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.
Bronze Dore Blotter Holders in the Graduate Pattern signed Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
These Bronze Doré blotter holders, crafted by the legendary Tiffany & Co., embody the elegance and precision of early 20th-century American design. Rendered in the sophisticated "Gra...
Bronze
Letter Rack or Stationery Rack in Leather from the 19th Century, France
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant 19th centuryletter rack or stationery rack from France It is unusual to find them with their original key. Very nice interior beautiful pati...
Leather
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
19th Century French Art Nouveau Brass and Bone Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, this lovely Brass and bone art nouveau letter opener has a beautiful patina that will give your desk or work space a new sense of sophistic...
Brass
$1,029Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
Antique Ornate Letter Rack, Italian, Gilt Stationery Stand, Desk Tidy, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ornate letter rack. An Italian, gilt metal stationery stand or desk tidy, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Striking Continental taste with classic...
Metal
Set of Old Bound Books from the 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of old books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are entitled "Journal des missions Evangeliques» with Map (Mission...
Leather, Paper
$63Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.57 in W 6.5 in D 1.38 in
Set of Antique Bound Books Dating from the 19th Century, France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of old religious books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are called "Commentaries". These beautiful books are perf...
Paper
Antique Art Nouveau Brass Butterfly Letter Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau style brass butterfly letter holder.
Brass
$340
H 2.25 in W 11.88 in D 0.38 in
Large Bronze Letter Opener Art Nouveau late 19th century signed DeLaune, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Superb Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener Signed DeLaune D´Apres Rude, Late 19th–Early 20th Century An exceptional Art Nouveau bronze l...
Bronze
$709Sale Price|35% Off
H 5.91 in W 20.48 in D 2.37 in
19th Century French Letter Holder in Palisander with Frieze Inlay
Located in Sofia, BG
Letter holder in palisander wood with freeze inlay made in late 19th century in France. Measures: 52/15/6 cm. France, circa 1890.
Palisander
$100Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 4.73 in D 1.19 in
Set of Plays by Casimir Delavigne Dating from the 19th Century, France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of old bound books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These 3 books are the set of different plays by Casimir Delavigne of the French Academy...
Paper
French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century A richly ornamented French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze letter rack, dating to the late 19th century. This jewel-...
Ormolu
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Notepad Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze "Graduate" pattern notepad holder with verdigris green patina By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA,...
Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Letter Holder
Located in Forney, TX
An English Victorian black and gilt decorated mother-of-pearl and papier mâché stationary letter / card holder or desk stand with stunning, exceptionally executed city scape hand painting portrait. Born in the mid 19th century, hand-crafted of ebonized lacquered papier mâché then elaborately decorated, polychromed, hand painting, mother-of-pearl inlays and gold leaf floral foliate scroll motif decoration, high styling with circular border framing the finely hand painted central pastel colored city scape scene. Dimensions (approx): 8.25" H, 9.75" W, 3.25" D Provenance: Acquired from the estate of the late T. Boone Pickens (1928-2019). An American business magnate, billionaire, financier, and philanthropist. Acquisition: J. Garrett Auctioneers had the pleasure of presenting Pickens' collection of 18th and 19th Century furnishings and accessories. This piece comes from the iconic Texas and Oklahoma...
Other
19th Century French Champleve Inkstand
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a luxurious combination of colors in the form of a French champleve inkstand, with a square crystal inkwell with a champleve top. 19th century.
Metal
Mid 19th Century Victorian Rosewood Letter Tray, England, Circa 1840
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Attractive And Extremely Good Quality Mid 19th Century Rosewood Letter Tray, Of Unusually Diminutive Proportions, Having Exceptionally Well...
Rosewood
$1,295 / set
H 0.38 in W 24.75 in D 12.25 in
Tiffany Studios Greek Key Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring Greek Key symbols, with a custom black leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios New York, US...
Bronze
Sold
H 4 in W 4.75 in D 6 in L 4 in
Bronze Doré Calendar Holder in the Graduate Pattern signed Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Crafted by the iconic Tiffany & Co., this Bronze Doré calendar and memorandum holder exemplifies early 20th-century elegance, crafted in the United States, circa 1910. Designed in th...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.91 in W 8.08 in D 4.34 in
Victorian Period William Tonks and Sons Sea Monsters Brass Desk Letter Holder
Located in Milan, IT
Victorian Period William Tonks and Sons Sea Monsters Brass and Oak Desk Letter Holder.
Brass