Gustav Stickley 1858–1942
Gustav Stickley, whose name is synonymous with Craftsman furniture, was a visionary American proponent for the Arts and Crafts philosophy in design, literature, and life. At the peak of his career, his furniture was sold throughout the country, Craftsman houses built in many areas, and The Craftsman magazine widely read. After bankruptcy in 1915, Stickley was largely forgotten until the 1970s, when his importance as a designer was rediscovered by a new generation.
The eldest son of first generation German immigrants, Stickley was born into a family that owned furniture-manufacturing businesses. He found inspiration in the writings of John Ruskin and William Morris and the well-built, hand-crafted furniture and the brotherhood of honest labor they espoused. In 1898 he established the Gustav Stickley Company in Eastwood, a suburb of Syracuse, New York. He adopted a William Morris motto, "Als ik kan" ("If I can") and used the symbol of a medieval joiner’s compass as his trademark.
Stickley’s furniture was a radical departure from the American furniture of the Victorian era. Surfaces were unadorned, mortise and tenon joinery and wood grain exposed. The hammered metal hardware underscored the artisanal look of furniture, which was fabricated both by hand and by contemporary woodworking machines.
Auction Results Gustav Stickley
Gustav Stickley
Exceptional and rare lantern
estimate: $25,000–35,000
result: $68,750
Gustav Stickley
Rare Monumental Andirons (no. 348)
estimate: $12,500–17,500
result: $30,000
Gustav Stickley
Rare early sideboard (model 961)
estimate: $8,000–12,000
result: $18,750
Gustav Stickley
Leather-top Hexagonal Table
estimate: $7,500–10,000
result: $17,500
Gustav Stickley
early and rare tile-top tabouret, model 45
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $16,250
Gustav Stickley
knock-down settle, model 210
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $11,875
Gustav Stickley
Bride's chest
estimate: $7,500–9,500
result: $10,625
Gustav Stickley
Knock-down settle, model 210
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $9,375
Gustav Stickley
Early double-door bookcase
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $8,125
Gustav Stickley
Rare and Early writing table, model 417
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $7,500
Gustav Stickley
Spindled cube settle
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $6,875
Gustav Stickley
Child's wardrobe (No. 920)
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $6,875
Gustav Stickley
Spindled loveseat
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Settle (No. 222)
estimate: $6,000–9,000
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Early server
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Double-door china cabinet
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Single-door china cabinet
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $5,938
Gustav Stickley
Four high-back spindled dining chairs
estimate: $5,000–7,500
result: $5,625
Gustav Stickley
Early trestle table
estimate: $1,200–1,800
result: $5,625
Gustav Stickley
music cabinet, model 70W
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $5,313
Gustav Stickley
Early server
estimate: $5,000–7,500
result: $5,313
Gustav Stickley
Single-door bookcase
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $5,313
Gustav Stickley
Pair of early dining chairs
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $5,000
Gustav Stickley
Rare luncheon table
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $5,000