| The Arts and Crafts era began in England | | | | in speaking against the dehumanizing |
| during the late 1800's. Simple clean | | | | aspect of the industrial revolution. He |
| designs and individual craftsmanship | | | | was followed by other proponents of |
| that employed aspects of nature were the | | | | these ideas: John Ruskin (1819-1900), |
| main characteristics of this design | | | | William Morris (1834-1896) and Phillip |
| period. This new movement was in direct | | | | Webb. Morris was the most popular name |
| contrast to the mass production of | | | | associated with this movement. |
| products that was made possible by the | | | | This new style of art spread throughout |
| industrial revolution. This new art, | | | | Europe and was named Art Nouveau (new |
| (Art Nouveau in French) was also many | | | | art) by the French. Each country and |
| ways a relief from the lavishly ornate | | | | region had its own styles and variations |
| designs of the Victorian era which | | | | of this new art movement. |
| preceded. | | | | During the late 1800's, America was |
| The industrial revolution had | | | | basically importing its artistic and |
| dehumanized the process of manufacturing | | | | home furnishings designs from England |
| especially as it relates to home decor | | | | and Europe. Colonial and Shaker designs |
| products. It broke down the work process | | | | were the only truly American styles at |
| into various components by processes | | | | that time. Gustav Stickley's simple and |
| called the "division of labor". Workers | | | | clean furniture designs exemplified the |
| were able to work on only a portion of a | | | | Arts and Crafts style in America. |
| complete product. The Arts and Crafts | | | | There were a number of remarkable lamp |
| movement was a rebuttal of this | | | | companies of that period. Their products |
| dehumanizing process as it was concerned | | | | are very collectible and highly sought |
| specifically with the human element of a | | | | after today. Many of these collectible |
| person creating an entire product from | | | | Arts and Crafts Lamps or Art Nouveau |
| start to finish. | | | | Lamps that sold for $ 15 - $ 25 in the |
| The architect Augustus Pugin (1812-1852) | | | | 1920's may now sell for many $ 1,000's |
| was one of the first outspoken leaders | | | | and much more. |