Arts and Crafts Furniture: From Classic to Contemporary FROM THE PUBLISHER
Unlike the great furniture designs of the past, Arts and Crafts does not have a set of visual signatures that are easily identified. The designers of the Arts and Crafts movement, whether working in the United Kingdom, Europe, or North America, shared design principles and philosophies, yet they created furniture that is widely diverse in style. This book, the first to look at the entire range of Arts and Crafts furniture, shows that Arts and Crafts style is much more than Stickley and Mission. And while the historical Arts and Crafts movement ended in the early 20th century, since its revival in the 1970s, it is very much alive today and practiced by contemporary craftsmen. Dedicated to the integrated beauty of the whole house, the Arts and Crafts movement produced practical art of all kinds, but this book focuses on its most enduring legacy: the furniture. In the superb examples shown here, some of them in private collections and never before photographed, the true beauty and diversity of this unique furniture sings.
The movement had outposts in many parts of the Western hemisphere, but it can be grouped into schools sharing a philosophy or aesthetic. This book looks at each school to help the reader both perceive the common themes and to identify the furniture by its hallmarks. A key principle of the Arts and Crafts movement is a respect for hand-craftsmanship. The authors, both accomplished furniture makers in their own right, bring the unique perspective of design by construction and illuminate how the details of exposed joinery and choice of wood and finish demonstrate the artistry in this work. For the first time this diverse and rich style is celebrated. For all those who love the Arts and Crafts style, this book will be an eye-opening look at both its diversity and the on-going tradition of craftsmanship.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Books such as these make reviewing a true pleasure. The book by Cathers (Stickley Style), a lavish, comprehensive monograph on the life and, in particular, the work of an originator of the Arts & Crafts furniture design movement in the United States, is a fine, deep, and impressive exploration. Gustav Stickley had wide-ranging influence as a designer, particularly through the periodical The Craftsman. He worked with simple lines, virtually shorn of ornamentation, and the materials and craft of construction took center stage in his furniture and, later, architectural designs (most often conceived and implemented by others). Produced on heavy, glossy paper stock, with several hundred illustrations, both color and black-and-white photography, and line drawings, this work meticulously highlights Stickley's enormous contribution to design. The bibliography and index make this volume particularly useful. Arts & Crafts Furniture provides a broader context for the design movement of Stickley's time, helping readers understand fully the revolution he engendered. The volume shines in its careful delineation and exploration of the differences among designers and the different styles of the time, facilitated by textual discussions, drawings, and photographs. The definitions are clear, and examples bring many stylistic distinctions into sharper focus. Though distinctly different in focus, both volumes are celebrations of the art and work particularly well in tandem.-Alex Hartmann, INFOPHILE, Williamsport, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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