The Mission style (also known as Craftsman and Arts
& Crafts furniture) dates from around the turn of the century (late
1800's-1920's). This style was a return to the ideal of quality, handcrafted workmanship
and simple, honest design, unlike the frilly, decorative, Victorian era. It was really a
protest to the Industrial Revolution and the assembly line factory system of the day. The
designers of the time (Gustav Stickley, Frank Lloyd Wright and William Morris) favored
clean, simple lines, exposed joinery, and excellent hand craftsmanship. These were values
of the past. They were trying to tell everyone that the human hand could produce quality
goods and that machine made objects were inferior. Hallmarks of the style include through
tenons with wood pegs, slats or spindles, simple geometric lines with no carving or
applied ornamentation, and hand hammered copper hardware. The pieces were most often in
white or red oak with a rich, dark finish. This furniture was called the "Everyman’s
Furniture", because it was simple in design and functionality. The Craftsman
Style will compliment any period or contemporary decor. The simplicity, versatility and
honesty of design and craftsmanship are the reasons for it's renewed popularity.
No one is certain why the "Mission" name came about. Some believe it is
related to the philosophy of the movement, that is, the furniture was functional and had a
"mission" to be used. Others believe it was because the style was derivative of
furniture designs found in Franciscan "missions" in California. Another belief
is that the furniture is simple enough to be made by monks in a "mission."
Gustav Stickley called it "Craftsman Furniture." He was said to have
hated the term "Mission".Simple,
well crafted, functional - That is the Mission style. |
