The Piece

An original 1955 Leopold Stickley cherry extension table, expertly refinished to reveal the striking natural grain of its solid hardwood construction. Designed and crafted during the golden age of American furniture making, this piece bears the unmistakable hallmarks of L. & J.G. Stickley Inc., one of the most respected names in the Arts and Crafts tradition.

Unlike later reproductions, this is a true mid-century original, bearing both the Leopold Stickley signature decal and the branded shop mark from Fayetteville, NY. Time and care have only added to its appeal: the table has been professionally restored to enrich its depth of color, clarity of grain, and smoothness of finish — revealing the rich flame and figure of the cherry wood beneath decades of wear.

Functional, substantial, and quietly elegant, this table speaks in the visual language of heirloom quality: gently tapered legs, a perfectly balanced oval form, and a seamless central leaf that allows the piece to expand with grace.

Design & Construction

→ Form & Style

Authentic mid-century L. & J.G. Stickley cherry extension table, featuring:

• Oval tabletop with center split for hidden extension leaf

• Subtle mid-century curves and Craftsman influence

• Original dated production label: June 28, 1955

• Signature branded shop mark: "Stickley, Fayetteville, Syracuse"

• Tapered solid wood legs with gently rounded feet

• Refinished with hand-rubbed oil or shellac blend to revive grain detail

This piece reflects Stickley’s transitional period, when mid-century modern clarity met Arts and Crafts integrity — a rare fusion of utility, proportion, and natural beauty.

→ Materials

• Solid cherry hardwood, no veneers

• Original joinery and pegged construction

• Professionally refinished to reveal high chatoyance (natural shimmer) and rich reddish-golden tones

• Natural oil-based or shellac-compatible finish, breathable and historically appropriate

• Original underside instruction label intact

The use of American cherry lends this table both warmth and strength. Over time, cherry develops a deeper patina, turning richer and more amber — a living wood that only improves with age.

→ Technique

• Factory-joined at L. & J.G. Stickley’s Syracuse-area workshop

• Tabletop made from bookmatched or sequential cherry planks, sanded and finished to a smooth satin sheen

• Seamlessly integrated expansion leaf allows for functional growth without compromising aesthetics

• Legs turned and tapered with restrained craftsmanship — expressive without embellishment

History & Provenance

Crafted on June 28, 1955, this table was part of the post-war revival of traditional American craftsmanship — a period when Leopold Stickley’s firm reasserted the values of quality, longevity, and restraint in the face of mass-produced furniture. Stickley’s approach favored solid wood construction, mortise-and-tenon joinery, and a deep respect for material integrity.

This piece was likely purchased for a family dining room or parlor, meant to be used daily and passed down. It has now been revived with care, not to disguise age, but to reveal the beauty intended by its maker.

Today, it remains an enduring emblem of American design: not just built to last, but built to age beautifully.

Condition

Excellent, fully restored:

• Surface professionally refinished to enhance and protect grain

• Top is smooth and even, with subtle figure visible throughout

• All joints tight and stable

• Original branding and labels intact and legible

• Minor age signs retained on underside only

Ready for immediate use and long-term enjoyment.

Product Details

Item: Leopold Stickley Cherry Extension Table
Date: June 28, 1955
Maker: L. & J.G. Stickley Inc., Fayetteville, NY
Materials: Solid cherry wood
Finish: Refinished, satin sheen
Dimensions: [Insert size closed] – expands with center leaf
Condition: Excellent vintage, professionally restored
Style: Mid-century Arts and Crafts / Transitional Mission

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Because some furniture is not merely owned — it’s stewarded.

This table represents a moment when craft triumphed over convenience. Its proportions are generous but not loud. Its lines are clean but not cold. It was made by hands that valued discipline over decoration — and now, restored by hands that understood that vision.

Perfect if you want a piece that:

• Embodies authentic American craftsmanship

• Balances mid-century simplicity with warmth

• Serves both everyday function and lasting legacy

• Pairs with Stickley, Shaker, Scandinavian, or Craftsman interiors

Under the light, the cherry surface glows like embered wood — a quiet reminder that beauty often comes from grain, not gloss.