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Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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
Christopher Dresser Watcombe Aesthetic Movement Twin Handled Persian Taste Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Aesthetic Movement flow glaze twin handled vase in the ‘Persian Taste’ by renowned British designer Christopher Dresser (British, 1834 – 1904) for Watcombe Torquay...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

George Tinworth Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Pottery Bowl, 1879
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and decorative Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth early stoneware bowl decorated with scrolling seaweed and rosette designs by renowned artist George Tinworth and dated 1...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Watcombe Torquay Art pottery Brown Glazed Novelty Frog & Shell Sauce Boat
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and scarce Watcombe Torquay Aesthetic Movement art pottery novelty sauce boat modelled as a frog pulling a shell dating between 1880 and 1890. Probably made for Liberty ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Large Aesthetic Movement Pottery Vase By Bretby
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement large glazed pottery vase Olive green with pink interior and fluted rim The shoulders are scalloped with daisies 4 central roundels depicting stylised butterfli...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Joseph Holdcroft English Majolica Leaf & Dandelion Majolica Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica Leaf and Dandelion floral bowl by Joseph Holdcroft, Circa 1870. Designed in the Aesthetic taste, four overlapping leaves, glazed in the colors of Autumn, are centered on a deep powder blue ground of raised Dandelion blooms with pink centers. The verso is glazed in a solid turquoise. Joseph Holdcroft held several patents for the production of earthenware. He was employed by Minton where he became proficient in the manufacture of majolica. Holdcroft established the Sunderland...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Florence Barlow Doulton Lambeth Floral Design Art Pottery Pin Dish
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce and finely made Doulton Lambeth art pottery pin dish decorated with trailing floral designs by renowned artist Florence E Barlow and dated 1879. The small round stoneware di...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Large French 19th Century Ceramic Jardiniere with Enameled Birds and Butterflies
Located in New York, NY
Very large and exceptional Aesthetic period planter of the finest quality with enameled birds and butterflies on a cobalt blue ground.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Minton Aesthetic Movement Plum Red Glazed Art Pottery Monkey Candlestick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and unusual Minton Aesthetic Movement plum glazed art pottery monkey candlestick dating from around 1885. The candlestick stands on a rou...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Annie Cupit Doulton Lambeth Pair Stylized Floral Design Stoneware Jugs
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good and decorative pair antique Doulton Lambeth stoneware jugs decorated with stylized floral designs by Annie Cupit and Florence Dennis and...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Christopher Dresser Attributed Aesthetic Movement Terracotta Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish aesthetic movement terracotta bowl with slip applied floral designs in the manner of Watcombe and design attributed to Christopher Dresser dating from around 1880. Thi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Linthorpe Aestehtic Movement Floral Painted Art Pottery Plate
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine Aesthetic Movement floral painted side or dessert pottery plate by Linthorpe and dating from around 1885. Linthorpe Pottery was found...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

John Broad Doulton Lambeth Rare Art Pottery Beaker Vase Dated 1880
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and exceptional Doulton Lambeth art pottery beaker shaped vessel beautifully decorated with floral panels by renowned artist John Broad and dated 1880. This unusually finely m...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Doulton Lambeth Four Seasons Medallion Jug by Clara Baker 1884
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Doulton Lambeth jug decorated with figural medallions depicting the four seasons by Clara Baker and dated 1884. The stoneware jug is of ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Christopher Dresser for Old Hall Aesthetic Movement Pottery Bird Painted Ewer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and rare Old Hall Aesthetic Movement ewer hand painted with a blue tit perched on a crab apple tree designed by Christopher Dresser (British, 1834-1...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Doulton Lambeth Exceptionally Rare Pair Impasto Arrabian Pattern Vases, 1879
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptionally rare Doulton Lambeth Impasto pair of bottle vases marked Arrabian by F M Collins (Mrs Vale) dated 1879. F M Collins was a Faience Depart...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Bellevue Rye Floral Design Art Pottery Teapot & Cover
By Rye Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare antique art pottery teapot and cover decorated with floral designs from the Bellevue pottery in Rye, Sussex and dating from the 19th century. Typical of Rye pottery...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

French Silver Mounted Blue & White Pottery Faience Inkwell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual French silver mounted faience pottery inkwell hand painted with blue and white designs dating from the 19th century. The domed shape inkwell stands on a rounded base with ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Silver

Silver Mounted Thirteen Grotesque Faces Molded Glazed Pottery Mug
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very unusual Aesthetic Movement art pottery silver mounted mug modeled in relief with thirteen grotesque faces and dating from around 1880. The finely...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

English Minton Aesthetic Movement Majolica Nut, Leaf & Vine Pitchers, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Attributed to Minton pottery in Staffordshire, England, a scarce sized set of majolica glazed pitchers in the Palissy style, circa 1870s. The Aesthetic Period pitchers are molded with a raised nut vine pattern with leaves in light and dark green, and closed buds. The vine handle is ‘held’ in place with green shoots, the tight buds are glazed in cream encased in light spring green leaves. The body is finished in an iridescent brown, the interior in a beautiful turquoise. A turquoise glazed underside. The larger jug is impressed with the number two, possibly referring to size, as this is the middle size of what would have been a set of three graduated pitchers...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Choisy-le-Roi Green Majolica Pheasant Moulded Pottery Plate, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine and quality antique French Majolica plate with a pheasant set within a wooded landscape signed Hippolyte Choisy le Roi and dating ...
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Majolica

Palissy Wall Pocket with Palm Tree and Lizards
By Bernard Palissy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Palissy wall pocket with palm tree and lizards, rare form.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Théodore Deck Attributed French Ormolu Mounted Majolica Tazza
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and unusual French ormolu mounted majolica tazza molded with figures set within an abstract design border attributed to Theodore Deck (1823-1891) and believed to date ...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Minton’s Art Pottery Studio Kensington Gore Hand-Painted Charger
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This large hand-painted charger was made by Mintons Art Pottery Studio of Kensington Gore, London. The studio traces its origins to the renowned earthenware and fine bone china factory Minton, located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire England. Colin Minton Campbell, descendant of founder Thomas Minton, took over company management in 1858 and went on to establish Mintons Art Pottery Studio in 1871 for the purpose of hand decorating pottery and tiles. The studio initially operated under the direction of painter and book illustrator William Stephen Coleman and drew upon the talents of artists studying at the Kensington's National Art Training School, now known as the Royal College of Art, as well as those of well-regarded Continental artists. The company was short lived as it was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1875 and was not rebuilt. This large earthenware charger has been hand-painted in polychrome enamel and depicts two young children at play in the nursery. The scene includes multiple colors and textures and features a cherubic toddler seated upon a bed alongside a young girl standing on a blue footstool...
Category

1870s Great Britain (UK) Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

French Victorian Faience Majolica Double Vase
Located in New York, 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 Pottery

Materials

Paint

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French Majolica Trompe L'oeil Wall Plaque with Oranges, Joseph Saissi, Menton
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Regency Herculaneum Greek Pattern Blue Printed Pottery Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Herculaneum Neo-classical large Greek pattern blue printed dish, Early-19th century The Herculaneum pottery underglaze blue central pattern shows ase...
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Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Monumental Mid-20th Century American Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
A monumental-scale mid-20th century American studio hand-thrown glazed ceramic bowl with fantastic texture and earthy neutral glaze colors. Signed illegibly on the bottom.
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1970s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Art Pottery Vase by Ramona Rowley
By Ramona Rowley
Located in Water Mill, NY
Art pottery vase by listed California artist Ramona Rowley.
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1970s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Early 17th Century Ottoman Empire Iznik Pottery Dish
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An Iznik pottery dish made in the first half of the 17th century and decorated with chrysanthemums and tulips. The rim features the rock and wave pattern. Under the direction of O...
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Early 17th Century Turkish Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Signed Midcentury Studio Pottery Bowl
By Otto Natzler
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Signed midcentury Studio Pottery bowl in the style of Maxwell.
Category

1960s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

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Christopher Dresser Aesthetic Movement Japonism Style Green Minton Plate, 1876
Located in Paris, FR
Green Aesthetic Minton Porcelain Plate in the style of Japonism creations made by Christopher Dresser. Round plate adorned with an oriental fan representi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Porcelain

Large Blackware Potter Vase by Jeff Roller, Santa Clara Pottery
By Jeff Roller
Located in Stamford, CT
A large saucer form vase with deep incising. Blackware pottery signed and dated on underside. By Jeff Roller, 06, 92.
Category

1990s American Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

George Jones antique Majolica Plate in Begonia Leaf pattern, Circa 1870
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a 19th Century antique Majolica Plate by George Jones, marked and dating to the Victorian English period 1870. This is a mid size circular majolica plate on a low foot, by G...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Pottery

Large Amphora Art Nouveau Handled Vase Attributed to Paul Dachsel
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Large Amphora blue and green eight-handled vase with red leaves. Attributed to Paul Dachsel - Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel, Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia, ca...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Porcelain

Scandinavian 'Naive Dreamscape' Pottery Dish or Wall Plaque, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Vibrant and glossy in color palet this pottery wall plaque depicts a girl or woman lying in bed surrounded by naive dreamscape. It is executed in Scandina...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Minton Majolica Oyster Plate 'Malachite, ' English, Dated 1873
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Minton majolica six-well oyster plate glazed in simulated malachite, the reverse with impressed and molded marks: 'MINTON,' and Minton Date Cypher for 1873, molded British Registry L...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Malachite

Previously Available Items
Wemyss Scottish Cabbage Rose Decorated Large Three Handled Pottery Tyg
By Wemyss
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive antique Scottish three handled tyg hand painted with the Cabbage Rose pattern dating from the latter 19th century. Wemyss Ware, the term used to describe suc...
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Late 19th Century Scottish Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Set of 8 Aesthetic Movement Green Majolica Wedgwood Sunflower Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 8 Aesthetic Movement green majolica glazed dinner plates in the ‘Sunflower’ pattern by Wedgwood, made circa 1880. The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather,...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

English Wedgwood Style Basalt Glaze Pink & White Botanical / Begonia Plates -S/6
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely set of English pink and white basalt glaze decorative plates in the manner of Wedgwood. They appear to depict some sort of begonia leaf. ...
Category

1880s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Set of 6 Wedgwood Green Majolica Aesthetic Movement Sunflower Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 6 green majolica glazed dinner plates in the ‘Sunflower’ pattern by Wedgwood, made circa 1880. The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather, became an emblem...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

Clement Massier French Majolica Glazed Art Pottery Wall Plaque
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French art pottery wall plaque depicting an angel with two children by renowned artist Delphin Massier (French, 1836-1907) and dating fr...
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1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Set of 6 Choisy le Roi Majolica Bunny Plates w Molded Relief Rabbits & Radishes
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 6 bunny plates are signed Choisy Le Roi, the famed Aesthetic Movement Majolica porcelain company in France. These were commonly sold by the New...
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Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Set of 6 Green Majolica Wedgwood Sunflower Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 6 green majolica glazed dinner plates in the ‘Sunflower’ pattern by Wedgwood, made circa 1880. The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather, became an emblem...
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Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

19th Century Palissy Majolica Snake & Lizard Charger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Palissy Majolica snake & lizard charger A extraordinary large example, The center with a lizard grasping the serpents head in a naturalis...
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Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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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...
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1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pewter

Aller Vale Unusual Slip Decorated Art Pottery Jug
By Aller Vale
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and quality Torquay Devon slip decorated art pottery jug decorated with scrolling foliage by Aller Vale Pottery and dating from around 1890. ...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Aller Vale Unusual Slip Decorated Art Pottery Jug
Aller Vale Unusual Slip Decorated Art Pottery Jug
Free Shipping
H 4.73 in Dm 3.15 in
Francis Pope Doulton Lambeth Rare Early Fish Decorated Planter
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and unusual Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement art pottery planter decorated with fish by renowned artists Francis Pope and William Baron dated 1882. The stoneware planter is of wide round cylindrical shape with a pierced draining hole to the wide flat round base. The side of the planter is finely incised and decorated with four fish of varying species swimming amidst various aquatic shrubs. The fish and plants are hand decorated in tones of green and white set within a natural brown clay outline set against a pale blue ground with a fine linear patterning to provide water like movement. The continuous scene is set between simple brown linear borders with the inner pot and base with elements of a natural salt glazed finish. The planter has impressed Doulton Lambeth marks to the inner base and is numbered D221 and dated 1882. The base bears an early and rare P mark for Francis C Pope...
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1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Stoneware

Edward Dunn Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Floral Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement vase decorated with stylised floral and leaf designs by renowned artists Edward Dunn and Rosina Brown and dated 1884. The stoneware vase...
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1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Pottery

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Stoneware

Aesthetic Movement pottery for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement pottery for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage pottery created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, pottery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement pottery made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original pottery, popular names associated with this style include Doulton Lambeth, Wedgwood, Minton, and Choisy-le-Roi. 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 pottery differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $242 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $785.

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