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.
Sculptural Side Chair with Woven Leather Seat
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side chair, leather, stained wood, United States, 1950s Admirable handcrafted side chair from the 1950s. This chair features a combination of diverse shapes that create a wonderful ...
Leather, Wood
Signed Studio Chair by American Woodcraftsman Mike Bartell, 1993
Located in Berlin, DE
Studio craft chair with great wood connections and a black leather seat.
Leather, Wood
George Suyeoka Studio Prototype Walnut Chair
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A studio crafted oiled black American walnut sculptural chair designed and made by Japanese American George Suyeoka, furniture builder, artist, writer. ...
Wood, Walnut
$832Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 4 Antique Folding Chairs with Vintage Vinyl
Located in Freehold, NJ
This set of four antique occasional chairs feature hardwood construction, bentwood seat back, original brown vinyl seats and folding mechanism with steel reinforced frame. Similar s...
Wood
$428Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 Antique Folding Chairs with Vintage Upholstery
Located in Freehold, NJ
This set of four antique occasional chairs feature hardwood construction, original finish, bentwood seat back on two chairs, original red vinyl seats on all four, and reinforced stee...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,000
H 30 in W 22 in D 19.5 in
George Nakashima N19 Side Chair for Knoll, Walnut, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...
Walnut
$676 / set
H 33.5 in W 17.5 in D 19 in
Vintage French Tolix Romarin Green Stacking Chairs Black Vinyl Seats Set of (4)
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Vintage French Tolix Steel Stacking Chairs in a set of 4 Tolix Chairs with the unusual vinyl padded seat cushion. We are guessing that this set of 4 Tolix Chairs are 50-plus years ol...
Steel
Bonacina Sculptural Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant pair of rattan and bamboo chairs. Made in Italy. Very good vintage condition. Great scale.
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,400 / set
H 35 in W 18 in D 25 in
Set of Four Midcentury Tortoise Shell Style Burnt Bamboo Folding Chairs
By Ficks Reed
Located in Doylestown, PA
Beautiful set of four vintage tortoise shell burnt bamboo folding chairs. Great for extra side seating or dining chairs featuring an open weave rattan cane seat back and a space-savi...
Bamboo, Rattan
$950Sale Price / set|47% Off
H 39 in W 21 in D 26 in
Set of Three Louis XV Style Bleached Wood Chairs with Faux Hide Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stylish spin on classic set of 3 petite Louis XV style bleached carved wood chairs having chic high end faux hide upholstery with double piping detail. Measure: Seat height 19. #5115.
Cowhide, Wood
$3,295 / set
H 31.5 in W 22 in D 23 in
Vintage Spanish Revival Oak Pair of Chairs with Tooled Cognac Faux Leather Seat
By Artes De Mexico Internacionales, SA
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Spanish Revival oak pair of chairs with tooled cognac faux leather or vinyl seat backs in the style of Artes De Mexico Internationales. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are a couple of tiny nicks in the vinyl of one of the chairs. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960-1970’S. Sillas fabulosas POR DOS! …If you no hablo espanol that means, “Fabulous chairs TIMES TWO!!” in Spanish!! Just take another look at these beautiful vintage oak Spanish Revival pair of chairs in the style of Artes De Mexico!!! They wear a gorgeous cognac or saddle colored faux leather fabric featuring lovely, tooled inside backs and large brass nail head designs on the sides of the seat cushions and backs, and an intricately carved designs on fronts of the high stretcher under the seats… WOW!! They are completely stunning!! These chairs will be perfect in your Hacienda styled home or with your modern country, Rustic, Southwestern, Mediterranean, Industrial, or eclectic designed living space. They will make wonderful chairs for your game table, perfect seating in your bedroom or sitting area, or if you just need fabulous extra seating in your living room. Artes de Mexico Internacionales, SA imported artisan handmade piece from Mexico to the US exclusively for sale to the trade. FYI to the trade means they sold only to architects and interior designers and not to the public. This makes their pieces more exclusive so harder to find. In addition to the tag, some were signed by the artists. So, do not confuse them with Arte de Mexico, which is a Los Angeles based shop selling, although beautiful pieces as well, production pieces to the public. These Spanish Revival chairs...
Faux Leather, Oak
Set of Six Wooden Dining Chairs with Green Upholstery, 1950s
By Mario Asnago
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of six dining chairs was designed by Carlo Ratti in Italy in the 1950s. The dark rosewood contrasts with the turquoise vintage upholstery and the colour combination makes th...
Wool, Faux Leather
$1,533 / set
H 37.41 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Set of Four Louis XVI Style Chairs with Striped Silk Upholstery, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A matched set of 19th century Louis XVI style dining or side chairs with walnut furniture, nicely carved floral rosettes, and new cream and light green striped silk upholstery. A Cla...
Silk, Walnut
From $564 / set
H 29.93 in W 16.54 in D 18.9 in
Opinion Ciatti Con Fort Set of 2 Steel Folding Chairs
By Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman, Opinion Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foldable and light, with an adjustable back, Con fort is a contemporary reinterpretation of one of the Industrial era’s first work chairs. Designed by Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman, Con fort is the solution for all the problems that usually have the folding chair...
Aluminum
$2,900 / item
H 33 in W 18 in D 21 in
Hypatia Side Chair With Unglazed Leather Seat And Back On Walnut Frame
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Hypatia side chair is beautifully Minimalist in design. Subtle and thoughtful details highlight the implicit characteristics of the materials, ultimately working in harmony to cr...
Brass
$4,689 / set
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Ole Wanscher set of Six Refinished Mahogany Dining Chairs, Custom Upholstery
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
This set of six mahogany Rungstedlund dining chairs designed by Ole Wanscher were produced during the 1960s and 1970s by Poul Jeppesen Furniture. The dining chairs are part of the ...
Mahogany
Set of 16 American Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 16 American 1940s style (Frank Lloyd Wright design) mahogany & metal geometric form dining chairs with a high back & flared arms with an upholstered s...
Metal, Steel
Antique Oak Chair with Unique Turned Wood Back & Caned Seat
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique accent chair features hardwood construction, original oak finish, unique spindle back and caned seat. Dimensions: 16w 14.75d 34.75h 17.25sh Condition notes: Original f...
Cane, Oak
American Studio Craft Sculptural Chair by Steven Spiro, 2005
By Steven Spiro
Located in Coronado, CA
A breathtaking sculpted and inlaid chair made by American studio craft artist Steven Spiro. This unique piece features an organic, curvaceous, cantilevered form in sculpted and bent-...
Hardwood
Marcel Breuer for Knoll "Wassily" Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
Marcel Breuer (Hungarian/American, 1902-1981) for Knoll "Wassily" Chair, Circa 1980s, with tubular chromed steel frame and black leather back, arms, and seat. 29" H x 31" W x 27" D; ...
Steel, Chrome
Craftsman Carved Chair by Stickley Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Single carved Mahogany hall chair by Stickley Furniture. Beautiful carved rosette detail on back. Would be perfect as a desk or vanity chair. Sturdy, good antique condition.
Mahogany
Steel and Wood American Modernist Chair
Located in New York, NY
Steel slatted back wooden seat chair. 7 steel slats down back with center bar extending past seat ending in a brass ball.
Steel
George Nakashima Eight Walnut "New Chairs" Widdicomb , 1959 - 1963
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Camden, ME
8 George Nakashima "New Chairs" by Widdicomb in production from 1959 to 1963.
Ash, Walnut
George Nakashima New Chairs, Pair
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
The new chair is a must-have for Nakashima lovers. Based on the design of a Windsor chair, the wood craftsmanship is supreme. These chairs are sold with ...
Walnut
Sold
H 35 in W 17.25 in D 19.25 in
Jim Geier for Vermont Folk Rocker Craftsman Oak Wood Block Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Jim Geier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These unique and interesting wood block chairs are by craftsman Jim Geier for his Vermont Folk Rocker Company, circa 1970s. Crafted from oak and rope, this...
Rope, Oak
Walnut Dining Chair or Side Chair by George Nakashima
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut dining chair or side chair by leading American Craftman designer George Nakashima. Crafted by the George Nakashima Studio from solid walnut wood with a grass cord seat. Made...
Walnut
Wharton Esherick Ash Chair, Signed and Dated 1952
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful and rare “Ash Chair” by Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), its frame executed in carved and stained ash and finished with a webbed leather seat. While this design is often casually referenced as the Hammer handle chair...
Leather, Ash
Signed 'New Chair' by George Nakashima in Walnut & Hickory, 1950s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A well-preserved early 'New Chair' in black walnut and hickory, handmade by George Nakashima in his New Hope studio in the mid-late 1950s. Handplane and chisel marks are visible on t...
Hickory, Walnut
Nakashima Studios Grass-Seated Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of custom grass seated chairs, both signed and dated. High versions of original George Nakashima grass chairs by Mira Nakashima. LOA and...
Rush, Walnut