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.
Pair of Amalfi Lemon Tole Wall Lights Italy 1950's
Located in Hastings, GB
Gorgeous pair of 1950's Italian Amalfi Lemon tole wall lights, each light has a single e14 (small screw in) lamp holder. Fully rewired and tested. Heigh...
Iron
Monumental Italian 1950s Wrought Iron Wall Lamp
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Italian 1950s wrought iron wall lamp.
Iron
$1,435Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique French Sconces, Bronze Metalwork, Aesthetic Movement, 1880s
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/3746 - Antique French pair of sconces in massive bronze, with the original glasses (rare !). They are so special! And the price is good because I would like to close my business ...
Bronze
Cast Brass Library Light in Polished Nickel with Nickel Plated Brass Lampshade
Located in London, GB
Designed by Andrew and produced by hand with care and attention to detail, the Swing Arm Library Light was introduced to the collection in 2013 and has been one of our best selling s...
Brass, Nickel
Gilded Wall Sconce in Tortoise Design, Style of Tony Duquette
Located in North Miami, FL
In the style of Tony Duquette, this amazing resin tortoise and gilded bronze wall applique has been rewired. This jewel will add panache to any room. Rewired for US standards. 75W...
Ormolu
$1,850 / set
Pair of 19th Century Brass and Mirror Sconces
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This pair of unusual American Aesthetic Movement brass sconces has a beveled mirror centered in a square frame with an ornamental cornice at the top and three candle arms emanating f...
Brass
Stained Glass Rectangular Wood Framed Window
Located in Guaynabo, PR
An old stained glass window designed as a bell shaped arc that is decorated in the center with a green leave wreath with flirtatious pink ribb...
Glass
$2,481 / set
Pair of Ferro Art Gold Leaf Wall Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb and rare pair of gilt iron wall lights of large proportions, by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950's. Detailed gilt leaves profusely decorate the lights, while the two single bulb l...
Iron
Antique Style Brass Wall Lamp Large Art Deco Tradition Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the elegance of bygone times with our exclusive antique-style brass wall lamp. This wall lamp is not only a stunning lighting object, but also a real work of art ...
Brass
Antique Style Brass Wall Lamp Large Art Deco Tradition Gold Circle Whirl
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the elegance of bygone times with our exclusive antique-style brass wall lamp. This wall lamp is not only a stunning lighting object, but also a real work of art ...
Brass
Antique French Esthetic Two-Armed Bronze Sconces with 'Swirl', 1900s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Exquisitely crafted pair of French two-armed sconces with superb detailing. Originally made as wall-candelabras. No alterations to the construction has been made so they are easily c...
Bronze
Antique Style Brass Wall Lamp Large Art Deco Tradition Gold Circle Whirl
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the elegance of bygone times with our exclusive antique-style brass wall lamp. This wall lamp is not only a stunning lighting object, but also a real work of art ...
Brass
Antique Style Brass Wall Lamp Large Art Deco Tradition Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the elegance of bygone times with our exclusive antique-style brass wall lamp. This wall lamp is not only a stunning lighting object, but also a real work of art ...
Brass
Lighting Italy, Sconce, xx Th
Located in Nice, FR
a single light, brass structure, a very beautiful Murano glass plate. Application of a geometric design on the glass plate. Single model.
Brass
Single arm swing arm Library Light in Antique Brass with Silk pleated shade
Located in London, GB
Designed by Andrew and produced by hand with care and attention to detail, the Double Swing Arm Library Light was introduced to the collection in 2013 and has been one of our best se...
Brass
Swing arm Library Light in Antique Brass with matching Brass Lampshade
Located in London, GB
Designed by Andrew and produced by hand with care and attention to detail, the Double Swing Arm Library Light was introduced to the collection in 2013 and has been one of our best se...
Brass
Set of Four Aesthetic Movement Sconces by E. F. Caldwell
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Influenced by the French Japonisim Movement, these four enamel on copper plaques mounted in gilt bronze by renown maker Edward F. Caldwell are in the Aesthetic Movement style. The ov...
Bronze, Copper
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
Extraordinary Pair of Flower Basket Crystal and Paint Decorated Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of stunning two-light antique flower basket form, crystal and bead encrusted with paint decoration wall sconces. The metal woven baskets are de...
Crystal
$2,153Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 16.93 in W 5.91 in D 15.75 in
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze. This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps. Originates France, circa 1870.
Bronze
Vica Light Polished Nickel
Located in New York, NY
The Vica Light is a rectangular cast metal escutcheon plate with a beveled edge design and porcelain socket. The fixture can be wall or ceiling mount...
Metal
Pair of J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Vienna, AT
Fine pair of J.T. Kalmar wall lights from the 1950s. Very nice original condition with patina on the brass and minimal wear to the original lacquer. One original brass E27 socket wit...
Aluminum, Brass
$3,800 / set
H 38.5 in W 15 in D 4 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Giltwood Sconce Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of early 19th century continental sconce mirrors with original early glass and original gilding. Two arm sconces for candles. Great size and wo...
Mirror, Beech, Giltwood
Sconces Antique French Rococo Bronze Wall Lights Pair
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique French wall sconces, crafted in the enchanting Rococo style. Dating from the first half of the 20th century, these sconces capture the elegance and artistry of a bygone era....
Bronze
$3,588 / set
H 8.27 in W 4.34 in D 9.85 in
Pair of Italian Vintage Adjustable Sconces Wall Lights, 1950s
By Angelo Lelii, Stilnovo
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of beautiful adjustable wall lights. Italy, 1950s.
Brass, Metal, Aluminum
19th century Brass Two Candle Mirrored Wall Sconces
Located in Savannah, GA
Petite pair of two candle mirrored wall sconces from the sumptuous Belle Époque era. Foliate scrolls with full leaf motif bobeche. Priced as a set. See...
Brass
1950, Pair of Maison Arlus Wall Lights
By Maison Arlus
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
The wall mount consists of a silver bracket decorated with a gold ray in the center. A cylindrical arm in blackened wood decorated at the bottom with a gold-plated brass ball ending ...
Wood
Pair of 1950s Stilnovo Italian Mid Century Wall Lights
By Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
An original pair of 1950s Italian mid century sconces in golden polished brass and black enamel with white frosted glass shades. Rewired. One 120 watt candelabra socket each. Made by...
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Red Arlus Wall Lights, 1950
By Arlus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of red enameled French double cone wall lights by Arlus, with pivoting shades on articulate brass arms, perforated along the bottom edge, wired for US standards, one E...
Metal, Brass
1950's Italian Wrought Iron Exterior Wall Lanterns, a Pair
Located in Sarasota, FL
Pair of Italian exterior wall lanterns circa 1950. Amber glass panels are secured with scrolled and twisted wrought iron lanterns. Supported by scrolled wall mounted brackets.
Wrought Iron
$765Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.12 in W 27.56 in D 3.15 in
pair of wall lamps wall sconces design josef hoffmann style 1970s
Located in taranto, IT
rare pair of original lamps from the 1970s, probable design by josef hoffmann, made of white/beige perforated sheet metal, equipped with 4 e14 socket lamp holders, to be placed eith...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Pair of Bronze Stag Wall Sconces
By Jonathan Adler, Ralph Lauren, Stetson, Neiman Marcus
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of bronze stag sculpted sconces. Alluring and unique, this pair will add codes of classic americana while elevating it is unique style and glamour. Great set of piec...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 29 in W 12 in D 14 in
El Artistico Jose Ignacio morales lantern Outdoor Sconces Arts And Crafts Copper
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Handmade at ‘El Artistico’ sconce pair. Each has been rewired and ready for use. Copper and metal construction with wonderful age patina and Verdis. ‘El Artistico ‘ founded b...
Brass, Copper
1950s French Carved Giltwood And Painted Acorn And Leaf Sconces - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of carved giltwood French sconces that depict spiraling leaves with branches and acorns. They most likely date to the 1950s. The pair is not electrified.
Giltwood
Antique Style Brass Wall Lamp Large Art Deco Tradition Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the elegance of bygone times with our exclusive antique-style brass wall lamp. This wall lamp is not only a stunning lighting object, but also a real work of art ...
Brass
Sold
H 10.63 in W 4.73 in D 14.18 in
Pair of 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Brass & Glass Wall Sconces Lamps Lights
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fine pair of particularly well heavy cast brass wall sconces, late 19th in age with a nod to the Aesthetic movement, have been later converted from gas to electric...
Brass
Sold
H 14.57 in W 3.55 in D 14.18 in
19th Century Pair of Scottish Aesthetic Movement Wall Lights Sconces Brass Steel
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A pair of super quality cast steel contrasting polished brass and opaline wall lights. Turn off the century in age and very much of the Aesthetic movement period. Circa 1900 in...
Brass, Steel
Pair of Wall Lights, Murano, 1970, Attribuée Mazzega
By AVMazzega
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of Murano glass sconces, transparent, chromed metal structure, Italian work from the 70s. Attributed to Mazzega.
Art Glass
A Pair of Elegant Cast Brass and Wood Panel Two Light Sconces
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant pair or antiqued brass two light sconces with wood panel back plate with urn design. Complete with four box shaped shantung silk shades . These are modern new wiring. meas...
Brass
Pair of Venetian Bronze Mirror Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 1940s Venetian two-arm bronze mirrored wall sconces with etched decorative floral, bird, and butterfly motif. Sconces retain the o...
Bronze
Aesthetic Movement Brass Sconce Pair with Velvet Lined Frames
Located in Savannah, GA
Pair of rectangular Aesthetic Movement brass two candle sconces with embossed morning glory and butterfly motif. Frames lined in 2" claret colored velvet border. Beveled mirrors meas...
Brass
Nautillus Lamp in Bronze by Tiffany Studios
Located in San Francisco, CA
A nautilus table lamp by Tiffany Studios in bronze with wishbone shaped base. A metal Loop on base allows this to be wall hung as well. Stamped o...
Bronze
Mid-Century French Gilt Leaf Wall Sconces, Pair
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century large French leaf sconces in gilt brass. Natural beeswax candle covers. Newly wired. Takes three chandelier bulbs each. Lampshades not included.
Brass