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Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

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
Antique Royal Worcester Blush Porcelain Hadley Design Bud Vase with Roses F126/H
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain flower vase. By Royal Worcester. Model no. F126/H. Designed by James Hadley. Of a bulbous form with blush decora...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

A large Aesthetic Movement celery glass vase hand blown & hand engraved
Located in London, GB
A Aesthetic Movement large celery glass vase hand blown in two parts and hand engraved with stars and shapes.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

English Aesthetic Movement Treacle Glazed Moon Vase with Classical Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An impressive English aesthetic movement ceramic twin handled moon shaped vase decorated with classical figures dating from around 1880. The vase is finely made and stands on a wide ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Chinoiserie Ochre Yellow Dragon Vase by Lambeth Doulton Faience, England 1880s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Elegantly adorned with intricate chinoiserie dragon detailing, this ceramic ochre yellow vase from Lambeth Doulton Faience exudes timeless charm and ex...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Faience

Waste Basket From English World War I Brass Artillery Gun Shell
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
English WWI brass artillery gun shell now a waste basket. From large scale artillery, now with wooden bottom & lion mask handles for use as a waste basket. 11.25" w. at handles, 9.25...
Category

1910s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Christopher Dresser Attributed Aesthetic Movement Terracotta Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish aesthetic movement terracotta vase with slip applied floral designs in the manner of Watcombe and design attributed to Christopher Dresser dating from around 1880. Thi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Large and Ornate Figural Bronze Handled Urn
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Figural bronze urn with relief figures among the foliage, the urn with two sea serpent handles with embossed scales, scalloped rim, footed. Very...
Category

Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A Pair of Paris Porcelain Bird Vases Circa 1880
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A wonderful pair of French porcelain hand painted vases. The pair with hand painted black sparrows on one side, facing each other and the other side white doves. The body in the shape of an egg in a soft ecru color with pink tops...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Circa 1900 Japanese Bronze Champleve Enamel Large Vase
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Circa !900 Japanese Large well shaped bronze champleve enameled vase.. Six paneled sides with Asian themed engravings on each panel.With two ringed handles. Original warm amber brow...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Kate Rogers Doulton Lambeth Pair Impasto Daisy Painted Vases
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and fine pair Doulton Lambeth Impasto daisy painted vases by renowned Faience artist Kate Rogers and dated 1885. The stoneware vases are of tall bulbous shape standing r...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks Beautiful original patina in red. Gilt bronze snake.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized polychrome painted humidor with floral decor
Located in London, GB
A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized polychrome painted Humidor with a shaped display plinth to the top, surrounded with a turned gallery, and an upper compartmented drawer hand painte...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

19th Century Majolica Shell Jardiniere Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica Shell Jardiniere signed Sarreguemines. Coral base.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Pair of porcelain “swallow” vases , L'Escalier de Cristal, France, 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of Chinese porcelain vases. On a blue background of stylized clouds, two cartouches display a design of pairs of swallows flying among flowering branches. The reverse ...
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Powell, Bishop & Stonier - Aesthetic Transfer Decorated Pitcher - U.K. - C. 1880
By Powell, Bishop & Stonier
Located in Chatham, ON
POWELL, BISHOP & STONIER (Manufacturer) - Beatrice No. 4 (Product Line) - Rare and exceptional Aesthetic Movement ceramic pitcher / vase - two color transfer decorated featuring fern...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Hawkes Cut Crystal & Sterling Silver Ornithological Motif Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
T.G. Hawkes & Co. was founded in 1880 by Thomas Gibbons Hawkes in Tiffin Ohio. This exquisite cut crystal and sterling silver box by Hawkes features a beautifully detailed ornithol...
Category

20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Minnie G Thompson Doulton Lambeth Pigment Painted Vase, 1883
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very unusual Aesthetic Movement biscuit fired Doulton Lambeth stoneware vase pigment hand-painted with stylized foliage and geometric designs by Minnie G Thompson...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Hand-Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl by Meriden Britannia Co '1893'
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hand hammered sterling silver poppy motif bowl in the Aesthetic taste by the Meriden Britannia Co. Meriden, Connecticut, after 1893.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Royal Worcester Aesthetic / Japonisme Handkerchief Vase, 1876
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Royal Worcester Aesthetic / Japonisme handkerchief vase, 1876 A fine example of the English Aesthetic Movement, realistically modeled of spa...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

George Jones Palissy English Majolica Lobster Pâté Basketweave Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica Lobster covered pâté tureen by George Jones, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1870. A scarce and highly desirable piece with collectors, a Palissy style oval basketweave ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

James Aitchison Aesthetic Movement mantel or bracket clock with Owls & Songbirds
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement mantel or bracket clock, Signed James Aitchison, Paris in the number 12, with finely carved floral decoration to the front and sides, a french city evening scen...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

John Broad Doulton Lambeth Rare Art Pottery Beaker Vase Dated 1880
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and exceptional Doulton Lambeth art pottery beaker shaped vessel beautifully decorated with floral panels by renowned artist John Broad and dated 1880. This unusually finely m...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Thomas Webb English Cameo Glass Diminutive Vase
Located in Astoria, NY
Thomas Webb (English, 1804-1869) diminutive chartreuse cameo glass vase decorated with rope twist neck and poppies in white on green. Dimensions: 3" H x 3" diameter. Dealer: S138XX
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Christopher Dresser Watcombe Aesthetic Movement Twin Handled Persian Taste Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Aesthetic Movement flow glaze twin handled vase in the ‘Persian Taste’ by renowned British designer Christopher Dresser (British, 1834 – 1904) for Watcombe Torquay...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

French Silver Mounted Blue & White Pottery Faience Inkwell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual French silver mounted faience pottery inkwell hand painted with blue and white designs dating from the 19th century. The domed shape inkwell stands on a rounded base with ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Large Antique English Morley & Ashworth 'Mason's' Ironstone Pottery Angel Vase
Located in Portland, OR
Rare, antique, large 19th century exhibition ironstone pottery vase by Morley & Ashworth, for the 1862 International Exhibition. Morley & Ashworth had taken over the designs of Mas...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ironstone

Elizabeth a Sayers Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Onion Shape Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement onion shaped vase decorated with star like motifs by renowned artist Elizabeth A Sayers dated 1878. Elizabeth A Sayers while recongized as a highly accomplished and distinguished artist did not spend much time at Doulton Lambeth so pieces by her are both rare and sought after. This stylish stoneware onion bodied vase...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Edith D Lupton Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Thistle Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and stunning aesthetic movement Doulton Lambeth Silicon Ware vase decorated with incised and pate-sur-pate thistle designs by r...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of 19th Century Exoticism Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Pair of polished bronze elephant candlesticks which clearly show the late 19th Century fascination with the exotic. Similar to Orientalist subjects in the nineteenth-century, exotici...
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Aesthetic antique American silver vase
Located in London, GB
Fine American sterling silver lobed baluster vase made by Tiffany & Co at the turn of the 20th century. With its compressed and bulbous fluted form, and reflecting Tiffany's efforts ...
Category

18th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of French Aesthetic Movement Enameled Bird Motif Black & Gold Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Aesthetic movement enameled bird motif black & gold vases, each one with twin applied handles, colorful decoration on both sides, raised on a 4"diameter base Provenan...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

French Majolica Vase with Fishs and Shells, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica vase with fishs and shells, circa 1880. Bamboo handles.   
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Faience

Rare Doulton Burslem Luscian Ware Hand Painted Exhibition Vase, circa 1893
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Doulton Burslem Luscian ware tear drop shaped vase handpainted by renowned miniature and historical artist Leslie Johnson dating between 1891 and 1902. The ta...
Category

1890s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Petite French Enameled & Gilt Bronze Aesthetic Artist Palette Motif Frame
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Petite French Enameled & Gilt Bronze Aesthetic Artist Palette Motif Frame France, circa 1880s Diminutive in size, with exceptional attention to detail and design. The french bron...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Townsend & Co Aesthetic Movement Brass and Copper Bamboo Candlesticks
By Townsend & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish pair Townsend & Co Aesthetic Movement candlesticks with mock bamboo supports dating from circa 1890. The candlesticks are finely made with rounded stepped domed heavy ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Doulton Lambeth Art Union of London Floral Vase by Emily E Stormer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth floral design Vase made for the Art Union of London by renowned artist Emily E Stormer and dating from around 1885. The stoneware va...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Christopher Dresser Mintons Chinoiserie Aesthetic Movement heart box inkwell
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Rare heart shaped inkwell designed by Christopher Dresser made by Mintons. Impressed markings OO / MINTON / 15 Pink version on line... Old Christies East labels
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Antique Gorham Coin Silver Vase No. 335
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver vase. By the Gorham Mfg. Co. In coin silver. The vase with a footed base, rounded body, and elongated narrow neck which opens into a wider mouth. These are v...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Minton Aesthetic Movement Plum Red Glazed Art Pottery Monkey Candlestick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and unusual Minton Aesthetic Movement plum glazed art pottery monkey candlestick dating from around 1885. The candlestick stands on a rou...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Aesthetic Movement Zodiac Black Marble Mantle Clock with Gong-Striking Movement
Located in London, GB
A rare and wonderful Aesthetic Movement black marble brass gong-striking mantel clock with brass finials and brass gallery to the top, just below with hand-painted porcelain panels o...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

Christopher Dresser Attributed Aesthetic Movement Terracotta Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish aesthetic movement terracotta bowl with slip applied floral designs in the manner of Watcombe and design attributed to Christopher Dresser dating from around 1880. Thi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

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

Materials

Brass

Large Pair Antique Aesthetic Cobalt Blue Porcelain Bronze Wisteria Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large (27 inch tall) antique (late 19th century) Aesthetic period porcelain vases with gilt decorations and raised enamel designs of butterflies and wisteria flowers on a cob...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 19th C. French Opaline & Gilt Bronze Aesthetic ' Fairy' Motif Cachepots
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair 19th C. French Opaline & Gilt Bronze Aesthetic ' Fairy' Motif Cachepots France, Circa 1870s Attributed to Baccarat A captivating pair of 19th-century French Opaline & Gilt B...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Brass Inlaid Walnut Box
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Brass inlaid walnut box. This stunning decorative box or jewelry box has beautiful brass inlay and trim with the original tufted satin interior.
Category

1890s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Globe Pottery. Tunis design. A large Aesthetic Movement blue and white jug
Located in London, GB
Globe Pottery. Tunis design. A large Aesthetic Movement blue and white jug.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Two Christopher Dresser for Perry & Son Aesthetic Movement Candleholders
Located in Sharon, CT
Two Aesthetic Movement candleholders, one with a rare retaining of the original porcelain bobeche. Losses to original clay red paint. Signed with the Perry mark on the bottom. The ot...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Tin

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Furstenberg Germany Vintage Violet Flowers Round Gold Leaf Trinket Plate
Located in BILBAO, ES
Furstenberg Germany vintage flower round gold leaf trinket plate Perfect gift for your special someone. Dimensions: Diameter 10 cm (3.93 inches) A s...
Category

Late 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Set of 6, 19th C. French Amber Glass Apothecary Bottles J&Johnson Estate
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, 19th century. Paul Lefebure 18 rue de l'odéon in Paris. A set of 6 antique apothecary jars in amber hand blown glass. Each having an original tin lid and porcelain gilt lab...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

Antique Gorham Aesthetic Sterling Silver Calla Lily Basket 1874
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver basket. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1874. Oval bowl on domed foot. Strap handle buckled to loop mounts threaded with calla lilies that wrap around baske...
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Aesthetic Movement decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Doulton Lambeth, Royal Worcester, Delphin Massier, and Minton. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $138 and tops out at $35,000 while the average work can sell for $1,362.

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