Arts and Crafts Lamps and The History of Art Nouveau

The Arts and Crafts era began in England during thedehumanizing aspect of the industrial revolution. He
late 1800's. Simple clean designs and individualwas followed by other proponents of these ideas:
craftsmanship that employed aspects of nature wereJohn Ruskin (1819-1900), William Morris (1834-1896)
the main characteristics of this design period. Thisand Phillip Webb. Morris was the most popular name
new movement was in direct contrast to the massassociated with this movement.This new style of art
production of products that was made possible byspread throughout Europe and was named Art
the industrial revolution. This new art, (Art Nouveau inNouveau (new art) by the French. Each country and
French) was also many ways a relief from theregion had its own styles and variations of this new
lavishly ornate designs of the Victorian era whichart movement.During the late 1800's, America was
preceded.The industrial revolution had dehumanizedbasically importing its artistic and home furnishings
the process of manufacturing especially as it relatesdesigns from England and Europe. Colonial and Shaker
to home decor products. It broke down the workdesigns were the only truly American styles at that
process into various components by processes calledtime. Gustav Stickley's simple and clean furniture
the "division of labor". Workers were able to work ondesigns exemplified the Arts and Crafts style in
only a portion of a complete product. The Arts andAmerica.There were a number of remarkable lamp
Crafts movement was a rebuttal of thiscompanies of that period. Their products are very
dehumanizing process as it was concerned specificallycollectible and highly sought after today. Many of
with the human element of a person creating anthese collectible Arts and Crafts Lamps or Art
entire product from start to finish.The architectNouveau Lamps that sold for $ 15 - $ 25 in the
Augustus Pugin (1812-1852) was one of the first1920's may now sell for many $ 1,000's and much
outspoken leaders in speaking against themore.