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.
$2,544 / set
Pair of English Rose Garden Obelisks
Located in Faversham, GB
A beautiful pair of hand-forged wrought iron garden obelisks. Cylindrical in form with the top having a curved outline with a ball finial. This pair was salvaged from the rose gard...
Steel, Iron
19th C. Victorian Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Widows Walk Fence Garden Element
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Unusually long Victorian Widows Walk fence fragment, made in the USA, circa 1880’s, constructed of cast iron. Perfect to repurpose as a decorative garden ...
Iron
Christopher Dresser Designed Minton & Co. Encaustic Tile
Located in Sharon, CT
Christopher Dresser designed geometric encaustic tile. Manufactured from 1870-85 by Minton and Company, Stoke upon Trent. Fully signed on bottom. A ...
Ceramic
Pair of 19th/ 20th Century Oak Stick & Ball Architectural Elements
Located in Milford, NH
Nice examples of two different decorative oak stick and ball architectural elements, the larger wit a center shell or fan motif, probably American in origin, dating to the late 19th ...
Oak
2 Hispano Moorish Hinged Doors, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Magnificent pair of oak hining doors (saloon doors) from the 19th century Hispano Moorish style The doors have a lock so it's possible to lock the doors....
Oak
19th Century Gilt Wood Architectural Element Wall Sculpture 19" Diameter
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th Century Gilt Wood Architectural Element, probably French, circa 19th Century. Retains warm original patina. It would make a great wall sculpture or decoration.
Wood
A Set of Heavy Arts and Crafts Brass Door Finger Plates and Knobs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Set of Heavy Arts and Crafts Brass Door Finger Plates and Knobs There are 8 identical plates in this set, they are heavy, made in heavy brass and have a lattice decoration. The to...
Brass
$4,417Sale Price|20% Off
H 89.38 in W 43.31 in D 3.15 in
Antique Entrance Door with Frame, Walnut Wood, 19th Century, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Ancient entrance door, main door, with original frame, original knocker and knob still present, hand carved in precious patinated walnut wood, fascinating period that makes it very b...
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Diamond Pattern Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish doors with geometric patterns and original paint from the 19th century. This pair of antique doors from Sweden feature a repeating diamond pattern, comprised of a s...
Iron
Pair of Cast of Iron Architectural Roses on Square Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of vintage ornaments in cast iron with great patina. These would look fantastic on a coffee, console or side table as well as a bookshelf.
Iron
Tall Pair of Pine and Brass Obelisks, 1970's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Knotty Pine Obelisks, Circa 1960's. Featuring three solid panels of smooth, adhesed Knotty Pine with thin tipped pyramidal apex, atop 1.25H balanced square Brass box, bases ...
Brass
Mid-20th Century Cast Stone Architectural Panels, a Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th C., cast stone panels with attractive patina. The panels could be used outdoors or for interior decoration. The back side of the panels have metal wall mounts. Dimensions: 6...
Cast Stone, Metal
$850
H 32.75 in W 72 in D 1.5 in
Victorian Stick and Ball Partition Panel With Gate, Late 19th Century
Located in Raymondville, TX
This stunning antique Victorian stick and ball panel is an architectural salvage from a bank where it was used as a teller's partition screen and gate. It is constructed of solid wood (likely mahogany) and made sometime in the late 19th century or early 20th. It could be repurposed in a number of ways making it a versatile historic architectural piece. Please note that the panel alone is not stable and is somewhat delicate, as it was originally attached to a ceiling at the top and bank counter...
Mahogany
Pair of English Gothic Revival Oak Railings
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Gothic Revival style (19th Century) oak carved railing panels with open design and finial (PRICED AS Pair).
Oak
Impressive Pair of Ormolu Mounted Marble Obelisks
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of large marble obelisks. Made from solid Verde Antico marble with bronze neoclassical style decorative mounts on all four sides.
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Asian Architectural Fragment
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A 19th century Asian stone architectural fragment. This intriguing sculpture probably had a utilitarian function as a water deposit. As often in China prac...
Stone
$1,500
H 2 in W 10.5 in D 1.5 in
19th c. Chicago Stock Exchange Building Molding Fragment Architectural Element
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and important hand painted plaster decorative molding fragment, by Louis H. Sullivan (American, 1856-1924), from the interior of the Chicago Stock Exchange, circa 1893-1894. ...
Plaster, Paint
$116,895
H 240 in W 552 in D 120 in
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Located in London, GB
A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Ou...
Wrought Iron
Decorative English Garden Finials with Custom Stands
Located in London, GB
A pair of garden finials with later custom blacksmith made stands. Very decorative with improved functionality with the stands so they can be...
Iron
Brass Aesthetic Movement Bulrush and Floral Push Plate
By William Morris (English), William Morris American
Located in New Windsor, NY
An amazing Late 19th Century cast brass PUSH push plate. This great period piece is a fine mix of Egyptian Revival, Art Nouveau and Aesthetic Movement design. The raised relief bulru...
Brass, Bronze
British Aesthetic Ceramic Tiles, Set of Twelve
Located in Astoria, NY
British Aesthetic movement ceramic transferware tiles, twelve, various makers, various dates, including examples by Minton, and designs by William Mo...
Ceramic
Pair of Large Cast Stone Garden Obelisks
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of cast stone textured obelisks. Matched pair, very heavy.
Cast Stone
Sold
H 22.25 in W 18.75 in D 2 in
Antique Architectural Cast Iron Aesthetic Foliate Wall Grate, circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique aesthetic movement wall grate offers cast iron construction in arch form with pierced foliate design, circa 1870. Measures: 22.25" H x 18.75" ...
Iron
Christopher Dresser Minton's Aesthetic Movement Porcelain Tile
Located in Sharon, CT
While none of the pieces made by Minton bear Dressers signature, this tile can be firmly identified as his design based on drawings in the company archives. (as stated in The Metropo...
Ceramic
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Fence Post
By Fiske Or Mott, FISK
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Aesthetic Movement cast iron fence post having four vertical elements jointed by square iron structural elements. The cast iron post is atta...
Cast Stone, Iron
Sold
H 38 in W 38 in D 1.5 in
English Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Fire Insert with Original Maw & Co Tiles
Located in London, GB
English Aesthetic Movement cast iron fire insert in the style of Thomas Jeckyll with the original aesthetic movement tiles depicting children ...
Iron
Aesthetic Period Arched Foliate Stained Glass Window or Transom Panel
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful arched foliate decorated leaded stained glass window, originally used as a transom panel, with a variety of colors and an ebonized wooden frame. Dates to the late 19th ce...
Stained Glass, Wood
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Framed Tiles
By American Encaustic Tiling Co.
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of Aesthetic Movement set of framed tiles. Each framed set of four is a complete set of potted lilies in a rich sage green background with three dimensional tiles to form the subject. The giltwood frames are later showing wear and chipping. The American Encaustic Tiling...
Ceramic
Sold
H 20 in W 19 in D 1.5 in
Collection of Antique Employee Badges Professionally Set in Museum Quality Frame
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern collection of antique employee badges professionally set in a museum quality frame. Approximately fifty vintage Employee badges from...
Pair of Antique Architectural Stone Building Tiles Mounted on Stands
Located in Manhasset, NY
A pair of antique architectural stone building tiles mounted on stands. Each solid wooden pedestal used to mount this ancient fleur-de-lis decorated building tile. The pair can easil...
Sold
H 37 in W 85.5 in D 4 in
Large 19th Century Asian Thai Buddha Temple Carved Wood Architectural Panel Art
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Impressive 37" x 85" stately Asian Thai figural relief carved wood architectural panel with green polychrome painted finish, believed to be circa 19th century. Item features hand carved figural scenes and carvings throughout depicting maidens and iconic thai figures...
Wood