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.
Wooden Phrenology Head Advertising Store Display Model Folk Art Americana
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Carved and painted wooden phrenology head Store display advertising model. Phrenology bust by unknown wood carver, circa 1870. Perfect to decorate a Do...
Wood
$3,800
Female Carving from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Carving of a female head.
Wood
$6,325
H 87 in W 14 in D 12 in
Driftwood Carving from Northern Thailand Found in the Chiang Mai Region
Located in Yonkers, NY
A tall northern Thai ancient driftwood carving from the Chiang Mai Region. This tall ancient driftwood carving, originating from the Chiang Mai region in Northern Thailand, is a striking piece of natural art. Found near the Ping River, it features a tall and narrow rustic silhouette that embodies the raw beauty of nature. Its weathered appearance and textural depth make it a captivating decorative item, perfect for adding a touch of organic charm to a modern décor. Ideal for placing against a plain wall to create a focal point, this driftwood carving can be dramatically enhanced by directional lighting, such as a spotlight positioned below to cast intriguing shadows and highlight its unique contours. This approach not only accentuates its form but also imbues your space with a sense of historical mystique and natural elegance. Whether positioned in a living room, hallway, or large open-plan area, this Northern Thai wood carving...
Driftwood
19th Century German Carved Wooden Deers Head
Located in London, GB
19th century carved wooden deer’s head We are proud to offer a delightful example of a 19th century hand carved German deer’s head. This ite...
Pine, Paint
Primitive Horse Carving
Located in Nantucket, MA
A Folk Art carved wood and gesso painted standing horse with painted cloth saddle and horse hair tail Mounted on a later made black painted platform.
Gesso, Pine, Paint
Antique Folk Art Horse Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully charming hand-carved 19th Century American folk art horse sculpture on stand. Pay special attention to its face and the carved details to appreciate this fine specimen. ...
Wood
$1,200Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 22 in W 32 in D 5 in
Pari Antique Hong Bird Roof Carvings from Thailand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This near pair of wood carving presented on stand was collected from Northern Thailand, late 19th or early 20th century. Such ornaments were used originally to decorate the roof of the transitional buildings in Southeast Asia. They were carved in the lovely Silhouette of Hong bird...
Metal
Deer Head Viechtauer Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An exceptional hand-carved wooden Folk Art wall decoration, dating most likely from the period between 1900s and the late 1920s. Beautifully crafted with an authentic rustic characte...
Wood
Large Swedish Hand-Carved Wooden Horse Model Sculpture, c. 1880
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A folk art sculpture of a horse from the 19th Century. This wooden horse has been scraped to original its color. This animal sculpture can nicely stand on a writing desk, a cupboard ...
Wood
$799
H 22.5 in W 6.25 in D 7 in
Large European Folk Art Carved Wooden Standing Man Carrying a Basket Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...
Softwood
Large Folk Art Driftwood Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial sculpture of a horse's head is unsigned, but believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1980. The sculpture is made completely of pieces of driftwood...
Driftwood
Handmade Wood Carving
Located in Seattle, WA
Handmade wood carving with nice patina and character. Vintage condition as pictured. Listing is for described item only. Box H9 Dimensions: 3.5”L ;3"W;7"H
Wood
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Wood
Female toga torso carved from white Carrara marble
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Sculpture, Female torso, classical art, Greek art, Torso, white Carrara marble, classical sculpture, ancient torso Female torso with toga carved on beautiful white Carrara marble, or...
Marble
Antique Hand Carved Solid Wood American Indian Sculpture Bust
Located in San Diego, CA
Well done hand-carved American Indian sculpture bust unsigned circa 1960's. Solid mahogany.
Mahogany
Male Bronze Nude by Artist Gerard Franc circa 1999
Located in Bellport, NY
A well executed sculptural bronze male nude by artist Gerard Franc.
Bronze
Wooden Phrenology Head Advertising Model Folk Art Americana
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Carved and painted wooden phrenology head model, America, the head with inset glass eyes, (minor paint wear). Phrenology bust by unknown wood carver, c...
Wood
American Studio Surrealist Sculpture
By Margery Goldberg, Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Rochester, NY
A large stack laminated finely carved mahogany sculpture of head with shoulders and hands in the exotic surrealist manner of Pedro Friedeberg by note...
Wood