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.
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
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
$1,413Sale 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
Monumental Italian 1950s Wrought Iron Wall Lamp
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Italian 1950s wrought iron wall lamp.
Iron
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
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
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
$2,451 / 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
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
Jointed swing arm Library Light in Bronze 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
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
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
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
$975 / item
H 15 in W 5 in D 8 in
Meander Single Sconce, Custom Leather and Brass Wall Light with Adjustable Arm
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Adjustable swing arm reading light wall sconce, leather arm and solid brass fittings. Meander Lighting comes in over 30 leather colors, and man...
Brass
Modern Adjustable Italian Swing Arm Sconce in Metal and Brass
Located in Culver City, CA
Adjustable with painted metal shade and brass hardware extending from black metal mounting plate. Modern era Italian design. Made in Italy *Please Note: This fixture is made to or...
Metal, Brass
Cream and Brass Swing Arm Sconce, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Adjustable modern sconce with pivoting enamel shade. Made in Italy Please specify amount of cord, on / off switch location on cord, and hardwired or plug in. *Please Note: This f...
Brass
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
Brass Swing Arm Sconce, Made in England
Located in Culver City, CA
With ebonised wood backplate, brass hardware, and black metal shade. Interior can be painted saffron yellow. Designed and produced in Gloucestershire England. Made in England...
Brass, Metal
Swing-Arm Wall Sconce
Located in Oakville, CT
Steel Swing-Arm Wall Sconce with Milk Glass Shade Overall Length: 47″ Bracket Height: 29″ Height from top of arm to bottom of bulb: 12 1/4″ Arm Length:...
Steel, Metal
Short Cream & Brass Swing Arm Sconce, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Adjustable with painted metal shade and brass hardware extending from black metal mounting plate. Modern era Italian design. Made in Italy *Please Note: This fixture is made to or...
Metal, Brass
$1,790Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.36 in W 13.78 in D 33.86 in
Xxl Minimalist Stilnovo Style Swing Arm Brass Wall Light Italy, 1960s
Article: Wall light xxl with swing arm Origin: Italy Decade: 1960s This wall light was designed and produced in Italy in the 1960s. The wall fixation of thi...
Metal, Brass
$710
H 11.82 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in
Patinated Brass Swing Arm Wall Light in Style of Maison Jansen, France
Located in London, GB
An elegant patinated brass classical French 1960’s swing arm wall light. Rewired and sold with shade( not new, vintage)
Brass, Bronze
Brass Swing Arm Sconce, Made in England
Located in Culver City, CA
With ebonised wood backplate, brass hardware, and black metal shade. Interior can be painted saffron yellow. Made in England Please specify amount o...
Brass, Metal
Brass & Black Metal Swing Arm Sconce Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
Brass & black metal swing arm sconce. Made in Italy Black metal shade on brass arm with side to side movement and telescopic arm. Measures: 14...
Metal, Brass
Brass Swing Arm Sconce Wall Light, 1960s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
High-quality solid swing arm wall lamp in Maison Jansen style, France, 1960s. Precise craftsmanship made of hand-forged polished brass with off-white linen shade. This wall sconce is...
Brass
Vintage Mid Century Pair of Bronze Stag Wall Sconces
By Neiman Marcus, Jonathan Adler, Ralph Lauren, Stetson
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