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.
Gilt Bronze & Glass Tiffany Studios Inkwell ca. 1900
Located in Petaluma, CA
This very handsome gilt bronze and glass inkwell will make any desk look important. Signed, Tiffany Studios guarantees quality. The design is of the metalwork is striking and the g...
Bronze
19th Century Exoticism Elephant Inkwell
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A beautifully crafted polished bronze elephant inkwell that vividly captures the late 19th-century fascination with the exotic. Reflecting the Orienta...
Bronze
Mid 20th Century Glass "Aquarium Vase" by Edward Hald for Orrefors
By Edward Hald
Located in London, GB
An exquisite mid 20th Century hand blown glass vase internally decorated with an underwater landscape with swimming fish, exhibiting excellent colour and detail, signed Edward Hald, ...
Glass
Tooled and Paint Embellished Versace Style Italian Leather Desk Organizer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Desk organizer highly decorated and colorful tooled leather. Cloth interior. Marked Made in Italy.
Leather
Mid-19th Century Murano "Chalcedony Glass" Paperweight
By Lorenzo Radi
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century Murano "chalcedony glass" paperweight. By Lorenzo Radi Sr. or one of his followers. Handblown. Chalcedony originated among the Romans & Egyptians, was rediscovered i...
Murano Glass
English Stag Horn & Sterling Silver Green Man Face Letter Opener
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A letter knife or opener made of naturally shed Stag Horn with a Sterling Silver ferrule, England, circa 1890-1910. The Sterling ferrule is hand chased and formed as a double face o...
Sterling Silver
Asprey Carved Rock Crystal Gorilla Diamond Eye's and 18-Karat Gold Accents
Located in Westport, CT
Asprey one of a kind hand carved rock crystal Gorilla, with 18-karat gold accents and diamond eyes, together on the original petrified wood base, w...
Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Gold, Silver
Art Deco Cut Crystal & Silver Plate Inkwell Signed Cross
Located in New York, NY
Add a touch of historical elegance to your desk with this Art Deco Cut Crystal & Silver Plate Inkwell, signed by Cross, England, from the early 20th century. This exquisite inkwell e...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case by George Unite
By George Unite
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver calling card/business card case in original, velvet lined leather box, London, year-hallmarked for 1860, George ...
Sterling Silver
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
Baccarat Paperweight with Millefiori and Horse Gridel Silhouette, 1973
By Baccarat
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Baccarat paperweight features complex patterned millefiori set around a large horse silhouette cane, with smaller animal silhouette canes placed on a white lace background. ...
Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso
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
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with white "filigrana" - white filaments intricately superimposed and intertwined within the glass / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Me...
Murano Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Doré Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 4.25"D x 2...
Bronze
Stylish English Solid Silver Letter Opener, c.1973
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A stylish 20th English solid silver letter opener, designed with a flat "S" shaped handle with reeded detailing finishing in a rounded point. Inscribed on one side of the letter opener is "From K, 17th Sept 1980". Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1973 (s), Makers mark Grant MacDonald Silversmiths (George Grant MacDonald...
Silver
Graal Fish Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors
By Edward Hald
Located in New York, NY
Stunning graal fish vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors...a true form of art with multiples layers of glass. Unbelievable craftsmanship and a tru...
Art Glass
Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble desk pen/pencil/marker holder organizer, in the modern style, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century. Organizer can hold small pieces of paper, ...
Marble
Tiffany Studios Bronze Inkwell New York Bookmark Pattern
Located in Toledo, OH
Lovely bronze inkwell from Tiffany Studios in the New York Bookmark pattern. Beautifully detailed octagonal design with round lid. Marked Tiffany Studios 1094. 3" x 3" x 2 1/2" tall.
Bronze
$850Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.99 in W 14.57 in D 2.37 in
20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener. Perfect for a prestigious desk. The blade is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls and fl...
Sterling Silver
George Jensen Sterling Silver Letter Opener in Cactus Pattern
Located in Buchanan, MI
George Jensen sterling silver letter opener in cactus pattern.
Stainless Steel, Sterling Silver
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
Jacques Adnet Leather Wrapped Faux Bamboo Desk Organizer
Located in Stamford, CT
Jacques Adnet desk In/Out tray organizer of stitched leather over steel. France. Circa 1950. Possible to hang on wall or place on desk.
Leather
Mid century modern Murano glass paperweight, 1960
Located in Palermo, PA
This elegant Murano glass paperweight features a clear, transparent design with a delicate light blue flower inside. Small, subtle air bubbles are suspended within the glass, adding ...
Murano Glass
Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fish Graal vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden A large and heavy vase of the Graal series designed by Edvward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear ...
Art Glass
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963 A vintage vase of the Graal series designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear and green glass decora...
Art Glass
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1947
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1947 A vintage vase of the Graal series designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear and green glass decora...
Art Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze and Green Glass Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Among the most visually alluring and technically excellent of all Tiffany Studios New York's desk accessories, the exciting design for this refined but robustly rounded inkwell features green blown glass in pinched triangular forms that appear to dance in perfectly coordinated movement around the circumference of the piece. The negative space between the blown green glass appears in the form of stylized flowers with Minimalist linear accents in patinated bronze. Artist: Tiffany Studios New York Country: United States circa 1900 Dimensions: 3.75" height, 6.25" diameter Materials: Leaded glass, bronze Signed: "Tiffany Studios New York 25055” along with the Tiffany Studios monogram...
Bronze
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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
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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
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H 3.75 in W 3.06 in D 3.06 in
Rare Doulton Lambeth John Broad Stoneware Silver Mounted Mottoware Inkwell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and rare Doulton Lambeth stoneware silver mounted mottoware tea caddy by renowned artist John Broad assisted by Emma A Burrows and dating from 1896. The tea caddy of squar...
Stoneware
A Rectangular Copper Waste Paper Bin
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A rectangular copper waste paper bin This one has been used as a waste paper basket it has small inside handles, it has many other uses, perhaps a c...
Copper
Antique Tiffany American Aesthetic Sterling Silver Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver inkwell. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Drum-form with spread base. Cover domed with scrolled hinged and tab. Acid-etched ornament: Fluid lattice inset ...
Sterling Silver
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H 4.25 in W 2.5 in D 0.5 in
Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Calling Card/Business Card Holder by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver, Aesthetic Movement calling card/business card holder, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year hallmarked for 1...
Sterling Silver
Pair of White Jade and Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pair of carved white jade and brass bookends, the pair have accents in Orange Jade and carved bone, with frame and stand in perfectly patinated brass - a stunning pair fo...
Jade, Brass
Aesthetic Movement Brass Paganator
Located in Toronto, ON
This highly stylized and decorative letter/ page opener is a great example of the19th century Aesthetic Movement in which practical items were extensively decorated with elements f...