How Do You Identify Stickley Brothers Furniture?
In the late 1870’s, five brothers from Wisconsin known as the Stickleys began making furniture in their uncle’s Pennsylvania factory. Brothers Gustav and Leopold later joined forces to produce furniture in upstate New York. Their design philosophy was practical and based on an ideology of integrity and simplicity. Stickley Brothers furniture maintains its popularity for its simplistic structural features and mission-oak styling. Inspect furniture pieces for Stickley Brothers marks which include decals, paper labels, plaques and branded markings. Look under table tops and chair arms. Markings are centered on the upper backside of book shelves, sideboards and other cabinet pieces. These markings can pin down the time frame of production and identify which Stickley brother crafted the item in question. Compare maker markings to a “Stickley Brother’s Shopmarks” guide which can be viewed at the Stickley Museum site or in a photo gallery and listing from the book, Stickley Brothers Furniture
