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.
American Solid Copper and Brass Naval Ships Binacle, Lionel Corp. NY, Circa 1942
Located in Charleston, SC
American solid copper and brass Navy ships binnacle with interior mounted compass, brass carrying handle, side mounted kerosene lantern, rear mounting bracket and brass plate inscrib...
Brass, Copper
Hand-Crafted Spanish Revival Craftsman Style Exterior Outdoor Wall Sconce
By Santa Barbara Lighting Company
Located in Santa Paula, CA
The Monterey Claro Tall featuring a taller frame, has balanced proportions perfectly blending the Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles. Simple yet elegant, this lantern embo...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Pair of American Brass Double Stacked Maritime Beacons Mounted on Bases. C. 1880
By Lovell Manufacturing Company
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American brass double stacked maritime beacons with carrying handles, makers stamps, original red and blue 360 degree Fresnel lenses, and mount...
Brass
American Galvanized and Brass Onion Lamp. New York, Circa 1910
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass cap onion lamp with galvanized protective cage surrounding the original ruby Perkins globe, . NY, Early 20th Century
American Nautical Brass Perko Marine Lantern with Orig. Fresnel Lense NY C. 1920
By Perko Co.
Located in Charleston, SC
American Nautical brass Perko marine lantern with the original Fresnel lense, exterior side mounts, vents, and locking interior oil font. Stamped ...
Brass, Copper
$3,650
H 31 in W 7 in D 10 in
Jacques Adnet Style Largest Size Sconces Lantern Wall Lamps France 1960, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Adnet style sconces, wall lights, lantern lamps in brass, etched glass and gun metal, this is the largest size, measures 31 inches height. In perfect working condit...
Brass, Steel
Outdoor Metal Sconce, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Outdoor Metal Sconce Includes three frosted glass panes and wrought iron detailing. 10"w x 5"d x 17"h Made in Italy *Please Note: This fixture is made to order in Italy, and com...
Metal
Angle Indoor/Outdoor LED Cast plated Silver Wet-Rated Sconce/Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Angle is a sculptural wall light in cast aluminum. A sweeping arc of light is carved into the face of the fixture bringing balance to its Brutalist form. The casting is finished to a smooth texture and is available in matte silver, bronze or black finish, and is wet rated...
Aluminum, Silver Plate
Angle Indoor/Outdoor Wet-Rated Sconce/Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Angle is a sculptural wall light in cast aluminum. A sweeping arc of light is carved into the face of the fixture bringing balance to its Brutalist form. The casting is finished to a smooth texture and is available in satin aluminum, bronze or matte black finish, and is wet rated...
Aluminum, Silver Plate
Moroccan Clear Glass and Metal Moravian Star Shape Lantern Pendant
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan clear glass and metal framed Moravian star shape lantern A beautiful vintage geometric metal and glass star pendant. Multifaceted large star lantern with glass panels that f...
Metal
Hand-Crafted Solid Brass Wall Lanterns with Beveled Glass, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant pair of wall lantern hand crafted from solid brass with three 40/watt lights each. Suitable for wet locations, electrified and ready to use. Beautiful thick beveled glass. ...
Brass
$1,050 / item
H 10 in W 7 in D 3 in
Kyoto Indoor Outdoor Led Cast Sconce Plated Size Wide Wet Rated Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kyoto is a unique outdoor/indoor lamp collection. Sand cast in aluminum. Finish options are satin aluminum, matte black, ore, bronze. The sconces are ha...
Brass
$1,500 / set
H 17.25 in W 13 in D 6 in
Hand-Crafted Brass Wall Sconces, Elegant Pair, 20th Century, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Pair of elegant wall sconces hand crafted from solid brass beautiful patina, with one 60/watt light each, projecting the light upward, great decora...
Brass
$390 / item
H 22 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Handcrafted Moroccan Moorish Lantern, Brass & Glass, Octagonal, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan bronzed metal and clear glass lantern. Moroccan Moorish lamp in octagonal shape with rust color metal finish and clear glass. The top and bo...
Brass, Iron
Angle Indoor/Outdoor Matte Black Wet-Rated Sconce/Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Angle is a sculptural wall light in cast aluminum. A sweeping arc of light is carved into the face of the fixture bringing balance to its Brutalist form. The casting is finished to a smooth texture and is available in silver, bronze or matte black finish, and is wet rated...
Aluminum, Silver Plate
$2,456
H 32 in W 8 in D 9.5 in
Tall French Art Deco Bronze Opaline Glass Torchiere Wall Sconce Indoor Outdoor
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Superb, tall bronze wall torchiere sconce or wall lantern for indoor and outdoor use, France, 1920-1929. Old Bronze richly decorated with fine details, hand-blown opaline glass ball ...
Bronze
Hand-Crafted Copper Wall Lantern with Electric Conversion, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Single Wall lantern made of solid copper , originally was gas lantern and converted to be electric wall light . Two 60/watt light , great look ,be...
Brass, Copper
$1,999
H 29 in W 8.8 in D 14.2 in
Vintage Iron Outdoor Wall Lantern, Original Green Glass, Tall European Design
Located in Lisse, NL
A Slender Architectural Lantern with Jewel-Green Glass With its remarkably tall silhouette and rich green glass, this circa 1950 iron wall lantern brings immediate character to an e...
Wire, Iron
$390 / item
H 19 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Handcrafted Moroccan Metal and Blue Glass Lantern, Octagonal Shape
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan metal and blue glass lantern. Moroccan lantern in octagonal shape with rust color metal finish and blue glass. The top and bottom metal hand-cut in openwork Moorish design. Moroccan lighting...
Metal
Hand-Crafted Solid Brass Wall Lantern with Beveled Glass
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Single wall lantern made of solid brass, with two 40/watt lights bevel clear glass, UL approved up to US code, suitable for wet location. Nice pati...
Brass
Pair of Large Wall Hanging Lanterns
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Pair of elegant wall hanging lanterns made of solid brass, beautiful weathered patina with one 60/watt light each. Suitable for wet locations. Thi...
Brass
Pair of Large Wall Hanging Lanterns
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Pair of elegant wall hanging lanterns made of solid brass, beautiful weathered patina with one 60/watt light each. Suitable for wet locations. Thi...
Sold
H 13.75 in W 7.75 in D 7.75 in
Studio Craft Slatted Cedar Japanese Style Pickup Floor Lantern Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi, George Nakashima
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Two setting standard bulb or small night light bulb. Pick up by top handle to tug on the pull chain switch.
Cedar
Blown Glass Oil Lamp by Jon Wolfard
By Jon Wolfard
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A masterfully executed blown glass oil lamp having a cylindrical form encasing a dramatic floating round oil receptacle.
Blown Glass
Pair of American Brass Carriage Lanterns, Circa 1900
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American brass carriage lanterns with dome globe, side mount, carrying handle, and original font. Pair can be electrified if desired, Ea...
Pair of Long Copper Lanterns
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful pair of copper lanterns ,very decorative for the front house or even in, Great weathered patina with 3 60/watt light . Wired and ready to hang . UL approved Suitable ...
Copper