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.
Early and Rare Evert Sodergren Sculptured Chair, c. 1955
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The 'Sculptured' chair was originally designed in 1953 by Pacific Northwest master craftsman and cabinetmaker, Evert Sodergren, and it is the crown jewel of his oeuvre which spanned ...
Brass
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th Century Round Cane Lounge Seat by Ruth Collins New York
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic American Portable Ruth Collins Round Beach Cane Backrest Seat, New York Vintage folding picnic seat with original leather straps. The canning on ...
Metal
Walnut Adjustable Lounge Chair Arden Riddle (1921-2011) pre-1965
By Arden Riddle
Located in Camden, ME
A rare and early example of Arden Riddle’s refined modernist vision, this adjustable lounge chair in black walnut was crafted prior to 1965 and has been fully authenticated despite l...
Brass
Midcentury White Oak Sling Chair with Velvet Cushions
Located in Asheville, NC
Vintage sling chair in white Oak with beautiful joinery and dowel finishes. Piece features light brown velvet cushions in great condition. 29”W x 33...
Canvas, Velvet, Oak
Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Russel Wright for Old Hickory, 1940
By Old Hickory Furniture Company, Russel Wright
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Reclining lounge chair and matching ottoman of chestnut from Russel Wright’s ‘Rustic Modern’ group, part of his American Provincial collection, Manufactured by Old Hickory Furniture ...
Chestnut
Safari Lounge Chairs Made in Norway 1965
By Finn Juhl
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning Nordic pair of safari lounge chairs in original condition, made in Norway 1965. These fantastic chairs are made of solid mahogany frames and thick black saddle leather seats, and are in a very good and original condition. The chairs are made to look like campaign or officers chairs...
Leather, Mahogany
Bamboo Lounge Chair with Beige Cushions, Model Bamboo
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This low bamboo lounger is made of natural bamboo with a slight stain to get that cool vintage look, cushions in a natural beige colored linen. The lou...
Fabric, Bamboo
$6,792
H 30.52 in W 27.37 in D 39.38 in
Original Howard Era Deep Seated Armchair, William Birch, England, 19th Century
By Howard & Sons Ltd, William Birch
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A Howard & Sons era armchair, produced by William Birch, England, 19th Century. Stamped to the back leg. Structurally sound. Newly upholstered in premium, pure Alpaca. Fast ...
Wood, Feathers, Alpaca
19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1920s
By Paul Follot, Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of Art Deco chairs, France, 1920s. The chairs are currently undergoing restoration and the original fabric can be conserved or the chairs can be reupholstered in COM. P...
Fabric, Wood
$2,450
H 31 in W 27 in D 35 in
Russel Wright Art Deco Streamlined Lounge Chair Refinished Reupholstered
Located in Atlanta, GA
Streamlined Art Deco Lounge Chair, designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940s. This chair is currently being refinished and reupholstered. The price noted includes refini...
Upholstery, Wood
Orange Midcentury Cocktail Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A midcentury cocktail chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s. Upholstered with the original rust orange fabric. Lovely proportions and lines in a high end production.
Fabric, Beech
$15,995 / set
H 32.75 in W 35 in D 41 in
Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Sergio Rodrigues, Jean Gillon, Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Anchored in the bold horizons of 1960s Brazilian modernism, the Jangada lounge chair and ottoman by Jean Gillon stands as a testament to artful craftsmanship, organic structure, and ...
Leather, Rosewood
Arden Riddle S308-R Mid Century Cherry Rocking Chair
By Arden Riddle
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arden Riddle S308-R Mid Century Cherry Rocking Chair This rocking chair measures: 28 wide x 39 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 20.5 and arm height/chair clearance 22.5 inche...
Upholstery, Cherry
Midcentury Adjustable Lounge Chair by Paul Frankl 1950 '
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rome, IT
Original Mid-Century Modern reclinable Bamboo and Rattan three -stand lounge chair features stylized pretzel arms. It has a wonderful design with a classic look. Providing comfort a...
Iron
$14,600Sale Price|36% Off
H 30 in W 25.5 in D 30 in
Very Rare Model 175-C Sculptured Lounge Armchair by Vladimir Kagan, c 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredibly rare and highly sought-after Vladimir Kagan Model 175C 'Sculptured Walnut Arm Chair' designed in 1950 (see catalogue photo), this early product...
Fabric, Walnut
$1,942Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 34 in W 43 in D 41 in
Oversized Lounge Chairs by HICKORY CHAIR - Set of 2
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Velvet
Jeffrey Greene Walnut Lounge Chair
By George Nakashima, Jeffrey Greene
Located in New York, NY
This lounge chair was hand-crafted from walnut by designer Jeffrey Greene, who was inspired by American woodworker George Nakashima. Sloping angles and smooth lines characterize the ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Contemporary Wood Framed Cream Upholstered Arm Lounge Chair
By Sam Moore Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Oversized Contemporary Wood Framed Cream Plaid Upholstered Azure Arm Chair by Sam Moore.
Upholstery
Craftsman Oak and Leather Recliner Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Solid and handsome, early 20th century, craftsman recliner armchair features a carved oak frame that reclines 5 inches back at 1 inch intervals with...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Decorative Carved Lounge Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This is for a pair of decorative brown lounge chairs most likely produced in Mexico. Chair has carved decorative pattern on all sides. We replaced with new leather cushions. Content ...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 25.5 in L 35 in
Rare & Whimsical Cushman Hard Rock Maple Chair w. Heart Cut-Outs Mortise & Tenon
By Herman de Vries, H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company
Located in Hudson, NY
Excellent condition well documented Cushman chair with heart cutout, carved seat, and wedged mortise and Tenon construction. This is an excellent example...
Maple
Arden Riddle Lounge Chair and Ottoman Studio Craft, 1979
By Arden Riddle
Located in Camden, ME
Arden Riddle (1921-2011) lounge chair and ottoman from one of America's leading post-war furniture craftsman. The frame is made from solid black walnut handcrafted in his studio in 1979. Branded AR and dated 1979. The cushions have been re-upholstered in a faux Sherpa...
Walnut
Arden Riddle High Back Lounge Chair Studio Crafted, 1988
By Arden Riddle
Located in Camden, ME
Arden Riddle (1921-2011) high back lounge chair from one of America's leading post-war furniture craftsman. The frame is made from solid black walnut handcrafted in his studio in 1988. Branded AR and dated 1988. The cushions have been re-upholstered in a faux Sherpa...
Walnut
1910s Pair of Westport Chairs by Thomas Lee for Harry Bunnell
By Harry Bunnell, Thomas Lee
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Profoundly innovative and original, the ‘Westport’ Adirondack chair a century after its introduction remains a tribute to the creativity of A...
Wood
Sold
H 37.25 in W 39.75 in D 38.5 in
1910s Pair of Westport Lounge Chairs by Thomas Lee for Harry Bunnell
By Harry Bunnell, Thomas Lee
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Profoundly innovative and original, the ‘Westport’ Adirondack chair a century after its introduction remains a tribute to the creativity of A...
Wood
Pair of American Lounge Chairs by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle 1950ies
Located in Berlin, DE
Very beautiful lounge chairs designed by Mel Smilow 1956 and made out of beech and cane, manufactured by Smilow-Thielle in the 1960. Both chairs are in a very good condition with tra...
Beech
Pair of California Design Studio Stack Pine Cube Lounge Chairs
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of California design studio cube chairs with stacked and laminated pine sides. The have a substantial feel and a nice scale. We could see these in a getaway cabin or a coastal h...
Upholstery, Pine
Sold
H 32 in W 29.5 in D 34 in
New Hope Lounge Chair from Phillip Lloyd Powell Studio in American Black Walnut
Located in Dallas, TX
One of the last few chairs produced by Phillip Lloyd Powell in his New Hope Studio before he passed. This example is well crafted and has beautiful graining to the wood. The foam is ...
Walnut