Inspired by the Arts & Crafts style in England, which rebelled against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution with a proud emphasis on handcrafted design, American Craftsman style similarly pushed against the lavishness of the Victorian era. Coined by Wisconsin-born Gustav Stickley, a furniture designer and publisher of The Craftsman magazine, American Craftsman furniture would influence homegrown styles that followed, such as Mission and the Prairie School.
Like the popular early 20th-century Craftsman houses — which feature meticulous woodwork on everything from built-in bookcases in the living room and cabinetry in the kitchen to earth-toned exteriors with exposed rafters — American Craftsman furniture was all about handmade storage cabinets, bedroom furniture, chairs and other pieces built with organic materials. “Simplicity and straightforwardness of construction has always been the leading characteristic of Craftsman furniture,” Stickley stated. And while he is often credited with most of the designs at the Craftsman Workshops in Eastwood, New York, others such as Harvey Ellis were influential in shaping the straight-backed chairs, beds with vertical slats and tables with exposed joinery that came to define the style.
Highly utilitarian with no unnecessary flair, American Craftsman furniture was designed to emphasize the essence of its modest construction and promote the natural beauty of the wood. Solid oak, cherry, walnut and mahogany were all favored by the movement’s principal figures. Another attribute commonly associated with the style is the integration of subtle details like tooled leather, inlaid metal and hammered iron handles.
Owing to the outbreak of World War I, the popularity of American Craftsman style waned as consumer spending dropped and furniture companies shifted to the production of wartime materials and goods specified in government contracts. Yet, by the 1960s, there was a renewed appreciation for this foundational modern American style, with Stickley and his contemporaries in demand for the clean, simple lines and sturdy construction of American Craftsman furniture.
Find a collection of antique American Craftsman chests, nightstands, seating, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register
Located in Brea, CA
Antique National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, it is a very beautiful cash register, you can't find another better condition th...
Brass
Mission / Craftsman Style American Quarter Sawn Oak Waste Basket by Stickley
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well constructed mission / craftsman style American quarter sawn oak waste basket by Stickley, circa 2004. The waste basket is in very good condition and measures 13"W x 13"...
Oak
$574Sale Price|71% Off
Antique Scrambled Glass Paperweight, New England Glass Co., 1852
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of a scrambled Glass Paperweight by the New England Glass Company, dating to 1852. The weight includes latticinio twists and vari...
Glass
Hand-Crafted Walnut Bookmark by Sam Maloof, American Design, 2000s
By Sam Maloof
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice hand-crafted solid walnut book mark by Sam Maloof, circa 2000s. The piece was crafted in the Maloof wood shop and is in like new condition. The piece measures 1.75"W x ...
Walnut
Hand-Crafted Solid Walnut Paperweight by Sam Maloof
By Sam Maloof
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice hand-crafted solid walnut block paperweight by Sam Maloof, circa 2000s. The piece was crafted in the Maloof wood shop with his classic joinery and is in like new conditi...
Walnut
$300Sale Price|75% Off
Polished Geode Specimen Ash Tray or Desk Top Dish
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautiful natural form polished Geode possibly rock crystal specimen bowl.
Agate
Hand-Crafted Ash Wood Bookmark by Sam Maloof, American Design, 2000s
By Sam Maloof
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice hand-crafted solid ash wood book mark by Sam Maloof, circa 2000s. The piece was crafted in the Maloof wood shop and is in like new condition. The piece measures 1.75"W ...
Ash
White Rock Quartz Crystal Geode Natural Specimen Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
White Rock Crystal Geode Natural Specimen Sculpture its divided into two parts.
Rock Crystal
Postmodern Chrome Table Lighter by Sarome, Hand-Crafted, Japan, 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Postmodern chrome table lighter. Excellent vintage condition, works great. Great decorative collectible rare vintage table lighter. Lighter made by Sarome, Asia Japan. Measure: 5.75 in H, 2.5 in D. About Sarome: SAROME Japanese cigarette lighter manufacturer founded in 1940. The brand is named after SAROME, god of flames, object of fascination for humans. SAROME artisans craft delicate, glossy lighters in Tokyo to fascinate and enchant. Though known early on in Europe mainly for our superb crafting of cigarette lighters the luxury brand spread Worldwide. Sarome lighters...
Chrome
Polished Brass Waste Bin or Magazine Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polished brass waste can - Uniquely designed waste can in the shape of a shopping bag with an Asian motif... perfect for the bedroom or office - disguised ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Ca...
Brass
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Orange Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can cr...
Resin
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
$950
H 17.5 in W 15.5 in D 8.75 in
1963 Rosewood Waste Basket by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen, Made in Norway
By Einar Barnes , P.S. Heggen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Brazilian Rosewood Wastebasket, designed by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen in around 1963. This piece dates to around the same time. It features a facade and an interior that...
Wood, Rosewood
Tiffany Studios Bronze Inkwell New York Bookmark Pattern
Located in Toledo, OH
Lovely bronze inkwell from Tiffany Studios in the New York Bookmark pattern. Beautifully detailed octagonal design with round lid. Marked Tiffany Studios 1094. 3" x 3" x 2 1/2" tall.
Bronze
$348
H 18.71 in W 18.71 in D 2.37 in
Italian Postmodern Wall Perpetual Calendar by Della Beffa for Ring a Date, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern wall perpetual yellow calendar by Giorgio Della Beffa for Ring A Date, 2000-2010s Wall perpetual calendar in yellow plastic. The cale...
Plastic
Sterling Silver Repousse Bookmark
By Kirk & Son
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by S. Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. Inspired by their iconic Repousse pattern, it has clu...
Sterling Silver
$488Sale Price|24% Off
H 2.5 in Dm 3 in
Fratelli Toso Murano Green White Italian Art Glass Crown Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown green and white twisting ribbons Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. This paperweights are often ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Prehistoric Ammonite Fossil or Natural Specimen
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Prehistoric fossilized ammonite is likely from Madagascar and thousands of years old. This fossil is free standing and could be used as a unique design element as a natural specimen...
Stone
Sam Maloof Handcrafted Studio Signed Walnut Paperweight
By Sam Maloof
Located in San Diego, CA
Sam Maloof hand signed paperweight in solid walnut. Classic Maloof joinery. Crafted in the Maloof woodshop. This was created in the 1990s or early 2000s when Maloof was alive and s...
Walnut
1970s Herringbone Design Exotic Mixed Wood Butcher Block Clipboard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exotic Mixed Wood / Wood Butcher Block Clip Board Herringbone Design "Thickness of Clip Board Base is 3/8"
Hardwood
Mission / Craftsman American Quarter Sawn Oak Waste Basket Art Deco
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well constructed mission / craftsman style American quarter sawn oak waste basket great detail and craftsmanship solid oak edges tall elegant and rare. circa 1940's.
Oak
Mission / Craftsman Style American Quarter Sawn Oak Waste Basket
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well constructed mission / craftsman style American quarter sawn oak waste basket, circa 1940s. The waste basket is in good condition and measu...
Oak, Leather
Mission / Craftsman Style American Quarter Sawn Oak Waste Basket
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well constructed mission / craftsman style American quarter sawn oak waste basket, circa 1940s. The waste basket is in good condition and measu...
Oak
Mission / Craftsman Style American Quarter Sawn Oak Waste Basket
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well constructed mission / craftsman style American quarter sawn oak waste basket, circa 1990s. The waste basket is in very good condition and ...
Oak
Pair of Vintage Polished Cast Brass Art Deco Swan Bookends, circa 1950
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of polished cast brass Art Deco Swan bookends, circa 1950. Pair of midcentury vintage cast metal polished decorative brass swan bo...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Polished Cast Brass Art Deco Swan Bookends, circa 1950
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of polished cast brass Art Deco Swan bookends, circa 1950. Pair of midcentury vintage cast metal polished decorative brass swan bo...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Polished Cast Brass Art Deco Swan Bookends, circa 1950
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of polished cast brass Art Deco Swan bookends, circa 1950. Pair of midcentury vintage cast metal polished decorative brass swan boo...
Brass
Antique Double Inkwell with Owls, circa 1920
Located in Petaluma, CA
This very cute little inkwell is American and circa 1920. We believe it was made by Jennings Bros. The warm brown patina certainly points to them. The hole in the middle of the owls ...
Metal
Pair of Vintage Polished Cast Brass Duck Bookends, circa 1950
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of polished cast brass duck bookends, circa 1950. Pair of polished decorative brass duck bookends in Sarried style. Very sturdy and heavy. Pair of midcentury vintage cast metal brass duck sculpture...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Polished Cast Brass Duck Bookends, circa 1950
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of polished cast brass duck bookends, circa 1950. Pair of polished decorative brass duck bookends in Sarried style. Very sturdy and heavy. Pair of midcentury vintage cast metal brass duck sculpture...
Brass