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.
A nest of four side tables each top surface hand painted with floral decoration.
Located in London, GB
Glasgow School. A rare nest of four Arts and Crafts side tables with a soft green stain, each top surface hand painted with Fushias touched with red petals and sinuous floral decorat...
Beech
Handcrafted Bone Inlay Square Nesting Table Set with Gold Leg by House of Jaipur
Located in New York, NY
The nesting table set is one of the few furniture forms whose value increases with the quality of what it is made from — a mediocre nesting table is simply convenient, while an excep...
Resin, Wood, Bone
Mother of Pearl Inlay Square Nesting Table Set with Gold Legs by House of Jaipur
Located in New York, NY
The appeal of a nesting table set has always been its refusal to commit to a single use — two surfaces that operate independently or together, that expand to fill a room's needs and ...
Wood, Resin
Tabula Nest of Tables by Madheke, Medium
Located in Gurugram, IN
An interplay of craftsmanship and elegance, the Tabula medium finds harmony in Organic structure. Crafted using traditional techniques, it features a textured veneer and carbon fibr...
Stainless Steel
Stylish Arts and Crafts Nest Of Oak Tables
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Stylish Arts and Crafts Nest Of Oak Tables This is a Good-looking set and beautifully designed, a long coffee table and 2 small occasional tables which slide in at each end , a clev...
Oak
Tabula Nest of Tables by Madheke, Small
Located in Gurugram, IN
A quiet force in form and function, the Tabula small table is the most compact piece in the nesting trio—blending organic form with bold material contrasts. Crafted using traditiona...
Stainless Steel
$1,800 / set
H 22 in W 22 in D 20 in
Semi-Circle Bamboo & Cane Nesting Tables / Stacking Tables Handcrafted, Set of 3
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Bohemian style semi-circle bent bamboo & handwoven cane top set of 3 nesting tables or stacking tables. Each occasional table has a hand braided cane Top Border. ...
Bamboo, Cane
$3,205 / item
H 21.66 in W 12.21 in D 16.93 in
Melting Nesting Table M in Mother of Pearl & Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The melting nesting...
Brass
$1,384 / set
H 22.45 in W 22.05 in D 15.85 in
Bevan Funnell Burr / Burl Oak Nest of Tables Absolutely Stunning
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning brand new Bevan Funnell burr oak nest of tables These are...
Oak
$1,178 / set
H 27.17 in W 21.26 in D 12.21 in
Nest of Four circa 1900 Chinese Chinoiserie Lacqurered Tables Hand Painted
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely nest of four original Chinese Chinoiserie black lacquered tables A good looking, d...
Wood
Antique French Inlaid Nest of Tables
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French inlaid nest of tables. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is fantastic, this is beautifully made with gorgeous inlays on...
Brass, Ormolu
$2,560 / item
H 19.69 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Melting Nesting Table S in Mother of Pearl & Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Melting Nesting...
Brass
$2,769Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.22 in W 42.13 in D 25.01 in
Art Deco Burr Walnut Coffee table / Nests 3 tables each side, circa 1920s
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Burr Walnut & Walnut coffee table, with Nest 3 inset tables each side,circa 1920s Circular 3 tier centre section with burr walnut veneer on tops, Attach each side walnut s...
Walnut
Mid Century Style Nest of Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style nest of tables. The side tables are sculpted from American walnut with a hand-rubbed lacquer finish and brass ferrules. Hardware is acid dipped and hand-ru...
Wood
$2,628 / set
H 20.67 in W 26.97 in D 26.97 in
Art Deco Super Stylish Walnut Nest of Five Tables, English, c1930s
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Devon, England
This is a beautiful and original 1930's Art Deco set of five tables in Burr Walnut. This gorgeous set comprises one large central octagon edged table with four matching sectional tab...
Walnut, Birdseye Maple
Set of 3 Nesting Tables
Located in Annville, PA
The Set of 3 Nesting Tables from Niagara Furniture features three tables, all with attractive inlaid mahogany tops. Supported on hand carved, solid mahogany legs which are turned to ...
Mahogany
$15,970 / set
H 23.75 in Dm 16.3 in
Rattan Nesting Side Tables with Quartz and Brass Inlay by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Quartz, Brass
$2,800 / set
H 24.75 in W 24.25 in D 17.25 in
Palecek Coconut & Chrome Nesting Tables / Stacking Tables Handcrafted, Set of 3
Located in Miami, FL
Asian modern chrome & handcrafted fossilized coconut top set of 3 nesting tables or stacking tables made by Palecek Furniture in the Philippines. Restored condition and ready for a n...
Chrome
An Arts & Crafts Nest of Tables Circa 1920
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Arts & Crafts solid oak nest of three small tables.
Oak
Arts & Crafts Nest of Three Tables Circa 1920
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Arts & Crafts Early 20th Century nest of three tables. Solid Oak. Label to underside.
Oak
1930 Arts & Craft Solid Vintage Oak Nest of Tables
Located in Markington, GB
1930 arts & craft solid vintage oak nest of tables, very stylish set!
Oak
Salterini Nesting Leaf Tables
Located in New York, NY
Playful Vintage Set of Nesting Leaf Top Tables suitable for outdoor/indoor use. Specific Dimensions as follows: Larger Table 23" H x Leaf Surface 11" x 11", Smaller Table 21 " H x L...
Wrought Iron