What defines Arts and Crafts style furniture design?

The Arts and Crafts movement developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a reaction against mass industrial production. Furniture from this era is characterised by traditional hand craftwork, simple rectilinear forms, exposed joinery, and subtle decorative motifs such as stylized heart or spade cutouts.

What materials and construction techniques were traditionally used in these bookcases?

Makers favoured native hardwoods, particularly English oak, valued for its durability and prominent grain pattern. Construction relied on traditional cabinetmaking techniques including mortise and tenon joints, pegged construction, and solid shelf construction to ensure structural longevity.

How can you identify authentic early 20th-century Arts and Crafts oak furniture?

Authentic pieces exhibit evidence of hand construction, natural age-related patination, and honest structural joints. Look for distinctive regional design elements such as cut-out motifs, open flank uprights, and quarter-sawn oak medullary rays beneath the original finish.

How do you style an Arts and Crafts open bookcase in a modern interior?

The architectural lines and natural wood finish complement contemporary and traditional spaces alike. Position the unit in a hallway, study, or living room, mixing bound volumes with minimalist ceramic vessels or brass objects to highlight the timber grain.

How should solid oak antique furniture be cleaned and maintained?

Maintain solid oak by dusting regularly with a dry, soft cloth and applying a high-quality beeswax polish once or twice a year in the direction of the grain. Keep the item away from direct heat sources and direct sunlight to prevent timber shrinkage or fading.

for sale €497 $540

£425

ActFurniture LTD

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2023

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Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Name: Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1227548
Price: 425 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by ActFurniture LTD

Description

Antique 20th century Arts and Crafts open bookcase in oak, a superb example of the movement's honest craftsmanship and understated elegance.

Very well made and of good quality, it combines clean architectural lines with practical design, making it a timeless piece for any interior.

The bookcase is fitted with three generous open shelves, offering ample space for books, ornaments or treasured collectables. A raised gallery to the top provides an attractive finishing touch, while the sturdy square legs reinforce its solid construction and classic Arts and Crafts styling.

Crafted from quality oak, the timber displays a beautiful natural grain and rich, warm colour throughout, highlighting the character of the wood. Its simple yet striking design allows the quality of the materials and workmanship to speak for themselves, making this an exceptionally desirable example.

Presented in good condition, this handsome Arts and Crafts bookcase is full of charm and authenticity. Whether placed in a study, living room or library, it offers both practical storage and enduring period appeal, making it a wonderful addition to any home.

Product Reference : AF - 6104

Measurements : 55.5cm Width x 20cm Depth x 88.5cm Height

Shelf Height [ Top ] - 26cm

Shelf Height [ Bottom ] - 26cm

All our products are available for viewing at our stockroom based in Malvern strictly by appointment only.

Every order is professionally cleaned and polished by our team prior to dispatch or collection.

Please feel free to get in contact with us regarding any queries you might have relating to a specific piece or if you’d like to arrange a visit and I aim to respond as quickly as possible.

Prior to making a purchase, it is important that you please contact us to confirm the piece is still available. We endeavour to keep our stock details up to date, but due to our fast stock turnover there maybe occasions where an item has been sold but it has not yet been updated online.

Delivery ( £65 ) :

All our pieces are professionally wrapped in black plastic and sent though a trusted private courier which we can organise upon your request.

The delivery service consists of a two man team with a delivery timeframe of 3 - 15 working days from the date payment has been received. Please contact us to discuss any specific requirements and we will do our upmost to accommodate these, although no guarantees can be given.

The courier will be in contact with you directly with details of exact delivery date and approximate time of arrival.

We currently cover all of the UK Mainlands including most of Scotland.

Scotland -

Delivery cost and timeframe to Scotland and Scottish Highlands will vary regarding on the location and number of orders we have in the area so please get in contact for a direct quote.

Collection ( FREE ) :

Pieces can be collected from WR6 5JE free of charge strictly by appointment only. Please contact us to arrange this.

All goods will be professionally cleaned and polished by our team prior to your arrival.

Many thanks and if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us and one of our team will respond as quickly as possible.

Physical Dimensions

Height

88.5cm (34.84")

Width

55.5cm (21.85")

Depth

20cm (7.87")

Declaration

ActFurniture LTD has dated this Arts and Crafts Oak Bookcase to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1227548

Dealers Internal Reference

AF-6104

Description

Antique 20th century Arts and Crafts open bookcase in oak, a superb example of the movement's honest craftsmanship and understated elegance.

“

Very well made and of good quality, it combines clean architectural lines with practical design, making it a timeless piece for any interior.

ActFurniture LTD

fig 1. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 1. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

The bookcase is fitted with three generous open shelves, offering ample space for books, ornaments or treasured collectables. A raised gallery to the top provides an attractive finishing touch, while the sturdy square legs reinforce its solid construction and classic Arts and Crafts styling.

fig 2. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 2. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Crafted from quality oak, the timber displays a beautiful natural grain and rich, warm colour throughout, highlighting the character of the wood. Its simple yet striking design allows the quality of the materials and workmanship to speak for themselves, making this an exceptionally desirable example.

fig 3. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 3. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Presented in good condition, this handsome Arts and Crafts bookcase is full of charm and authenticity. Whether placed in a study, living room or library, it offers both practical storage and enduring period appeal, making it a wonderful addition to any home.

fig 4. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 4. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Product Reference : AF - 6104

Measurements : 55.5cm Width x 20cm Depth x 88.5cm Height

Shelf Height [ Top ] - 26cm

Shelf Height [ Bottom ] - 26cm

All our products are available for viewing at our stockroom based in Malvern strictly by appointment only.

fig 5. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 5. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Every order is professionally cleaned and polished by our team prior to dispatch or collection.

Please feel free to get in contact with us regarding any queries you might have relating to a specific piece or if you’d like to arrange a visit and I aim to respond as quickly as possible.

fig 6. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 6. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Prior to making a purchase, it is important that you please contact us to confirm the piece is still available. We endeavour to keep our stock details up to date, but due to our fast stock turnover there maybe occasions where an item has been sold but it has not yet been updated online.

fig 7. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 7. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

Delivery ( £65 ) :

All our pieces are professionally wrapped in black plastic and sent though a trusted private courier which we can organise upon your request.

The delivery service consists of a two man team with a delivery timeframe of 3 - 15 working days from the date payment has been received. Please contact us to discuss any specific requirements and we will do our upmost to accommodate these, although no guarantees can be given.

fig 8. An early 20th-century Arts and Crafts solid oak open bookcase featuring three fixed shelves and a shaped gallery backboard with a cutout heart motif. — fig 8. Antique 20th Century Arts & Crafts Open Bookcase in Oak

The courier will be in contact with you directly with details of exact delivery date and approximate time of arrival.

We currently cover all of the UK Mainlands including most of Scotland.

Scotland -

Delivery cost and timeframe to Scotland and Scottish Highlands will vary regarding on the location and number of orders we have in the area so please get in contact for a direct quote.