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Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

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
Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement Walnut Armoire Wardrobe Compactum
Located in London, GB
Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement walnut armoire wardrobe compactum with lots of useful storage space. The moulded cornice and b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Antique Aesthetic Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Wardrobe with Mirror
Located in London, GB
Antique Aesthetic style marquetry and gilt bronze wardrobe with mirror Continental, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 202cm, width 154cm, depth 61cm This beautiful wardrobe ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Ormolu

Ogdens of Manchester, An Aesthetic Movement Wardrobe & Matching Bedside Cabinet.
Located in London, GB
Ogdens of Manchester, in style of Dr C Dresser, An Aesthetic Movement treble wardrobe and matching bedside cupboard made from Ash with intricate ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Ash, Fruitwood

Related Items
Antique Mahogany Cabinet/Wardrobe/Linen Press
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A fine late 18th century neoclassical mahogany linen press/wardrobe in fantastic original condition. With two large cupboard doors over three drawers. The cabinetmaker used only the...
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Brass

English Art Deco Burr Walnut Bedroom Suite Attributed to H & L Epstein
Located in Glasgow, GB
An English Art Deco four-piece burr walnut and rosewood crossbanded bedroom suite attributed to H & L Epstein and dating to circa 1925. Typically stylish and of superb quality it comprises: A four-door fitted wardrobe with a rare additional internal door providing triple dressing mirrors...
Category

1920s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Chrome

Antique William IV Compactum Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
A superb antique William IV period compactum wardrobe. This was made in England & dates from around the 1830-1840’s period. This is of amazing qual...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Bedroom Set: Armoire, Bed and Mirror - France, 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Lovely and lively exotic bedroom set comprised of one three-door wardrobe, a double bed and a large mirror. The set is lacquered in red and black with gilt and silvered decor repr...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Art Deco Cloud Figured Walnut Wardrobe, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this fabulously styled Art Deco wardrobe dating to the 1930's. Small and well proportioned this wardrobe has stunning Walnut grain with book paged veneers w...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Antique Stamped Mellier & Co Anglo French Shabby Chic Wardrobe Mirrored Door
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original Antique fully stamped Mellier & Co made, George Hilton & Son’s retailed Anglo French Shabby Chic wa...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Mirror, Hardwood

Antique 1844 Carved & Dated Large Wardrobe Armoire with Expertly Crafted Panels
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very grand, hand carved extremely large continental oak wardrobe dated to the base 1844 A truly stunning piece, this is a tour de force of ...
Category

1840s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Figured Walnut Compactum Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
A beautiful original Art Deco figured walnut compactum wardrobe. This was made in England, it dates from the 1930’s. It is of superb quality...
Category

1930s British Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Figured Walnut Compactum Wardrobe
Art Deco Figured Walnut Compactum Wardrobe
H 53.94 in W 33.08 in D 19.3 in
Mid Century Modern Teak Tambour Door Fitted Gentleman's Wardrobe / 1960 England
Located in Leicester, GB
A beautiful mid century fitted wardrobe by Austinsuite. England C1960. This piece is beautifully made with an elegant tambour door design and fitted interior. The tambour door sets...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Teak

Antique French Gothic Wardrobe, Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Gothic wardrobe ~ cabinet is an intriguing example of the style, with no less than 23 hand-carved linenfold panels combining with ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Iron

Antique French Gothic Wardrobe, Cabinet
Antique French Gothic Wardrobe, Cabinet
H 73.5 in W 60.5 in D 21 in
French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This Suite Comprises of a Large Gentleman's Wardrobe, a Ladies Wardrobe, Super King Size Bed. Marble Top Commode and a Pair of Marble Top Bedside C...
Category

1870s Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Marble

An ARTS & CRAFTS / ART NOUVEAU Wardrobe CABINET by HARRIS LEBUS, England 1900
Located in PARIS, FR
A large wardrobe cabinet, superb wood vertical structure enhanced by beautiful geometric ornaments, with 1 central mirrored door opening on 3 hanging systems and one major drawer at ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Antique English Victorian Aesthetic 'Japanese' Bamboo & Rattan Bedroom Suite
Located in Glasgow, GB
A rare three piece Victorian ‘Japanese’ bamboo and rattan bedroom suite dating to circa 1890. Comprising a wardrobe, dressing table and marble topped washstand each features a rising...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Marble, Metal

Lamb of Manchester, an Aesthetic Movement Compactum Armoire Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement Arts & Crafts style compactum armoire wardrobe with castellated cornice and twin fielded panel doors openi...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Oak

Pair of Aesthetic Movement Bedside Cabinets
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4315, pair of Aesthetic Movement walnut bedside cabinets, each having marble top above ash lined inlaid drawers and a panelled cabinet door, all fitted with turned knobs, standing ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Aesthetic Movement Bedside Cabinets
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Bedside Cabinets
H 27.96 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in
Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Dressing Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4316, stylish Victorian solid walnut, pedestal dressing table with Gothic motifs, having original mirror plate (with some foxing and imprecations, can be replaced on request) in ca...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Dressing Table
Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Dressing Table
H 64.18 in W 51.19 in L 64.18 in
Aesthetic Movement Five-Piece Bedroom Suite, Probably by Dyer and Watts
Located in London, GB
Dyer and Watts attributed, an Aesthetic Movement pitch and burr pine five-piece bedroom suite, the stylised floral painted stencil details in the manner of Dr C Dresser, comprising a triple wardrobe, 214cm high, 187cm wide, 60cm deep; a dressing table, 168cm high, 122cm wide, 55.5cm deep; a bedside locker...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Pine

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Full Bed by R. J. Horner & Co.
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The principal piece in this rare collection of late 19th century golden stained bird's-eye maple faux bamboo bedroom furniture. The full size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head ...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Aesthetic Movement bedroom sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement bedroom sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bedroom sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement bedroom sets 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 bedroom sets, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster & London, and Bruce James Talbert. 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 bedroom sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,558 and tops out at $27,960 while the average work can sell for $10,332.

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