Skip to main content

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.

to
1
2
2
202
154
83
70
52
45
25
25
24
22
21
12
12
10
7
5
4
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
2
2
2
1
1
Style: Aesthetic Movement
Lewis F Day, Howell, James & Sons Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Polychrome Clock
By Lewis Foreman Day, Howell James & Co.
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

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

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

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

Aesthetic Movement Carriage Clock, France, 19th Century
Aesthetic Movement Carriage Clock, France, 19th Century

Aesthetic Movement Carriage Clock, France, 19th Century

Related Items
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

French 19th Century Mantle Clock
French 19th Century Mantle Clock

French 19th Century Mantle Clock

H 18.51 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Mantle Clock
Located in Ross, CA
Aesthetic movement mantle clock made in France in the late 19th century. The face is blue and white hand painted enamel centered over blue and white porcelain. The round case which i...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Mantle Clock
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Mantle Clock

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Mantle Clock

H 15.2 in W 11 in D 5.5 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

Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Mantel Clock Attributed to Lewis Foreman Day
Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Mantel Clock Attributed to Lewis Foreman Day

Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Mantel Clock Attributed to Lewis Foreman Day

H 19.1 in W 10.44 in D 7.29 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

Antique Smith 8-Day Shipboard Clock
Antique Smith 8-Day Shipboard Clock

Antique Smith 8-Day Shipboard Clock

H 3.75 in Dm 8 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 French Cathedral Clock
19th Century French Cathedral Clock

19th Century French Cathedral Clock

H 18.5 in W 7.13 in D 4.75 in
C. 1910 James Rankin Junior Adam Style Eight-Day Mantle Clock with Faux Marble
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite mantle clock, crafted around 1910, features an exposed escapement and an eight-day movement, requiring winding only once a week. The clock is driven by a striking mech...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

C. 1910 James Rankin Junior Adam Style Eight-Day Mantle Clock with Faux Marble
C. 1910 James Rankin Junior Adam Style Eight-Day Mantle Clock with Faux Marble

C. 1910 James Rankin Junior Adam Style Eight-Day Mantle Clock with Faux Marble

H 13.5 in W 15 in D 6 in
Rare Modernist 1930s Wall Clock 18 Day Movement
By Zenith
Located in Devon, England
Rare 1930s Art Deco Modernist wall clock by Zenith. The case is in Palissandre wood a beautiful colouring with the stylized numbers and hands in silver on solid brass in high relief....
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Rare Modernist 1930s Wall Clock 18 Day Movement
Rare Modernist 1930s Wall Clock 18 Day Movement

Rare Modernist 1930s Wall Clock 18 Day Movement

H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 2.17 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

Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Carriage clock with case. 19th century

Carriage clock with case. 19th century

H 5.32 in W 3.94 in D 3.35 in
Art Deco Peach Colour Mirror Glass 8 Day Movement Mantle Clock, c1930
By Smiths English Clock Systems
Located in Devon, England
In the 1930's Smiths high end electric clock with a distinctly Art Deco feel to them. Virtually silent, and keeps remarkably good time. This clock is an absolute delight. This glamou...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Art Deco Peach Colour Mirror Glass 8 Day Movement Mantle Clock, c1930
Art Deco Peach Colour Mirror Glass 8 Day Movement Mantle Clock, c1930

Art Deco Peach Colour Mirror Glass 8 Day Movement Mantle Clock, c1930

H 7.88 in W 7.49 in D 2.37 in
19th Century French Comtoise Clock Movement
Located in Denton, TX
A great industrial accent for a tabletop or bookshelf the combination of brass and steel gears and a bronze bell. This movement is in non working condition and is used for decorative...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel, Iron

19th Century French Comtoise Clock Movement
19th Century French Comtoise Clock Movement

19th Century French Comtoise Clock Movement

H 12.5 in W 8.25 in D 5 in
Ebonised Brtacket Clock by Winterhalder & Hofmeier
Located in Folkestone, GB
A good Regency stye German Ebonised Bracket or Table Clock by Winterhalder and Hofmeier, Black Forest, Germany. In fine original condition an...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Ebonised Brtacket Clock by Winterhalder & Hofmeier
Ebonised Brtacket Clock by Winterhalder & Hofmeier

Ebonised Brtacket Clock by Winterhalder & Hofmeier

H 21.07 in W 11.03 in D 8.27 in
Antique 19th Century Victorian Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Mantel Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
19th century antique Victorian ebonised Aesthetic movement mantel clock having a lovely arched case, pretty painted dial and spandrels decorated wit...
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

Antique 19th Century Victorian Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Mantel Clock
Antique 19th Century Victorian Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Mantel Clock

Antique 19th Century Victorian Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Mantel Clock

H 20.08 in W 11.42 in D 6.3 in
Previously Available Items
Lewis. F. Day, Attributed an Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Enamel Mantle Clock
By Howell & James Ltd, Lewis Foreman Day
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

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

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

H 17.5 in W 12.5 in D 10 in

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.

Recently Viewed

View All