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.
Antique Ford & Tupper Gilded Age Sterling Silver Barrel Form Ice Bucket / Cooler
By Tiffany & Co., Ford & Tupper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Gilded Age American figural ice bucket. By Ford & Tupper, the renowned 19th Century New York City silversmiths. In the faux bois form of a...
Sterling Silver
Antique Gorham Sterling Olive Bowl and Tongs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1884, sterling, Gorham. This unequivocally charming serving piece embodies the relaxed refinement of the Victorian era. Complete with tongs, this rare example of a figural Gorham olive dish...
Sterling Silver
Moser Aesthetic Enameled Cordial/ Liquor Set, 15-Pieces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Moser Aesthetic enameled Cordial/ liquor set,15-pieces. Subtle olive green glass, with naturalistic enamel work with gilt highlights. Consisting of two handled decanters with stopper...
Glass
Crystal Claret Ewer, Wheel-Engraved Game Frieze, Possibly Val Saint-Lambert
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 19th–early 20th century Continental crystal claret ewer with engraved game frieze, probably Val Saint-Lambert (Belgium) or North Bohemian, circa 1885–1905 A tall, elegant ewer-...
Crystal
$2,429Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Carafe in Engraved Crystal and Silver
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Very elegant French carafe in engraved crystal and silver. On your table or in your bar area it's the most beautiful object to admire. It's perfect and r...
Crystal
French Sarreguemines Advertising Face Jug for OVH Greer's Scotch Whiskey, 1890s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made as a premium for the British and Irish pubs, and used for water when mixing a whiskey, a scarce advertising face jug. The French Sarreguemines majolica ...
Earthenware
Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Mug/Cup by Wood & Hughes
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver Aesthetic Movement mug/cup on pedestal base, New York, Ca. 1875, Wood and Hughes - makers. Lovely etched designs on mug. Handle is in the form of a swan (its long nec...
Sterling Silver
$340 / set
H 8 in Dm 3.38 in
Set of 4 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Pilsner Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal pilsner glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and cla...
Crystal
$420 / set
H 5.88 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is desi...
Crystal
$420 / set
H 5.5 in Dm 2.38 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Cocktail Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal cocktail glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is design...
Crystal
$390 / set
H 3.38 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Shot Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal white wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and clarity of Swedish crystal. The simplicity of the design, the thinness of the lip, the quality of the crystal and the perfect weight of these white wine glasses create a nuanced experience, and are the trademark details of her Simple Crystal collection...
Crystal
Deborah Ehrlich Small Crystal Bowl, Hand Blown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and clarity of Swedish crystal. The simplicity of the design, the thinness of the lip, the quality of the crystal and the perfect weight of this small crystal bowl...
Crystal
$7,500
H 10.5 in W 14.25 in D 11.25 in
Antique French Baccarat Crystal Cave À Liqueur in Satinwood Case circa 1885-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superb antique French baccarat crystal and gold bronze Cave À Liqueur in fitted satinwood case, circa 1885-1890.
Crystal, Bronze
$1,500
H 7.5 in W 9.5 in D 6.5 in
Christian Dior Home , rare set 2 Ice Bucket and Wine bottle cooler silver plate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare 2 pieces set , ice bucket plus wine cooler . Shows original red sticker label . Made in Italy, Quick not most of the French production of Christian Dior was produc...
Silver Plate
Antique English Cut Crystal and Silver Plate Wine Jug
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent large wine jug, wonderful quality made from a hefty piece of crystal beautifully hand-cut. The naturalistic handle is just lovely, the collar and lid smothered with ...
Silver Plate
$3,600 / set
H 5.25 in Dm 2.75 in
Set of 12 Val St Lambert Art Deco Crystal Tumblers Cranberry Cut to Clear
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A lovely set of 12 Val St. Lambert crystal tumblers cut to clear in a rare Art Deco pattern. The clean lines with panel cut base are contrasted with the vibrant cranberry overlay. Th...
Crystal
Cut Crystal Glass Set of 2 Tumblers Barware Handcrafted in Italy
By Corinna Warm, WARM
Located in Santa Monica, CA
The 'Well' collection was conceived to elevate and celebrate drinking water in a vessel worthy of its importance. In collaboration with Italian crystal company Mario Cioni, Designer Corinna Warm created a unique, handcrafted, mouth blown, cut crystal water carafe...
Crystal
$1,165 / item
H 10.04 in Dm 3.94 in
Cut Crystal Glass Barware Gift Set Decanter Carafe 2 Tumbler Crafted in Italy
By Corinna Warm, WARM
Located in Santa Monica, CA
The 'Well' collection was conceived to elevate and celebrate drinking water in a vessel worthy of its importance. In collaboration with Italian crystal company Mario Cioni, Designer Corinna Warm created a unique, handcrafted, mouth blown, cut crystal water carafe...
Crystal
$732 / set
H 4.93 in Dm 3.63 in
A set of six 1940s Val Saint Lambert "Cordoba" crystal champagne coupes
Located in London, GB
A set of six 1940s Val Saint Lambert "Cordoba" crystal cocktail / champagne coupes
Crystal
Christofle Bottle Opener
By Christofle
Located in Mérida, YU
Franch bottle opener manufactured by Christofle in the 1970s. Silverpalted with very elegant handle. Very good condition.
Silver Plate
Mappin Bros. Silver Plate Engine Turned Double Jigger and Muddling Cup
Located in Nantucket, MA
Silver plate double jigger / spirit measure and companion muddling cup. Each with a reserve engraver with a rampant lion and powder horn against an engine turned ground. The measure ...
Silver Plate
Doulton Lambeth for Thierry & Breul Rare Stoneware Munich Beer Stein
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and unusual early Doulton Lambeth pewter lidded salt glazed Munich beer stein dating from around 1875. The stoneware stein is of cylindrical sha...
Pewter
Sold
H 4.34 in Dm 3.15 in
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Beaker, London 1873, Naturalistic Engraving
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1873 by Henry John Lias & Son, this attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Beaker, features stunning lea...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 5.75 in W 3.75 in D 1.25 in
Sterling Silver 19th Century Tiffany & Co. Nautical Flask for Americas Cup
Located in New York, NY
Sterling Silver 19th Century Tiffany & Co. Nautical Flask. Depicting a sail boat at sea with a nautical frame of shells and foliate design. Most surely...
Sterling Silver
Rare Tiffany Sterling Silver Seahorse Flask
Located in New York, NY
Rare sterling silver flask. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1882. Oval with curved sides and flat front and back. On front is seahorse with ribbed body and volute-scroll tail f...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Cup/Mug
By Whiting Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver. Aesthetic Movement cup/mug, Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1870's, Whiting Manufacturing Co. - makers. Decorated with dragonflies; lightly hammered. Has a script mono...
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Silver Absinthe Sugar Melting Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From France, an Absinthe sugar spoon, marked by Charles Plantier & Victor Georgian, circa 1889-1902. These spoons were used in French bistros, bars, and cafes, in the ritual of drinking the addictive beverage called, ‘la fée verte’ – the green fairy. Popular with Bohemians and artists, Absinthe was eventually banned in France by 1915. The melted sugar is mixed into the Absinthe and ice water would be added, diluting the green absinthe and turning it into a milky white Pastis. Unlike the slotted Absinthe spoons...
Silver
Rare Antique Gorham Hindostanee Sterling Silver Ice Tongs
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Rare Hindostanee sterling silver ice tongs. Made by Gorham in Providence. U-form with gilt jaws, of which one claw-form and the other flower head. Terminals in the desirable pattern ...
Sterling Silver
Outstanding Claret Jug in the Manner of Christopher Dresser, 1893
By Christopher Dresser, John Grinsell & Sons
Located in Bath, GB
An important and outstanding claret jug by John Grinsell in the manner of Dr. Christopher Dresser. The heavy crystal in a quatrefoil shape, cut in a bark design, the silver plated...
Crystal, Silver Plate
English Aesthetic Movement "Dimple" Claret Jug
Located in Bath, GB
This is a rather special Victorian claret jug, perfect for water too. Each panel is concave with a "dimple" all four sides. The panels are han...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 7.5 in Dm 3.5 in
12 Webb Hand Blown Large Crystal Goblets w/ Flared Rim Engraved Prunus Blossoms
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 hand blown crystal goblets were made by Webb Corbett, England and are the perfect addition to your table setting. The nice large size makes these an excellent choice f...
Crystal