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.
Aesthetic Movement Stained and Painted Glass Door Panels
Located in Petworth, GB
Victorian, Aesthetic Movement stained and painted leaded glass door panels. Depicting Roman style figures. Her blowing a horn, titled “Morning” with sun rays behind trees and a dov...
Lead
$18,500 / set
Pair 19th Century Apothecary Pharmacy Glass Carboys
Located in Houston, TX
An outstanding and extremly rare pair of hand blown 19th Century pharmacy carboys with cut crystal stoppers.
Crystal
Antique Bohemian Aesthetic Movement Cased Blue and White Enameled Cut Glass Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Bohemian aesthetic period enameled and cut-to-clear art glass vase. In two colors with a white cased top layer cut to reveal a blue ground in the style of the Moser or...
Cut Glass
Late 20th-Early 21st Century Pair of Glasses Vases by Thomas O'Brien
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 20th-early 21st century Thomas O'Brien pair of glass vases. Maker's mark on bottom. Part of their "Vintage Modern" collection, these amethyst blown & hand engraved glass vases r...
Blown Glass
Classic Early Loetz Glass Vase Sphinx Pattern Vase on Spreading Peach c1891
By Loetz Glass
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Classic early Loetz glass vase enamalled with white and gilded large blossomed dogwood on peach at the top spreading to white below made a pattern recently discovered to be called Sp...
Art Glass
$1,250
English Antique Tantalus
Located in Denton, TX
Early 20th century English Tantalus. Solid oak travel caddy with two cut glass decanters and a key for safety.
Metal
Theresienthal enamel decanter and two liqueur glasses c1907
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Super Theresienthal set -a large clear and enamel decanter and two small liqueur glasses, decorated in green and yellow translucent enamel swags and garlands in a classic Aesthetic M...
Art Glass
3 Italian Murano Iridescent Glass Perfume Bottles Atomizer
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Mid 29 th c Italian Murano glass iridescent fglasdvwith white feathers.2 perfume bottles with stoppers and one atomizer. Beautiful decorative and collectible
Art Glass
Set of 12 Rare Signed Sinclaire Hand Blown Crystal Engraved Fish Soup Bowls
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an extremely rare set of signed hand blown crystal rimmed soup bowls made by the iconic H. P. Sinclaire Co, Ca. 1910-20's. Each crystal clear bowl is uniquely decorated with...
Crystal
$100Sale Price|20% Off
Splendid Italian Aurene Iridescent Glass Perfume Bottle
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Italian iridescent glass perfume bottle with stopper.
Art Glass
Great Daum Nancy Vase Art nouveau
By Daum
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Daum Nancy vase Digitalis, Circa 1915 Perfect condition Size: 54 cm Monumental. Glassware marked Daum Nancy is attributed to Auguste and Antonin Daum. These brothers took over a gl...
Art Glass
Baccarat Aesthetic movement intaglio cut glass vase c 1880
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Fabulous, intaglio carved, Baccarat vase in the Aesthetic style dating around 1880. Depicting two classically dressed women arranging fruit and plants on a pedestal with a landscape ...
Crystal
$375Sale Price|78% Off
Antique Tri Color Cut Glass Perfume Bottle with Atomizer
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antque cut glass tri color perfume bottle with atomizer. Green glass background with lilies in Art Nouveau design. Great decorative and collectible piece.
Cut Glass
Large French Tazza Etched Cristal Pedestal Fruit Dish
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Tazza etched crystal pedestal fruit dish A beautiful piece of etched crystal showing pictures of fruits, the dish stands on a heavy stepped ...
Crystal
Set of 3 English Antique Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue Glass Tile c1900s
Located in High Peak, GB
K0658 x 3 Stylish and very attractive English, early 20th century Aesthetic Movement cobalt blue glass tiles. The tiles depict an intricate design with a raised sunflower with shap...
Glass
$674Sale Price / set|46% Off
Antique Pair of Hand Enameled European Glass Garniture Vases
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of hand blown and hand painted enamel vases with gilt accents. Clear glass petal tops and pedestal bases. The main body is black glass with detailed enamel work. Lovely petal...
Blown Glass
Legras Style Enameled and Hand-Painted Decoration Glass Vase, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Legras Style Enameled and Hand-Painted Decoration Glass Vase, 1930s Period: Early 20th century Origin: St. Denis, France Color: Enameled with magenta crimson hues on a peach ground ...
Glass, Art Glass
21st Century Karim Rashid Handmade Crystal Transparent Glasses
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
21st century Karim Rashid diamond handmade crystal transparent glasses. The diamond crystal glasses collection exudes sophistication and style. The crystalline and multifaceted surface gives the glass a distinctive yet still externally elegant character. Suitable for any kind of situation, diamond is ideal for serving soft drinks...
Crystal
Loetz Green Glass Vase with Alvin Sterling Silver Overlay
By Loetz Glass
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality Art Nouveau style art glass vase, by Loetz the historic glass maker from the municipality of Austria featuring Alvin Sterling Silver overlay. Overlay in form of open and horizontal patterns with stylized leaves and scrollwork. A great find, handcrafted vase skillfully made using centuries old techniques of art glass works from the world-renowned maker, Loetz. Simply stunning this Art Nouveau glass vase with Alvin Sterling Silver overlay by Loetz would enhance any shelf, table, nightstand or countertop. This is a rare antique Loetz Green Glass...
Sterling Silver
Figural Painted Murano Glass Centerpiece
By Salviati
Located in Hanover, MA
Beautifully and ornately hand painted and hand blown Venetian art glass compote centerpiece by Salviati of Murano (label in tact)
Murano Glass
Bohemian Ruby Cut-Glass and Enameled Antique Decanter
Located in London, GB
The decanter with octagonal ring knoped neck and faceted body and surmounted with a conical stopper, the ruby colored glass decorated throughout with painted flower bouquets and gilt...
Glass
Minton 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Fish Platter
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This fish platter is a true work of art! Classic Aesthetic Movement whimsical decoration with fish in motion and in conversation with the viewer, it has a three-dimensional feel. Rea...
Porcelain
$14,000 / set
H 16.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Rounded Globe Style Tantalus Liquor Set
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual 19th century French Ormolu Mounted Globe Style Tantalus liquor set. The round globe top which rests on an elongated ormolu base is not common to find. The crystal top is m...
Crystal, Ormolu
Loetz Silberiris Candia Iridescent Twin Handled Glass Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stylish Bohemian Silberiris Candia iridescent glass vase with brown handles by Johann Loetz Witwe and dating from around 1900. The simply shaped vase ref PN 85/5151 in the Loetz cata...
Blown Glass
Antique Bohemian Gilt Enameled Art Glass, Attributed to Moser Glassworks
Located in Forney, TX
A decadent Bohemian gilded enameled cranberry red small art glass. Handmade in Bohemia (now Czech Republic) at the turn of the late 19th - early 20th century, the beautiful, master...
Art Glass
$696Sale Price|30% Off
H 12.5 in Dm 6.5 in
Large Vintage Multicolor Murano Glass Vase, Italy, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Large vintage multicolor Murano glass vase - featuring a white glass interior with red rim - clear cased glass to the outside and base - unsigned - Italy - late 20th century. Exce...
Art Glass
Loetz Blue-Green Oil Spot Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Loetz oil spot vase with blue-green iridescent finish, Unsigned.
Art Glass
Murano Blue White and Green Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Murano blue white and green glass vase. Vintage square based vase with flared neck. Italy, circa 1960s. Dimensions: 5.75” square base x 9.25” height.
Blown Glass
English Antique Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue Glass Tile c1900s
Located in High Peak, GB
K0658 Stylish and very attractive English, early 20th century Aesthetic Movement cobalt blue glass tile. The tile depicts an intricate design with a raised sunflower with shaped pet...
Glass
Decorative English Blue Glass Aesthetic Movement Style Tile
Located in High Peak, GB
Stylish and very attractive English, 20th century Aesthetic Movement style blue glass tile. The tile depicts a raised sunflower with shaped petals and a stem on fluted circles. The t...
Glass
English Antique Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue Glass Tile c1900s
Located in High Peak, GB
Stylish and very attractive English, early 20th century Aesthetic Movement blue glass tile. The tile depicts a raised sunflower with shaped petals and a stem on fluted circles. The t...
Glass
Pair of Theresienthal Enamel Large Flower glasses c1903 -German
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Superb Theresienthal matched pair of large enamelled flower wine glasses, each has a green foot and shaped green stem with different flower patterns to the large bowl. These are well...
Art Glass
Baccarat Aesthetic Movement Enamelled Green Lithyalin Glass Vase c 1890
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Fabulous, and very rare Green Lithyalin Baccarat vase in the Aesthetic style dating around 1880. The semi opaque green vase is decorated with enamel flowers in pink and white and gil...
Crystal
Aesthetic Large Legras Draped and Swagged Decorated Enamelled Vase c1900
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Fabulous, attributed Legras, clear vase with 3 large dimples decorated with trailing orange enamel double chords between the dimples, a fine etched and enamelled Greek key pattern t...
Art Glass
Sold
H 10.5 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Classic Early Loetz Glass Vase Enamelled Flowers on Spreading Peach c1890
By Loetz Glass
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Classic early Loetz glass vase enamelled with yellow flowers and green grasses on peach at the top spreading to white below made c1890. A tall necked vase...
Art Glass
Fabulous Aesthetic Movement Blue Baccarat Crystal glass Prunus Gilded Vase c1890
By Baccarat
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A fabulous Aesthetic Movement bright blue and deeply gilded Baccarat Crystal vase. This bright blue was one of their signature colours -it is also deeply gilded in the Baccarat rais...
Crystal
2nd Half 19th Century Bohemian Vaseline Glass Open Sauce Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
2nd half 19th century Bohemian vaseline glass (also called Uraline or Ouraline glass) open sauce bowl. Blown & cut, then enameled & gilded. Gilt border rubbed. 5.5" dia., 2.75" h. ...
Glass, Blown Glass
Sold
H 8 in W 7 in D 7 in
19th Century Baccarat Ormolu Mounted Grape Vine Pattern Ice or Champagne Bucket
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
Baccarat, circa 1860. A 19th Century Baccarat Ormolu Mounted Grape Vine Pattern Ice or Champagne Bucket made of pressed French glass showcasing a beautiful grape leaf and vine motif...
Ormolu
c. 1895 Hand Blown & Cut Glass Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A monumental hand blown & cut glass vase, American brilliant period, c.1895. Spectacularly decorated with flowers, caned panels, diamond panels & star cut base. A few very minor nick...
Cut Glass
c. 1895-1905 Cut Glass Wine Ewer
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
American brilliant cut glass wine ewer with original stopper, circa 1895-1905. Normal foot ring wear. 14.75" h. w/ stopper, 4.5" dia.
Cut Glass