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.
Upcoming Lots Gustav Stickley
237
Gustav Stickley
Hall bench, model 224
242
Gustav Stickley
Early lamp table, model 436
243
Gustav Stickley
Drop-arm Morris chair, model 369
244
Gustav Stickley
Lanterns model 830 variant, pair
245
Gustav Stickley
Work cabinet
246
Gustav Stickley
Lanterns model 830 variant, pair
247
Gustav Stickley
Flat-arm Morris chair, model 332
249
Gustav Stickley
Footstools model 300, set of two
251
Gustav Stickley
Even arm settle, model 208 variant
252
Gustav Stickley
Smoker's cabinet, model 89
254
Gustav Stickley
Tabouret, model 601
255
Gustav Stickley
Early desk, model 409
257
Gustav Stickley
Rare wash stand
262
Gustav Stickley
Waste basket, model 94
265
Gustav Stickley
Child's wardrobe, model 920
267
Gustav Stickley
Armchair and side chair, models 318 and 351 1/2
269
Gustav Stickley
Tea tables, models 603 and 604
Auction Results Gustav Stickley
Gustav Stickley
Exceptional and rare lantern
result: $68,750
Gustav Stickley
Rare Monumental Andirons (no. 348)
result: $30,000
Gustav Stickley
Rare early sideboard (model 961)
result: $18,750
Gustav Stickley
Leather-top Hexagonal Table
result: $17,500
Gustav Stickley
early and rare tile-top tabouret, model 45
result: $16,250
Gustav Stickley
knock-down settle, model 210
result: $11,875
Gustav Stickley
Bride's chest
result: $10,625
Gustav Stickley
Knock-down settle, model 210
result: $9,375
Gustav Stickley
Early double-door bookcase
result: $8,125
Gustav Stickley
Rare and Early writing table, model 417
result: $7,500
Gustav Stickley
Spindled cube settle
result: $6,875
Gustav Stickley
Child's wardrobe (No. 920)
result: $6,875
Gustav Stickley
Spindled loveseat
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Settle (No. 222)
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Early server
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Double-door china cabinet
result: $6,250
Gustav Stickley
Single-door china cabinet
result: $5,938
Gustav Stickley
Four high-back spindled dining chairs
result: $5,625
Gustav Stickley
Early trestle table
result: $5,625
Gustav Stickley
music cabinet, model 70W
result: $5,313
Gustav Stickley
Early server
result: $5,313
Gustav Stickley
Single-door bookcase
result: $5,313
Gustav Stickley
Pair of early dining chairs
result: $5,000
Gustav Stickley
Rare luncheon table
result: $5,000