Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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.

Style: Aesthetic Movement

Lewis F Day, Howell, James & Sons Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Polychrome Clock

$6,530

Lewis F Day, Howell, James & Sons Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Polychrome Clock

By Howell James & Co., Lewis Foreman Day

Located in London, GB

Lewis Foreman Day, for Howell, James and Sons. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized and polychrome painted mantle clock with a carved floret to the centre of the arched and turned gallery flanked by turned finials, with a dentil moulding below, and criss cross lattice work to the upper sides, the lower sides with hand painted Aesthetic flowers in planters...

Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Aesthetic Movement Carriage Clock, France, 19th Century

$4,130

Aesthetic Movement Carriage Clock, France, 19th Century

Located in PARIS, FR

Fine aesthetic movement clock in cloisonné enamel and gilded bronze, decorated with polychromed birds and flowers, and geometric gilded ornaments on a ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Smith 8-Day Shipboard Clock

$1,550

H 3.75 in Dm 8 in

Antique Smith 8-Day Shipboard Clock

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A brass circular base with a central inset hinged glass panel that reveals a white metal face with black enameled Roman numerals hours and Arabic numerals seconds. The clock lacks a ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

$7,891

H 18.51 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality French late 19th century gilded ormolu and champleve enamel mantel (fireplace) clock. Having urns and a cherub above the eight day clock that chimes...

Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Hand Painted, Engraved and Gilt Brass Carriage Clock

$13,333

H 7 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

19th Century Hand Painted, Engraved and Gilt Brass Carriage Clock

Located in London, GB

A fine carriage clock The engraved gilt case rises from an ogee plinth, and is dressed with elliptical polychrome enameled plaques to the fascia and the sides, depicting children ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century French mantel clock

$5,170

H 20.87 in W 12.21 in D 5.52 in

19th Century French mantel clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock, having a seated cherub holding the rains of a winged dragon pulling a scrolling foliate ...

Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Mantel Clock Attributed to Lewis Foreman Day

$6,204

H 19.1 in W 10.44 in D 7.29 in

Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Mantel Clock Attributed to Lewis Foreman Day

Located in London, GB

A magnificent Aesthetic Movement mantel clock, with an ebonised mahogany case and an exquisitely painted dial. The case embodies the style of the Aesthetic Movement, with an arched a...

Category

1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

$3,250

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 in

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

Located in High Point, NC

19th century beautifully hand crafter cathedral clock in gilt bronze. This is a magnificent example of 19th century French craftsmanship. There are many beautiful details to this p...

Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Spanish Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock by Peña y Sobrino

$2,183

H 5.52 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in

19th Century Spanish Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock by Peña y Sobrino

Located in Madrid, ES

Elegant 19th century Spanish carriage clock in finely cast and gilded bronze, signed by the prestigious Madrid retailer Peña y Sobrino. The clock features a refined architectural fo...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Carriage clock with case. 19th century

$708

H 5.32 in W 3.94 in D 3.35 in

Carriage clock with case. 19th century

Located in Madrid, ES

Travel clock with case. Metal, glass, leather, etc. XIX century. Case with lid at the top and front with a transparent glass sheet, upholstered on the inside, containing a travel cl...

Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Metal, Other

Art Deco Stylish Desk Clock With 8 Day Movement , English, c1930s

$646

H 4.53 in W 6.3 in D 1.97 in

Art Deco Stylish Desk Clock With 8 Day Movement , English, c1930s

Located in Devon, England

A fully restored Art Deco Style desk clock in full working condition. The movement is made by Mauthe and has been fully disassembled, cleaned and reassembled back into working condit...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Chrome

19th Century Spanish Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

$1,923

H 5.52 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in

19th Century Spanish Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

Located in Madrid, ES

Elegant 19th century Spanish carriage clock crafted in finely cast gilt bronze. The case presents a refined architectural silhouette with clean proportions and a warm original gilde...

Category

1890s Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Early 20th Century Brass Carriage Clock

$2,100

H 5.5 in W 3 in D 2.5 in

French Early 20th Century Brass Carriage Clock

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful traditional brass carriage clock made in France in the early 20th century. It is adorned with botanical details and glass...

Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Swiss Made French Bronze Horse Carriage Clock

$1,591

H 5.52 in W 3.15 in D 2.56 in

19th Swiss Made French Bronze Horse Carriage Clock

Located in Marbella, ES

19th century French rectangular weathered bronze horse carriage or "officers' clock" with handle and glass panels showing the internal platform escapement, as they replaced the large...

Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Previously Available Items

Lewis. F. Day, Attributed an Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Enamel Mantle Clock

Sold

H 17.5 in W 12.5 in D 10 in

Lewis. F. Day, Attributed an Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Enamel Mantle Clock

By Lewis Foreman Day, Howell & James Ltd

Located in London, GB

Lewis. F. Day, attributed, an Aesthetic movement ebonised and enamel mantle or bracket clock. Possibly retailed by Howell & James of Regent St. A French striking 8 day movement wit...

Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Enamel

Aesthetic Movement table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement table clocks and desk clocks 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 table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include Howell James & Co., Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Lewis Foreman Day. 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 table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,846 and tops out at $6,302 while the average work can sell for $5,500.