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.
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Bill W. Sanders Studio Craft Oak Bar Cart with Bicycle Wheels, USA, 1970s
Located in Oceanside, US
Sculptural bicycle cart by American artist Bill W. Sanders, known for his playful yet refined approach to functional art. This handcrafted metal piece bea...
Oak
Vintage 1950s Italian bar cart made of green metal and brass
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Vintage 1950s Italian bar cart made of green metal and brass
Metal, Brass
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Bar Cart / Drinks Trolley, 1950s
Located in Florence, IT
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Bar Cart / Drinks Trolley, 1950s Two-tier trolley with a solid faux-bamboo wood frame in honey / walnut tone with nice patina. Top and lower shelf with cl...
Brass
$950
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 16.5 in
Modern Two-Tier Bar Cart, Chrome and Glass, Mirrored Edges, USA, 1970s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Modern two-tier bar cart with inset glass tops with mirrored edged detail and castor wheels. Height top of handles 29.5" height to top 2nd shelf 25.5".
Metal
$1,328Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 29.93 in D 16.54 in
Vintage Italian Bar Cart with Brass Details, 1970s Hollywood Regency
Located in Den Haag, NL
Makes you smile, this Italian bar card or trolley 3 wheels. Inlay wooden trays. Comes with brass wheels and details. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Still in a good condition. After 50...
Wood
Cesare Lacca, Bar Cart, Wood, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, brass and glass bar cart designed by Cesare Lacca, Italy, c. 1950s. Minor imperfections to glass. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 25.65"H x ...
Brass
Italian Brass Bar Cart with Smoked Glass Shelves 1970s
Located in Winter Park, FL
An Italian Hollywood Regency style brass plated bar cart. Smoked glass shelves with dark paned border. Simple bar handle. Bottle rack on the lower shelf. Wheels run smoothly. In good...
Brass
$1,798
H 29.14 in W 26.78 in D 15.36 in
Italian Walnut, Brass and Black Enameled Metal Bar Cart, Ico Parisi, Italy 1950s
By Stildomus
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant and rare Mid-Century bar cart or with removable tray crafted in a beautiful combination of walnut wood, brass and black lacquered metal. This stylish piece was produced in It...
Brass, Iron
Salterini, Bar Cart, Iron, Italy, 1950s
By Salterini
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered iron bar cart or serving cart produced by Salterini, Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 34.7"H x 19.5"W x 32.25"D All items ship from High Point, North...
Iron
Cesare Lacca, Bar Cart, Wood, Glass, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, metal and glass bar cart designed by Cesare Lacca, Italy, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use, including natural cracking of lower shelf top surface. Removable servi...
Metal
$2,977
H 25.4 in W 27.17 in D 19.69 in
Cesare Lacca Brass and Rosewood Mid-Century Bar Cart, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca, (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and unique Italian bar trolley in solid rosewood and brass. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Cesare Lacca and produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully orig...
Brass
1950s Vintage Bar Cart in Wood and Glass, Italian Design
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Bar cart with a wooden frame and clear glass shelves, a bottle rack on the lower shelf, and a gold-plated brass handle; Italian design, 1950s. CONDITION: In good condition, in worki...
Brass
Italian Brass Bar Cart, 1950s.
Located in Palermo, IT
Italian brass bar cart, 1950s. Glass shelves. Elegant and in good condition. 4 swivel wheels. Minor signs of wear. We guarantee prompt shipping in a wooden crate with appropriate pac...
Brass
Cesare Lacca, Bar Cart, Wood, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood, brass and glass bar cart designed and produced by Cesare Lacca, Italy, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina brass. Minor cracking on wood handles consistent with age and u...
Brass
$5,900
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 20 in
1930's Art Deco Ebonized Wood, Glass Streamlined Bar Cart, Trolley On Wheels USA
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning, sculptural and versatile restored streamlined original Art Deco vintage bar cart or trolley has fluted columns. The oval shaped form and wonderful handle add to the fu...
Wood, Glass
$5,102
H 30.32 in W 43.31 in D 22.45 in
1970s McGuire Cart Server Buffet in rattan with extendable wooden top and wheels
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
1970s McGuire Cart Server Buffet made in rattan with extendable wooden top and wheels. Dimensions: 110 W x 77 H x 57 D
Leather, Rattan