Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
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.
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Style: Aesthetic Movement
English Mintons 1910 Aesthetic Movement Majolica Glazed John Henk Rooster Figure
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Mintons, a monumental and rare Rooster figure, Stoke-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, circa 1910.
A mold designed by John Henk, this faithful r...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
James Hadley Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Farmworker Figures
By James Hadley
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional pair English aesthetic movement porcelain pair of figurines portraying a farmhand and his belle by renowned potter and artist James Hadley (British, 1837-1903) dated 1...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Delphin Massier Vallauris Parrot & Bamboo Large Double Vase, France, circa 1875
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large, foot-high, French Barbotine Majolica glazed vase showing a colorful parrot sitting on a Bamboo perch. The perch rests in a grass cropping and features two bamboo shoot flower holders, circa 1875.
Gorgeous color, a scarce piece.
Signed Delphin Massier et Cie, Vallauris A.M.
Delphin, born in 1836, was one of three brothers from the Massier family, a dynasty of potters dating back to before the French Revolution. The family played a key role in the revival of pottery in Vallauris, Southern France...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Moorish horseman bronze, return from the hunt, Signed Barge Fils
Located in Nice, FR
Important Bronze Moorish Rider, Return from the Hunt, Signed Barge Fils
French work, end of the 19th century (1M)
Rider returning from the hunt with game h...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Belgium Bronze Busts by Georges Van Der Straaten
Located in Belmont, MA
The Belgium artist Georges van der Straaten (born 1856) designed the two bronze busts at the end of the 19th century. One is titled "Bergere" (shepher...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Trompe l’Oeil Majolica Glazed Cherry Branch Wall Plaque, signed F. Perrot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Palissy majolica glazed hand painted wall plaque, signed by the artist, circa 1890-1900.
In the trompe l’oeil style of fool the eye, a dimensional mold showing a branching ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
John Rose Coalport Prince of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Coalport parian bust of the Prince of Wales sculpted by John Rose and dated 1863. Probably made to commemorate the forthcoming marriage of Albert Edward Prince...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Tall Sculptural Trompe L'Oeil Draped Handkerchief Glass Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall sculptural transparent glass vase with ruffled edges. The base of this beauty is round, with scalloped edges. The body has long rounded edges which graduate and curl outward i...
Category
20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Pair of Terra Cotta Chinese Warrior Sculptures Qin Shi Replicas
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Replica terracotta soldiers. Date to teh 1950s era. Measures 41.5 tall x 14 wide x 11 deep.
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
French Majolica Elephant Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Elephant Delphin Massier, circa 1890.
Measures: Height / 5.4 inches.
Length / 6.7 inches.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Polychrome Wooden Horse
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant little carved wooden horse from the 19th century in polychrome wood
Very beautiful polychromy which has a lot of charm
Old child's toy with the front wheels which moves
...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Leather Giraffe 20th Century, England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb leather giraffe from England from the 20th century from the 50's
Very nice giraffe in superb condition which has a very beautiful patina.
The bl...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Ram's Skull Silver Plated
Located in Chicago, IL
Rams skull rests on plinth base. Marked "Made in France on underside from Wingate and Johnston"
Category
1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Silver
Ceramic Madonna with Child High Relief
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/4832 - Beautiful old high-relief white ceramic Madonna with child, signed Friska 1941 -
Sweet smile of mother and child!
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Porcelain Figure, KPM Berlin 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Woman with a parrot, KPM Berlin, 19th century..
Beautiful figurine of a standing woman in oriental dress holding a parrot in her right hand.
Naturalistically painted with fired KPM mark...
Category
19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
French 19th Century Life-Size Bronze "La Danse des Oeufs" by Gustave-Louis Nast
By Gustave-Louis Nast 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and large French 19th century Orientalist style life-size patinated and parcel-gilt bronze sculpture of "La Danse des Oeufs" (The Dance of Golden Eggs) also known as "La Danse...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Large Meissen Porcelain Group of Lovers Kissing in the Ocean on a Rock
Located in New York, NY
A Large Meissen Porcelain group of lovers kissing in the Ocean on a Rock. This piece is truly spectacular in both quality and size. The pair of lovers a...
Category
1870s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Hand Carved Malachite Hippo
Located in Houston, TX
Beautifully carved malachite hippo. Great addition to any collection!
Category
21st Century and Contemporary African Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Malachite
"Tiren la Primera Piedra" Bronze Sculpture by Victor Salmones, Signed & Numbered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning bronze sculpture designed and manufactured in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico by Victor Salmones.
The sculpture is titled "Tiren la Primera Piedra" (throw the first stone) made i...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Aime Jules Dalou French Gilt Bronze Figure of a Resting Worker
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French Gilt bronze figure of a resting worker by renowned sculptor Aime Jules Dalou (French, 1838-1902) and probably dating from the latter 19th century.
Paris born and ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Copeland FL Miller Princess of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
By Copeland
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Copeland parian bust of the Princess of Wales sculpted by F.L. Miller for the the Crystal Palace Art Union and dated 1863. Probabl...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Italian Female Nude Bronze Sculpture by Vincenzo Aurisicchio from 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Bronze sculpture of a beautiful female nude, created by Vincenzo Aurisicchio in the second part of the 19th century. The bronze sculpture is in really good conditions.
Ø cm 23 Ø cm...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Patinated Mercury Glass Madonna with Child
Located in Tilburg, NL
Antique patinated Mercury glass Madonna with child. Turn of the century / early 20th century.
This is a wonderful and large mercury glass Madonna with child figurine...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Mercury Glass
Luigi Melchiorre Italian Gilded Bronze Bust of Child in Bonnet
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique Italian gilded bronze sculptural bust of a young child wearing a bonnet signed by Luigi Melchiorre (1859-c.1908). The bust sits on a dr...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th C French Gilt Bronze Model of a Resting Hand, Attributed to Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century French Gilt Bronze model of a resting hand, Attributed to Barbedienne.
France, Circa 1880s
A unique work, realistically cast model of an ormolu of a resting hand on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Majolica Triple Bamboo Vase with Birds Massier, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
A large Majolica triple bamboo vase decorated with four birds attributed to Delphin Massier, circa 1880.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Auguste Louis Lalouette French Bronze Figure of a Young Sacristan
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and large antique bronze figure of a young Sacristan smelling an incense container by acclaimed French Sculptor August Louis Lalouette (1826-1883), believed to date from t...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Original Sculpture , Double figure of a Arab on horseback & young girl Signed By
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a large Sculpture by both Barye and El Guillman cast from the original . Two signatures are visible on the base . Said to be very rare piece! Large 33" in height and 22" long...
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron Chandelier or Pendant with Stylized Swan Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful antique and handcrafted six-light chandelier.
If you are searching for an elegant and unique chandelier to, for example, complete a dining room or a large entrance then th...
Category
Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Majolica Birds on Shell Jardiniere Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica birds on shell jardinière Massier, circa 1890.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
"Angel Kiss" Life Size Granite Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the "Angel Kiss" Life Size Granite Sculpture, a stunning addition to any home or office space.
This exquisite sculpture features a pair of lovers embracing each other w...
Category
1980s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Granite
19th Century Bronze by Moreau Sitting Figure of a Lady 'Student or Scholar'
Located in Incline Village, NV
Of French origin, this mid to late 19th century bronze figure was made by the prolific French bronze making artist family "Moreau". The sculpture depicts a young female student or sc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Minton Hollins 6-Inch Terracotta Profile Portrait Tile
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A superb antique 6-inch dust-pressed terracotta tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped) depicting a profile portrait in the aesthetic movement style. Such is this tiles beauty, that t...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta
Abstract plaster sculpture by Maxime Fillon (1920-2003) France 1970s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Abstract plaster sculpture by Maxime Fillon, French ceramist and sculptor. Circa 1970, acquired from the artist's studio.
In good condition, incised signature on base.
Category
1970s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Maxime Fillon (1920-2003) zoomorphic patinated plaster sculpture
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Beautiful zoomorphic sculpture in patinated plaster by Maxime Fillon, circa 1970, from the artist's studio.
In good condition, some traces of age, incised signature on base.
Category
1970s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Signed German Wooden Sculpture of a Mother And Her Child, "Muller 1943"
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Artistically significant hand carved sculpture of nude mother and child, completed during the Second World War.
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Bronze sculpture " Golfer" on green marble base. Levan Vardosanidze. 1990s.
Located in Köln, NW
Elegant and abstract Bronze sculpture "Golfer" on a green marble base by Levan Vardosanidze, Georgia 1999.
The georgian sculptor, born 1957 in Tiflis studied at the Academy there.
He...
Category
1990s Baltic Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Unusual 19th Century Large Eel Form Majolica Pottery Pitcher
Located in Atlanta, GA
European, 19th century.
An incredibly unusual and interesting majolica pitcher. The water pitcher features a finely detailed Eel, with scales, eyes and a wonderful tail.
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Fine Bronze Bust of a Man in Manner of Sir Jacob Epstein (British 1880-1959)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Bronze Bust of a man in the manner of Sir Jacob Epstein (British, 1880-1959), artist unknown. This beautifully executed green-patinated bronze somewhat resembles the style of ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Late 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Rock Crystal, Multi-gemstone, Silver, Gold
1900s Cold-Painted Statue of Arab
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted figure of an Arab man. Early 1900s. European. Not sure of origin. Signed by artist: "WEEGON" Some losses to the original paint. Very handsome figure.
Category
Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Doulton Burslem Figural Grape Stand Centerpiece
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This figural porcelain grape stand and holder is decorated with whimsical mushrooms encircling the "faux branch" to hold the grapes. It is embellished with...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Aesthetic Movement sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Jerome Massier, Delphin Massier, Asprey & Garrard Limited, and Baccarat. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $29,850 while the average work can sell for $2,011.