shop USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 6"W x 2.5"D x 4.2...
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Paperweight
Located in Charleston, SC
A fantastic mid-century Italian marble paperweight with yellow glass eyes. Carved beautifully. Measures 3” x 3”. Circa 1960’s
Marble
$695
H 3 in W 5.5 in D 7 in
Vintage Omersa Leather Turtle Use as Paperweight or Decorative, Retains Label
By Dimitri Omersa, Omersa
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Dimitri Omersa embossed brown leather Turtle with label. Can be used as a paperweight or as decoration. Fun size. In fine condition, retains label.
Leather
Rookwood pottery/ceramic vase signed/date , Charles S Todd .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Rookwood pottery vase.This vase is signed C S T in bottom as shown. Charles S Todd, hand painted in this abstract vines from top to bottom.
Pottery
$3,887
H 6.7 in W 2.56 in D 2.49 in
Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable original Victorian Marble Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns A wonderful original piece, this is a desk sized co...
Marble
$2,500 / set
H 0.88 in W 8 in D 4.63 in
English "Grand Tour" Derbyshire Specimen Marble Plaque Paperweights, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A collection of three 'Grand Tour' English / Italian polychrome marble plaques or paperweights, one rectangular; two of cartouche form, the 'Derbyshire' or 'Belgian Black' marble slabs inset with native English stones 'Blue John' (Derbyshire Spar), 'Duke's Red', 'Bird's-Eye', and foreign Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, and Jasper in 'ovoid' and 'kidney' form inlays. Measurements : Rectangular plaque: 8" by 4.63" by .88" Cartouche plaque...
Marble
Brass Desk Paperweight in original wooden Box, byWerkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass desk paperweight by Werkstätten Carl Auböck, preserved in its original wooden presentation box printed “la plume de ma tante.” The object is formed as a long, faceted shaft w...
Brass
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date. This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlai...
Agate, Amethyst, Malachite, Onyx, Marble
$1,431
H 3.55 in W 4.93 in D 0.4 in
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in Norwich, England
19th Century Italian micro mosaic grand tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870. Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset ...
Slate
Vintage Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spherical onyx desk paperweight, in natural neutral hues / Made in Italy circa 1970s Measures: diameter 4 inches Order reference #: FABIOLTD G178 This piece makes for...
Onyx
$475
H 5 in W 5.25 in D 3.25 in
Roycroft American Arts and Crafts Hammered Copper Letter Holder, Roycroft Rose
By Roycroft
Located in New Windsor, NY
Roycroft American Arts and Crafts hammered copper letter holder. Beautiful hand hammered copper decorated with the distinct Roycroft Rose. Signed on the back with the Roycroft orb. C...
Copper
Vintage 1970's Brass Robert Indiana LOVE Paperweight Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This authentic vintage 1970's Robert Indiana brass LOVE paperweight sculpture is a great desk accessory. These were originally sold in the 70's at MOMA in NYC in the gift shop and a...
Aluminum, Brass
Marshall Field & Co. Antique Viking Bronze Paperweight, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period "Viking" collection bronze paperweight In the manner of Tiffany Studios By Marshall Field & Co. USA, Circa 1910 Measures: 4"W x 4"D x ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Style Iridescent Favrile Glass Scarab Paperweight
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco style iridescent favrile glass scarab paper weight In the manner of Tiffany Studios USA, 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x 2.75"D x 1.63"H Very...
Art Glass
Tiffany Studios Style Iridescent Favrile Glass Scarab Paperweight
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco style iridescent favrile glass scarab paper weight In the manner of Tiffany Studios USA, 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x 2.75"D x 1.63"H Good...
Art Glass
Antique Pairpoint Crystal Advertising Amber Glass Paperweight C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Pairpoint Crystal Advertising Amber Glass Paperweight C1920 Measures - 3"h x 6.25"w x 1.5"d
Art Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Paperweight
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze paperweight By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measu...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Bronze Artisan Paperweight
Located in Malibu, CA
Late 19th Century Bronze Artisan Paper Weight. Signed, both the top & bottom have been hand tooled with artistry. Not cast, carved. The artist's signature is on the top edge.
Bronze
Sold
H 4.3 in Dm 9.5 in
Extra Large Antique Mounted Magic Lantern Condensing / Magnifying / Optical Lens
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful early 20th century magic lantern lens. It does not matter what the reason is why you like the look and feel or the history of these special lenses. Your fascination could ...
Metal
Antique Bronze & Art Glass Paperweight After Tiffany, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique paperweight in the manner of Tiffany Studios offers bronze circular frame having beaded collar slight well and housing art glass medallion...
Metal
Bronze & Art Glass Paperweight After Tiffany Studios, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Arts & Crafts paperweight in the manner of Tiffany Studios offers bronze circular frame housing art glass medallion, en verso later stam...
Bronze
Bronze & Art Glass Paperweight after Tiffany Studios, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique paperweight in the manner of Tiffany Studios offers bronze circular stepped frame having slight well and reeded edge and housing art glass medallion...
Bronze
Antique Bronze & Art Glass Paperweight after Tiffany, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique paperweight in the manner of Tiffany Studios offers bronze circular stepped frame having slight well and reeded edge and housing art glass medallion...
Bronze
Sold
H 2.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Antique American Frit "Friendship" Arrow Pierced Hearts Colorful Orb Paperweight
Located in Tustin, CA
Beautiful antique American "Friendship" paperweight is a high dome, clear and colored glass orb which depicts a pair of Cupid's arrow-pierced white hearts, which are bordered by a cu...
Art Glass