A decorative style popular in late 19th- and early 20th-century America, which had its origins in the earlier British Arts and Crafts Movement and the ideas and writings of art critic John Ruskin (1819–1900) and designer William Morris (1834–96). These were disseminated throughout America by publications and lecture programmes, which resulted in the formation of many art and craft societies. The earliest was in Boston in 1897 and others followed in cities such as Chicago, New York, and Minneapolis, as well as rural towns, including Deerfield, Massachusetts. These societies encouraged handcrafted designs and use of natural materials in pottery, textiles, jewellery, and furniture. Gustav Stickley, one of the leading figures of the movement, created well-designed, functional furniture in quality materials, and published the highly influential magazine, The Craftsman. The movement declined in the 1920s with the rise of urban centres and improvements in technology.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/acam/hd_acam.htm Description and illustrations on Metropolitan Museum of Art website.