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.
French Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Saint Cloud Tureen signed Creil et Montereau Circa 1890. Painted roses and wild roses , shell handle. Saint-Cloud is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France,...
Faience
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
George Jones English Palissy Majolica Glazed Three-Piece Sardine Serving Box
By George Jones
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Stoke-On-Trent pottery works of George Jones, a spectacular three-piece Majolica sardine box, Staffordshire, England, dated 1870. In a lovely soft color palette of lilac ...
Earthenware
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
Emilia Castillo for Los Castillo Silver-Plated & Malachite Bird Serving Utensils
By Los Castillo, Emilia Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional and sculptural pair of serving utensils designed by Emilia Castillo for the renowned Los Castillo workshop, handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico during the 1980s. This whimsi...
Malachite, Silver, Brass
48 piece Rosenthal Bjorn Wiinblad Motif collection Dinner ware
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice set of dinner ware by Rosenthal. The set is called the Motif Collection which was designed by Bjorn Wiinblad. It has a lace pattern in a soft white. Its a fine bone ch...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Rare Circa 1906 Rodgers Bros Charter Oak Meat Fork w/ Acorn Branch & Leaf Motif
Located in Red Lion, PA
Presenting a magnificent example of Edwardian-era craftsmanship: the 1847 Rogers Bros "Charter Oak" Meat Fork. Introduced in 1906, "Charter Oak" is widely considered one of the most ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Vienna Austrian Hand-Painted Porcelain Chocolate Pot & Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional antique Austian hand-painted porcelain chocolate pot and stand by the renowned Vienna factory and dating from the 19th century. ...
Porcelain
Sarreguemines French Barbotine Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Melon Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the shape of a trompe l’oeil melon by Sarreguemines, circa 1900. Molded in the form of a large yellow melon with green vines and leaves. The li...
Earthenware
Watcombe Torquay Art pottery Brown Glazed Novelty Frog & Shell Sauce Boat
By Watcombe
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 ...
Pottery
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver & Mixed Metal Creamer Designed by, Edward C. Moore
By Tiffany & Co., Edward C. Moore
Located in Englewood, NJ
A very scarce and rare American Late 19th Century Sterling Silver & Mixed-Metals “Japanese Style” Creamer made by, Tiffany & Co. and designed by, Edward C. Moore. One side of the cr...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Copper
Mason's Ironstone Red Mandalay Jug & Flower Bowl Set
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your collection with this beautiful Mason’s Ironstone Flower Bowl and Jug Set, featuring the highly sought-after Mandalay Red pattern. Crafted fr...
Earthenware
Late 19th Century Whiting Sterling Olive Fork
Located in Riverdale, NY
Late 19th century whiting sterling olive fork in the Aesthetic/Japanese taste. Extremely attractive pattern of graduated and dotted lobes taper upwards alon...
Sterling Silver
French Barbotine Majolica Sarreguemines Basket of Pansies Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the form of a handled basket brimming with colorful pansies, Sarreguemines, circa 1900-1910. Two pansy heads form the top handle, pansy blossom...
Earthenware
19th Century Bread Tray
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English bread tray with wonderful molded design and brown transfer with polychromed and luster hand painted accents in the central decoration.
Pottery
Tiffany Sterling Silver "Vine" Pattern with Pea Pod Motif Cold Meat Fork
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany's "Vine" pattern is not just one pattern, but thirteen different motifs of flowers, grains, vegetables and fruits. Produced between 1872-1904 this weighty sterling silver cold meat fork has the wraparound pea pod motif. Tiffany produced this pattern during the Aesthetic movement...
Sterling Silver
Fish Dish Painted by Painted by Froment-Richard Creil & Montereau "Le Parisien"
Located in Paris, FR
This wonderful incredibly colorful fish dish was realized by Creil & Montereau earthenware circa 1880. It is representing "La pêche aux bébés" ("Fishing for Babys") Slightly chantourné shape, representing a couple fishing for babies in a lake at sunrise, the baby caught waiting for a square aquarium. Signed bottom left, "fr.richard" and Creil stamp on the back. Le Parisien set is telling the story of a young Parisian boy discovering the countryside, with many scenes so charming. Decorated with a brown rim enhanced with groups of three petals, the whole set depicts a fantastic and humorous universe with part of imaginary characters who cook and play with vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. This design set is the most famous of the factory Creil & Montereau, designed by the French artist and painter Antoine-Albert Richard (1845-1921) said "Froment-Richard". Book pictures...
Ceramic
Wedgwood Aesthetic Majolica Tortoise Shell Glazed Char Fish Dish, circa 1878
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rarely seen wedgwood char dish, an Aesthetic Movement mold showing a pair of fish in a deep dish glazed to resemble tortoise shell. Char is a fresh-water m...
Earthenware
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
Sarreguemines French Faïence Majolica Barbotine Corn on the Cob Lidded Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen formed as an ear of corn, the handle and footing molded as corn husks. Sarreguemines, circa 1940s. Realistically molded and charming on the table...
Earthenware
French Blue & White Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Blue & White Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890. Tureen plus an underplate. Decorated with white lilies.
Faience
French Barbotine Majolica Sarreguemines Basket of Grapes Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French majolica covered tureen in the form of a handled basket brimming with bunches of grapes, Sarreguemines, circa 1900-1920. A grape vine branch forms the top handle, grape b...
Earthenware
Adams & Bromley Majolica Branching Yellow Pears on Brown Bark Round Bread Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A brightly glazed English majolica bread tray showing a graphic pattern of pears on a brown bark-like ground, Adams & Bromley - circa 1875-1885. Four groups of bright, branching yel...
Earthenware
John Round Sheffield Aesthetic Movement Silver Plate Fan Shaped Toast Rack
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual large English Aesthetic Movement silver plate toast or muffin rack by John Round & Son of Sheffield and dated 1887. The rack stands on four square cut corner feet adjoined...
Silver Plate
William Brownfield Aesthetic Movement Plate by Christopher Dresser
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Aesthetic Movement William Brownfield plate with a stylised panel and floral design by Christopher Dresser (British, 1834-1904) dating from around 1876. Christopher Dr...
Ceramic
Christopher Dresser Aesthetic Movement Claret, Hukin and Heath, 1880s
Located in Sharon, CT
A rare silver plate and glass claret from the English Aesthetic Movement designed by Christopher Dresser for Hukin and Heath. Signed, bears engraving as...
Silver Plate
Doulton Lambeth Early Strapwork Bucket Art Pottery Salt 1876
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and early Doulton Lambeth strapwork bucket shaped salt dated 1876. The stoneware salt is of small rounded slightly conical bucket shape formed as planks of wood held together ...
Stoneware
Wedgwood Palissy Majolica Volute Shell and Coral Open Salt Cellar, Dated 1872
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very rarely found, early Wedgwood majolica glazed shell and coral open salt cellar – date marked 1872. In the manner of Palissy, the globose Volut...
Earthenware
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 founded...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Copeland Aesthetic Movement Stag Hunting Scene Plate, 1879
By Copeland
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual antique Copeland Aesthetic Movement cabinet plate decorated with a titled stag hunting scene dated 1879. The large ceramic plate is of round sh...
Ceramic
Walker Hall Dr C Dresser style. An Aesthetic Movement silver plated spoon warmer
Located in London, GB
Walker Hall Sheffield after a design by Dr C Dresser. An Aesthetic Movement silver-plated ostrich egg shape spoon warmer with a circular handle, a mouth-shaped opening, and subtle ha...
Silver Plate
George Jones English Majolica Albino Strawberry Spoon
By George Jones
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A George Jones Majolica Strawberry spoon, England, circa 1870. In the Aesthetic taste and glazed on the white ground known as ‘Albino.’ The green l...
Earthenware
George Jones Palissy English Majolica Lobster Pâté Basketweave Covered Tureen
By George Jones
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica Lobster covered pâté tureen by George Jones, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1870. A scarce and highly desirable piece with collectors, a Palissy style oval basketweave ...
Earthenware
An Aesthetic Movement heavy cast brass peacock trivet with fine detailing
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement heavy cast brass peacock trivet with fine detailing throughout.
Brass
Roberts & Belk Dr C Dresser style off. A Silver Plated Double-Well Preserve Dish
By Christopher Dresser, Roberts & Belk Ltd. 1
Located in London, GB
Roberts and Belk, lamp trademark. After a design by Dr Christopher Dresser. An English silver-plated double-well preserve dish, with a hand-woven wicke...
Brass, Silver Plate
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
19th Century Aesthetic movement brass spirit kettle Circa 1890
Located in Central England, GB
A 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Spirit Kettle A late 19th century Aesthetic movement Spirit Kettle. This opulent and beautifully made piece is made from brass with gold plated surfaces which is in excellent condition. It is of a wonderful design, very reminiscent of a piece of Christopher Dresser's work. It is made in five pieces; stand, burner and cover, kettle and lid. The kettle has a woven wicker handle and the lid and burner have an ebonised wooden knob and handle...
Brass