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Aesthetic Movement 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
Set of 6 1880-83 Sterling Silver Tablespoons by Gorham
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 Gorham's Cluny sterling silver tablespoons, 1880-1883. One of the greatest silver designs of the Aesthetic Movement in America. Obverse monogra...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Center Table w/ Bronze Masks ca. 1870
By Pottier & Stymus
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A RARE AESTHETIC MOVEMENT EBONIZED MARQUETRY-INLAID PARCEL GILT CENTER TABLE WITH BRONZE MASKS OF DIANA OF ANET In the manner of Pottier & Stymus of New York unmarked ca. 1870 Item...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bruce Talbert, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered oak armchair.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair. It was professionally re-upholstered in a light blue Damask.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

French Brown Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Very rare French Majolica oyster plate, circa 1890. White flower on the center and leaves.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th C Bronze pendant with Bats
Located in Hudson, NY
Amazing. Bronze. Possibly Austrian. Wonderful patina. This is not currently wired. If you have any questions or would like it wired please reach out.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Parcel Gilt Serving Spoon - J.E. Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
Large, beautiful, Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver, parcel gilt serving spoon (great for vegetables, cake/pie, desserts, potatoes, etc.), J.E. Caldwell, Philadelphia, Ca. 1880's. ...
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver

English Aesthetic Silver-Plate And Blown Glass Bridal Bowl
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stunning and unusual, rare English Aesthetic period silver plate and hand blown, hand painted with bell flowers, glass bridal bowl, having a perching bird with open beak under a canopy of leaves and sitting on a rocky outcropping on a shaped base with very detailed engraving of flora and fauna. Brides...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Thomas Forester Leaf on Bark English Majolica Tea Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica glazed Tea Tray by Thomas Forester, Longton, Staffordshire, England, circa 1880. The tray has an unusual gray glazed body worked as tree bark. Applied twig form handles s...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Joseph Holdcroft English Majolica Leaf & Dandelion Majolica Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica Leaf and Dandelion floral bowl by Joseph Holdcroft, Circa 1870. Designed in the Aesthetic taste, four overlapping leaves, glazed in the colors of Autumn, are centered on a deep powder blue ground of raised Dandelion blooms with pink centers. The verso is glazed in a solid turquoise. Joseph Holdcroft held several patents for the production of earthenware. He was employed by Minton where he became proficient in the manufacture of majolica. Holdcroft established the Sunderland...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

English Aesthetic Mahogany Table Attributed To Godwin
Located in Essex, MA
Square solid mahogany top over spindle sides supporting a conforming shelf. Circular ring turned legs joined by an X form stretcher with central ball turning.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Mahogany Of 3 Elements With Small Cabinet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London mahogany bookcase from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England which has 3 elements with the upper element composed of a small ca...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Gorham Coin Silver Vase No. 335
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver vase. By the Gorham Mfg. Co. In coin silver. The vase with a footed base, rounded body, and elongated narrow neck which opens into a wider mouth. These are v...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver

Rosella Glass Cake Plate by Mikasa
Located in Bradenton, FL
A decorative glass plate in the Rosella pattern made by Mikasa of New Jersey. Frosted glass is etched with roses on the underside and decorated in pink, surrounded by delicate foliag...
Category

Late 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass

Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Majolica Seal Handled Ice-Cream Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Majolica green glazed- Seal-Molded Ice-Cream Tray, England – Date code EGH for 1878 A very scarce rectangular tray with the cente...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Large Gateleg Table In Oak
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely oak table called Gateleg Very beautiful table which has a very beautiful turned base Beautiful top with a thickness of 3cm the table can be used as a dining room table, as ...
Category

20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Heath & Middleton - Lotus Bowl - Antique Sterling Silver - London 1902
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1902 by Heath & Middleton, this wonderfully designed Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Bowl, takes the form of a blossoming lotus flower, supported on the stems o...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Porcelain 6-Well Oyster Plate, c.1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French porcelain oyster plate, circa 1890. Six shell shaped oyster wells with colorful, hand painted ‘eyes’ surround a central turquoise, round sauce well, outlined in gold. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Gorham Aesthetic Sterling Silver Olive Spoon with Pick
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver olive spoon. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1885. Cast stem with entwined leaf and olive. Shallow and pierced bowl with engraved leaves. At other end pick...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Portuguese White Ceramic Lobster Platter
Located in Bradenton, FL
A white ceramic platter made by Sanor Ceramica of Portugal. Embossed with a coastal design, centered with a lobster amidst starfish and shells. Each end of the platter is embossed wi...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb An Aesthetic Movement D End Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan attributed, made by Marsh, Jones and Cribb. An Aesthetic Movement walnut centre table with ebony line inlaid details. The rectangular top with D ends, turned legs wit...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Antique Art Pottery Stoneware Dalton Lambeth Oil Lamp Signed Edith Lupton 1884
Located in Portland, OR
An exhibition quality Doulton Lambeth stoneware Aesthetic Movement oil lamp, Edith D Lupton, signed & dated 1884. This very fine & large oil lamp was d...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Wedgwood Majolica Tortoiseshell Seafood Plates, Set of 8
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, an assembled set of eight English majolica scallop shell shaped, mottled tortoiseshell glazed seafood salad plates. Each plate shows a variation of the tortoiseshell ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Washstand with Copper Reservoir, 19th Century, France
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant oak washbasin from the beginning of the 19th century -France washstand composed of its reservoir and the bowl in the upper part and a door in the bottom Superb tank/reser...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Fruit Wood Of 5 Elements With Drawer
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London bookcase in fruit wood from the end of the 19th century-early 20th century from England which has 5 elements and a drawer at the bottom. The bookcase ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

German Majolica Swallows Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
German majolica aqua plate with birds swallow and insect circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1810 Wedgwood Shadow Leaf Creamware Bowls, Set of 4
Located in Richmond, VA
Offered is an extremely rare set of 4 hand-painted 1790-1810 creamware shallow soup bowls, by famed English potter Josiah Wedgwood. Only a few pieces remain in this coveted pattern, ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Creamware

Wedgwood Majolica Tortoise Glazed Scallop-Shell Seafood Server, 1889
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, an English majolica scallop shell shaped seafood serving dish, date marked 1889. Showing the mottled tortoiseshell glazing of greens, amber, and brown. The mold refle...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Bench ceramic contemporary glaze green black square organic
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade stoneware Bench manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, straw, or heather straw. The pieces are ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

1910 Faux Books Biscuit Tin by Huntley & Palmers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Faux books biscuit tin box by Huntley & Palmers, 1910, English. In the form of a strapped group of generic books old red & black paint with gilt work and tan strap. Overall wear comm...
Category

1910s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

fractals
Located in Coral Gables, FL
John Brevard's new silk tufted rug collection is a masterful interplay of fractals and sacred geometries, each piece a testament to the elegance of mathematical symmetry in design. H...
Category

2010s Spanish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silk

c. 1930s-40s Book Form Biscuit Tin by Huntley & Palmers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large scarlet book form biscuit tin box by Huntley & Palmers, c.1930s-40s, English. Scarlet with black & gilt cartouche & floral designs, with gilt "pages". The "front cover" in very...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Black Lacquer Aesthetic Movement Slipper/Hall Chair With Velvet Seat
Located in Morristown, NJ
A very striking Antique English Aesthetic Movement black lacquered chair. The chair has an openwork wood back carved as a fan of styli...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

1911 Faux Dickens Books Biscuit Tin by Huntley & Palmers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Faux books biscuit tin box by Huntley & Palmers, 1911, English. In the form of a strapped group of novels by Charles Dickens in old green & red paint with gilt work and black strap. ...
Category

1910s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Aesthetic Style Oak and Brass Umbrella Stand. C.1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A lovely oak and brass umbrella or stick stand. Original patina Nice colour of oak with brass hardware Sturdy construction. Copper tray in the base is in good condition Walking s...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Adams & Bromley English Majolica Cheese Tray, Buttercup & Fern Leaf Border
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large, round Adams & Bromley English Majolica cheese tray, late 19th Century. Adams & Bromley operated the Victoria Works in Broad Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent from 1873 to 1886...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Wedgwood Majolica Large Tortoiseshell Shell Shaped Server Majolica Serving Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, an English majolica scallop shell shaped seafood serving dish, date marked 1889. Showing the mottled tortoiseshell glazing of greens, amber, and brown. The mold refl...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

c. 1930s-40s Scarlet Book Form Biscuit Tin by Huntley & Palmers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large scarlet book form biscuit tin box by Huntley & Palmers, c.1930s-40s, English. Scarlet with black & gilt cartouche & floral designs, with gilt "pages". Overall good condition gi...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Satchel Form Biscuit Tin by Huntley & Palmers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A satchel purse form biscuit tin box by Huntley & Palmers, early 20th century, English. Faux snakeskin decoration with elegant details. Registration No. 48391L, 1908. All parts in go...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Fives-Lille De Bruyn Morning Glory & Butterfly Wall Pockets, 1890, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of majolica glazed French Morning Glory wall pockets, Fives-Lille, circa 1890. Fives-Lille was founded by the Belgian potter, Antione Gustave De Bruyn. He opened his pottery...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Bentwood Chair with arms Model No 14 Art Nouveau Chair Thonet Austria 1890
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, produced by Thonet, this design originally dates from 1859. Made from bent solid and laminated Beech construction with moulded plywood seat. This chair date...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

French Porcelain Octagonal Hand-Painted Oyster Plate, c.1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French porcelain oyster plate, circa 1890-1910. Octagonal in shape and glazed in a lovely soft turquoise, the five oyster wells sit on a bed of stylized coral or sea weed. The wh...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th C. Wedgwood Reticulated Basket Weave Oval Majolica Serving Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica oval serving platter from Josiah Wedgwood, date marked R for the year 1889. The server is edged with a delicate yellow ochre reticulated rim that imitates the ba...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Compotes/Tazza
Located in New York, NY
This gleaming pair of Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Compotes/Tazza originate from the United States, Circa 1895. Featuring a scalloped profile achieved with ornate org...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fabulous Aesthetic Movement Blue Baccarat Crystal glass Prunus Gilded Vase c1890
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A fabulous Aesthetic Movement bright blue and deeply gilded Baccarat Crystal vase. This bright blue was one of their signature colours -it is also deeply gilded in the Baccarat rais...
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

St. Clement French Majolica Pottery Basket Weave Oyster Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French majolica glazed oyster plates from the faïencerie of Saint-Clément, Circa 1890-1900. Six white scallop shell shaped wells against a rich blue-green basket weave ground. The...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

English Majolica Green Rimmed Round Begonia Leaf Plate, circa 1870-80
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica Begonia plate, Adams & Bromley, circa 1870-1880. Beautiful, bold glazing with bright green rims. The centers show a pattern of raised mold work, mimicking the c...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Adams & Bromley English Majolica Overlapping Leaf on Basketweave Cheese Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica glazed leaf and basketweave cheese tray, attributed to Adams & Bromley, circa 1880. A pattern beautifully glazed with a strong graphic presence, six leaves alter...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Maitland-Smith Faux Tortoise & Tooled Leather Bamboo Canterbury Magazine Rack
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a good looking Maitland-Smith faux tortoise and tooled leather bamboo magazine rack. It is marked and in very good condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th C Carved Lion wall shelf
Located in Hudson, NY
19th C carved and gilt lion wall shelf. Amazing stylization. Whimsical. Faux marble painted top. Carved in oak.
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Tortoise Bamboo Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
Aesthetic Movement Tortoise bamboo settee carefully curated to emulate Japanned bamboo furniture of the period, in the dark forest green Moha...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Bamboo

Bentwood Office Chair Model Number 704 J J Kohn For Thonet 1900s Jacob Joseph
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, designed by Jacob and Joseph Kohn, Austria and produced by Thonet, dates from the early 1900s. Model Number 704 Retains the original embossed seat with won...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of Bobbin Turned Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of English late 19th Century ebonized and bobbin turned corner chairs with woven rush seats.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rush, Beech

Liberty &Co Aesthetic Movement Thebes Corner Chair by Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement rare ‘Thebes’ walnut corner chair Red velvet seat By Liberty & Co Circa 1885  
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Carl Tielsch Porcelain Oyster Plate, c.1875
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A German porcelain oyster plate by Carl Tielsch, Altwasswe, circa 1875-1900. A beautiful turquoise ground model to resemble waves, six shell shaped wells surround a round central sa...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Aesthetic Period Porcelain Wall Bracket by Royal Worcester
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A marvellous 1870s period porcelain wall bracket by English maker Royal Worcester. The porcelain bracket has a rich turquoise ground which has been softened with a matte 'rust' glaze...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century French Marble Top & Iron Console / Garden / Bistro Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century French marble top console table with iron base. The white finish is likely not to be original. It is in very good condition. My shipping is for the Con...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble, Iron

Aesthetic Movement Woven Bamboo Occasional Table
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement Woven Bamboo Occasional Table, on four legs conjoined by an undertier. Provenance: From a Chelsea estate.
Category

20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Set of 8 Royal Worcester Aesthetic Period Plates, 19th Century, England
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Set of 8 Royal Worcester Aesthetic Period Plates, 19th Century, England. A striking design in a blue and white pattern, banded with center medallion. Royal Worcester and date marks, ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Aesthetic Movement furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Minton, Doulton Lambeth, Christopher Dresser, and Wedgwood. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $86,402 while the average work can sell for $1,820.

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