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.
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
Rarest Arts & Crafts Beveled Glass & Brass Pendant Light Lantern w. Unique Chain
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted, beveled glass holding lantern with the original and unique triangle elements chain. If you are looking for the best and the rarest when it comes to European Arts and Cr...
Brass, Wire
19th Century Antique Scottish Entrance Lamp with Openwork Design
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This antique Scottish entrance lamp dates from the 19th century and captivates with its authentic charm and craftsmanship. Made of black metal, it features an elegant, architectural ...
Iron
Asian Style Wood Wall Lantern Sconce, Early 20th Century circa 1915
Located in San Francisco, CA
Asian / Esthetic Movement style wooden lantern shaped wall sconce with mica panel inserts. Newly reconditioned and re-wired, ready to install. In good antique condition. Early 20th ...
Walnut
Single Arts & Crafts Brass Lantern Pendant Light with Art Glass
Located in Delray Beach, FL
20th century Arts & Crafts pendant light ,Features beautiful art glass shades , newly wired with new porcelain socket . nice patina. Canopy is not included. One more available on...
Brass
$3,650
H 31 in W 7 in D 10 in
Jacques Adnet Style Largest Size Sconces Lantern Wall Lamps France 1960, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Adnet style sconces, wall lights, lantern lamps in brass, etched glass and gun metal, this is the largest size, measures 31 inches height. In perfect working condit...
Brass, Steel
$3,357
H 33 in Dm 9 in
Fontana Arte Style Blown Glass Brass Thee-Light Lantern or Pendant, Italy, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A gilt brass and blown smoked glass Fontara Arte style pendant or lantern with a central three-bulb candelabra cluster, Italy, 1950s. It takes three Edison E14 bulbs. Dimensions: O...
Brass
Hand-Crafted Moroccan Moorish Lantern Pendant with Clear Glass, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant and stylish clear glass hand-crafted Moroccan lantern with intricate filigree work in the Moorish style. Will add elegance in any room. Could be used as a wall sconces or cha...
Metal
Iron and Glass Lantern Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Simple and elegant iron and glass pendants. Glass globe shaped as an octagon with inlaid iron with in clear glass. Oil rub bronze hardware. Newly re-wired. One available.
$2,325
H 33.08 in Dm 14.57 in
Mid-Century Modern French Pendant Light / Lantern in Rattan, Hand-crafted, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
French Modernist Rattan Pagoda Pendant Lamp or Lantern. France, 1950s. This eye-catching rattan chandelier features a pagoda shape rattan hanging lamp with oriental inspired design. The lampshade is made of an intricate of rattan canes and it hangs from a chain made of round rattan links. Topped by a wooden canopy. It has been carefully restored and newly wired with beige twisted cotton cloth electrical wire and an E27 bulb holder. It will be a nice addition hanging over a kitchen's table or dining area. Perfect for a beach house, countryside house or urban appartment. Overall Measurements (including the chain and the canopy): 84 cm H x 37 cm diameter Body of the lamp: 28 cm H x 37 cm diameter This ceiling lamp is from the period described. It has been carefully restored with traditional methods to preserve its original patina. Rattan Pendant Lamp // Coastal Pendant // Rattan Suspension Light...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$402Sale Price|48% Off
H 13 in W 7.68 in D 6.3 in
French, Late 19th Century early 20th century, Metal Lantern
Located in Buisson, FR
Really lovely metal lantern in a form I haven't seen before. France, circa 1890-1920. Weathered H:33cm W:19,5cm D:16cm
Iron
$2,553
H 16.54 in W 5.71 in D 9.85 in
Spanish Revival Gilt Iron and Amber Glass Wall Lantern / Wall Sconce, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Revival Hand Forged Wall Hanging Lantern / Wall Sconce in Gilt Iron Sculptural gilt iron wall sconce / lantern with amber blown glass cylinder lampshade, Spain, 1940s This spanish hanging...
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
Early 20th Century Verdigris Wrought Iron Lantern
Located in London, GB
France, Early 20th Century An evocative piece of early 20th-century decorative ironwork, this vintage hanging lantern captures the spirit of Mediterranean villa architecture and Eur...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron and Stained Glass Ceiling Lantern Lamp, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Antique wrought iron and stained glass ceiling lantern lamp Old outdoor lantern lamp with wrought iron ceiling and colored glass. Wrought i...
Metal
$4,850
H 24.5 in Dm 13 in
French Early 20th Century Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze "Versailles" Style Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming French, early 20th century, Louis XIV style gilt bronze and gilt metal molded glass "Versailles" Style three-light hanging hall lantern. The elongated blown glass body sur...
Metal, Bronze
$2,098
H 10.63 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
Beveled Glass and Brass Italian Pendant Light, Fontana Arte Style, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous pendant in beveled glass and brass. This gorgeous piece was designed in the 1950s and is attributed to Fontana Arte. This marvelous pendant consist in a brass structure t...
Brass, Metal
Luminaire, lanterne Michael & Frances Higgins , 1960-1970
Located in Nice, FR
Ce Luminaire suspendu attribué à Michael Higgins et Frances Stewart Higgins, réalisé dans l’esprit des créations du Higgins Glass Studio, actif à Chicago à partir de 1948. Cette pièc...
Art Glass
Sold
H 15 in Dm 10 in
Bradley & Hubbard Style Pierced Brass Jeweled Hanging Lantern Aesthetic Movement
Located in Troy, MI
Bradley and Hubbard style punched brass jeweled hanging lantern USA circa early 20th Century Hexagonal form constructed of thin brass with pierced cut out details and inset multi co...
Brass
Sold
H 23 in W 10 in D 10 in
Pair of Glazed 19th C, Aesthetic Lantern Pendants with Gothic Stained Glass
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A wonderful pair of 19th century aesthetic Hall Lanterns with floral decorative motifs, foliage and scrollwork. Featuring five glazed stained glass panels which date to 1860. A matc...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 32 in W 14.5 in D 13.5 in
Aesthetic Movement Copper, Brass, Painted Glass Library Oil Lamp Pendant Light
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lengthy, hanging, library oil lamp from the mid 1880s, in a striking Eastlake Victorian style; now electrified. A copper and brass, multitiered desi...
Brass, Copper
Bradley & Hubbard American Aesthetic Movement Jeweled Lantern
Located in Astoria, NY
Bradley and Hubbard American Aesthetic Movement handmade lantern in hand-pierced brass with opalescent and faceted glass jewels and a hinge...
Metal
French Wrought Iron and Leaded Glass Gasolier Lantern from the 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This delighful wrought iron and shaped metal lantern is cylindrical and has leaded and colored glass panes on all sides, the door opening to reveal its original gas line, can be conv...
Iron
Patinated Bronze Lantern
Located in London, GB
A fine late 19th century patinated bronze hexagonal lantern, each corner with a mask and supported by swan neck supports terminating at a central hook...
Victorian Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
A Victorian brass hall lantern, of tapered form, the painted, stained and leaded glass panels decorated with foliage, butterflies and bir...