The imporatnce of the artisan was elevated during the era.
The Arts and Crafts movement began in the mid-1800s. It was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution and its mass production of goods. During this period, great importance was placed on individually produced crafts by artisans. The materials used were natural including wood, copper, and leather. Good function was paired with simple design. In the U.S., Mission style reflected the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement and was inspired by the ethos and style of the American Southwest. Does this Spark an idea?
Pottery
The design of the pottery was as important as its function.
Mission Style pottery was designed with clean, simple lines. Often they were finished with a matte glaze of a solid color. Earth tones and celadon green or subdued blues were commonly used. Flowers were used as a subject, but their shapes were reduced to geometric interpretations. Trees were often depicted on sides of pottery with long trunks and branches painted along the rim of the pot. Relief work on decorative tiles became characteristic of the period. A few of the companies whose pottery is highly sought after by collectors during the 21st century are Rookwook, Roycroft and Newcomb.
Furniture
Simplicity in Mission style furniture creates a stron functional design.
Mission style furniture is recognized by it's strong straight lines and lack of adornments. The most commonly used wood was oak whose prominent grain complemented the lines of the furniture. The finish was natural and never painted. The pegs and brass hinges used to connect sections of wood were considered an important element of the overall design. Leather was often used to upholster the seat of a chair or bench. Perhaps the most recognizable producers of Mission style furniture are Stickley and Renee MacIntosh.
Home Accessories
Handcrafted lamps were prominently displayed in the homes during this era. The bases were made of pottery, often with a red-brown glaze. The design was carried by the shape of the pottery rather than painted patterns. The base was sometimes made of wood, crafted suing straight lines with no routing. Hammered copper was also used. The shades were made of mica, giving light an amber glow. Intricate stained glass shades often completed the lamp illustrating dragonflies or flowers. The leading glass studio of this period was Tiffany. Other crafts for the home included embroidered linens made for small tables and pillows. Handwoven willow baskets were used throughout the home and American Indian rugs were used as throws on furniture and on floors as accent rugs.
Fine Art
Artists turned to the the ideal natural world, especially to the American frontier, for their subjects. Yosemite and the Grand Canyon were often showcased in painting as well as the California coastline. Thomas Hill was a prolific painter of this region. It was the natural beauty artists portrayed during this movement. Native Americans were often depicted, and portraits included renderings of the working class. It was common for the average woman to keep journals with illustrations of natural subjects painted in watercolors.
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