Distinctly American
Since colonial times, America has celebrated its fine woodworkers. Among American Indian tribes, those of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest used woodcarving in ceremonial and war masks, for instance, to perpetuate and reveal their legends and myths.

• John Townsend of Newport, Rhode Island, established the colonies as home to the finest cabinetmaking in the world.
• Gustav Stickley introduced the Arts and Crafts style to America with furniture that reflected the country’s rugged individualism.
• Wharton Esherick created free-formed furniture, built-ins – even whole rooms that reflected his naturalistic style.

Wharton Esherick, Spiral Stair, Courtesy Wharton Esherick Museum, M. Bascom photograph

• Arthur Espenet Carpenter, known for furniture with smooth, rounded edges and spare designs that exude sex appeal, and was famous for “the California round edge” style.

Arthur E. Carpenter, Music Stand, Courtesy Arthur S. Carpenter III, M. Lee Fatherree photograph

• George and Mira Nakashima, father and daughter. He felt his job was to honor the soul of the tree that he used, and was known for great slabs of wood with the natural, “free edge” that revealed the bark. Mira continues her father’s tradition while adding a style of her own.

George Nakashima, Conoid Chair, 1961, George Erml photograph
Learn more about Nakashima here

• Sam Maloof is considered the dean of American furniture makers, whose chairs, loveseats, and tables reflect the flow of nature in shapes that are organic and comfortable.
• Charles and Rae Eames adapted new, post-World War II technologies, such as shaping and laminating of woods, to creating and manufacturing iconic chair designs for home and office.
• Garry Knox Bennett, the free spirit of furniture makers, who brings whimsy and humor to many of his chairs, clocks, and cabinets.
• Bob Stocksdale, whose exquisite, thin-walled bowls are known for an elegant simplicity of shape and handsomely revealed grain.
• Ed Moulthrop works in mammoth proportions, sometimes turning a 1600-pound log into an 80-pound bowl, designing and building special lathes and other equipment. About his work he has said, “I like to reveal what’s beautiful in nature.”
• Addie Draper creates extraordinary turned pieces out of exotic combinations, such as kingwood, holly, and tulipwood.


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