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.
Samuel Alcock The Battle Between The Greeks & Amazons Ceramic Vase 1856
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and rare antique Victorian Greek Revival Etruscan art pottery ewer shaped vase by renowned makers Samuel Alcock & Co and dating from around 1856 and modelled on an ancient...
Ceramic
Linthorpe Art Pottery Floral Painted Art Pottery Handled Ewer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and elegant Linthorpe art pottery handled ewer hand painted with floral stems and dating from around 1885. The ewer design is very similar to earlier pieces designed by Chr...
Earthenware
Carrie Bradshaw's English Aesthetic Bamboo Rattan Chest Dresser
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A stylish English Aeshtetic Movement style seven-drawer semainier or chest of drawers screen-used in Carrie Bradshaw's Gramercy Park, New York apartment in "And Just Like That…". Cra...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Wood, Raffia
Antique Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo & Bird's-Eye Maple Full / ¾ Bed, c. 1880s
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo & Bird's-Eye Maple Full / ¾ Bed - c. 1880s An exceptional example of late 19th-century American Chinoiserie. This bed frame dates from the...
Birdseye Maple
19th Century Square Majolica Mermaid Wall Plate
Located in Austin, TX
Square Majolica mermaid plate with shells on the corners, the mermaid sit on a flying fish, the border is decorated with shrimps, circa 1880.
Ceramic
Low Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Art Deco Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A Restored Masterpiece from a Bygone Era Discover the charm of bygone eras with our meticulously restored antique chandelier, a true passion project fr...
Crystal, Brass
Burmantofts Saffron Glazed Sunburst Pattern Dimple Art Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and stylish Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated with sun burst patterning and with a saffron glazed finish dating from around 1890. This stunning and elegant lightl...
Earthenware
Petal Pendant made by hand from mouth blown Murano glass and hand tooled Brass
Located in London, GB
The Petal Pendant is a design by Andrew inspired by the Aesthetic Movement pendant lights of the late 19th Century where art in design was celebrated following Victorian mass produ...
Brass
19th Century English Aesthetic Era Bamboo Table with Marquetry and Painted Detai
Located in Troy, MI
Found and made in England, this bamboo framed side table dates from the 1870s. Framed in tortoise or spotted bamboo with a table top and lower shelf made of pine. The top features d...
Bamboo
Swing arm Library Light in Antique Brass with matching Brass Lampshade
Located in London, GB
Designed by Andrew and produced by hand with care and attention to detail, the Double Swing Arm Library Light was introduced to the collection in 2013 and has been one of our best se...
Brass
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Ceramic
Aesthetic Movement Wall Cabinet, Hand-Painted Floral, Walnut, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Aesthetic Movement wall cabinet. Striking English design from the 1890s. Solid walnut frame with original door and drawer. Overall original hand-painted floral d...
Walnut
Single arm swing arm Library Light in Antique Brass with Silk pleated shade
Located in London, GB
Designed by Andrew and produced by hand with care and attention to detail, the Double Swing Arm Library Light was introduced to the collection in 2013 and has been one of our best se...
Brass
English Faux Bamboo Aesthetic Movement Marble Top Commode Dresser
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined English late 19th century/early 20th century four-drawer faux bamboo fruitwood commode, chest of drawers, or dresser crafted in the Aesthetic Movement taste. The distinctiv...
Marble
Porcelain Oyster Plate with Seaweeds Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French porcelain oyster plate with seaweeds Limoges, circa 1900.
Porcelain
A French Japonisme Bronze-Mounted Cobalt Blue Porcelain Jardinière circa 1880
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A striking late 19th-century French Japonisme centerpiece or planter, exquisitely crafted in richly glazed cobalt blue porcelain and lavishly mounted in finely chased gilt bronze. Da...
Bronze, Ormolu
Burgundy Red Fur Blanket throw - Rex Rabbit Fur Customize to any size
Located in Dural, AU
Emily Barbara Fur Couture — Rex Rabbit Fur Blanket Throw Elevate your interior with the unmistakable luxury of the Emily Barbara Fur Couture Rex Fur Blanket Throw, an exceptional s...
Fur
$600 / item
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Ceramic
French Majolica Bird Plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica bird plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement circa 1900.
Ceramic
Bench ceramic contemporary glaze green black square organic
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade stoneware Bench manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, straw, or heather straw. The pieces are ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$3,650 / set
Pair 19th Century Japanese Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th Century Japanese carved wood wall shelves with inlay and painted foliage motifs.
Wood
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Chinoiserie Bamboo Hand Painted Lacquer Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Chinoiserie Table A striking 19th century Aesthetic Movement bamboo Chinoiserie table, featuring hand-painted birds in flight and perched amon...
Bamboo, Wood, Paint
19th Century Plate Vieillard Bordeaux Service Nella
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Plate signed Vieillard Bordeaux service Nella. Naturalist plate with a kingfisher, an insect , water lilies
Ceramic, Faience
R.J. Horner Faux Bamboo Desk, American 19th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
An R.J. Horner American Victorian Faux Bamboo Desk, circa 1880. Desk features an upper structure with an elegant spindle gallery crowned by finials and decorative roundels, framing a...
Faux Bamboo
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895 Dimensions: 33" H × 16" W × 18" D Seat Height: 16" This rare and sculpturally articulated American side ...
Walnut, Leather
Exceptional Pair Austro/Bohemian Majolica Twin Handled Vases
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A exceptional, large and impressive pair antique twin handled majolica vases originating from one of the top Austrian or Bohemian makers and dating from the 19th century. Possibly ex...
Earthenware
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Metal
Jointed swing arm Library Light in Bronze with matching Brass Lampshade
Located in London, GB
Designed by Andrew and produced by hand with care and attention to detail, the Double Swing Arm Library Light was introduced to the collection in 2013 and has been one of our best se...
Brass
Rosella Glass Cake Plate by Mikasa
By Mikasa
Located in Bradenton, FL
A decorative glass plate in the Rosella pattern made by Mikasa of New Jersey. Frosted glass is etched with roses on the underside and decorated in pink, surrounded by delicate foliag...
Glass
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Side Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement bamboo and lacquer side table, circa 1910. With a black and red lacquer top with floral and bird decoration and bamboo borders, an embossed paper mache lower shelf...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
"Folded" Fruit Bowl of service Bracquemond-Rousseau / Faience Montereau
By Félix Bracquemond, Creil et Montereau
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare Japonism "Folded" Fruit Bowl from service "Bracquemond-Rousseau" of Faience Manufacture Creil et Montereau. This French earthenware Faience piece is part of the world-renowned...
Faience
French Faience Sunflower Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant and Rare French Faience sunflower Tureen Creil et Montereau Circa 1890. Signed C&M Le Soleil. Lemon handle.
Faience
Lamb Of Manchester Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Gilt Chinoiserie Mirrored Sconces
By James Lamb, Lamb of Manchester
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exceptional pair of Lamb of Manchester Aesthetic Movement mirrored wall sconces, each constructed with an architectural ebonized frame, broken pediment crest, oval gilt decorated bac...
Mirror, Wood
Belgium Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Belgium Majolica oyster plate with pink flowers & green leaves Wasmuel, circa 1890.
Ceramic
French Limoges Majolica Porcelain Oyster Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Limoges Majolica Porcelain Oyster Plate, circa 1890. with shells.
Porcelain
$3,408Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Aesthetic Period Davenport, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Aesthetic Period Davenport. An English, walnut and bird's eye maple writing desk, dating to the Victorian era, circa 1880. A delightful example, with exquisite cr...
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Pair Art & Craft Decorative Brass Andirons, circa 1900, England
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of decorative brass andirons, circa 1910, England Polished brass, wrought iron. Dimensions: 19 cm D, 16 cm W, 22 cm H. Good original condition. All purchases are covered by our ...
Brass, Wrought Iron
An English Brass 'Pullman' Lamp
Located in London, GB
An early 20th Century brass 'Pullman' lamp, circa 1910. The knopped column raised on a tripod base, with one extended leg drilled for wall mounting or table fixing. Unstamped but be...
Brass
A large sterling silver maple leaf centerpiece by Buccellati, Italy 20th century
By Buccellati, Gianmaria Buccellati
Located in View Park, CA
A rare large maple leaf sterling silver centerpiece created by the famous Italian silversmith Buccellati, twentieth century. The centerpiece is composed of three large finely chisele...
Sterling Silver
Samuel Alcock Royal Palissy Majolica Footed Comport
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the coveted Royal Palissy line, a majolica glazed Fern and Floral footed comport, from Samuel Alcock & Co, Burslem, Staffordshire, England, circa 1850. This is a scarce example...
Earthenware
Frie Onnaing French Barbotine Majolica Cochon Au Jambon Pig & Ham Water Pitcher
By Onnaing
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic French Barbotine Majolica pig water pitcher made by Frie Onnaing, circa 1921. Known as the “Cochon au Jambon,” a pig with a ham, the tan colo...
Earthenware
1950s Saridis Headboard Super King Size Bed 180cm Wood Bedroom Midcentury
By Sardis
Located in London, GB
An exquisite and extremely well made hand carved headboard from the renowned manufacturer Saridis in Athens. The headboard is 180cm long which makes it a Super King Size Bed in UK s...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Cast Concrete English Garden Style Pots / Planters / Jardinieres - 2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of unique cast concrete planters. As one can see, one is significantly darker than the other. They most likely date to the 50s/60s. They are unmarked.
Concrete
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th-Century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Ceramic
$1,620 / item
Ceiba Table Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba Lamp embodies the essence of artisanal craftsmanship, meticulously crafted entirely by hand. Inspired by the sacred Tree of Life in the Yucatan Pe...
Clay, Linen
Antique Keystone by Whiting Youth Sterling Silver Fork, Knife & Spoon Boxed Set
By Whiting Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine boxed youth utensil set. By Whiting. In sterling silver. In the Keystone pattern. Comprising a youth fork, knife, and spoon. Together with its original presentation box. ...
Sterling Silver
E W Godwin attr, for Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement mahogany side table
By Edward William Godwin, Collinson & Lock
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin, attributed, made by Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic movement mahogany side table with spiral-turned legs on out swept feet.With the original lock and key to the drawer.Col...
Mahogany
$990Sale Price / item|40% Off
19th Century Large Bird & Bamboo Art Pottery Chinese Egg Pot Jardinière Planter
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late 19th-century Chinese art pottery egg jar featuring elegant bird and bamboo motifs hand-applied around the body. Over 120 years old, these vessels were originally used to store b...
Ceramic
$1,456Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Turkish Silk Hereke Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78516 Vintage Turkish Silk Hereke Rug, 01'04 x 02'00. Woven in the legendary ateliers of Hereke, this hand-knotted vintage Turkish silk rug is a masterstroke of imperial artistry—a r...
Silk
$5,154Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Scottish Aesthetic Movement Polished Cast Iron Fireplace Insert
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A large masculine and flamboyant example of a 19th century Scottish Aesthetic movement cast iron fireplace insert. A large outer plate with recessed fielded panels hosts an off set p...
Iron
Wonderful Late Victorian Bronze and Stain Leaded Glass Pendant Light / Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
Kindly note that we arrange the shipping ourselves to ensure a smooth, secure, and reliable delivery. This allows us to provide the best possible service and care for your purchase. Stunning design and amazing colors Victorian pendant light...
Bronze
Aesthetic Movement Tiger Tortoise Bamboo Pedestal 2-Tier Side Drink Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian tiger bamboo side table with intricate embossed Paisley block pattern octagonal tabletop. The table features a tiger bamboo frame with a secondary bottom shelf, usuall...
Rattan
English c. 1900-1910 Wedgwood Blue Willow Pattern Platter
By Wedgewood
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900-1910 Wedgwood Blue Willow pattern platter, England. Deep blue color and precisely applied transfer. Blue backstamp: Wedgwood & Co, Ltd,...
Ceramic
The Floating Cadence: A Vintage Turkish Kilim Masterpiece of Abstract Rhythm
By William Baziotes, Le Corbusier
Located in Dallas, TX
52624 Vintage Turkish Kilim Rug, 10'10 x 13'10. The Floating Cadence: A Vintage Turkish Kilim Masterpiece of Abstract Rhythm. There is a cultivated stillness within this handwoven wo...
Wool
French Porcelain Six Well ‘Eyes’ Oyster Plate
By Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French porcelain oyster plate, circa 1890 – 1910. Six shell shaped oyster wells with multicolored, hand painted ‘eyes’ surrounding a central, round sauce well, outlined in gold. ...
Porcelain
Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Tazza
Located in New York, NY
This gleaming Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Tazza originates from the United States, Circa 1895. Featuring a scalloped profile achieved with ornate organic designs and...
Sterling Silver
Burmantofts Turquoise Glazed Solifleur Art Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A tall and elegant Burmantofts Faience art pottery solifleur vase decorated in bright turquoise glazes dating from around 1890. This stunning lightly potted earthenware vase stands o...
Earthenware
19Th. Century Octagon Tiger Bamboo & Lacquer Side Table, C1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrived in my shop, This 19Th. Century Octagon Tiger Bamboo & Lacquer Side Table, C1880 This is perfect example of the Victorian and Napoleon II period from the 19Th. century, i...
Bamboo, Lacquer
English Aesthetic Movement Large Ironstone Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An oversized ironstone pitcher in the Aesthetic Taste, made by Holmes, Plant & Mayday at The Sylvester Pottery Works – Burslem, Staffordshire, England, date marked 1882. Charming in...
Ironstone
Aesthetic Movement Cabinet by T. E. Collcutt, Made by Collinson & Lock, London
Located in London, GB
Aesthetic Movement Cabinet Designed by T. E. Collcutt and Made by Collinson & Lock, London Collcutt designed a number of these cabinets for Collinson & Lock. The first example of thi...
Walnut