Mission style furniture was popular in North America and Great Britain beginning in about 1890 until about 1914. The style was a product of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the designs were simple and rustic. There are many companies still producing mission style furniture, but the most famous is the Gustav Stickley Co. Because the style is so simple, it fits in many modern decors, as well as the more traditional home. Does this Spark an idea?
History
The Arts and Crafts movement was a response to the industrial revolution. Proponents of the movement, which included William Morris, John Ruskin, Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright among many others, believed that the craftsman was being lost to the soulless mass production of furniture and household items. The movement produced many great architects, artists and craftsmen.
Significance
Mission style furniture represented a complete departure from the over-embellished furnishings of the Victorian period. It signified a shift in the attitudes of the American people and placed more of an emphasis on the values and simplicity for which America became known.
Features
Mission style furniture is easily recognized by its simple, rustic style. Furniture often has a hand-hewn quailty, with square supports and a heavy appearance. Natural materials are common, such as leather and wool for seat cushions. Chests of drawers and cupboards had brass hinges in very simple designs, and if there were any decorative motifs they were taken from nature--flowers, vegetables, fruits, animals and bugs were common. Furniture was unpainted, and was usually oak or birch.
Geography
The Arts and Crafts movement, which included mission style furniture, was popular in Great Britain, Canada and the United States. The style did have some European influence, but was really limited to these three locations.
Size
Mission style furniture is usually quite large and heavy, utilizing oversize chairs and tables, echoing the rustic farmhouse styles of the past. It was a reaction to the prissy, overly refined and precious styles of the Victorian era. Despite its size, it was meant to be affordable.
Availability
Although the movement was based on the concept of craftsman created furniture, eventually it was mass produced and widely available. There are many fine, authentic pieces available to decorate the modern home; however, these pieces can often be somewhat pricey, depending on their age. The Stickly Co. is still producing furniture today, and in many cases they have created more modern versions of their original beautiful work.
Tags: style furniture, Arts Crafts, Arts Crafts movement, Crafts movement, Mission style furniture, furniture popular