Majolica Birds on Shell Jardiniere Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica birds on shell jardinière Massier, circa 1890.
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Faience
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.
Majolica Birds on Shell Jardiniere Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica birds on shell jardinière Massier, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
$1,120Sale Price|60% Off
Mid Nineteenth Century Silver Plate Centerpiece by Elkington and Co.
Located in Winnetka, IL
Mid nineteenth century silver plate naturalistic centerpiece by Elkington and Co. depicting deer and flora.
Silver Plate
Carved Marble Bust of the Pharaoh's Daughter on Marble Base/ Pedestal, Two Piece
Located in Nashua, NH
A very rare piece of 19th C. sculpture , a carved marble bust and pedestal, " Pharaoh's Daughter", late 19th C.. by James Adams- Acton. English, born 1834. This amazingly beautiful ...
Marble
Early 20thC Aesthetic French Jardinière
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Aesthetic French Jardinière with Foliate Banding - 9" diam x 7"h
Brass
George Jones Palissy English Majolica Lobster Pâté Basketweave Covered Tureen
By George Jones
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 ...
Earthenware
Howell and James, A small Aesthetic Movement walnut mantle clock
Located in London, GB
Howell and James in the style of Lewis Foreman Day. A small Aesthetic Movement walnut mantle clock with brass finials and brass feet, a pierced gallery to the top centred with a fan ...
Brass
Dr C Dresser Attri, Aesthetic Movement Walnut Coal Scuttle with Stylized Mounts
By Benham & Froud, Christopher Dresser
Located in London, GB
Dr. C Dresser attributed. Made by Benham and Froud. An Aesthetic movement walnut coal scuttle with applied chrome-plated stylized carry handle and foliate decorative mounts and a side holster to hold a coal shovel.
Chrome
Brownfield & Sons. Olympus pattern. Dr C Dresser style. Aesthetic Movement bowl
Located in London, GB
Brownfield and Sons Olympus pattern, in the style of Dr C Dresser. A large Aesthetic Movement white bowl with blue printed love birds and stylized decoration around the bowl.
Ceramic
Wedgwood Palissy Majolica Volute Shell and Coral Open Salt Cellar, Dated 1872
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very rarely found, early Wedgwood majolica glazed shell and coral open salt cellar – date marked 1872. In the manner of Palissy, the globose Volut...
Earthenware
Antique Moser Crystal Cut Glass Engraved "Swimming Fish" Gold Vase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Immerse yourself in the opulence of fine glass artistry with this exquisite antique Moser crystal cut glass vase, intricately engraved with a "Swimming Fish" motif and adorned with l...
Crystal
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
Furstenberg Germany Vintage Violet Flowers Round Gold Leaf Trinket Plate
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Furstenberg Germany vintage flower round gold leaf trinket plate Perfect gift for your special someone. Dimensions: Diameter 10 cm (3.93 inches) A s...
Gold Leaf
Circa 1880-1910 Japanese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880-1910 Japanese cloisonne vase. Fine, elegant example. Silver mounted & silver wire. Marked on base rim CLOISONNE. Base of lapet reserves of dragons & phoenix birds. Floral ...
Silver, Enamel
$476Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Bronze
Artistic Double Gourd Form Raku Pottery Vase
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Artistic Double Gourd form Raku pottery vase, unglazed diagonal ribbon exposing black clay body thickly applied grey crackled glaze pooling at the bo...
Pottery
$780Sale Price|20% Off
19th C. Royal Copenhagen* Parian Aesthetic Movement Vase by Anna Plenge, 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Royal Copenhagen* Parian Aesthetic Movement Vase by Anna Plenge, 1870 *Attributed to Royal Copenhagen, this work is not marked Royal Copenhagen, it is signed by the art...
Porcelain
Lovely Pair of Sterling Silver Swedish Aesthetic-Movement-Style Candlesticks
By Mema
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of sterling silver, Aesthetic-Movement-Style candlesticks, Sweden, Ca. 1970's, Mema - maker. Each candlestick measures 6 1/2 inches high x 3 1/4 inches diameter across it...
Sterling Silver
"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...
Granite
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Highly Unusual French Majolica Rope Twist Vase or Jardiniere
Located in Atlanta, GA
Aubagne France, early 20th century. A highly unusual French ceramic piece with beautiful brown glazed exterior and a polychrome glazed interior. The vase or jardiniere features a li...
Ceramic
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Aesthetic Gilt Metal Cockatoo & Turtle Figural Cachepot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Aesthetic Gilt Metal Cockatoo & Turtle Figural Cachepot USa, circa 1900s Of large Size and scale, realistically cast and modeled of Cockatoo with in...
Metal
$716Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Porcelain
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...
Metal
"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...
Porcelain
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Royal Worcester Aesthetic Basketweave Amphora Spill Vase, 1883
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Royal Worcester Aesthetic basketweave spill vase, 1883 Realistically modeled, with intertwined rope handle on a basketweave amphora with a 2...
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Basket of Flowers Cast Iron Doorstop
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century cast iron basket of flowers doorstop, Anglo-American. Worn soft old enamel paint. 8.13" x 6.13" x 1.5". 4 lbs. We are a family business that has been a major sourc...
Iron
Gorham USA Aesthetic Movement Sterling Mixed Metal Bowl Japanese Hallmarks N
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Gorham (Rhode Island) mixed metal on sterling Aesthetic Movement bowl hallmarked and dated N for 1881. Hammered background with asian floral motifs.
Silver
$476Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century European Black Lacquered Chinoserie Painted Tea/Tobacco Caddy Jar
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A large English lacquered papier-mâché container from the Aesthetic Movement period, featuring a decorative chinoserie painting of stylized Asian figures, pagodas, and a garden bridg...
Papercord
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
$816
Vase terracotta
Located in Nice, FR
Black earthenware object, a three-legged bowl, also called a tripod, with a traditional aesthetic. It is a circular bowl with three conical feet, which gives it increased stability. ...
Terracotta
Early 20th Century, Kashmiri Paper Mache Candlestick
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely executed Kashmiri papier-mâché candlestick, dating to the early 20th century, distinguished by its graceful barley twist shaft and richly enameled floral decoration. Standin...
Paint, Paper
1979 Florida Venice Mermaid Sculpture with Conch Shell & Porcelain
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Splendid Florida Venice Mermaid with conch shell mounted installation on a hot pink hat. Oc with sea shells trim trim border.
Shell, Porcelain, Paper
Antique Vase Coalport England Hand Painted with Jeweling and Raised Gilt
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming vase by the storied English firm of Coalport. This sweetie features 2 handles, and an interesting hand painted scene with river, mountains, flora fauna accented with white...
Gold, Enamel
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...
Lead
$2,400 / set
Pair of 19th Century Exoticism Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A striking pair of polished bronze elephant candlesticks that beautifully capture the 19th-century fascination with exoticism while maintaining a timelessly modern aesthetic. These p...
Bronze
Decorative Russian Hand Painted Lacquered Box With Fox & Fish
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Decorative Russian hand painted lacquered hinged box with red interior. The box with a fox licking his mouth over his discovery of a proudly displ...
Lacquer
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...
Porcelain
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
A 19th Centur Pair of Cold Painted Orientalist Figures of a Musician and Dancer
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A Pair of Orientalist style Figures of a musician and dance, cold painted over white metal, with an old repair ot the base of the male.
Spelter
Antique Cobalt Blue Vase Glass Crane Reed Shore Symbol Luck Longevity
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant, cylinder shaped cobalt blue glass vase is handpainted with gold enamel, depicting a scene with a crane in a reed shore. In Asian arts and craft...
Glass
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...
Art Glass
$201Sale Price|35% Off
Early 20th Century Tai Benjarong porcelain bowl with Marks on the bottom
Located in Pomona, CA
This item is a Benjarong porcelain bowl featuring a portrait of the late 19th and early 20th-century Siamese monarchs, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) ...
Porcelain
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Two Handle Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking studio pottery vessel is a masterclass in textural contrast and organic form, capturing the soulful spirit of the 1970s artisanal movement. Hand-thrown with exceptional...
Pottery
Furstenberg Germany Vintage Flower Round Gold Leaf Trinket Plate
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Furstenberg Germany vintage flower round gold leaf trinket plate Perfect gift for your special someone. Dimensions: Diameter 10 cm (3.93 inches) A s...
Gold Leaf
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Flaired Lip Swedish Art Glass Vase
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
Bring artistry and charm to your home decor with this brightly colored Swedish Art Glass Vase, hand crafted by glass maker Kjell Engman for renowned glass house Kosta Boda. Resembl...
Art Glass
Takis ( Panayotis Vassilakis) Sculpture Signal Red Greece 1990 Signed
Located in Paris, IDF
Takis 1925 - 2019 "Signal Rouge" stamped with the artist's signature, numbered 12 (on the base) lamp on metal rod with painted base 224 × 21 × 21 cm ; 92 ⅛ x 8 ¼ x 8 ¼ in. A certifi...
Metal
19th Century Bronze pair of candlesticks with bears of Christophe Fratin
Located in Paris, FR
Here is a stunning pair of finely chiseled, bronze candlesticks from the mid-19th century. These bronze candelabras, with a body resembling a tree trunk adorned with oak leaves and a...
Bronze
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...
Opaline Glass
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 ...
Ceramic
Blue ceramic skeleton fish, 20th century
Located in Nice, FR
An original wall decoration in the shape of a stylized fish skeleton, made of ceramic. Glazed ceramic material. Its color is a deep blue, with some lighter shades due to the glaze an...
Ceramic
$7,900 / set
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Torcheres
Located in Harrodsburg, KY
A pair of Aesthetic Movement torcheres in oak. The circular tops are supported by a turned column raised on bentwood legs ending in block feet. Probably Austrian.
Oak
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
Porcelain
Antique Gorham Coin Silver Vase No. 335
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
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...
Silver
19th c Old Paris Hand Painted Porcelain Planter with Portraits of Horses
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This large square hand painted porcelain planter was made in France ca. 1880's or earlier. It features two hand painted "portraits" of horses heads alternating with 2 sides of hand p...
Porcelain
Gérald Vatrin "Pria" Blown Glass Sculpture, Hand-Crafted, France, 2022
Located in Paris, FR
Pria is an exceptional unique piece from the Flacon collection. Its structure is composed of two elements of hand-blown white translucent glass, forming a precious, oversized bottle....
Glass, Blown Glass
Gérald Vatrin "Providence – Mali Tribal series" blown glass sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Providence – Mali Tribal series is an exceptional unique piece from the Flacon collection. Its structure is composed of two elements of hand-blown white translucent glass, forming a ...
Glass, Blown Glass
French Aesthetic Movement Patinated Bronze Figural Bowl/Basket
Located in Norwood, NJ
French aesthetic movement patinated and gilt bronze figural center bowl/basket, third quarter 19th century, formed as a large stylized woven ...
Bronze
Gérald Vatrin Bota Blown Glass Sculpture, Hand-Crafted, France, 2023
Located in Paris, FR
Bota is an exceptional unique piece from the Flacon collection. Its structure is composed of two elements of hand-blown white translucent glass, forming a precious, oversized bottle....
Glass, Blown Glass
Furstenberg Germany Vintage Flower Round Gold Leaf Trinket Plate
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Furstenberg Germany vintage flower round gold leaf trinket plate Perfect gift for your special someone. Dimensions: Diameter 10 cm (3.93 inches) A s...
Gold Leaf
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...
Bronze
Gérald Vatrin 'Madjo' Hand-Crafted Blown Glass Sculpture, France 2020
Located in Paris, FR
Madjo is an exceptional unique piece from the Flacon collection. Its structure is composed of two elements of hand-blown white translucent glass, forming a precious, oversized bottle...
Glass, Blown Glass