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.
$1,950 / set
Italian Arts and Crafts Boat Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian boat collection. Bakers rack is unavailable,price is only for the boat collection a set of 5 boats, boats are various dimension .
Scale Model of a Fully Fitted Whale Boat, circa 1950s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Scale Model of a Fully Fitted Whale Boat, circa 1950s, a hand crafted wooden model of a carvel hulled whale boat having a smooth strake edge to edge construction, fully fitte...
Wood
$1,777 / item
H 3.15 in W 11.82 in D 16.93 in
21st Century Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our backgammon set, a must of board games. Expertly crafted with canaletto walnut wood and dressed on the outside with a textured calfskin leather covering, its interior delivers ...
Leather, Walnut
Vintage Handmade Boat Model Diorama
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage handmade boat model diorama of the "Sovereign of the Seas" a three masted schooner, displayed in its original case. Originally built in Massac...
Hardwood
Mid-Century hand-carved horn sail boat
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A unique mid-century ship or sailboat accessory, hand-crafted out of carved horn. It has a sleek curvy shape and the perfect palette. It’s stylish, masculine and nautical without fee...
Brass
$525Sale Price|30% Off
H 3.13 in W 4.38 in D 9.75 in
Vintage Hand Crafted Scale Model of a Fishing Boat - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand crafted scale model of a fishing boat - featuring a detailed interior with two seats, a removable fishing net with floats and a coiled rope to the front - the wood left ...
Wood
Portuguese Brass Caravel Model Boat Mood Lamp, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
A spectacular decorative light fixture crafted from hammered brass and precious wood, inspired by the Portuguese caravels of the Age of Discovery. This piece combines sculpture, arti...
Brass
Large Mahogany Antique Boat Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Inspired model of a boat or skiff expertly crafted in mahogany, probably by a boat builder, having a graceful form and has acquired a well earned patina only time can give.
Mahogany
20th C, Hand Crafted Tall Copper Electrified Lighthouse Table Lamp
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Amazing craftsmanship in this one of a kind piece hand crafted from copper. Hammered repousse in and around the entire lighthouse. Tall 33 inches by 14 diameter with an 11 inch balcony. Entirely lights up, Tower with a large dome light...
Copper
Collection of 19th Century American Eel Fishing Gigs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collection of nine early blacksmith-made iron eel fishing gigs. Collected in the Northeast. Majority are hand-forged. Heights range from 10" - 18.". Stands range...
Iron
Vintage Nautical Table Lamp with Patinated Brass Boat Propeller Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive nautical table lamp composed of a nylon rope wrapped stem anchored by a vintage boat propeller, (circa 1970s, USA). Accents and prope...
Brass
Early 20th Century Folk Art Boat Model Collection
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art Boat Model Collection Every now and again something truly amazing comes along, this is true in this amazing collection of...
Brass, Copper
$2,195
H 13.5 in W 41.5 in D 11 in
Mid Century Large Motorized Hand Made Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser C1955
By Chris Craft Boats
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large cabin cruiser boat model with an untested motor and batteries. 41.5 inches long and sitting on a brand new custom made stand with a nautical theme. In very good vi...
Metal
Cased Model of a Whaling Longboat
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive handmade whaling longboat model with canvas sails and a realistic painted wood hull complete with oars and harpoons. Presented in a custom mahogany and glass case with bra...
Hardwood
Early 20th C. Iron Ship and Whale Mounted on Iron Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique and interesting wrought iron ship with a whale. It is mounted on an iron base. The piece was originally a weathervane but no longer has it's...
Wrought Iron
Unusual Antique Treen Carved Gimbal Ship Candlestick, 19th-20th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual antique/vintage carved treen gimbal ship's candlestick with the candleholder swinging freely between two turned columns attached to a rounded bowl shaped base. The wooden ...
Wood
Ship's Compass
Located in Pasadena, CA
Early 20th century "Boston Spherical" ship's compass in original mahogany fitted box. The compass and box appear to be in overall very good condition with normal anticipated patinati...
Brass
Sold
H 8.47 in W 6.11 in D 3.35 in
Carved Wood Style Face of an Old Fisherman Looks like Captains Bird's-Eye Nice
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this nice decorative face of a ship's captain It looks like captains bird’s-eye! Very funny! It is modelled to look like black forest carved woo...
Resin
Fanciful Shell Covered Box with Marine Painting
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Nautical box decorated as a sailors valentine, intricately covered in assorted sea shells and a star fish framing an oval marine painting of an American sc...
American Antique Iron Ship Wheel
Located in Bellport, NY
An antique iron ship wheel. In a gold antique finish, great wall decoration or door mount.
Iron