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.
Beice 3-Seat Sofa with Yellow Patterned Fabric
Located in Istanbul, TR
Beice is a 3-seat sofa designed to mimic the feeling of sitting on cotton candy clouds. The combination of its yellow patterned fabric, arc shaped back rests, round edges and sphere ...
Wood
$3,930 / item
Peteca Contemporary Chair
Located in Floresta, MG
The history of peteca (shuttlecock) is genuinely Brazilian. Name given to both sport and artifact, peteca has indigenous origin, a creation of the natives that inhabited the territor...
Steel
$25,000
Beice 3-Seat Sofa
Located in Istanbul, TR
Beice is a 3-seat sofa designed to mimic the feeling of sitting on cotton candy clouds. The combination of its powder pink color, arc shaped back rests, round edges and sphere walnut...
Wood
Bottega Intreccio Milli Sofà Composition Woven Wicker 21st Century Sofa
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Milli Sofà Composition - D005 - D007 - D010 ( 306 x 275 cm encumbrance ) The compositional feature is the armrest, which references the iconic woven motif invented in this region and reinterpreted, in this case, in the alternation between wicker and leather “tiles...
Wicker
Bottega Intreccio Milli 280 Three-Seat Sofa Woven Wicker 21st Century Sofa
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Milli 280 three-seats sofa, module 90 The compositional feature is the armrest, which references the iconic woven motif invented in this region and reinterpreted, in this case, in t...
Wicker
Bottega Intreccio Milli 240 Two Extra Seats Woven Wicker 21st Century Sofa
Located in Mogliano, Marche
Milli 240 two extra seats sofa - Module 115 The compositional feature is the armrest, which references the iconic woven motif invented in this region and reinterpreted, in this case...
Wicker
$2,387Sale Price|24% Off
H 27.96 in W 64.18 in D 31.5 in
20th Century French Chocolate Brown Two-Seated Velvet Sofa with Set of Cushions
Located in Sofia, BG
20th century velvet sofa in chocolate brown with set of cushions. France, circa 1950.
Velvet
$3,426
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in
Original Vintage Chesterfield Set Three-Seat Sofa and 2 Armchairs
Located in Berlin, DE
This Chesterfield leather set consists of an elegant 3-seater sofa and two matching armchairs, creating a luxurious and timeless charm. The pieces feature the signature Chesterfield ...
Leather
$3,676
H 25.2 in W 96.46 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern French Three-Seat Sofa by Gérard Guermonprez, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern French three-seat sofa with original velvet fabric designed by Gérard Guermonprez. The sofa presents some wear consistent with age and use. It can become a set ...
Chrome
$4,480
H 29.93 in W 84.65 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Three-Seat "Coronado" Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian three-seat flamingo pink velvet "Coronado" sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B. Project from 1960s The sofa can come as a living room set together with its pair ...
Velvet, Wood
Classic And Luxurious Lawson Style Club Chair
Located in Bronx, NY
Classic and luxurious Lawson style club chair in a rich Neo-Indian inspired fabric arm height is 26"
$3,500
H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Mogens Hansen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern three-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, generous proportions, and inviting c...
Leather, Beech
$10,914
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
3-Seater Maralunga Sofa in Black Leather by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italian
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features opulent black leather. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look t...
Leather
$2,200
H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Mogens Hansen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...
Leather, Beech
18th Century French Sofa
Located in Nashville, TN
Carved frame sofa is upholstered in French gaufrage velvet.
Velvet, Wood
$38,000 / set
H 40 in W 83 in D 33 in
Magnificent Art Deco Close Woven Seven pc. Heywood-Wakefield Co., Wicker Suite
Located in Nashua, NH
A large scale seven piece wicker suite in a close woven design in a beautiful natural finish with each piece having beautifully woven geometric design decorations and trimming done in dark red and green finish, American C. 1920. Each seating piece is handsomely oversized and consist of a large three seat sofa, arm chair with magazine pocket, a large ottoman, large rocker and a pair of round side tables and handsome rectangle coffee table with bottom shelf all with quarter sawn oak table...
Upholstery, Wicker, Reed, Wood
1980s Vintage Italian Canopy Porter Chair, Louis XV Style; Upholstered
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exquisite vintage French Country / Louis XV style double caned canopy Porter's chair with hand painted faux distressed finish, loose seat cushion with goose down bolster cushion. ...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Down
$3,900
H 25.6 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Danish Mid Century Two Seater Sofa in Oak, Reupholstered, by Tage Poulsen, 1960s
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely 2 seater sofa in oak, reupholstered in a vintage fabric stored from the 1980s. Designed by Danish architect Tage Poulsen, model TP632. Designed in 1962. This sofa can be free...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
$7,375
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
Maralunga 3-Seat Sofa by Vico Magistretti in Beige Linen, Cassina 1970s Italian
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features beige linen. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look that never ...
Linen
Kaare Klint Two-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint freestanding two-seat sofas. Frame of mahogany. Sides, seat and back upholstered with fabric. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen.
Leather, Mahogany
$5,514
H 26.78 in W 29.53 in D 71.66 in
Danish Teak Three-Seater Sofa by Edvard Valentinsen for Fraska - 1960s
Located in BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FR
Authentic Danish modern three-seater sofa designed by Edvard Valentinsen for Fraska in the 1960s. Beautifully crafted from solid teak, featuring elegant organic lines, gently curved...
Teak, Linen
Sold
H 42.5 in W 61.5 in D 30 in
German Arts & Crafts Loveseat Upholstered in Period Style Fabric circa 1900-1910
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A North German or Danish Jutland arts and crafts sofa with inlaid satinwood floral and geometric designs over mahogany. Fabric was produced in En...
Mahogany, Satinwood