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.
L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Server or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak server, writing desk, or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 32"W x 16.13"D x 33.25"H. Very...
Oak
Leonard Wyburd for Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts oak bureau with iron hinges
By Leonard Wyburd, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. Leonard Wyburd. An oak bureau with drop down writing area held in place by slides each side of the large drawer with a large double cupboard below all with stylised i...
Oak
Antique Limbert Arts & Crafts Walnut Vanity Writing Desk Console Table 45"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique Charles Limbert vanity desk. Made of walnut featuring Arts & Crafts and Colonial inspired styling with two cabinets and one drawer supported by turned legs connected by...
Walnut
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Raised Panel S-Roll Top Desk with Full Interior C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote***Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Raised Panel S Roll Top Desk with Full Drawer Interior Unsigned C1900 Measur...
Oak
Antique Stickley Brothers Telephone Table and Chair - W5050
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is a superb looking Stickley Brothers set of telephone table and a chair. The quarter sawn is fantastic, and great original finish and its soli oak and not veneered. the set co...
Oak
L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Server or Writing Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts quarter sawn oak server, writing desk, or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 32"W x 16.13"D x 33.25"H. Good...
Oak
Stickley Brothers Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with hammered copper h...
Copper
Arts and Crafts Oak Bureau by George Montague Ellwood for J. S. Henry
Located in London, GB
George Montague Ellwood (1875–1955) for J. S. Henry. An Arts and Crafts oak bureau with a shaped pediment and floral fretwork to the upper and lower sides. The fold-down writing area...
Oak
L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period quarter sawn oak writing desk By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Measures: 40"W x 22.13"D x 37"H. Good original vintage ...
Oak
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Arts & Crafts Oak Desk with Gallery Hutch, circa 1910
By Gustav Stickley, Grand Rapids Furniture Co.
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A beautifully crafted early 20th-century American Arts & Crafts postcard writing desk in solid quarter-sawn tiger oak. The rectilinear form, exposed joinery, and honest construction ...
Brass
Travel Cabinet - Bargueno Desk - Spain and England - Early XXth - Arts and Craft
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
The Bargueno is a portable desk. The base is typically Spanish and dates from 20th Century. The upper part was added in the 20th century in England and dates from the Arts and Craft ...
Wood
Antique GUSTAV STICKLEY Drop Front Desk PERIOD DESK - W5844 MUST SELL
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Gustav Stickley drop front desk from the early 1900s in good condition with a great selection of quarter-sawn oak. This des...
Oak
Wylie & Lochhead attri. An Arts & Crafts oak desk with new leather writing area
Located in London, GB
Wylie Lochhead attributed. An Arts and Crafts oak desk with central shelf, galleried sides, stylised copper handles, laid with a new leather w...
Copper
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mission Oak/Tiger Oak Single Drawer Desk with Bookshelves
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice example of Arts and Crafts craftsmanship. This Mission Oak desk is made of oak and quarter sawn oak. It has a single drawer for storage and bookshelves built-in on bot...
Oak
Waring and Gillow. An Arts and Crafts bow fronted kneehole twin pedestal desk
Located in London, GB
Waring and Gillows attributed. An Arts and Crafts bow fronted kneehole twin pedestal desk with chequered inlay with quality hand hammered brass handles, turned legs on original castors.
Brass
Arts & Crafts Mission Oak 3 Drawer Desk & Chair with Rush Seat by Lifetime C1912
By Lifetime
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous mission Oak Arts & Crafts 3 drawer desk with a horizontal slat back desk chair with a rush seat. One long drawer over two short drawers. Both pieces are all quarter sawn oak...
Iron
American Antique Hand-Painted Birds and Poppies Desk
Located in South Burlington, VT
Love Birds and Poppies This is an original and beautiful hand-painted and hand incised fall front desk. This unique work of art is hand-painted on front with a roundel of three vibrant and colorful birds against a mountain scape and bouquets and runners of red poppies and greenery on remainder front perimeters, the sides and back are plain. Inside we find a fitted interior with one drawer and pigeonholes. Two simple shelves...
Wood
Shapland & Petter, Arts & Crafts Mahogany Desk with a Pierced Heart to the Top
Located in London, GB
Shapland & Petter. A wonderful Arts & Crafts mahogany writing desk with a pierced heart to the top, shaped back and sides, with upper three quarter shelf and a stylized floral leaded glass back below. A period style leather writing area with hand tooled gilt decoration to the edges. A bow fronted drawer with stylized copper heart...
Leather, Mahogany
Arts and Crafts Restaurant Reception Station Greeter, with Light
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Restaurant Reception Station Greeter, with Light Tall Arts and Crafts Greeter, the greeting station has a generous slope with a small storage compartment beneath to...
Walnut
Antique Oak Ladies Writing Desk with Barley Twist Legs and Leather Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Artistic and perfectly hand-crafted oak writing desk with large drawer. Beautiful and practical antique ladies writing desk from circa 1920. This fine Arts & Crafts era desk, with ...
Brass
Arts and Crafts Golden Oak Students Bureau, Book Case
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Golden Oak Students Bureau, Book Case This is a very useful piece, an Arts and Crafts Golden Oak Students Bureau and Book Case with shelves below On one side there ...
Oak
French Oak Hotel Restaurant, Reception Greeting Station
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Oak Hotel Restaurant, Reception Greeting Station A Large Relaxed French Front of House Golden Oak Reception Greeter, this is a tall piece set on turned legs The top of the de...
Oak
Arts & Crafts Golden Oak Stained Glass Students Bureau
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts & Crafts Golden Oak Stained Glass Students Bureau This is a beautiful and very useful piece, an Arts and Crafts Golden Oak Students Bureau with a Stained Glass Book Case at th...
Oak
Cowboy California Ranch Style Writing Desk and Chair by Monterey
Located in New York, NY
Rare and sought after writing desk and chair by the great California maker, Monterey Furniture Co. circa 1930's. The desk, and chair are both structurally sound and sturdy, both show...
Wood
Arts & Crafts oak carved library table/double desk, Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
An exceptional Arts and Crafts quarter-sawn oak library table/double desk, with a rectangular top and shaped sides united by a floor stretcher with molded details. Each side with hig...
Oak
Stickley Brothers Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Newly Refinish
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1910 Measures: 40"W x 26.25"D x 29.5"H. Professionally refinished. ...
Oak
Stickley Brothers Arts & Crafts Desk With Built-in Bookcases, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period writing desk or library table with built-in bookcases By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Quarter sawn oak, with hammered c...
Copper
Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1910 Beautiful quarter sawn oak, with carved barley twist legs. Mea...
Oak
Talavera Desk Set with Zoomorphic Figure, Spain c. 1950
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Decorative desk set in glazed Talavera ceramic made around the mid‑20th century, notable for its vibrant polychromy in cobalt blue, yellow, orange, and green on a white background. T...
Ceramic
Signed Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Restored
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk By Gustav Stickley (original label present) USA, Early 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hamm...
Copper
L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Desk, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period quarter sawn oak writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1910 Measures: 44"W x 28.25"D x 30.25"H. ...
Oak
Imperial Furniture Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table In the manner of Stickley Brothers By Imperial Furniture Co. USA, Circa 1910 Quarter sawn oak, with ...
Copper
An Arts & Crafts four piece hand-hammered dressing table or desk set
By Birmingham Guild of Handicraft Ltd. 1
Located in London, GB
Birmingham Guild of Handicraft. An Arts & Crafts four piece beautifully hand-hammered dressing table or desk set consisting of a copper jewelry box with a domed lid and incised flora...
G F Hardy. An oak childs desk with a slanted writing area and storage underneath
Located in London, GB
G F Hardy Manchester. An Arts and Crafts oak childs desk with a slanted writing area and storage underneath. The sides are carved and polychrome painted with a sweet little rabbit an...
Oak
$4,760Sale Price|20% Off
English Arts & Crafts Handmade Dark Stained Solid Oak Desk with Side Shelves
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Solid oak English Arts & Crafts desk with built in side shelves and removable top for ease of movement make this a practical gem. Original hardware perfectly intact and united by str...
Oak
L. & J. G. Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Writing Desk, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts writing desk or library table By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Circa 1900 Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware. M...
Copper
Gordon Russell. A fine quality Cotswold School ash single drawer desk
Located in London, GB
Gordon Russell. A fine quality Cotswold School ash single drawer desk. With brass Gordon Russel Ltd. Broadway Worcs to the back. This timeless piece of Cotswold history is fit for pu...
Brass
Antique Quarter-Sawn Oak Rotary Desk by Wooton
By Wooton Desk Co.
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1890s-1910s; Wooton Desk Co. - Indianapolis, Indiana Quarter-sawn oak rotary office desk featuring Wooton's patented rotating pedestal design, allowing both drawer banks to swing...
Oak
Arts and Crafts Pine Reception Desk, Restaurant Greeter This is a fabulous piec
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Pine Reception Desk, Restaurant Greeter This is a fabulous piece of Arts and Crafts Design in Golden Pine, it is decorated with arches and leaf shaped in the Arts an...
Pine
Oak Arts and Crafts Reception Desk Greeting Station
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oak Arts and Crafts Reception Desk Greeting Station This one is dated 1903 and has a very Gothic Look, the sloping top has a rail to hold menus or similar from slipping off and ther...
Oak
Victorian Stripped Pine Greeting Station Cupboard
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian Stripped Pine Greeting Station Cupboard This is a very good quality cupboard, it has been used as a Restaurant Greeting Station, it has a panelled front and a flat galle...
Pine
Arts & Crafts Flame Mahogany Knee Hole Writing Desk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Arts & Crafts flame mahogany knee hole writing desk. This superb desk is in one piece it has twin pedestals with a shelved cupboard and a con...
Mahogany
$12,815 / item
Walnut Wood Desk The Netherlands By Sordile
Located in DE MEERN, UT
Bureau de Maastunnel was conceived by Remco de Wolf. Designed and realized in Rotterdam. After an earlier project with laminating wood, he wanted to apply this again in his latest de...
Plexiglass, Walnut
Arts and Crafts Desk Chair Swivel Office Seat Oak
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Good quality oak and leather office chairbr This chair is raised upon a 5 leg revolving base with brass castors Circa 1920 The chair features ring turned arm supports The chair is co...
Oak