Gustav Stickley was one of the principal figures in the American Arts and Crafts movement and the creator of the Craftsman style. As a furniture designer and publisher of the magazine The Craftsman, he adopted many of the ideals of the British design reform movement and popularized both its philosophy and its aesthetics in the United States.
Born in Wisconsin, Stickley moved with his family to Pennsylvania when he was a teenager and began working in his uncle’s chair factory in the town of Brandt. There, he learned the techniques of late-19th-century furniture making at a time when the vogue was for Victorian revival furniture, which was characterized by extensive ornamentation.
In 1883, Stickley established a furniture company called Stickley Brothers with two of his brothers, Albert and Charles (Gustav’s other siblings, Leopold and John George, would later form L & J.G. Stickley Inc.). When Stickley Brothers foundered, he partnered five years later with salesman Elgin Simonds to form a new firm, Stickley & Simonds, which produced traditional furniture that appealed to the burgeoning American middle class. The success of this venture enabled Stickley to travel to Europe, where he discovered the writings of John Ruskin and William Morris, the two preeminent thinkers of the British Arts and Crafts movement. Stickley also traveled to France, where the Art Nouveau movement impressed him with its imaginative designs and skilled craftsmanship.
Stickley parted ways with Simonds at the turn of the 20th century and decided to focus his creative energies on producing furniture in what became known as the Craftsman style, incorporating some of the elements of the designs and movements he had encountered in Europe.
The pieces Stickley created, which he stamped with the logo of a joiner’s compass, were rectilinear, largely free of ornament, made of oak, and built in such a way that the nature of their construction was plainly visible — all reflections of the tenets of the Arts and Crafts movement. While some people referred to Stickley’s furniture as Mission furniture — a term that references the furnishings of the Spanish missions in California — Gustav commonly called his work “Craftsman” owing to the inspiration he found in the British Arts and Crafts movement.
Stickley benches and rocking chairs were popular, and his leather-upholstered armchairs combine practicality, comfort and an understated silhouette. He also made side tables — an unusual example designed during the early 20th century was adorned with an octagonal Grueby Pottery tile in a cool shade of green, which made it an ideal piece for an art pottery collector.
In 1901, Stickley launched The Craftsman magazine, which contained articles on all manner of domestic topics, from gardening and cooking to art and design, as well as poetry and fiction. In addition to popularizing Stickely’s own designs, the magazine acquainted Americans with the Arts and Crafts style in all its forms through its graphic design and the bungalows, art pottery, and hammered-copper lamps pictured in its pages. It also encouraged readers to practice craft themselves, promoting an early form of the do-it-yourself ethos.
In 1904, Stickley founded the Craftsman Home Builders' Club, which allowed subscribers to his magazine to order architectural plans for the Arts and Crafts–style structures that were featured in its pages; eventually, this became one of its most popular features.
An ill-timed attempt to set up a New York showroom led to Stickley’s filing for bankruptcy in 1915. The outbreak of World War I, waning interest in the Arts and Crafts style, and increased competition all conspired to thwart Stickley's efforts. The Craftsman ceased publication a year later. When he died, in 1942, Arts and Crafts had been replaced by modernism as the favored aesthetic. It enjoyed a resurgence, however, in the 1970s, and Stickley is now regarded as one of the most important American designers in the first half of the 20th century.
Find antique Gustav Stickley tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Dining Chairs, Pair
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period ladder back side chairs or dining chairs By Gustav Stickley USA, Early 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak frames, w...
Leather, Oak
Gustav Stickley Signed Hammered Copper Ashtray or Catchall, Circa 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts period hand hammered copper ashtray or catchall By Gustav Stickley (signed to the underside) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 7"W x 7"D x 1"H. G...
Copper
Arts & Crafts Gustav Stickley Lamp / or Side Table
By Charles Limbert, Gustav Stickley
Located in Chicago, IL
Arts & Crafts Mission Gustav Stickley Lamp / or Side Table Model # 645 in the catalog. Original Label on underside. Appears to have been refinished. We...
Wood
Gustav Stickley Signed Hammered Copper Ashtray or Catchall, Circa 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts period hand hammered copper ashtray or catchall By Gustav Stickley (signed to the underside) USA, Early 20th Century Each measures: 7"W x 7"D x 1"...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered coppe...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk or Library Table, Newly Restored
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware. M...
Copper
Stickley Chippendale Walnut and Tempered and Ogee Cut Glass Top Coffee Table
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stickley contemporary Chippendale Walnut and tempered and Ogee glass top cocktail / coffee table. Measures 38" in width, 38" in depth and stands 16.5" tall.
Glass, Walnut
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Extension Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mission oak Arts & Crafts extension dining table By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 48" W x 48" D x 29.63" H. Extends up to 96" W with four ...
Oak
Gustav Stickley Signed Hammered Copper Ashtray or Catchall, Circa 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts period hand hammered copper ashtray or catchall By Gustav Stickley USA, Early 20th Century Each measures: 7"W x 7"D x 1"H. Good original vintage ...
Copper
$7,639
Miroir
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Miroir mural en chêne au cadre sobre et robuste, caractéristique du style Arts and Crafts de Gustav Stickley. Les lignes épurées, les assemblages visibles et la légère courbure du ba...
Metal
Rocking Chair Spindle - Modèle 375
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Ce fauteuil à bascule de Gustav Stickley associe une structure en bois aux lignes verticales élancées à des patins courbes, qui apportent mouvement et légèreté à l’ensemble. L’assise...
Leather, Mahogany
Signed Gustav Stickley Arts & Crafts Hammered Copper Rocker Blotter
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare antique Arts & Crafts period hammered copper rocker ink blotter By Gustav Stickley USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 7"W x 2"D x 2.5"H Good original vintage condition, wit...
Copper
Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Sewing Rocking Chair, Circa 1900
By Gustav Stickley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission oak Arts & Crafts sewing rocker By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quartersawn oak, with black leather seat. Measures: 18"W x 29"D x 33.5"H. Seat height:...
Leather, Oak
Antique GUSTAV STICKLEY High Back Spindle Dining Chair MUST SELL
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Gustav Stickley High Back Spindle Dining Chair from the early 1900s. It is in excellent condition and has a Stickley paper label. signed. THE LOCALL WE SELLING FO...
Leather, Goat Hair, Cotton, Oak
Table Bibliothèque - Modèle 657 dit 'spindle' en acajou
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
able bibliothèque en chêne au design sobre et fonctionnel, typique du style Arts and Crafts de Gustav Stickley. Les panneaux latéraux à fines lattes verticales et l’étagère inférieur...
Oak
$49,417
Table Director - Modèle 631
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Cette grande table de Gustav Stickley se distingue par sa structure en chêne aux lignes puissantes et épurées. Reposant sur des piètements en tréteaux, elle met en valeur la beauté d...
Oak
Banquette Spindle - Modèle 286
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Ce banc à dossier à fuseaux de Gustav Stickley se distingue par sa structure en bois aux lignes franches et équilibrées. Le rythme serré des lattes verticales apporte légèreté et élé...
Velvet, Oak
SUPERB Gustav Stickley Early Stand w/ Two Drop Leaves c. 1907 signed - W8388 SAL
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
SUPERB SIGNED Gustav Stickley Early Stand w/ Two Drop Leaves c. 1907 WE MAY HAVE A PAIR. NOW ON 20% SALE Marked with red decal and paper label as pictured with EXCELLENT condi...
Oak
Table bibliothèque - Modèle 655
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Cette table bibliothèque de Gustav Stickley se distingue par sa structure en chêne aux lignes sobres et équilibrées. Les panneaux latéraux à fines lattes verticales apportent rythme ...
Mahogany
$15,748
Desserte
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Cette desserte de Gustav Stickley se caractérise par sa structure en chêne aux lignes sobres et fonctionnelles. Dotée de tiroirs aux boutons simples et d’une galerie discrète en part...
Oak
Chaise Spindle - Modèle 374
By Gustav Stickley
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Chaise à dossier à barreaux en chêne, caractéristique du style Arts and Crafts de Gustav Stickley. Sa structure sobre et rectiligne, aux assemblages apparents, met en valeur la quali...
Leather, Oak
Antique PAIR of Gustav Stickley High Back Chairs (Model 384) - W4352
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is a beautiful pair of Gustav Stickley High Back Chairs, Model 384, made circa 1908. These chairs are in excellent condition and are marked with the Stickley signature. Made fr...
Leather, Cotton, Oak
1900 Gustav Stickely Early Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Youth Rocking Chair
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Monrovia, CA
GUSTAV STICKLEY Early American Craftsman Mission Quarter Sawn Oak Youth Rocker 1900s. Early American Antique Piece Of Furniture and History. This Early Antique Craftsman Mission Quarter Sawn Oak Rocker Is Also Known As A Sewing Rocker. This Early American Arts and Crafts Rocker...
Wood, Oak