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.
Aesthetic Design Antique Sterling Silver Chamberstick by Heath & Middleton 1891
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1891 by Heath & Middleton, this enchanting Victorian, Antique, Sterling Silver Chamberstick is a superb example of the naturalistic bark effect popularise...
Sterling Silver
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Located in Great Barrington, MA
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks Beautiful original patina in red. Gilt bronze snake.
Bronze
Pair of Silver Plated Candle Holders by Emilia Castillo, Mexican Modernism
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of silver-plated sculptural candlesticks designed by the renowned Mexican silversmith Emilia Castillo for her celebrated workshop in Taxco, Mexico. Bearing the model ...
Silver, Silver Plate, Brass
WMF. An Aesthetic Movement Copper Chamber Candlestick in the Dr C Dresser Style
By Christopher Dresser, WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in London, GB
WMF. An Aesthetic Movement Copper Chamber Candlestick and match book holder in the Dr C Dresser Style.
Copper
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Aesthetic Bronze Dog Candlesticks
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Aesthetic Bronze Dog Candlesticks
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Tall Turned Rosewood Prickett Candleholders
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of tall, 27 inches turned Rosewood with a triangular base on ball feet. Beautifully turned and a very interesting grain pattern from light to dark. Lead filled base for...
Lead
Early 20th Century, Kashmiri Paper Mache Candlestick
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely executed Kashmiri papier-mâché candlestick, dating to the early 20th century, distinguished by its graceful barley twist shaft and richly enameled floral decoration. Standin...
Paint, Paper
Lovely Pair of Sterling Silver Swedish Aesthetic-Movement-Style Candlesticks
By Mema
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of sterling silver, Aesthetic-Movement-Style candlesticks, Sweden, Ca. 1970's, Mema - maker. Each candlestick measures 6 1/2 inches high x 3 1/4 inches diameter across it...
Sterling Silver
$2,400 / set
Pair of 19th Century Exoticism Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A striking pair of polished bronze elephant candlesticks that beautifully capture the 19th-century fascination with exoticism while maintaining a timelessly modern aesthetic. These p...
Bronze
A Pair Of Late Victorian Aesthetic Brass Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A Beautiful Pair of Late Victorian Aesthetic Brass Candlesticks (Circa 1880–1900) This exquisite pair of brass candlesticks exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and decorative flai...
Brass
$8,000
H 10.75 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Pair of Candleholders with Karyatids, Bronze & Marble, Berlin Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire candlesticks with bronze karyatids and white marble pedestals, crafted by Werner & Mieth in Berlin during the early 19th century.
Marble, Bronze
$1,745Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Antique Silver Candelabras Pair of Silver Candle Holders Hallmarked Candlesticks
Located in Wembley, GB
A set of 2 candle holders, a pair of elegant and pure sterling silver large antique hallmarked three light candelabra in the late 19th-century taste. These fine candelabra have shape...
Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Sheet Metal
Pair of 19th Century Copper Candleholders
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of firm 19th century copper candleholders. Originates Nothern France, dating circa 1850.
Copper
$883Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Candle Holder Sterling Silver Antique Rococo Style Candlesticks, 1937s
Located in Wembley, GB
An exquisite pair of antique Rococo-style silver candlesticks by the distinguished Swedish silversmith C.G. Hallberg, Stockholm, circa 1937. Each piece is pressed, cast, and finely c...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Italian Late 19th Century Pair of Antique Brass Candleholders
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian late 19th century pair of antique brass candleholders. This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian artisan....
Metal, Brass
Sterling Silver Pillbox, 1891
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This exquisite antique sterling silver pillbox was crafted by the renowned American silversmiths Dominick & Haff, and bears their hallmark along with the date 1891 on the underside. ...
Sterling Silver
$75Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 10.63 in D 3.15 in
Silver-Plated Modernist Triple Candle Holder 1960s
Located in Debrecen, HU
This modernist triple candle holder was likely produced in the 1960s during the height of Mid-Century Modern design. The piece features a distinctive geometric base with an angular, ...
Silver Plate
Pewter Chamber Candlesticks by Just Andersen, 1970s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Modern Pewter Chamber Candlestick made by Just Andersen in the 1970s. * Round pewter candlestick holders with lug * Style: 573048 * Manufacturer: Just Andersen * Year: 1970s * Cond...
Pewter
Edwardian Sterling Silver Chamberstick by Tiffany and Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver chamber stick, Tiffany and Company, New York, inventory marked for 1902-1903. Measures 4 inches high x 5 1/2 inches in diameter x 7 1/4 inches across from ...
Sterling Silver
$673Sale Price / set|51% Off
H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authentica...
Pewter
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Fish Vesta Case (1891)
By Minshull & Latimer
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique Victorian English sterling silver fish vesta case; an addition to our collection of novelty vesta cases. This exceptional and rare antique Victorian sterling silver vesta case has been realistically modelled in the form of a fish. This impressive novelty vesta case is embellished with embossed details replicating the features of the fish's scales and anatomical features. The case is fitted with a sprung hinged cover/head. Such exceptional period examples are rare and becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique and rare silver fish vesta case is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the body are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this example of antique silver vesta boxes...
Sterling Silver
$673Sale Price / set|51% Off
H 9.85 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Collection of 18th-19th Century French Pewter Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Amazing collection of five pewter candlesticks. They are all different and unique, France, circa 1750-1850. Weathered, dented and small losses but these imperfections help authenti...
Pewter
Sold
H 5 in W 7.5 in D 6 in
Aesthetic Mixed Metal Lily Pad and Frog Chamberstick Attributed to Gorham, 1900
By Gorham CO.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Nouveau Mixed Metal Lily Pad and Frog Chamberstick Attributed to Gorham, Circa 1900 A charming example of American Art Nouveau design, this mixed-metal chamberstick, attributed ...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 7.41 in W 4.53 in D 4.34 in L 7.41 in
Silver-plated candlesticks by William Tonks and Sons, late 19th century
Located in London, GB
William Tonks & Sons Pair of Late 19th Century Silver Plated Table Candlesticks A finely crafted pair of late 19th-century silver plated candlesticks by William Tonks & Sons, renow...
Stainless Steel, Iron, Silver Plate
Pair, Antique Italian Bird & Foliate Motif Tole Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite pair of antique Italian tole candle holders showcases the elegance and craftsmanship synonymous with Italian decorative arts...
Metal
Sold
H 10 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Pair Antique Aesthetic Movement Silver Plated Figural Heron Candleholders c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Pair Antique Aesthetic Movement Silver Plated Figural Heron Candleholders with Etched Glass Shades C1890 Measures - 9 7/8" x 3 1/4" x 3 1/4"
Silver Plate
Doulton Lambeth Early Art Pottery Dwarf Candlestick by Edith Lupton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish early Doulton Lambeth stoneware dwarf candlestick decorated with stylized foliage by renowned artist Edith D Lupton and dated 1876. The candlestick stands raised on a wide...
Stoneware
Pair of large rass candlesticks
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of large brass candlesticks circa 1970. Stunning pair of brass candlesticks very much in the church alter taste. We used these for years for display purposes on large dining t...
Brass
19th Century Aesthetic Bronze Flamingo Candle Holders
Located in New Windsor, NY
A sumptuously cast pair of bronze flamingo candleholders. From the bases to the tropical palm tree tops, the pair has no equal for precision or decorat...
Bronze, Iron
Burmantofts Faience Pottery Grotesque Handled Chamberstick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare Burmantofts Faience pottery chamberstick with a grotesque alligator modelled handle dating from 1880’s. The chamberstick has a wide round domed base with a pinched column stem...
Pottery
Pair of Tiffany Studios Aesthetic /Japonisme Bamboo Motif Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Tiffany Studios Aesthetic /Japonisme Bamboo Motif Candlesticks A rare form, hard to find a pair of Tiffany Aesthetic /Japonisme period candlesticks. Each one with cast bamboo...
Bronze
Sold
H 12.5 in W 8 in D 7 in
Bradley & Hubbard Aesthetic Movement Jeweled Candleholders in Copper & Iron
Located in Astoria, NY
Bradley & Hubbard American Aesthetic Movement pair of handmade rare copper and iron candleholders with faceted glass jewel inserts and original...
Copper, Iron
Doulton Lambeth Frank Butler Stylized Pattern Candlestick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Doulton Lambeth saucer shape stylized leaf design candlestick with brass fittings by Frank Butler and dating from around 1890. The candle stick...
Brass
Aesthetic Style Tripod Metal Candlesticks
Located in Astoria, NY
Aesthetic style or Gothic style pair of metal tripod candlesticks.
Metal