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.
19th Century Hand-Crafted Antique Industrial Work Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Nearly 10' in length, this Industrial work table will make a wonderful kitchen island, serving table or counter area. Originally a woodworkers workbench...
Wood
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Cabinet Makers Work Bench, as Sideboard, Serving Table or Bar
Located in New York, NY
Functional early 20th century cabinet makers work bench as sideboard, serving table or bar.
Maple
$1,762
H 30.71 in W 33.86 in D 3.15 in
Space Age Vintage Red Orange Serving Table or Bar Cart 1960s Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage serving cart or bar cart or gueridon in a happy making color tone red orange from laminate and metal. The bar cart shows a foldable feature. For a good mobility th...
Metal
19th Century French Cast Iron Work Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Cast Iron Work Table. Offered is a handsome heavy gauge French cast iron Industrial work table with a marble top. This versatile table can be used outdoors in a g...
Marble, Iron
French 19th Century 2 Drawer console - Work Table
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming 19th century 2 drawer console - work table from Southwest of France in walnut and pine wood. Wonderful as a sofa table or placed bene...
Chestnut, Pine
19thC Welsh Pine Post Office Sorting Counter /Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC Welsh Pine Post Office Sorting Counter/ Table with original cast iron foot brackets in place. Provenance: Post Office - Abers...
Pine
19th Century American Farmhouse Work Table or Console
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large 19th century American farmhouse table, work table, or harvest table. Featuring a rustic plank top 10 feet long. Supported by thick turne...
Wood
Antique Industrial Jeweler's Bench Work Table
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1930. We offer a most unique antique Mexican Industrial Jeweler's Bench Work Table with outstanding patina. The stool is not included.
Wood
19th Century Swedish Blue Folk Art Work Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue work table in Folk Art from northern Sweden. The table is made circa 1810-1820 in Swedish pine and is painted with the original paint. The blue or...
Pine
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 18.5 in D 12.75 in L 30.25 in
Late 19th Early 20th Century Butcher Block / Industrial Work Table
Located in Wainscott, NY
A solid pine butcher's block table with forged iron banding, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The thick top shows a beautifully worn surface and patina from years of ...
Iron
French 19th Century Butcher Block Dining-Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique butcher-block top table from 19th century France, that deftly navigates the demands of a kitchen or farm, to pivot between dining and preparation. The large work surface is ...
Steel
19thC English Prep Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1880 19thC English prep table with bleached scrubbed top and two drawers Original hardware Measures: W 215 x D 70 x H 76 cm.
Pine
19thC Primitive Elm Pine Butchers Work Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890. 19thC Primitive elm pine butchers work table, elm legs and thick rustic pine top. Well suited as a kitchen island or prep table. ...
Elm, Pine
$5,995
H 32.13 in W 70.75 in D 40.88 in
19th Century English Work Table, Hand-Crafted from Solid Pine and Oak
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This stunning work table has a thick 1 ¾” thick pine top and would make a gorgeous kitchen island. Crafted from solid pine and oak, it remains incredibly sturdy and level. The brilli...
Wood, Hardwood
19thC English Butchers Bench Work Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890. 19thC English butchers bench work table Solid beech top with pine pegged tapered front & stout block rear legs. Sourced from a butc...
Beech, Pine
19th Century Industrial Work Table in Aged Blue Oak & Pine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 19th century English industrial work table or workbench has plenty of storage. Oak planks of the top surface show tactile patina throughout, marks left by the labors of those wh...
Metal
19th Century French Provincial Serving Table in Grey Painted Wood
Located in Queens, NY
French Provincial (19th Century) grey painted serving/work table with gold decorated top and shelf with a back rail and 2 drawers.
Iron
Toledo Bistro Cafe Set of Two Chairs and Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Six Mid-Century dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen crafted of solid teak frames with comfortable curved back and unique half arms. Seats upholstered in the original wool texti...
Steel
Adirondack Console Twig Table
Located in Westport, CT
Beautiful twig branch Console Table -two tier ,with nice twisted vine sides,great color and design.
Studio Craft Walnut Console Table
Located in San Mateo, CA
Solid walnut console table by an anonymous California craftsman simply signed with an H on one side. This table has two large drawers and two shelves below them. This is well constru...
Walnut