Brand Spotlight
Stickley
"The furniture of the people, by the people, and for the people" — Gustav Stickley's mission, still alive today.
Brand History
Gustav Stickley founded his furniture company in Eastwood, New York in 1900, and almost immediately became the most important figure in the American Arts and Crafts movement. His furniture — simple, honest, and built from quartersawn white oak — was a direct reaction against the ornate excess of Victorian furniture and the shoddy construction of factory-made pieces.
Stickley's furniture embodied the Arts and Crafts philosophy: that beautiful, functional objects should be made by skilled craftsmen from honest materials, and that the making of such objects was a form of moral as well as aesthetic virtue. His magazine, 'The Craftsman,' spread the Arts and Crafts gospel across America and influenced not just furniture but architecture, interior design, and the broader culture of the early 20th century.
After Gustav Stickley's company went bankrupt in 1915, his brothers continued producing furniture under the L. & J.G. Stickley name. The company has been in continuous operation since, and still produces Arts and Crafts furniture from the original designs. This makes Stickley one of the few furniture companies where vintage and new production pieces coexist in the market.
What to Look For
Signature Pieces
Morris Chair
The quintessential Arts and Crafts chair — a reclining armchair with adjustable back, quartersawn oak frame, and cushioned seat and back. Designed for comfort and built to last.
Approx. Value
$800–$5,000
Library Table
A flat-top writing table with through-tenon construction and corbel supports. The through-tenon joint — visible on the outside of the piece — is the signature Stickley detail.
Approx. Value
$600–$3,000
Bookcase
Stickley bookcases feature through-tenon construction, adjustable shelves, and the warm, honey-toned finish of quartersawn white oak.
Approx. Value
$500–$2,500
Settle / Sofa
The Stickley settle — a wooden-framed sofa with cushioned seat and back — is one of the most striking pieces in the Arts and Crafts vocabulary.
Approx. Value
$1,000–$6,000
Authentication Guide
How to Identify Authentic Pieces
Look for the Stickley mark: Gustav Stickley pieces are marked with a joiner's compass and the motto 'Als ik kan' (As best I can). L. & J.G. Stickley pieces have their own distinctive mark.
Examine the wood: authentic Stickley furniture uses quartersawn white oak — identifiable by the distinctive ray fleck pattern visible on flat surfaces. This is the most important identifying feature.
Look for through-tenon construction: the visible tenon joint — where a structural member passes through another and is secured with a wedge or key — is a signature Stickley detail.
Check the hardware: authentic Stickley hardware is hand-hammered copper or iron in simple, functional styles. Ornate hardware is not characteristic.
Examine the finish: authentic Stickley furniture has a warm, mellow finish that develops a beautiful patina with age. The finish should enhance the wood grain, not obscure it.
Look for the fumed oak finish: Gustav Stickley developed a process of fuming oak with ammonia that produces a distinctive gray-brown color. Fumed Stickley pieces are particularly collectible.
The HC Perspective
Why We Seek This Brand
Stickley furniture is among the most collectible American furniture in the market. Original Gustav Stickley pieces from the 1900–1915 period are museum-quality antiques that command significant prices. L. & J.G. Stickley pieces from the same era are more accessible but equally well-made. Even 20th-century Stickley pieces — from the company's revival in the 1970s and 1980s — are built to exceptional standards from quartersawn white oak. HC seeks out Stickley pieces across all eras because they represent the highest standards of American craftsmanship.
Investment Outlook
Value Over Time
Stickley furniture has appreciated consistently and significantly over the past 30 years. Original Gustav Stickley pieces have seen dramatic price increases — pieces that sold for hundreds of dollars in the 1980s now command thousands. L. & J.G. Stickley pieces and later production pieces have also appreciated, though less dramatically. The combination of exceptional quality, historical significance, and continued cultural relevance makes Stickley one of the most reliable furniture investments in the market.