Arts & Crafts
Selling Early English & Arts & Crafts Furniture in Southern California
I Buy It buys Gustav Stickley and L. & J.G. Stickley furniture, other Arts & Crafts and Mission makers, early English and period furniture, and signed American period pieces such as R.J. Horner. The single biggest factor in value is the original shop mark or label. The mark is the starting point for attribution and dating.
What we buy
- Gustav Stickley and L. & J.G. Stickley furniture
- Other Arts & Crafts and Mission makers
- Early English and period furniture
- Signed or labeled American period pieces, including R.J. Horner
Past results include an R.J. Horner grandfather clock, sold for $23,000 in 2023; a signed L. & J.G. Stickley grandfather clock, sold for $9,000 in 2019; and an R.J. Horner carved oak winged griffin desk, sold for $9,000 in 2019. See recent results.
How to tell if it’s valuable
- It carries an original shop mark, brand, or paper label. Stickley used burned-in brands, metal tags, decals, and paper labels, all of which help date a piece.
- It is by a named maker and retains its original finish and construction.
- On Arts & Crafts pieces, look for quarter-sawn oak, through-tenons, and original hardware. The construction should support the label.
- It has not been stripped or refinished.
How to identify it
- Shop mark or label. Check the underside, inside drawers, and the back. Look for the Gustav Stickley compass with “Als ik kan,” L. & J.G. Stickley or Onondaga Shops marks, or later rectangular Stickley labels.
- Construction. Look for through-tenons, quarter-sawn oak, and original hardware. Machine-made copies often lack these details.
- Period English pieces. Examine the joinery and the wood, and check inside drawers for a maker’s stamp or paper label.
- Finish. Original surface is preferred. Note whether the piece has been refinished.
What usually isn’t valuable
- Unlabeled Mission-style reproductions. These carry minimal premium over generic furniture.
- Heavily refinished or stripped pieces with no mark. They are harder to attribute and less desirable.
- Ordinary household furniture is outside what we buy.
How to photograph it for an evaluation
- Full piece from several angles
- Close-ups of any brand, decal, metal tag, or paper label — check the underside, drawers, and back
- Close-ups of joinery and hardware
- Clear shots of the wood grain
- Close-ups of any refinishing, repairs, or damage
Common questions
Where is the Stickley mark?
Check the underside, inside a drawer, or on the back. Stickley used burned-in brands, metal tags, decals, and paper labels at different periods, so the format itself helps date the piece.
How do I tell a real Arts & Crafts piece from a reproduction?
Look for quarter-sawn oak, through-tenons, and original hardware alongside a mark. Machine-made copies usually lack those construction details, and unlabeled Mission-style reproductions trade near generic furniture levels.
My piece was refinished. Does that matter?
Yes. Original finish is preferred, and heavily refinished or stripped pieces without a mark are harder to attribute and less desirable. Send it as it is.
Do you buy English antique furniture?
Yes. Early English and period furniture is part of this category. Photograph the joinery and check inside drawers for a stamp or paper label.
What is “Als ik kan”?
It is the motto that appears with the Gustav Stickley compass mark. Finding it is a strong starting point for attribution.
Related: Designer & Mid-Century Furniture, Antiques
Send photos through the form on our site, by email, or by text. We respond within 24 hours. We serve Southern California: Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Have Arts & Crafts or English furniture?
Send photos of the piece and any marks or labels.