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.
Early 20th Century English Rolling Trolley with Scalloped Gallery
Located in Troy, MI
A functional English trolley in warm hardwood, featuring two generous shelves edged with decorative scalloped iron gallery trim. Carved cutout handles crown each end panel, while spl...
Iron
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
Early Heywood Wakefield Wicker and Wood Drinks/Bar Cart, circa 1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
the two-wheeled drinks trolley with turned handle joining a rectangular top within an openwork gallery all raised on wicker-wrapped supports joining a lower shelf; The Heywood Furniture Co. began in 1826 making wicker and rattan furniture. In 1897, the company merged with a competitor, Wakefield Rattan Co...
Wicker
Stunning Antique Arts & Crafts Era Carved Oak Folding Display / Drinks Cabinet
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and practical design, drinks table. If you are looking for a good quality, good condition and stylish drinks table or cabinet than this antique specimen could be the one. Th...
Brass
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Arts & Crafts Oak Tea Wagon Or Bar Trolley With Brass Hardware On Casters
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Beautiful Arts & Crafts handmade solid Oak tea wagon cum bar trolley. Clean aesthetic. Renewed brass hardware and casters will provide prolonged service. The piece is in good sturdy ...
Oak
1940s Vintage Rattan and Wicker Bar Cart with Glass Shelves
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage rattan and wicker bar cart or tea cart. Three levels with glass shelves. Top surface is a removable glass and wicker tray. Finish is a natura...
Wicker, Rattan
Copper Topped Tavern Table or Occasional Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Copper topped tavern table or occasional table The table stands on turned oak legs with stretchers and has a traditional Beaten Copper Table top The table is 25” high and 22” ...
Oak
Wicker and Iron Bar Cart or Tea Trolley Table, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Striking mid-20th century bar trolley in metal with hand-woven wood and wicker fittings. Wood and wicker drink tray on top and on the bottom. Also include...
Metal
$746Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in Dm 15.75 in
Midcentury Curved Bamboo Portable Bar Italian Design 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury curved bamboo portable bar Italian Design 1950s.
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Marquetry and Polished Brass Drinks Trolley
Located in London, by appointment only
Mid-20th century marquetry and polished brass drinks trolley, the upper tray with inlaid marquetry drop-leaves and pierced brass gallery, supported on lathe-turned solid brass legs, ...
Brass
Josef Frank Folding Bar Cart or Side Table by Svensk Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Munich, DE
Light and easy to store foldable table with a nice print by Josef Frank.
Formica
Ebonized Oak, Copper, Smoked Glass Barcart
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Solid wood constructed barcart with hand-cut joinery, tempered glass panels, and fine metal accents. Handmade in Los Angeles, California. Shown in ebonized oak, copper with smoked...
Aluminum, Brass, Copper
$1,632Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 36.23 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Mahogany Wood and Brass Italian Serving Bar Cart, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Unique mid-century bar cart in mahogany wood and brass. This fantastic item was designed in Italy during the 1960s. This magnificent bar cart is amazing because of the shape of th...
Metal, Brass
$10,048 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...
Brass
Vintage Danish Oak Bar Cart Tea Trolley with Blue & White Tile Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Danish serving cart crafted in solid oak with decorative blue and white ceramic tile top. This elegant Scandinavian trolley features turned wood details, large spok...
Oak
$1,200Sale Price|65% Off
H 44.5 in W 48 in D 24 in
Early 20th Century Antique Painted Indian Rolling Merchant's Chest Trunk
Located in Lafayette, IN
Wonderful early 20th century merchants chest/trunk. Chest features solid wood construction, ornately carved decoration, iron hardware, and wheels. Cabinet has been fully painted in b...
Iron
Carl Auböck Bar Cart Drinks Trolley Serving Cart, Austria, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful example of Minimalist Modernist design, this two-tier bar cart or drinks serving trolley dates back to the 1960s/1970s. Crafted by the workshop Werkstätte Carl Auböck in ...
Iron
Jacques Adnet Cart Bar Trolley Tea Table
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
This magnificent Jacques Adnet bar cart comes from a Chateau in the Medoc near Bordeaux in the South West of France where it has been since the 1950s The glass of the tray sti...
Metal, Aluminum
Antique Art Deco Figured Walnut Serving Trolley 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a striking antique Art Deco three-tier figured walnut hostess trolley dating from the 1920s. The trolley is of decorative circular form and is fitted with castors. This is ...
Walnut
Stickley Brothers Antique Arts & Crafts Oak Bar Cart, Circa 1900
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Arts & Crafts or Mission tea trolley or bar cart server By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1900 Oak, with removable glass top serving tray. Measures: 28.5"W x 21"D x ...
Glass, Oak
Sold
H 27.75 in W 24 in D 17 in
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Tiger Oak Barley Twist Drop Leaf Table
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Tiger Oak Barley Twist Drop Leaf Table. Direct from England, another beautiful antique Eng...
Oak
Sold
H 32.5 in W 24.25 in D 16 in
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Tiger Oak Barley Twist Cocktail Table
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Tea Trolley Drinks Cart Tiger Oak Barley Twist Cocktail Table. Direct from England, a beautiful antique English oak tea troll...
Oak
Sold
H 33.75 in W 35 in D 20 in
Stickley Harvey Ellis Collection Inlaid Cherry Wood Rolling Bar Cart Server
By Harvey Ellis, L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Arts & Crafts style rolling server or bar cart with extending top By Stickley, "Harvey Ellis Collection". USA, Circa early 21st centu...
Cherry
Sold
H 38.98 in W 23.63 in D 16.54 in
Arts & Crafts Mahogany, Brass and Glass Drinks Trolley / Cart Early 20th Century
Located in Nijmegen, NL
Arts & Crafts drinks cart / trolley by Ernst Rockhausen of Waldheim, Germany made in the early 20th century. It features a brass and mahogany with a glass folding door...
Mahogany
Sold
H 40.1 in W 31.1 in D 19.3 in
Stunning Asymmetrical Arts & Crafts Wood, Brass & Glass Drinks Trolley or Cart
Located in Lisse, NL
Modernist design Arts & Crafts drinks cart by Ernst Rockhausen of Waldheim, Germany. Design-wise this one of a kind drinks trolley on its original wooden wheels is truly remarkable....
Brass
Rare Wood Drop-Leaf Service Cart Attributed to Don Shoemaker
Located in Mexico City, MX
Drop-leaf service cart attributed to Don Shoemaker, with a drawer and a ledge on the bottom, made of tropical woods. Unmarked/untaged. He is one of the most important representati...
Wood
Gordon Russell Attributed, Arts & Crafts Cotswold School Walnut Trolley
Located in London, GB
Gordon Russell attributed. An Arts & Crafts Cotswold School handcrafted figured walnut two tier tea or cocktail trolley with subtle hand-carved floral details to each corner of each ...
Walnut
Sold
H 17.5 in W 19 in D 17 in
Antique Yellin School Arts & Crafts Wrought Iron Log Cradle, circa 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique arts and crafts wrought iron log cradle reminiscent of Samuel Yellin, circa 1920.
Wrought Iron
A Decorated Globe On Stand Opening For Bar Storage
Located in Hixson, TN
A nice vintage decorated globe on stand and opening to reveal a fitted bar storage complete with ice container. The printed color map is in 12 sections and multiple colors. The rim a...