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Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

AESTHETIC MOVEMENT

In 1880, polymath designer William Morris declared: “If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” His words encapsulated the Aesthetic Movement, which prized beauty above all and blurred the lines between fine art and the decorative arts, particularly through lavishly crafted furniture pieces.

The Aesthetic Movement, whose major proponents included author Oscar Wilde, flourished from the 1860s to the 1880s and was mostly popular in England and the United States. Design expositions like the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, as well as the publishing of how-to books for interior design, helped disseminate Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture, serveware, coffee tables and other items, especially to the middle class.

The establishment of new art museums, art clubs and a rising passion for collecting at the time contributed to a growing appreciation for art. Morris’s founding of Morris & Co. in 1862 and the commercializing of this “cult of beauty” by the Liberty store in London, starting in the late 19th century, further disseminated the idea of a domestic space that was thoughtfully and floridly designed.

Leading Aesthetic Movement furniture designers included E.W. Godwin, who drew on Japanese influences and whose work reflected a wider enthusiasm for imported East Asian art. British designer Christopher Dresser created textiles, ceramics and more that were also inspired by Japanese decorative art but were representative of additional diverse design sources that ranged from Egypt to Mexico.

The Aesthetic Movement’s eclecticism resulted in dazzling interiors. Japanese fans were positioned on Renaissance-inspired cabinets with brass hardware, while mantels made of rich walnut or finely carved ebonized wood and adorned with painted Minton tiles mingled with cast-iron chairs against a backdrop of floral wallpaper. In 1881, in New York City, stenciled checkerboard motifs and painted floral murals could be found under an opalescent glass chandelier in a luxurious dressing room designed by German émigré cabinetmaker-decorator George Alfred Schastey. Amid the rise of the industrial age, the style’s promotion of art in everyday life would inform the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau.

Find a collection of antique Aesthetic Movement seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture and antiques on 1stDibs.

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Style: Aesthetic Movement
19th Century Victorian Bamboo Headboard with lacquered chinoiserie panels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A highly decorative Aesthetic movement Bamboo headboard with hand painted lacquer panels. The natural finished bamboo frame with chinoiserie panels resting on brass castors . The t...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Lacquer

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo and birds eye maple Bed
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement birds eye maple and birch bed, circa 1900. The inside of the headboard with faux bamboo turnings and a large birds eye maple inset panel, both inside and outside o...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birch, Birdseye Maple

American Aesthetic Movement Birds Eye Maple Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Chinese and Japanese bamboo style furniture reached the height of popularity after the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. As the Aesthetic...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple

R. J. Horner Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of an R.J. Horner & Co. Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo bed. The bed is beautifully designed utilizing various type of maple--bi...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Maple

19th Century R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century American Victorian Aesthetic Movement faux bamboo bed frame by R. J. Horner & Co. made of solid cherry and birdseye maple. All original with amber stained finish and n...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Cherry

An Aesthetic Movement Satin Birch bedside cabinet with a central Walnut handle.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Satin Birch bedside cabinet with a contrasting turned Walnut handle to the door. Circa 1870. SALW.
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1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birch

Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement Walnut Armoire Wardrobe Compactum
Located in London, GB
Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement walnut armoire wardrobe compactum with lots of useful storage space. The moulded cornice and b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pine Nightstand with One Door and One Drawer
Located in Baltimore, MD
Larger than most, this pine nightstand is an unusual variation on a common theme. The top has a step-down routed edge with concave molding beneath, to form a crown. The sides are pan...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Pine

R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Birdseye Maple Full Bed
Located in New York, NY
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement carved birdseye maple faux bamboo full-size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head and foot-boards, and ball finials, and bracketed rails. (R.J...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Maple, Wood

Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Aesthetic Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Wardrobe with Mirror
Located in London, GB
Antique Aesthetic style marquetry and gilt bronze wardrobe with mirror Continental, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 202cm, width 154cm, depth 61cm This beautiful wardrobe ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Ogdens of Manchester, Dr C Dresser Style of, an Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Suite
Located in London, GB
Ogdens of Manchester, in style of Dr C Dresser, An Aesthetic Movement three-piece bedroom suite made from Ash with intricate stylized fruitwood ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Ash, Fruitwood

Pair of 19th Century Hand Painted Mother of Pearl Inlaid Single Beds depicting Burgos Cathedral & Cluse Countryside
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Remarkable pair of antique, 19th C, hand painted and mother of pearl inlaid signed single beds. This breathtaking pair features wrought iron paint decorated frames, brass cannon ball...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

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19th Century French Renaissance Bed
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19th Century French Renaissance Bed is a marvel of the wood sculptor's art! With detail too abundant to fully explore in this description, it ...
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Pair of Art Deco Bird's Eye Maple & Walnut Bedside Cabinets, 1930s
Located in Norwich, GB
A pair of matching Art Deco bird's eye maple & walnut bedside cabinets. Circa 1930s. The cabinets are veneered in bird's eye maple, with a contrasting veneered walnut front frieze...
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1930s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Birdseye Maple, Walnut

19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
Located in Savannah, GA
Classic American sleigh bed in a double size. Made of fine New England tiger and bird's-eye maple, it is solid, sturdy and would fit a mattress approximately 75 inches x 50 inches.Se...
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1820s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Antique Pair of Nutwood Nightstands with Bird's-Eye Maple Inlay and Marble Tops
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning pair of 19th century bedside cabinets. Both the quality and the superb condition of these striking nightstands are like an ode to their makers. Mind you, these cabinets are...
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Late 19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Antique Victorian Monumental Carved Walnut Full Size Bed Attributed to Horner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Victorian monumental ornate carved walnut full size bed Attributed to R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1890s Measures: 65.5" W x ...
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Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Boat" bed in carved mahogany wood, 19th century. Head and feet of the same height, are decorated with a circular molding, while the rear, by harmony, follows the lines of the front...
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19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wood, Mahogany

Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
H 59.85 in W 85.83 in D 50.4 in
Art Deco Walnut Headboard and attached matching bedside cabinets
Located in Barnstaple, GB
Attractive pale walnut Art Deco Headboard and bedside combination. Magnificent Art Deco statement piece features a beautifully figured pale walnut headboard with matching handed beds...
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1920s European Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Maple Bentwood Twin Bed
Located in New York, NY
Bentwood (19/20th Century) maple stained twin size bed with double scroll center design (includes: headboard, footboard, rails).(paper label: JACOB JOSEP KOHN, WEIN). (Irregular size...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Maple Bentwood Twin Bed
Maple Bentwood Twin Bed
H 42.92 in W 36.62 in D 75.6 in
19th Century Biedermeier Bed
Located in Belmont, MA
Original classic 19th century Biedermeier bed, south German, circa 1820, walnut. The bed frame comes with a slatted frame (later).The original...
Category

1820s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Bed
19th Century Biedermeier Bed
H 41 in W 82 in D 43.4 in
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Faux bamboo bed is a wonderful expression of Oriental design executed in maple and pine to simulate bamboo. Popular during t...
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1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Magnificent French 19th Century Bed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Magnificent French 19th century bed.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Giltwood

Magnificent French 19th Century Bed
Magnificent French 19th Century Bed
H 54 in W 61.75 in D 80.75 in
Previously Available Items
British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Faux Tortoise & Grasscloth Headboard - Queen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a British Colonial style burnt bamboo and grasscloth queen size headboard. I believe it to be a more recent interpretation of the bamboo crafted in England as part of the Aes...
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Late 20th Century Vietnamese Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Grasscloth, Bamboo

Late 20th-C. French Wicker & Rattan Twin Headboards / Daybed By Grange
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 20th century French rattan and wicker headboards by Grange. They are in very good condition and marked.
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Late 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wicker, Rattan

Italian Hand Painted Four Poster Faux Bamboo Bed by Patina with Birds, King
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love this! It is a lovely hand painted four poster bed by Patina. It is Italian. The four posts are carved faux bamboo. Each post has a carve...
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Late 20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Curly Pine Bedside Table Cabinet Nightstand
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique aesthetic movement nightstand or end table, circa 1880s. Made from curly pine with engraved details and brass hardware. Measures: 16.5" x 15" x 33", surface 31.5".
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1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Coastal Style Bamboo and Brass Twin Headboards, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century pair of bamboo and brass twin headboards or daybed. They are unmarked and in very good condition.
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Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Brass

Antique English Victorian Aesthetic 'Japanese' Bamboo & Rattan Bedroom Suite
Located in Glasgow, GB
A rare three piece Victorian ‘Japanese’ bamboo and rattan bedroom suite dating to circa 1890. Comprising a wardrobe, dressing table and marble topped washstand each features a rising...
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Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Marble, Metal

Aesthetic Style Inlaid Bamboo Shelf with Black Lacquered Top, England circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite bamboo shelf with inlaid and ebonized top, scroll detail, and floral motifs, England, circa 1890.
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1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Bamboo, Wood

Antique Aesthetic Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Mounted Bed
Located in London, GB
Antique Aesthetic style marquetry and gilt bronze mounted bed Continental, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 194cm, width 257cm, depth 230cm This magnificent wooden bed feat...
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Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Carved Pine Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French carved pine faux bamboo bed frame. It is European in size, which is closer to a full in the United States. The frame has a hard pine foundation with ela...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Pine

Lamb of Manchester, an Aesthetic Movement Compactum Armoire Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement Arts & Crafts style compactum armoire wardrobe with castellated cornice and twin fielded panel doors openi...
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1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Oak

Pair of French Faux Bamboo Beds, Late 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb pair of late 19th-early 20th century faux bamboo beds that retain all of their original elements. Pairs of these very desirable faux bamboo beds are unusual, especia...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wood

Antique Hand Painted Chinoiserie Style Mahogany Bed Headboard and Foot End
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, practical and all handcrafted in the late 1800s. This museum quality and very good condition headboard and foot end are extremely well made and highly decorative. They are...
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Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wood, Mahogany

Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bedroom furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bedroom furniture, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster & London, R.J. Horner & Co., and Bruce James Talbert. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for bedroom furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $27,960 while the average work can sell for $6,379.

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