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.
Walnut Stool / Side Table by Chris Miano hand turned tapered legs
By Chris Miano
Located in Edgewater, NJ
Constructed from solid walnut, this hand-turned three-legged stool is built to last. All pieces are made to order and no two are alike.
Walnut
Squiggle Dining Chair by Chris Miano in Hand-Sculpted Red Oak & Bouclé
By Chris Miano
Located in Edgewater, NJ
The Squiggle chair was created though an exploration of shaping solid Oak slab lumber. Designed to bring a smile to any space, each chair part is though...
Oak
Squiggle Dining Chair / Hand sculpted Walnut & Natural Bouclé upholstery
By Chris Miano
Located in Edgewater, NJ
The Squiggle Chair was created though an exploration of shaping solid walnut slab lumber. Designed to bring a smile to any space, each chair part is tho...
Walnut
$4,420Sale Price / item|20% Off
Squiggle Dining Chair / Hand Sculpted Ebonized Oak & Natural Bouclé Upholstery
By Chris Miano
Located in Edgewater, NJ
The Squiggle Chair was created though an exploration of shaping solid Oak lumber. Designed to bring a smile to any space, each chair part is thoughtfully selected to highlight the gr...
Oak
$1,182
H 13 in W 11.03 in D 12.6 in
Hand-Carved, Wabi Sabi, Solid Wood, Sculptural, Log Stool, Side Table, Walnut
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as a stool, side table, pedestal, night table or many more. Carved from a single piece of wa...
Wood, Walnut
$1,999 / item
H 32 in W 25 in D 21 in
Teak and Oatmeal Upholstered Dining or Desk Chair, Curved Backrest - Bone Line
Located in Miami, FL
Sleek, sculptural, and built for comfort, the Bone dining or desk chair by Uultis highlights the natural warmth of teak wood paired with soft oatmeal upholstery. Crafted from sustain...
Teak, Fabric, Upholstery
$1,408 / item
H 30 in W 24 in D 24 in
Teak Wood Dining Chair with Oatmeal Fabric Upholstery, Stuzi Collection
Located in Miami, FL
The Stuzi chair by Uultis Design pairs subtle sophistication with ergonomic comfort, making it a versatile addition to contemporary interiors. *Please check availability prior to pur...
Teak, Fabric, Upholstery
Walnut Round Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in stunning hand oiled Oregon Black Walnut. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joiner...
Walnut
Tam Counter Stool 4 Legs, Walnut Wood
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
The Tam family doesn't stop evolving, its 65 cm high version is now also available on four legs; detail that visually reinterprets the relationship between the organic shape of the s...
Wood, Walnut
Amy, Solid Walnut Side Table / Stool
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
This is a solid walnut side table or small stool. The profile is asymmetrical and architectural while celebrating the natural wood elements. ...
Walnut
Amy Walnut and Maple Side Table / Stool
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
This is a solid walnut and maple side table or small stool. The profile is asymmetrical and architectural while celebrating the natural wood elements. ...
Maple, Walnut
Walnut Staple Stool / Side Table
Located in Portland, OR
Oregon Black Walnut stool / side table is made to last. Handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material's workshop. Availab...
Walnut
$3,125 / item
H 22.5 in Dm 18.5 in
Turned Sculptural Walnut Burl Occasional Side Table from Costantini, Caliz
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Caliz: A Turned Sculptural Walnut Burl Occasional Side Table from Costantini Design Measurements are 18.5 diameter by 22.5 high. The Caliz occasio...
Wood
From $2,550 / item
+ 16 moreH 27.96 in W 31.11 in D 31.5 in
Colony Armchair in Black Legs, Walnut Structure, Upholstered Cushions, by Skrivo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Colony armchair with metal base varnished is offered here in black, however, also available in white, silk grey, dusty grey, intense blue or bronze. Th...
Wood
Midcentury Oak Stool with Turned Wood Legs, 1960s, France
By Charles Dudouyt, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a fantastic midcentury wooden stool, crafted in France during the 1960s. This piece is constructed without the use of hardware, boasting an elegant round seat and gracefu...
Oak
Organic Modern Sculptural Turned Stool / Side Table in Solid Wood
By Tréology
Located in Papanui, Christchurch
The Gallery stool. A sculptural modern organic side table/stool turned from a solid block of macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress). The wood is finished with a hand rubbed, low V.O.C., natural plant oils to bring the stunning grain to life. The macrocarpa wood will continue to dry out as it finds its equilibrium moisture content of its new environment. Further movement and splits should be expected, and this is part of the wabi-sabi design of the Gallery side tables. Measures: Diameter 12.5” x H1 7.75 ” Diameter 320mm x H 450mm Handmade in Christchurch, New Zealand. Wood Macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) Finish: Natural Low VOC Oil Customization of wood finish & sizing available by request. (subject to up-charge). About Tréology Sustainability We rescue trees from rivers in the wilderness of New Zealand and craft them into beautiful objects that merge the line between luxury furniture & functional art. We love connecting people to nature through our sustainable wood. Heritage Our company is built on our 150-year family heritage of luxury craftsmanship. We love collaborating with like-minded people who share our values of guardianship, sustainability and craftsmanship. Craftsmanship Craftsmanship is a quality that defines a Tréology piece. Our artisan furniture-makers apply skills that have accumulated over a career of crafting natural materials with passion and attention to detail. Our client portfolio includes work for luxury resorts, wineries...
Wood, Cypress