Gustav Stickley was one of the principal figures in the American Arts and Crafts movement and the creator of the Craftsman style. 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. in Fayetteville, New York, in 1905.
As a furniture designer and publisher of the magazine The Craftsman, Gustav 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.
When Stickley Brothers foundered, Gustav 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. 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. When Gustav Stickley died, in 1942, Arts and Crafts had been replaced by modernism as the favored aesthetic.
The work of L & J.G. Stickley flourished even as the Arts and Crafts style fell out of fashion because Leopold and John George adapted to the changing times.
L & J.G. Stickley changed their brand name and maker’s mark to Handcraft in 1906, and rather than continue to produce Arts & Crafts-inspired designs, their bedroom furnishings, dining room chairs and other items of the era reflected the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School style as well as the work of the Wiener Werkstätte. Later, Leopold’s Cherry Valley collection appealed to enthusiasts of American Colonial furniture.
Find antique L & J.G. Stickley tables, seating, case pieces and more on 1stDibs.
Stickley Mission Oak Settle / Sofa Signed Circa 1910
By Stickley Brothers
Located in Fulton, CA
Early 1900's Stickley Brothers & Quaint Furniture tiger oak settle. Reversible leather seat cushion with 3 down filled pillows. Retains branded "Stickley Bros. Grand Rapids" and ...
Oak
L. & J.G. Stickley, Sofa, Oak, Fabric, USA, 1910s
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in High Point, NC
A quarter-sawn oak and white fabric sofa produced by L. & J.G. Stickley, USA, late 1910s. Wear to wood frame consistent with age and use. Replaced cushions in brand new fabric. ...
Fabric, Oak
Early 1900's Arts & Crafts Mission Sofa
By Stickley Brothers
Located in Burbank, CA
Antique Craftsman couch for sale. Over 100 years ago, and in excellent condition. Has a solid quarter sawn oak frame in a dark oak finish, and a vintag...
Oak
$3,970
H 32 in W 82.5 in D 37 in
Stickley Arts & Crafts Solid Oak Sofa with Burgundy Leather Upholstery
By Stickley Brothers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage Arts & Crafts sofa by Stickley exemplifies the brand’s celebrated commitment to craftsmanship, integrity of materials, and timeless American design. Expertly designe...
Leather, Oak
Antique L&JG Stickley Settee - W7252 WE RUNNING A SPECIAL SALE.
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique L&JG Stickley Settee from the early 1900s with spindle back. The settee has the original leather seats, original tacks, and original finish. All spindles are stra...
Leather, Oak
$3,495
H 36 in W 79 in D 32 in
Mid-20th Century Rustic or Western Style Sofa Attributed to A. Brandt Ranch Oak
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage rustic or Western style sofa attributed to A. Brandt Ranch Oak comprised of a medium or honey toned Ranch Oak finished frame & reupholstered in a white vanilla toned nubby linen-like fabric with button detail on the back cushions. This piece has been attributed based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been redone, restored, or refinished. Specifically, the wood is in fabulous vintage condition and only cleaning was done. The fabric was professionally cleaned but there are still some stubborn places on outer corners where you can see a bit of dinginess and just overall can tell it isn’t brand new upholstery. It is priced accordingly. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950-1960’s. Get ready to sit in incomparable Ranch Oak splendor!!! This wonderful sofa is comprised of a medium or honey toned Ranch Oak finished frame featuring bowtie shaped keyhole designs in both sides, wonderful tapered flat arms, and it has been reupholstered in a lovely white vanilla toned nubby linen-like fabric with button detail on the back cushions. It. Is. BEAUTIFUL!!!! Although this sofa does not bear the A. Brandt Ranch Oak tag, we have seen and sold identical sofas and chairs with the A. Brandt tag, so our attribution is solid. It has an extra high back and semi-attached buttoned back cushions making it very comfortable and will be perfect in your Rustic or western style living room, family room, entertainment area, or basement rec room. This sofa will be incredible in your ranch home, mountain home, dude ranch, cabin, or industrial loft. You simply can’t go wrong with Ranch Oak. A Brandt Company was established in 1900 by German immigrant August Brandt. But it was Paul Brandt, August’s son, who engineered and debuted the Ranch Oak furniture in Fort Worth, Texas in 1938. Paul served as company president for approximately 50 years. The production of the Ranch Oak line continued until the mid-1980s. It was used in ranch homes, mountain homes, dude ranches, and basement rec rooms across the nation. The US government contracted Ranch Oak furnishings for many of their military bases. And it was used by National Park lodges plus roadside motels for its attractive, durable, rustic type of décor. Spectacular style, high quality, and crazy comfort! This Ranch Oak sofa...
Fabric, Oak
$5,500
H 34.25 in W 76 in D 31 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Mission L &JG Stickley Even Arm Oak Settle #281
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare to find. L& J G Stickley even arm settle # 281 I quarter sawn oak. L& GJ Stickley was a large and important contribute to the Arts & ...
Steel
$1,800
H 40 in W 29 in D 34.5 in
L & JG Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Lounge Arm Chair Spring Seat Cushion
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique L & JG Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Lounge Arm Chair Spring Seat Cushion. Item features a drop spring seat cushion, ladder back, solid wood construction, beautiful wood...
Oak
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Sofa Fabric, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and off-white fabric sofa designed and produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, c. 1950s. Seat height 18”.
Fabric, Oak
19th Century Rustic Settee by Old Hickory Furniture Co., USA
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Old Hickory settee / sofa with a hickory wood frame containing a closed cabinet with iron hinges and latch in the right armrest and an open cabinet with two shelves in the lef...
Hickory
Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Settle Sofa
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts style settle sofa By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Late 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak frame, with William Morris style upholstered seat and ba...
Upholstery, Oak
Stickley Mission Oak Arts and Crafts Settle Sofa
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts style settle sofa By L. & J.G Stickley USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak frame, with upholstered seat and back cushions. Mea...
Upholstery, Oak
Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Spindle Settle Sofa
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts style Prairie settle sofa or loveseat By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak, with William Morris style upho...
Upholstery, Oak
Stickley Mission Arts and Crafts Cherry Wood Settle Sofa
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts style Prairie settle sofa By L. & J.G Stickley USA, 21st Century Solid cherry wood frame, with original upholstery. Measures: 84.5"W x 37.5"D ...
Upholstery, Oak
Stickley Style Mission Oak Arts and Crafts Spindle Settle Sofa
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission or Arts & Crafts style spindle settle sofa In the manner of L. & J.G Stickley USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid oak frame, with green leather upholstered seat ...
Leather, Oak
Stickley Mission Oak Arts and Crafts Spindle Sleeper Sofa
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mission, Arts & Crafts, or Prairie style full size sleeper sofa or loveseat By Stickley USA, Circa Early 21st Century Solid quarter sawn oak frame, with original Willia...
Upholstery, Oak
