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
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
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.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
$822
Doulton Lambeth Unusual Winged Foot Vase by Jane S Hurst 1880
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and stylish Doulton Lambeth Art Pottery vase decorated with ivy and winged feet by highly renowned artist Jane S Hurst dated 1880. The stoneware vas...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Takis ( Panayotis Vassilakis) Sculpture Signal Red Greece 1990 Signed
Located in Paris, FR
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...
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
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
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...
Category
1990s Swedish Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
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
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Large Ceramic Fabric Bowl
Located in Costa Mesa, 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
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$6,680 Sale Price / set
25% Off
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
$476 Sale Price
20% Off
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
An Elegant Pair of Antique French, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figure Candelabra
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant pair of antique French, guilt and patinated bronze figure candelabra from the 1870s the pair with two different patinated bronze bust centers with the rest in its brillian...
Category
1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Aesthetic Movement Enameled Plate Attributed to Elkington and A. Willms, c. 1875
By W. Albert Willms, Elkington & Co.
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
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
French Aesthetic Turquoise Glazed Figural Mouse Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French aesthetic turquoise glazed figural mouse vase, a diminutive, whimsical example with a mouse with enameled eyes and long tail, resting on the edge ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
Small Ceramic Fabric Bowl
Located in Costa Mesa, 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
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
Pair of Handblown Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Rose Pink Crystal Vases
By Bohemia
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
Medium Ceramic Fabric Bowl
Located in Costa Mesa, 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
Antique Aesthetic style sterling 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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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