American Craftsman Furniture
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.
20th Century American Craftsman Furniture
Wood, Birch
1920s Persian Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan American Craftsman Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani American Craftsman Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Other
Early 1900s Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Steel
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Burl, Oak
Late 20th Century Turkish American Craftsman Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Turkish Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Persian American Craftsman Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Paper
20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Ceramic
1930s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Linen
Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Lead
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Glass
1970s North American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Textile
1920s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s American American Craftsman Furniture
Bone, Palmwood
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American Craftsman Furniture
Wood
1980s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Stone
1970s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Walnut
2010s American American Craftsman Furniture
Reclaimed Wood
1860s American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Majolica
Mid-20th Century Unknown American Craftsman Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Bamboo
1980s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Wood
19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Furniture
Bone, Ebony, Walnut
1950s North American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Wood
1910s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese American Craftsman Furniture
Wool
2010s American American Craftsman Furniture
Walnut
1940s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Aluminum
2010s American American Craftsman Furniture
Oak
20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Craftsman Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1940s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Brass, Copper
20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Ceramic
2010s American American Craftsman Furniture
Maple
2010s American American Craftsman Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Walnut
1970s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Leather, Walnut
20th Century American American Craftsman Furniture
Mid-20th Century American Craftsman Furniture
Paper
1930s American Vintage American Craftsman Furniture
Cotton