Early Craftsman Studios Arts and Crafts Copper Bookend, First Mark A very early piece of Arts and Crafts hand wrought copper by Craftsman Studios of Los Angeles California. The single bookend bears the first commercial mark used by Craftsman, the letter C encircling the letter S (this mark is often mistaken for that of Carl Sorenson).

The bookend is 5-1/4" high by 4" wide and is decorated with a period flower motif surrounded by slightly convex planishing. Rich, original dark patina with some minor irregularities to the coloring as shown in the closeup. No scratches or damage.

Circa: 1915 - 1920
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios  

Pair of Craftsman Studios Arts and Crafts Copper Bookends Early CS Mark This pair of rare hand wrought solid copper bookends was made in the Arts & Crafts era by Craftsman Studios of California. The bookends are some of their earliest work as evidenced by the first mark, the letter S encircled by a C (this mark is often mistaken as a Carl Sorenson mark).

The appearance is classic arts and crafts, almost shield shaped with curved under tips and an incised organic figure in the center evoking the body of a peacock or similar bird, and warty hammered texture. They are larger than most early Craftsman bookends, 6-1/4" tall by 4-3/4" wide. The patina is original - they've never been cleaned or polished and are in very good condition with no noted scratches or damage.

Circa: 1916
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios  

JS&S English Art Nouveau Copper Crumb Sweeper Tray This copper dust pan or crumb sweeper tray was made by Joseph Sankey & Son of Birmingham England in the early 1900s. Their pieces are often signed JS&S but this one has their less common mark depicting the figure of Neptune in a circle.

The tray was part of the company's Neptune Art Ware line. It measures 9" by 9" and is decorated with an organic pods design in high relief. The registered design number 381305 is stamped on the back. This number was issued in 1901. It has some corrosion on the bottom edge, and you may wish to clean it as the British usually prefer their antique copper highly polished.

Circa: 1901
Country of Origin: GB
Manufacturer: Joseph Sankey & Son, JS&S  

German Arts and Crafts 4 Piece Copper Tea and Coffee Service Set This four piece coffee and tea set in solid copper with brass trim was made by the J P Kayser & Son of Germany between 1900 and 1912. Kayser usually specialized in Jugendstil or Art Nouveau designs, but this style is more linear. The set includes a 6-1/2" coffee pot marked 5/8 L (liter), a 4-1/4" individual coffee or tea pot marked 3/8 L, an open double handled sugar bowl, and a cream pitcher. The lids to the serving pots are hinged.

There are some small oxidation or tarnish spots, the most noticeable to one side of the sugar below the upper ringed brass band. The teapot has a little ding on the lower rim, shown in the next to last photo. The set could use a light cleaning. Each piece is marked with the capacity size and the J. P. Kayser & Son eagle mark on the underside.

Circa: 1910
Country of Origin: DE
Manufacturer: J P Kayser & Son  

Craftsmen Inc Craftsman Studios Arts and Crafts Copper Box A pretty Craftsman solid copper trinket or playing card box, perhaps even a cigarette box. It measures 4-7/8" by 3-3/8" by just over one inch deep. The hinged lid is slightly puffed and the copper finish is smooth and plain, rather than the typical Craftsman hammered or beaten finish. A classic Arts & Crafts stylized trefoil motif decorates the cover along with intersecting lines near the edges.

The condition is good but not mint. The box appears to have been kept polished for some time. There's a bit of verdigris and tarnish inside, and one tiny ding on the underside front edge, less than 3/8" long. The box is marked Craftsmen Inc. Hand Made, with the hammer and anvil logo, and numbered 502. This is a later mark of Craftsman Studios of Laguna Beach and Los Angeles California, after the business was sold to one of its employees.

Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsmen Craftsman Studios  

Craftsman Arts and Crafts Square Copper Silent Butler This copper silent butler or crumb catcher was made by the former Craftsman Studios of Laguna Beach California under their Craftsmen mark. It's a transitional piece, moving from the Mission Arts and Crafts period to the Art Deco era, as evidenced by the modern square stepped shape combined with the hand made wooden handle, folded corners, and hand wrought finish details.

The pan portion is 5" square by 1-1/4" deep, overall length including the painted wooden handle is 9-1/2". The inside has some wear and discoloration from use. Very nice patina but it has some mild spottiness to the finish from lack of dusting. Marked Craftsmen Inc. Hand Made with the hammer and anvil logo and numbered 543.

Circa: 1930s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsmen Inc.  

Arts and Crafts Copper and Cast Iron Double Electric Wall Sconce Light Fixture A double sconce electric light fixture from the Arts and Crafts era in copper with cast iron underframes. There's a cast iron medallion at the center (attached by a screw and removable), and a painted iron trefoil decoration at the front. The red, green and gold paint looks original.

The ruffled edge copper back panel is 5" diameter by 10" across the front and the sconces extend 6-1/2" from the wall. The lights work by means of pull chains beneath the copper cups. The old cloth covered wiring is original. The iron cross bar at the front swivels a bit, which is why some of my photos make the sconce look unbalanced - it is not. The fixture is being sold as found, in good cosmetic and structural condition but with the original layers of paint around the edges and in need of rewiring.

Circa: 1914 - 1920
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Arts and Crafts Unsigned  

Craftsman Studios 1930s Copper Wave Form Bookends with Palm Trees This is an interesting set of tropical themed copper bookends from Craftsman Studios of Laguna Beach and Los Angeles, California. They're curved over like ocean waves, with an engraved beach scene of island palm trees. No doubt made for the California tourist trade in the 1930s.

The bookends are 4" high by 4-3/4" wide. The curved tops and backs have some finish wear as if from many years of faithful dusting, which has caused the lacquered finish to disappear in these areas, leaving the fronts with a shiny, new copper appearance and the tops with a more brown patina coloring. The color difference is more apparent on one bookend than the other, but it's not unattractive in either piece. The bottoms are still lined with their original old green felt, and they could use a bit of straightening to prevent a slight rocking when tipped. When viewed in side profile, both bookends have a faint bend at the beginning of the forward wave curl, but I think that's from manufacture rather than mistreatment or use. They are marked with the hammer and anvil logo "Craftsman Studios, Hand Made" and numbered 272.

Circa: 1930s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios  

Craftsman Studios No. 341 Copper Watering Can This hand wrought solid copper watering can was made by Craftsman Studios of Laguna Beach California under their Craftsmen Inc. trademark. It has folded seams and a crimped rim, measuring 4-3/4" high by 9-1/2" wide from spout to handle. There's a copper spacer bar between the body and spout for strength, a feature not found on any of the several other styles of Arts and Crafts copper watering cans made by Craftsman.

More than just a display piece, the plant waterer was used and has normal signs of wear: green verdigris inside, a slight age film near the handle and base and a tiny ding on the underside, not visible unless turned over. The underside is marked with the classic hammer and anvil logo, the words "Craftsmen Inc. Hand Made", and numbered 341. A fine piece of Mission style Arts and Crafts copper for your collection.

Circa: 1930s - 1940s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios  

Arrow Metal Arts and Crafts Copper Birds Charger This 10-1/4" heavy hand wrought copper charger or underplate was made in the Arts & Crafts era by Arrow Metal of New York. The only areas that are not completely hand chased are the center well and the two rings at the rim. The design features stylized birds - ostriches, storks, and what appear to be buzzards (though admittedly I'm not up on my bird identification skills).

The plate is in good condition with no noted scratches, but there is a tiny bump at the rim and a slight rainbow effect to the patina when held to the light just so. This may have been caused by certain cleaning products (not used recently) or exposure to heat, but it's not objectionable and can be left alone or polished if desired. Marked on the back Handcraft by Arrow Metal New York.

Circa: 1910s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Arrow Metal Craft  

Craftsman Copper Arts and Crafts 14 Inch Charger Plate This 14" diameter hand wrought copper tray or plate is a beautiful example of the Arts & Crafts style of the Craftsman Company of Los Angeles and Laguna Beach California, also known as Craftsman Studios. The shading and light of the warm patina are by design, and the slightly peaked tool marks in the center form the shape of a rose. The back has a wall hanger and protective felt dots, and is marked with the hammer & anvil logo, with the words "Hand Made, Craftsman Co, 903".

The finish is in very good condition, just a few very minor surface marks to the lacquer finish are visible upon close inspection. One of the three felt dots on back is missing, no other issues to report.

Circa: 1930s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios  

Folk Art Dancing Couples Antique Repousse Copper Bowl A lovely hand wrought copper bowl from the late Victorian or early Arts and Crafts era, 1890s to early 1900s, quite possibly made in Europe or one of the Scandinavian countries. The 7-1/2" diameter bowl has a pedestal base, crimped rim, and hand beaten background. Inside the bowl around the sides are three different repousse images of couples dressed in folk art costumes embossed in high relief. The couples appear to be dancing or courting.

The bottom and outside of the bowl have a silver plating, the inside is unplated - pure copper with original dark patina. It's in beautiful, unpolished and uncleaned condition with no dents, dings, or scratches. Unmarked and unsigned.

Circa: 1900
Manufacturer: Victorian Era European Import  

Craftsman Copper Cigarette Box with Horse Head A solid copper cigarette box made by Craftsman Company (also known as Craftsman Studios) of Los Angeles and Laguna Beach, California, circa 1930s to early 1940s. The box measures 4-1/4" by 3-1/4" by one inch deep, with the hinged lid overhanging the box a bit on all sides. Embossed in high relief on the lid is an image of a horse head.

The box has a spotty patina and was lightly polished at some point. It's in good condition with no dents or scratches. The underside is marked with the hammer and anvil logo "Hand Made, Craftsman Co." and numbered 503.

Circa: 1940
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Co.  

Craftsman Mission Arts and Crafts Copper Silent Butler This hammered copper silent butler or crumb catcher was made by Craftsman Studios of Laguna Beach and Los Angeles California. The tool marks on the lid resemble a rose, the lower tab of the curled thumb catch is arrowhead shaped. About 6" diameter by 9-1/2" long from the handle. The patina shows signs of past polishing to the lid and body but the handle retains its original patina. The inside shows signs of use. The inside of the lid is marked "Hand Made Craftsman Co. 546" with the hammer and anvil logo.

Circa: 1930s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Co.  

Craftsman Copper Folded Pod Shape Console Bowl Craftsman Studios made more than one size of this hammered and folded copper pod console or flower planter bowl, and this is the largest at 15" by 6-1/4" by 5" high. It rests on a two-part curled base. A previous owner liked her copper shiny and decided to polish the exterior but it looks like she left the inside alone - there's a water line near the rim and some light verdigris. There are no visible dings or scratches. Marked Hand Made Craftsman Co. with the hammer and anvil logo.

Circa: 1930s - 1940s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios Co.  

Craftsmen Inc Craftsman Studios Hammered Arrowhead Silent Butler Crumber One of many styles of copper silent butlers, crumbers, or ash receivers made by the former Craftsman Studios, this one under their Craftsmen Inc. mark. It's a much less common design for them, with a hinged split lid and raised arrowhead motif thumb catch. The lid is hand hammered and crimped, the handle is smooth with folded seams. My pictures make it look darker and spottier than it really is.

The butler is 5-1/4" diameter by 1-3/8" high by 8-1/4" wide including handle. The underside is marked with the hammer and anvil Craftsmen Inc. logo and numbered 544.

Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsmen Craftsman Studios  

Craftsman Copper Clover Form Low Bowl This Arts and Crafts hammered copper bowl by Craftsman Studios has a recessed square center and a crimped, four-petal clover shape. It's 9" diameter by 2" tall at the highest points. The bowl has a beautiful finish and patina, though it looks like someone used it as an ashtray based on the dark spots in the bottom. I wiped it out but did not try to remove the marks as I didn't want to mar the lacquered coating. The underside is marked Hand Made Craftsman Co. and numbered 884.

Circa: 1930s - 1940s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Studios  

Rectangular Wood Handled Copper Silent Butler By Craftsmen Inc. Craftsman A well-used, unusual style of copper silent butler or crumber by the former Craftsman Studios under their Craftsmen Inc. mark. It looks like it started out as one of their rectangular hinged-lid copper boxes, with an added handle and curled thumb catch. The butler measures 7-1/4" by 3/3/4" by 1" deep.

The hammered copper surface has considerable patina which is spotty, and some spots of light verdigris. The inside was painted black but the paint has worn and scratched quite a bit. The 4" wooden handle has a noticeable nick, and the curled thumb catch is bent. It sounds much worse than it looks though - it has the right look and the right amount of age wear to fit in well with Craftsman or Mission decor. Marked on the underside with the hammer and anvil logo "Craftsmen Inc. Hand Made" and numbered 531.

Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsmen Crafftsman Studios  

Benedict Studios Arts & Crafts Bronze 7 Piece Desk Set This early 1900s art metal cast bronze desk set was made by Benedict Art Studios. The set includes an inkwell, stamp box, rocker style ink blotter, and four desk blotter corners, all with the same matching raised and gold gilt period decoration.

The 3-1/8" tall ink well with front pen rest base has no insert. The 3" by 2" by 1-1/2" high stamp box has a partially detached hinge on one side but the lid is still attached and does close - there is no effect when viewed from the front. The lid has some thin scratches. The blotter is 4-3/4" long by 2-3/8" wide. The four triangular blotter corner pieces are 4-1/4" wide by 2-1/8" high.

The underside of the inkwell has the Benedict bee mark as shown. The other pieces are not marked. Except as noted above, the condition is very good, with even warm brown copper coloring and typical but not excessive age wear.

Circa: 1908 - 1920
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Benedict Art Studios  

Craftsman Hammered Copper Bowl This Mission style copper bowl was made by Craftsman Studios of Laguna Beach and Los Angeles California. It has the Craftsman Co. Hand Made hammer and anvil mark and is numbered 890. The bowl is hand hammered with an 8-point inward pinched rim. It's 9-3/4" diameter by 3-1/8" deep.

The inside of the bowl has old scratches and damage to the lacquer coating with some scratches affecting the underlying copper as well. A dark two-thirds up the inside wall may be a water ring. The coloring is still very nice and the outside finish is still in good shape.

Circa: 1940s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Co.  

Craftsman Hammered Copper Silent Butler I believe a person could start a collection based solely on the different shapes and forms of silent butlers (also called crumbers or ash receivers) made by Craftsman Studios of California. This one is a smaller form, about 9 inches long from the curved handle to the rim. The rounded 5-1/2" octagonal shaped cover has random hammer marks, the bowl is a crimped flower petal shape with folded corners.

The underside of the lid is marked with the hammer and anvil logo "Hand Made, Craftsman Co." and numbered 545. No one has ever been able to accurately date all the various Craftsman marks but based on my own experience and research as a Craftsman collector for over 20 years, I'd say this piece dates to the 1940s.

The copper could use a light cleaning but the butler is in very good condition otherwise, with some very minor scuffing at one corner. My photos make the coloring appear slightly brassy but the coloring is actually very nice with a muted, somewhat multi-hued appearance.

Circa: 1940s
Country of Origin: US
Manufacturer: Craftsman Co.