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.
Vintage American Hardwood Dining Table and Chairs, Set of 5
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage American hardwood dining table and chairs - set of 5 A vintage hardwood dining table and 4 chairs, made in the USA. We are wi...
Fabric, Boxwood
Anna Dining Table in Vintage Black Walnut, Built to Order by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This dining table made from vintage black walnut is seen here in 42" x 110", however it can be built in any size. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los Angeles workshop yo...
Walnut
$22,000 / item
Expandable Trestle Table and Benches Made from Oak
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This oak table can be ordered with out without matching benches. The table seen here is entirely collapsible and expands from seven and a half to ten feet long, however it can be ord...
Oak
Art Nouveau Bar for sale in wood
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Art Nouveau Bar for sale in wood Private Collection
Wood
Craftsman Style Dining Table, Built to Order by Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic American Craftsman design dining table / breakfast table is built to order. It is shown here in a 54" x 60" size. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los Angel...
Oak
French Art Deco Style Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Art Deco mahogany and cerejeira dining table, the circular crossbanded and molded edge top above a sphere and collar column with a turned and dished base. Inspired by a 1930...
Wood
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 104 in D 44 in
Mastercraft Burl and Brass Extendable Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company, William Doezema
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960s dining table and six chairs designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft retailed by Charak of Boston. Briar root burl veneer although frequently identified as Amboyna. ...
Brass
$5,800 / set
H 42.5 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...
Upholstery, Wood
Bespoke Vintage Craftsman Oak Center Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A unique table that can be used numerous ways. Constructed of solid oak in the shape of an X or a Plus sign depending on how you view it, with a unique inlaid design in the center. T...
Oak
$3,200 / set
H 42 in W 20 in D 20 in
Harlequin Set of 6 Antique Gustavian Style Urn Back Dining Chairs.English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A wonderful set of six English limed oak chairs. Not quite matching. They are actually 2 different models ( 3 + 3 ). The chairs have the same basic characteristics. Firstly, the de...
Oak
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 78.75 in D 33.5 in
Country French Provincial Oak Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming country French provincial farmhouse dining table or harvest table crafted from solid oak hardwood. The country table features a massive 2 inch thick solid plank top supporte...
Oak
Custom Regency Style 56" Diameter Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Swathed in the finest figured mahogany, this 56” diameter table features a bold pedestal comprised of a tapered octagonal column having an ebonized collar and terminating on a platfo...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony
$4,924 / set
H 28.15 in Dm 51.19 in
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage French Trestle Farm Table
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This early-20th-century French trestle farm table features gorgeous solid oak, aged to a rich patina and timeworn character. Its substantial build and graceful proportions embody cra...
Oak
Set of Six Rattan or Bamboo Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six rattan or bamboo dining chairs, American, circa 1960s. They retain their warm original patina. This came from an estate with the matchi...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$44,334 / set
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Africa Dining Room Set for Maxalto, 4 Chairs and Table, 1976
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
A dining set composed of four “Africa” dining chairs and an “Artona” table, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. Made of walnut, burl...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 90 in D 28.5 in
Gerald McCabe Style Dining Set Table Dining Table Breakfast Nook Dining Set
Located in Rochester, NY
Absolutely incredible vintage family style dining set that’s been used for generations of families gathering together!! Rare set that looks to be Gerald McCabe to us. We have never ...
Wood
George Nakashima Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Trestle dining table: Which consists of bookmatched solid boards, with three rosewood butterfly joints, The top is not screwed in like most, it's fits precisely to the base and is se...
Hickory, Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 25.5 in W 102 in D 64 in
George Nakashima Custom “Sanso” Table and Set of Ten “Conoid” Lounge Chairs
Located in Amarillo, TX
George Nakashima. Custom "Sanso" dining table. Custom "Conoid” lounge chairs. USA, circa 1987 Table: Single-board claro walnut, American black walnut, seven East Indian rosew...
Rosewood, Walnut
Vermont Artisan Dining Set Including Cherry Table and Eight Chairs
By Shackleton Thomas
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Created in 1997 by Vermont furniture maker Shackleton Thomas, "Vasari's Table" is a gorgeous rectangular cherry dining table with decorative molding ...
Cherry