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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
Val Saint Lambert Cobalt Blue Cut To Clear Crystal Vase Birds & Flowers
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This Val Saint Lambert vase is a rare example of a pattern that was only used for goblets and most likely a custom order. It is hand blown crystal with cobalt blue overlay cut to cle...
Category

1930s Belgian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Royal Worcester Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Form Trompe L'oeil Porcelain Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique figural porcelain vase. By Royal Worcester. In the form of three large bamboo stalks covered by flora and foliage. The top of each stalk has a gilt rim. Retailed by Richard Briggs of Boston. Simply a wonderful Aesthetic Period vase! Date: Late 19th or Early 20th century Overall condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Condition details: There is some light rubbing to the gilding here and there, some very fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: Royal Worcester Marks: Marked to the base with 'Manufactured by the Worcester Royal...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Three-Piece French Enamelled Glass Garniture, Attributed to Baccarat
Located in Montreal, QC
This garniture is painted with birds and flowers on a pale blue ground. The oblong footed bowl has a shaped gilt rim ,with white jewelling and centering palmettes. The flanking vases...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Opaline Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of 19th Century Tall Turned Rosewood Prickett Candleholders
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of tall, 27 inches turned Rosewood with a triangular base on ball feet. Beautifully turned and a very interesting grain pattern from light to dark. Lead filled base for...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Lead

Furstenberg Germany Vintage Flower 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

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Ceramic Decorative Flower and Vegetation Chinese Plate Signed WL, 1896
Located in BILBAO, ES
Ceramic decorative flower and vegetation chinese plate signed Perfect gift for your special someone. Dimensions: Diameter 20 cm (37.86 inches) A series of three make the matchin...
Category

Late 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Sarreguemines French Majolica Twin Handle Bird Mounted Pottery Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and stunning French majolica twin handled pottery bowl applied with birds by renowned maker Sarreguemines and dating from the latter 19th century. The rounded bowl stands raised on four half ball shaped feet with a basket weave styled design. The rounded bowl is applied with decorative panels in low relief with leaf and stem handles to either side and with birds, their wings out spread, perched on a scorlling vine. The bowl has a raised rim with gothic style pierced panels and is richly hand painted in tones of brown, green, red, yellow, white and black. The inner bowl and base applied with bright turquoise glazes. The bowl is numbered 537 and has impressed SARREGUEMINES and MAJOLICA marks...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

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.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

French Victorian Faience Majolica Double Vase
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian (19/20th Cent) faience Majolica small double bud vase with circular shape and decorated with vine, leaves, and fruit (impressed: Sarreguemi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint

French Victorian Glazed Aesthetic Period Centerpiece Planter
Located in Norwood, NJ
Finest quality French aesthetic movement glazed ceramic centerpiece planter, fourth quarter 19th century, Japanese inspired decorating throughout the oval-bodied vessel. The medium ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

John Tuska Lidded Stoneware Vessel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
John Tuska lidded stoneware vessel in a striking green glaze. John Tuska, full name John Regis Tuska, (1931–1998) was an American artist and educator. H...
Category

20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

English Majolica Bamboo Planter and Stand, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
English Victorian Majolica bamboo planter and stand, circa 1880.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Furstenberg Germany Vintage Flower 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

Pair of Aesthetic Movement Vases
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an unusual pair of aesthetic movement vases that date to circa 1880-1900. Both vases, although very similar, are not identical, they are decorated in raised applied florals a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Antique Minton Secessionist Vase in Light Blue and Cobalt with Floral Motif
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique potery vase was made by the renowned Mintons Company of England in approximately 1905 in the period Secessionist style. The vase is done with a Robin egg blue ground wit...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Large Giltwood Frame with Pomegranates
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/5734 - Large giltwood frame with pomegranates carved in relief: very fine ! It can be vertical or orizonthal, for a mirror or for a picture. I h...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Christopher Dresser Moon Flask Vase, circa 1870s
Located in Brisbane, QLD
A blue ground pilgrim flask-shaped vase by famed English designer Christopher Dresser for Minton, circa 1870s. The foliage motif was most likely hand-painted by William Mussill...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large French Majolica Vase with Flowers Edouard Gilles, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica vase with flowers signed Edouard Gilles, circa 1880. Painted flowers, impressionist period..   
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

A Boucheron Paris 18k Gold Silver & Ruby Vermeil Minaudiere Circa 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Boucheron Paris 18k Gold, Silver & Ruby Vermeil Minaudiere Circa 1940, of rectangular form with a hinged cover the top of the cover with pierced vermeil scrolling foliage the flow...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Silver

English Majolica Triple Spiral Seashell Posy Bud Vase, circa 1875
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A scarce English majolica, tri-form fluted bud or posy vase modeled as three upright cream, gray, with hints of lavender, tubular, spiraled seashells on a brown glazed scallop shell...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Pair Napoleon III Aesthetic Ormolu Naturalistic Lizard Compotes/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III Aesthetic Ormolu Naturalistic Lizard Compotes/Tazza—in the Style of Christofle France, Circa 1875 This exquisite pair of Napoleon III period ormolu compotes (ta...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite

19th Century Limoges French Painted Porcelain Pitcher
Located in Soquel, CA
19th Century Limoges French Painted Porcelain Pitcher Rare and prized, American Amateur painting on French Limoges pitcher, circa 1897. Dimensions, 1...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880 Height / 8 inches. Diameter / 10.5 inches.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Stevens & Williams Aesthetic Movement Jewel Pattern Glass Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine quality aesthetic movement English glass bowl decorated in a Jewel pattern by renowned Stourbridge glass makers Stevens & Williams and dated 1886. The crystal glass bowl is of...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Royal Worcester Aesthetic Movement Pierced Oriental Blush Spill Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Royal Worcester ‘Aesthetic Movement’ porcelain pierced spill vase decorated in the oriental style with a building set amidst bambo...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Aesthetic Movement Ruby glass vase, gilt decoration Christopher Dresser style
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Fine quality Aesthetic Movement ruby glass vase made around 1880. The vase has stylised gilt bird decoration very much in the manner of Dr Christopher Dresser. It is in good original...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Eliza Simmance Doulton Lambeth Medieval Portrait Art Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement art pottery vase decorated with medieval portraits of a king and queen by acclaimed and sought after artist Eliza Simmance and dated 187...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Medium Ceramic Fabric Bowl
Located in El Segundo, CA
Exquisitely crafted, our windswept bowl is a testament to artisanal excellence. Meticulously handmade by skilled artisans in our studio, it emerges from pure white clay, resulting in...
Category

2010s American Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Large Majolica Bird & Flowers Basket Centerpiece, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Unique large Majolica bird & flowers basket centerpiece, circa 1880. Roses, blue and yellow flowers. Impressionist period.  
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

"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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Handblown Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Rose Pink Crystal Vases
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a well matched pair of Bohemian or French handblown vases shading from a subtle pale rose to a slightly darker shade as it reaches the top rim. They are decorated with an Aes...
Category

19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Pair of 19th Century Galle Faience Lion Candleholder with Silver Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of signed Emile Galle (French, 1846-1904) rampant lion faience candleholders Heraldic lion holding a castle tower in rampart also holding silvered bronze candelabra Signed...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Scott Nelles Bronze Floral 3 Candle Holder, Signed and Dated
Located in Charleston, SC
Very stunning 3 candle candelabra by the famous Scott Nelles Scott Nelles is an artist who has worked in cast bronze for over three decades. He d...
Category

1980s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Stevens & Williams All-Over Willow Pattern Vase
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare handblown crystal vase made by Stevens and Williams, England, circa 1910. The 12.25" tall and elegant proportion makes this a stand alone piece of art as well as a fun...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Epergne in Silver Plate with Flowers Holders
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant antique silver plate épergne with low branches and 4 flowers holders. Discreet and delicate, it can be placed anywhere: in the m...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Jérôme Massier Purple and Yellow Bearded Iris Vase Vallauris France, 1860-1880
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A late 19th century French majolica glazed earthenware tall vase modeled as a Bearded Iris. Three purple and yellow cascading petals surround the head of the Iris. The footing is mol...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Black Porcelain Vase with Gold & Platinum
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an extraordinary example of "Aesthetic Movement" decoration, finely rendered on black glazed porcelain. The well detailed and beautifully painted subject, depicts a hunter wi...
Category

19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Limoges Jmmet Seignolles plates & box Souvenir de son Vogage a Lourdes
Located in BILBAO, ES
Set of Elegant vintage Limoges box and two plates. Marked on base as “Jammet Seignolles Souvenir de mon voyage á Lourdes”. -Memories of my trip ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Gold Leaf

"Festgesang" Royal Vienna Porcelain Vase
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique Royal Vienna hand painted "Harp Player" porcelain vase with enamel paint and golden stucco patterns throughout the vase. Base color is an a beautif...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

19th Century Majolica Leaves Vase Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica vase with leaves and geometrical pattern signed Sarreguemines circa 1870. H / 2.7 inches , D / 2 inches.
Category

1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

WMF Silverplate Modernist Plate Sigrid Kupetz Design with Small Oval Bowl
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
WMF silver plate modernist plate Sigrid Kupetz design with small oval bowl, both by Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik, mid-20th century. The plate is ...
Category

1930s German Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Blown Art Glass Peacock Pattern Large Vase
Located in Stamford, CT
Large and substantial blown glass art vase. All over peacock swirl pattern with gold flecking throughout. No makers mark or signature.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

19th Century Majolica Leaves Vase Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica vase with leaves and geometrical pattern signed Sarreguemines circa 1870. H / 2. inches , D / 2.5 inches.
Category

1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Majolica Parakeets Garniture Set Vases & Jardinière Sarreguemines, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Parakeets Garniture set with 2 vases and a jardinière planter signed Sarreguemines, circa 1880. Model 7122. Measures: Jardinière / Height 6.2", length 11" on 6". Vases / ...
Category

1880s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Majolica Pond Life Ewer Wilhelm Schiller & Son, circa 1885
Located in Austin, TX
Monumental 19th Century Majolica ewer with crawfish handle, dragonfly snail, grasshopper, frog and aquatics plants, signed Wilhelm Schiller...
Category

1880s Czech Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Copeland FL Miller Princess of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Lalique France Opalescent Coquilles Motif Vase
Located in Stamford, CT
1920s Lalique France opalescent coquilles vase. Etched Lalique France signature on the underside.
Category

1930s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Dripglaze Heavily Potted Floral Vase
Located in NYC, NY
A beautifully potted vase with raised delicate floral decoration with a burnt orange flower in a subtle Japanese aesthetic typical of aesthetic movement po...
Category

Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Antique Martin Brothers Art Pottery Vase with Asian Inspired Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand-crafted art pottery vase was done by the renowned Martin Brothers factory of England, in approximately 1890 in the period Aesthetic Movement style. The vase is done...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Acanthus Leaf Green Glazed English Majolica Pedestal Vide-Poche
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A green majolica glazed pedestal vide-poche with an acanthus leaf pattern, England circa 1875-1880. French for ’empty pockets’, the vide-poche is a small bowl or container kept in...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

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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