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Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and 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
Japanese Satsuma Earthenware Four-Panel Tea Caddy, Ryuzan - Kyoto, Meiji-Taisho
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese Satsuma Earthenware Four-Panel Tea Caddy Attributed to Ryuzan Studio (龍山), Kyoto, Meiji–Taisho Period, circa 1900–1920 A finely painted Japanese Satsuma earthenware tea cad...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Circa 1900 Japanese Bronze Champleve Enamel Large Vase
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Circa !900 Japanese Large well shaped bronze champleve enameled vase.. Six paneled sides with Asian themed engravings on each panel.With two ringed handles. Original warm amber brow...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Hmong ethnic framed necklace, silver plated metal, Laos, Thailand
By S. Thailand
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and rarely seen ethnic necklace made of silver-plated metal, from Thailand. Recently framed in a large frame with floating glass. This is a piece that presents the esse...
Category

1950s Thai Vintage Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver Leaf

Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Imari Charger
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Aesthetic movement Imari Charger, 15 7/8" dia. Rich, deep colors. Six alternating panels of a bamboo tree in garden with "seaweed" motif & geometric motifs surrounding the central floral medallion. Reverse blue and white decoration. Whitehall Antiques...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

SMALL ANTiQUE CIRCA 1880 AESTHETIC MOVEMENT BAMBOO CARVED CHINESE FOOTSTOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and highly collectable Aesthetic Movement Chinese ha...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo

Fabri Sculptural Table
Located in Coral Gables, FL
This unique piece combines iron (a product of our tectonic era) and petrified wood (a timeless material with memory of the past). This series was created by John Brevard in 2010. ...
Category

2010s American Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Iron

Related Items
Chinese Bamboo Upholstered Bench
Located in Hudson, NY
Reupholstered in 2015 with Clarence House fabric "Imperial Household".
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Bamboo Upholstered Bench
Chinese Bamboo Upholstered Bench
$8,500
H 19 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Bronze Cachepot, Japan, circa 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Cachepot is a beautiful Japanese vase realized in the 1930s with the typical oriental objects elegance and sinuous line. This decorative bronze objec...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Bronze Cachepot, Japan, circa 1930s
Vintage Bronze Cachepot, Japan, circa 1930s
$495 Sale Price
30% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 7.09 in
A Fine Japanese Satsuma Vase . Meiji Period. Kinkozan
Located in London, GB
A Fine Japanese Satsuma Vase with Bijin, Peacock, and Chrysanthemums. Attributed to Kinkozan Workshop, Kyoto, Meiji period (late 19th century) Of pear-shaped form with a flared f...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Meiji Period (1868-1912) Satsuma Earthenware Vase Taizan for Hattori
Located in Newark, England
Meiji Period (1868-1912) From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Vases. The Satsuma Vase of hexagonal form with a slight waisted neck and tight rounded rim is extensively decorated with multiple figures to two large scenes. The first scene features a beach with waves to the background and a plethora of figures including multiple geisha holding traditional Japanese wagasa’s. The second scene follows on from the first with a large building in the foreground holding figures on a large platform under a pagoda roof with a pagoda building in the background and further figures in the foreground. The scenes are framed by a full detailed border with gilt shapes, flowers amongst pink shaded backgrounds and butterflies around the neck. The Satsuma Vase is unusually signed Fine Art, Satsuma Ware, Dai Nippon (Great Japan), Hattori Made, Gosuido Works, Taizan Painted. 美術, サツマヤキ(薩摩焼), 大日本, 服部造, 五スイ堂工, 對山画 and dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and the turn of the 20th century circa 1905. Satsuma ware is a type of earthenware pottery originating from the Satsuma province in Southern Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island. Wagasa are traditional Japanese umbrellas made of washi paper attached to a bamboo frame and treated to ensure it is waterproof. Meiji Period was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era. Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

Antique Large Oriental Japanese Chinese Bronze Champleve Enamel Jardiniere Meiji
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large quality Oriental Japanese chinese bronze champleve enamel Jardiniere planter bowl C1920. Would look amazing in the right location. Rare la...
Category

1920s Japanese Vintage Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Straits Chinese Carved Hardwood Bamboo Inlay Display Stand, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
A remarkable straits Chinese (also known as Peranakan or Nyonya) carved hardwood and bamboo inlaid and embellished table-form stand, originally for dis...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Bamboo, Hardwood

Japanese Brass Ikebana Vase, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
An Ikebana brass vase, hand-crafted in Japan, Showa Period. The finish is Murashido, a centuries-old technique that consists in quenching the cast brass in hot oil and smoke it with ...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Brass

A Japanese Imari Plate, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Japanese Imari Plate, 19th Century Home decor, Interior design and collectibles. Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimension: Height: 4.5cm Diameter: 30cm
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Japanese Imari Plate, 19th Century
A Japanese Imari Plate, 19th Century
$270 Sale Price
55% Off
H 1.78 in Dm 11.82 in
Japanese Antique Pottery Jar/1500s/"Shigaraki Ware"/Wabisabi Vase
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese pottery called "Shigaraki ware". Shigaraki is a historical kiln located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. (Shigaraki Kiln is marked with a ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Rare Japanese Antique Pottery Vase / 1600-1700 / Wonderful Little Sake Bottle
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have received very rare and beautiful pottery. This is Japanese "Seto ware". Seto is a historic kiln in Aichi prefecture. (The red circle on the map is the Seto kiln) It is sai...
Category

17th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Pottery

A Pair of Imari Vases, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of Imari Vases, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: Each with an octagonal everted rim alternating between cobalt bands centred by two plu...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair of Imari Vases, 19th Century
A Pair of Imari Vases, 19th Century
$1,920 / set
H 11.82 in Dm 5.91 in
Chinese Bronze Vase with 10 Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chinese bronze vase with 10 figures - Not certain of age, but works well in any setting and water tight. A very heavy (17 lbs) piece. Beautifully mad...
Category

20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Bronze Vase with 10 Figures
Chinese Bronze Vase with 10 Figures
$1,500
H 15 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Previously Available Items
Vintage Thai Burmese Kalaga Embroidery, Framed, Set of 2 Pcs
Located in Plainview, NY
A harmonious pair of vintage Thai Burmese Kalaga embroideries, each a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and rich tradition of Southeast Asian textile...
Category

20th Century Thai Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Silk, Glass, Wood

Four Aesthetic Movement Transfer Printed Minton Tiles BY L.T. SWETNAM Circa 1890
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
LOT OF FOUR AESTHETIC MOVEMENT TRANSFER PRINTED MINTON TILES FROM A LANDSCAPES SERIES ‘ TOWN AND RIVER’ BY L.T. SWETNAM Circa 1890. Detailed tondo sepia renderings of rustic sceneri...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Faux Lacquer Coal Scuttle
Located in Astoria, NY
Japonaisme bamboo and faux lacquer tiered coal scuttle with paper rack above angled scuttle door with parquetry, bone and mother-of-pearl inlaid Japanese figure opening to reveal a l...
Category

Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Paint

Exquisite 19th Century Heavily Carved Oak Antique Box Settle
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A highly decorative carved oak box settle, English circa 1900 Nicely detailed with four foliate carved panelled back and scroll arms. Box seat with lift up lid and two panel carved ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Oak

Victorian Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Magazine or Newspaper Rack Boho chic style
Located in London, GB
A Japanned Bamboo Victorian Aesthetic Movement Newspaper or magazine Rack/Canterbury with hand painted panels depicting stylised flowers and leaves. The Aesthetic Movement was inf...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Bronze Figure of Ashinaga Holding a Lotus Garden Ornament
Located in Essex, MA
Ashinaga stands holding a fully open Lotus blossom with trailing vine and base with small urn the vine sprouts from.
Category

1870s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Fern Benches
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Harkening back from the Age of Innocence of the Edwardian Era, these chairs will add a layer of sophistication to any garden space. Original casti...
Category

1890s North American Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Antique Fern Benches
Pair of Antique Fern Benches
H 33 in W 24 in D 24 in
Vintage 19th Century Aesthetic Bamboo Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage 19th century aesthetic bamboo cabinet Asymetrical design with ebonized shelves and 3 drawers. 1 sliding shelf and 2 cabinets. Hand...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Vintage 19th Century Aesthetic Bamboo Cabinet
Vintage 19th Century Aesthetic Bamboo Cabinet
H 59.25 in W 29.5 in D 19.5 in
Rattan Handled Bird in Blossom Branch Japanese Pottery Biscuit Barrel, 1920s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An unusual biscuit barrel marked in red ink – Made in Japan, circa 1920s, Pre WWII. A highly dimensional barrel showing three birds in high relief perched in a tree surrounded by ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Japanese Aesthetic Imari Porcelain Butterfly Charger, 19th Century, Pair
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Japanese Aesthetic Imari chargers offer porcelain construction with hand enameled central medallion having stylized butterfly garden design with border having styl...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of Japanese Satsuma Aesthetic Porcelain Vases, circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Japanese Satsuma Aesthetic vases offer porcelain construction in urn form with all-over detached butterfly and bamboo design, each with double bamboo form handles,...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Miniature Cloisonné Aesthetic Movement Cabinet Vase, circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Japanese aesthetic movement cabinet vase offers cloisonné enamel decoration with floral reserves, one having cherry blossom and bird, en verso crescent moon, circa 1870 ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Aesthetic Movement asian art and furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement asian art and furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage asian art and furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bamboo, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement asian art and furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original asian art and furniture, popular names associated with this style include and Minton. 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 asian art and furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $487 and tops out at $18,308 while the average work can sell for $1,323.

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