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
Rare early sideboard (model 961)
estimate: $8,000–12,000
result: $18,750
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
Knock-down settle, model 210
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $9,375
Gustav Stickley
Rare and Early writing table, model 417
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $7,500
Gustav Stickley
Child's wardrobe (No. 920)
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $6,875
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
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
Early sideboard, model 809
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $5,000
Gustav Stickley
Nine-drawer dresser
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $5,000
Gustav Stickley
Writing desk (No. 518)
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,688
Gustav Stickley
Sideboard, model 814
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,375
Gustav Stickley
Early double-door bookcase, model 544
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $4,375
Gustav Stickley
dining table, model 634
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,375
Gustav Stickley
Rare early drop-front desk
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $3,750
Gustav Stickley
Early crib settle, model 207
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,750
Gustav Stickley
drop-arm Morris chair, model 369
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $3,750
Gustav Stickley
V-back dining chairs model 354 1/2 and 354 1/2A, set of eight
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $3,750
Gustav Stickley
Early desk
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $3,750