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Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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
French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Twin Bed Frame
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French late 19th century faux bamboo pine and bird’s eye maple bed, reflecting the Aesthetic Movement artistry for organic forms in stylized, decor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Maple, Pine

French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Twin Bed Frame
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French late 19th century faux bamboo pine bed, reflecting the Aesthetic Movement artistry for organic forms in stylized, decorative ways. Pine planks on the flat surfaces (inside and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Pine

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo and birds eye maple Bed
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement birds eye maple and birch bed, circa 1900. The inside of the headboard with faux bamboo turnings and a large birds eye maple inset panel, both inside and outside o...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birch, Birdseye Maple

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 Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American Aesthetic Movement Birds Eye Maple Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Chinese and Japanese bamboo style furniture reached the height of popularity after the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. As the Aesthetic...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Bentwood Mahogany Twin Bed
Located in Queens, NY
Bentwood (19/20th Century) mahogany stained twin size bed with fluted frame (includes: headboard, footboard, rails). (Irregular size, check measurements).
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

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 Furniture

Materials

Walnut

R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Birdseye Maple Full Bed
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement carved birdseye maple faux bamboo full-size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head and foot-boards, and ball finials, and bracketed rails. (R.J...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Wood, Maple

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 Furniture

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 Furniture

Materials

Ash, Fruitwood

An Aesthetic Movement Satin Birch bedside cabinet with a central Walnut handle.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Satin Birch bedside cabinet with a contrasting turned Walnut handle to the door. Circa 1870. SALW.
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birch

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British Colonial Style Faux Bamboo Super King Bed Frame in Faux Tortoise
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style super king bed with faux bamboo faux tortoise posts, borders, and applied geometric designs over a grasscloth background. Complet...
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20th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Breathtaking Pair of Chests by Renzo Rutili in Cerused Oak and Bird's-Eye Maple
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent pair of commodes is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation r...
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1950s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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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...
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1870s Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Original 19th-century canopy bed, 19th, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Original 19th-century canopy bed, 19th, Italy Canopy bed, iron frame with brass decorations and original gilding, 19th century, Italy. Measurements length 200, width 140, canopy hei...
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Early 1800s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Original 19th-century canopy bed, 19th, Italy
Original 19th-century canopy bed, 19th, Italy
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H 93.31 in W 78.75 in D 55.12 in
19th Century Chinese Day Bed
Located in New York, NY
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18th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Birdseye Maple Full Bed
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement carved birdseye maple faux bamboo full-size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head and foot-boards, and ball finials, and bracketed rails. (R.J...
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19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wood, Maple

Magnificent Antique Hand-Carved Mahogany Baronial Bedroom Suite
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent bed suite includes the bed, chest, dressing table and a lamp. If you are interested in this suite, please contact us for additional photos. ...
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19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Mahogany

Biggs Virginia Mahogany Pineapple 3/4 Twin Beds, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of Biggs Virginia Furniture Mahogany Pineapple 3/4 Twin Beds, Pair. Include in listing are a pair of Headboards, a pair of Footboards. Finish on all sides. The bolt-on bedrail...
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Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Mahogany

Biggs Virginia Mahogany Pineapple 3/4 Twin Beds, Pair
Biggs Virginia Mahogany Pineapple 3/4 Twin Beds, Pair
$1,750 Sale Price / set
30% Off
H 48 in W 46 in D 3 in
19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
Located in Savannah, GA
Classic American sleigh bed in a double size. Made of fine New England tiger and bird's-eye maple, it is solid, sturdy and would fit a mattress approximately 75 inches x 50 inches.Se...
Category

1820s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple

19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
$2,990 Sale Price
40% Off
H 48 in W 52 in D 78 in
19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Wooden Bed Frame Louis XV Period
Located in Sofia, BG
Remarkable authentic bed frame from Louis XV period made of solid hand carved walnut three with lovely decorations painted in light green to grey. Matching original upholstery in ver...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wood

19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Wooden Bed Frame Louis XV Period
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$2,061 Sale Price
24% Off
H 48.82 in W 55.12 in D 78.75 in
Bedroom Suite, Louis Majorelle
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
French Art Deco suite made of Macassar ebony and walnut. Suite includes: 1-Armoire with 3 large doors that open to interior shelves, center door is mirrored. 84 H x 69 W x 20 ...
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1930s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Walnut

Bedroom Suite, Louis Majorelle
Bedroom Suite, Louis Majorelle
$16,500 Sale Price / set
40% Off
H 84 in W 69 in D 20 in
Previously Available Items
Pair of Faux Bamboo Hardwood Two-Tier Nightstands
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of faux bamboo carved hardwood nightstands or end tables. The tables feature a two-tier design made in the English aesthetic movement style. Each stand is fronted by a ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Bradenton, FL
Attributed to R.J. Horner & Co. Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo bed. The bed is beautifully designed utilizing various type of maple--birds-eye maple. The faux bamboo spindles are fin...
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Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Birdseye Maple

19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
H 66 in W 84 in D 46 in
19th English Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Pine Bed
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome late 19th century English Aesthetic movement period faux bamboo bed crafted from pine. The bed features a large head and foot board with faux bamboo turned supports and spin...
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19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Faux Bamboo, Pine

British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo Faux Tortoise & Grasscloth Headboard - Queen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a British Colonial style burnt bamboo and grasscloth queen size headboard. I believe it to be a more recent interpretation of the bamboo crafted in England as part of the Aes...
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Late 20th Century Vietnamese Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Grasscloth, Bamboo

Late 20th-C. French Wicker & Rattan Twin Headboards / Daybed By Grange
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 20th century French rattan and wicker headboards by Grange. They are in very good condition and marked.
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Late 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wicker, Rattan

Italian Hand Painted Four Poster Faux Bamboo Bed by Patina with Birds, King
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love this! It is a lovely hand painted four poster bed by Patina. It is Italian. The four posts are carved faux bamboo. Each post has a carve...
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Late 20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Wood

Pine Nightstand with One Door and One Drawer
Located in Baltimore, MD
Larger than most, this pine nightstand is an unusual variation on a common theme. The top has a step-down routed edge with concave molding beneath, to form a crown. The sides are pan...
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Early 20th Century Dutch Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Curly Pine Bedside Table Cabinet Nightstand
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique aesthetic movement nightstand or end table, circa 1880s. Made from curly pine with engraved details and brass hardware. Measures: 16.5" x 15" x 33", surface 31.5".
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1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Coastal Style Bamboo and Brass Twin Headboards, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century pair of bamboo and brass twin headboards or daybed. They are unmarked and in very good condition.
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Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

Materials

Brass

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...
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Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Marble, Metal

Aesthetic Style Inlaid Bamboo Shelf with Black Lacquered Top, England circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
Petite bamboo shelf with inlaid and ebonized top, scroll detail, and floral motifs, England, circa 1890.
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1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Bamboo, Wood

Antique Aesthetic Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Mounted Bed
Located in London, GB
Antique Aesthetic style marquetry and gilt bronze mounted bed Continental, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 194cm, width 257cm, depth 230cm This magnificent wooden bed feat...
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Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Furniture

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Marble, Ormolu

Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bedroom furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bedroom furniture, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster & London, R.J. Horner & Co., 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $27,960 while the average work can sell for $6,379.

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