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
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...
Category
20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$880 Sale Price
69% Off
Pair of French Victorian Green Limoges Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Victorian green Limoges porcelain and gilt trimmed vases with lady and cupid scene (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Aesthetic Movement Trinket Box, circa 1900
Located in Spencertown, NY
The box with scenes of lilliputian figures
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Aesthetic Bronze Dog Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
Aesthetic Bronze Dog Candlesticks
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique Lacquered Paper Mache Sewing or Jewelry Box with Inlaid Carved Shell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique paper mâché and lacquered box is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1870 in the period Aesthetic Movement style. The box was made as a sewing chest, but could be adapted for other purposes such as a jewelry box. The box is composed of paper mâché with a glossy black lacquered finish. The stepped top has scalloped edges and a detailed border of inlaid mother of pearl done with a floral motif. The central portion of the box's top is done with large pieces of mother of pearl or abalone shell and accented with flaked gilt details. The front and sides of the box are accented with hand-painted gilt detailing and the inside of the top is hand painted with floral accents. The inner tray of this box is divided into several compartments, some having fabric covered lids with molded handles. The inside of the box is paper lined in the same blue patterned paper as the tray. There is small brass lock on the front of the box, but there is no key. The box is finished with round squat biscuit shaped feet.
Please note that due to the composition of this box, it may only be shipped within Canada.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Paper
Aesthetic Movement Jardiniere Attributed to G .Viardot, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
A large Japanese style boat-shaped jardiniere attributed to G. Viardot, made in carved wood, ornated with panels decorated with Japanese blossoming cherry tree branches and a trophy ...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Pair Aesthetic Brass & Mahogany Newell Post Candelabra Lights, C1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Aesthetic newel post candelabra offer brass construction with three adjustable lights, floral and stylized sunburst elements raised on balustrade mahogany bases ha...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$880 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Gorham USA Aesthetic Movement Sterling Mixed Metal Bowl Japanese Hallmarks N
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.
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
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...
Category
1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
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...
Category
20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
$760 Sale Price
20% 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.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
$1,120 Sale Price
60% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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
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
$36,950 Sale Price
43% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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
English Aesthetic Oak Bucket
Located in Essex, MA
With brass handle and liner. Hexagonal form with incised carved decoration. Toupie feet.
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Aesthetic Movement Enameled Plate Attributed to Elkington and A. Willms, c. 1875
By Elkington & Co., W. Albert Willms
Located in PARIS, FR
Important tray made in gilded bronze and “cloisonné” enamel attributed to Elkington and Willms. Ornamented with a centering polychrome enameled peacock plaque, made of very high standard quality, mounted on a gilt-bronze dish, decorated in relief with Japanese Nô theater masks.
The great Birmingham firm of Elkingtons, was largely the creation of George Richards Elkington (1800-1865), who worked from 1824 in Birmingham as a manufacturer of silver-mounted scent bottles. By 1829 the business had expanded sufficiently for a branch to have been established in London. In the late 1830s the Elkingtons began making experiments to apply the principles of electro-metallurgy to gilding and plating with silver and in 1840 the patent was at last taken out. Elkingtons owed their rise to a position amongst the most important silversmiths of the country to their exploitation of this new process and the two of the most famous designers then employed, both of them French, Albert Wilms (1827-1899) and Morel-Ladeuil (1820-1888), who helped to make Elkingtons’ reputation with their elaborate exhibition pieces.
Albert Willms was apprenticed as modeler and engraver to Klagman, Dieterle and Constant in Paris before working for Morel & Co. in London in 1848. On his return to Paris he was employed by the great Parisian silversmiths including Christofle and Froment-Meurice, for whom he designed pieces to be presented at the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris. It was during this period that he joined the firm of Elkington in London as head decorator. Elkington was soon to become one of the first to produce refined pieces in “champlevé” enamel in the Chinese and Japanese styles, which were presented with great success at the London Universal Exhibition in 1862 (see Masterpieces of Industrial Art & Sculpture at the International Exhibition 1862, J.B. Waring, London, 1863, III, pl. 211). Willms’ “champlevé” enamels could not be compared, however, with the delicate “cloisonné” enamels exhibited by Japan at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867. This explains why Elkington adapted the ancient Japanese technique to produce pieces according to European taste and custom. Followings the 1867 Exhibition all the major European artists rivaled in ingenuity for the 1873 Universal Exhibition in Vienna. In London Albert Willms presented his luxurious vases and cups in “cloisonné” enamel for Elkington (see Illustrations of Art Manufacturers in the Precious Metals exhibited by Elkington & Co., Inventors, Patentees and Manufactures of electroplate, 1873), whilst in Paris, Ferdinand Thesmar (1843-1912) produced in the workshops of Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) a tray decorated with a golden pheasant in “cloisonné” enamel on copper...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel, Bronze
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
$265 / item
Large 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
$510 / item
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Micro Mosaic Pen Holder
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Micro mosaic Moorish pen holder: simply beautiful ! Elegant sitting on Your desk.
It must not remain near heat sources because the mosaic could be damag...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Gold, Silver
Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Mantel Clock Attributed to Lewis Foreman Day
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Aesthetic Movement mantel clock, with an ebonised mahogany case and an exquisitely painted dial. The case embodies the style of the Aesthetic Movement, with an arched a...
Category
1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Late 19th Century French Tole Painted Bronze Urn & Flower Form Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of candelabra made in the form of urns holding floral arrangements are French and were cast in bronze in the 1870s. It’s possible that at one time they were gilded but they...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Small 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
$165 / item
Aesthetic Movement Carriage Clock, France, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Fine aesthetic movement clock in cloisonné enamel and gilded bronze, decorated with polychromed birds and flowers, and geometric gilded ornaments on a ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Aesthetic Period Antique Silver Plate Candelabrum by Hukin & Heath, Circa 1880
Located in London, London
Made circa 1880 by Hukin & Heath, this stylish, Victorian, antique silver plated candelabrum, is a fine example of the Aesthetic Movement, featuring a textured base, and will hold 6 ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
Aesthetic style silver photograph frame
Located in London, GB
Rare and early Aesthetic style antique silver photograph frame from the late Victorian era. The border is hand hammered with a mottled effect. There is a cast central surround with a...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Monumental Japanese Aesthetic Vase
Located in Litchfield, CT
This exceptional hand-painted porcelain vase by George Jones & Sons features magnificent sparrows flitting amongst lush trees and billowing clouds, circa 1880s. A superb example of the Japanese Aesthetic...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
English Simple Epergne in Silver Plate
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Simple but nice épergne in silver plate for Your table ornament, specially for Christmas: with candles, flowers and fruits all around. Just a few flowers are enough to refine a tabl...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
Aesthetic Design Antique Sterling Silver Chamberstick by Heath & Middleton 1891
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1891 by Heath & Middleton, this enchanting Victorian, Antique, Sterling Silver Chamberstick is a superb example of the naturalistic bark effect popularise...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Aesthetic Period, Antique Silver Plate Candelabrum, Hukin & Heath, Circa 1880
Located in London, London
Made circa 1880 by Hukin & Heath, this stylish, Victorian, antique silver plated candelabrum, is a fine example of the Aesthetic Movement, featuring a plain base, and will hold 6 can...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
A Pair Of Late Victorian Aesthetic Brass Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A Beautiful Pair of Late Victorian Aesthetic Brass Candlesticks (Circa 1880–1900)
This exquisite pair of brass candlesticks exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and decorative flai...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Aesthetic Movement Tromp L'Oeil Basket
Located in Montreal, QC
An American Aesthetic Movement Basket, naturalistically modeled as a bird perched on a a leafy twig, above a shallow dish simulating cloth, decorated with gilt and silvered leaves an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$1,260 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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.
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Spelter
Aesthetic Period & Design English Sterling Silver Bowl, London 1879
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1879 by Martin, Hall & Co., this stunning, Antique Sterling Silver Bowl, is in the Aesthetic taste, featuring cast and applied floral and butterfly detailing,...
Category
1870s English 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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