Anglo-Indian Carved Peacock Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century hand carved peacock chair.
20th Century Indian Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Wood
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.
Anglo-Indian Carved Peacock Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century hand carved peacock chair.
Wood
Model 17 Bentwood High Back Armchair by Michael Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
This model 17, bentwood side chair with a cane seat and back was designed by Michael Thonet for his own company in the 1860s. This example was produced in the 1970s and is in a very ...
Cane, Wood
High-Back Aesthetic Movement Chair
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Shipping Note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly. Important Care Information: When purchasing a ch...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Jas Shoolbred Morris & Co Style a Pair of Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchairs
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., Morris & Co., Philip Webb
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. In the style of Morris and Co, after a design by Phillip Webb. A pair of Aesthetic Movement adjustable reclining armchairs. Professiona...
Walnut
Richard Charles Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Elbow Chair with X Frame stretcher
By Richard Charles
Located in London, GB
Richard Charles (1823-93), an Aesthetic Movement ebonized elbow chair, circa 1866, with ball finials, a ladder back, later leather seat, gilt highlights and X-frame base with X-frame...
Wood
E W Godwin style of, An Anglo-Japanese Old English or Jacobean Ebonized Armchair
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin, style of, An Anglo-Japanese Old English or Jacobean ebonized armchair. Professionally upholstered in a quality hide.
Walnut
Liberty & Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
By Liberty & Co., Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, style of a Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms, the arms follow through to the sid...
Rush
Aesthetic Movement Jacobean Or Old English Armchair after a Design by E W Godwin
By Edward William Godwin, C.J. Plunkett & Co
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Jacobean or Old English ebonized armchair. After a design by E. W. Godwin. Probably made by C J Plucknett & Co. See The Secular Furniture of E W Godwin by Susan...
Walnut
Lacquer Armchair, Maison Versace, 1970
Located in Nice, FR
Armchair structure in burgundy lacquer, the fabric is not original. Chrome feet. Italy 1970
Lacquer
$1,769 / set
Pair Of English Windsor Armchairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine pair of English Windsor armchairs in oak. Superb and rare model from the beginning of the 20 century Beautiful, good -quality armchairs with elegant curved legs and a very dec...
Oak
Dante Rossetti for Morris and Co. A pair of rush seated armchairs
By Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
A pair of Morris and Co rush seated armchairs, designed by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with newly laid rush seats.
Rush
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Metal
Robert W Edis, An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair in the bamboo style
Located in London, GB
Robert William Edis. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair, ebonized on beech, in the bamboo style. From 1883, Edis Architect extended and rebuilt Sandringham House in Norfolk fo...
Beech, Rush
Collinson and Lock, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut armchair
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut armchair with double shaped back and arm rail. The seat sits slightly proud of the tapering legs to allow for the decorat...
Walnut
Bruce Talbert, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered oak armchair.
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair. It was professionally re-upholstered in a light blue Damask.
Oak
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Armchairs Attributed to G.Viardot, France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
These armchairs made of tinted wood are to be linked to another pair of armchairs executed by Gabriel Viardot, and now exhibited at the Decorative Arts Museum in Paris (Inv. 2006.105.1.2). They present a similar asymmetric design and an equal carving quality including the winding dragon on the back. (see picture attached) Gabriel Viardot career began as a wood carver and he produced small furniture, sculpturally carved with naturalistic motifs and animals. In the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, his finely sculpted objects were well received. However, with the increasing importation of similarly produced Swiss and German articles, he found less opportunity for these and decided to innovate. G. Viardot succeeded to his father’s business in 1861 installed rue Rambuteau in Paris, circa 1870 he turned to the idea of producing “Meubles genre Chinois et Japonais”. The taste in Europe for exotic furniture...
Fabric, Wood
Jas Shoolbred, an Aesthetic Movement Oak Corner Armchair with Stylized Turnings
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. An exceptional English Aesthetic Movement oak corner armchair with wrap-around arms with incised scrollwork decoration to the top of the arm ends with turned supports...
Oak
Henry William Batley attri, Jas. Shoolbred. An Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair.
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Henry William Batley (attributed) Jas. Shoolbred., an oak armchair, re-upholstered in red leather, with stylised floral carved details to the back supports the curved arms with elbow...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Fine Antique English Aesthetic Movement Lolling Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of English lolling chairs with noteworthy carved and turned oak frames, circa 1870s. Custom upholstered in brown tone-on-tone raised fabric ...
Oak
Regency Style Bamboo Upholstered Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Regency Style bamboo open arm chair with high back design and upholstered seat and back panel (19/20th Cent.)
Bamboo
Antique Scottish 19th century walnut armchairs by J. & T. Scott, Edinburgh
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
A pair of Scottish 19th century walnut armchairs by J. & T. Scott, Edinburgh of the best quality. Made in the Aesthetic style, the backs with turned finials, moulded and polished cr...
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Tall Back Mahogany Armchair Attributed to Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement turned tall back mahogany chair Pad feet and spindle decoration Silk upholstery Circa 1890 Attributed to Liberty & Co Height 132cm. Width 57cm. Depth 47cm. ...
Silk, Mahogany
Phillip Webb for Morris & Co. an English Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchair
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co. Designed in C1866. A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized adjustable reclining armchair. The arched arms with padded armrests ...
Walnut
Antique English 19th Century Gothic Revival Aesthetic Oak Armchair
Located in Glasgow, GB
A striking Gothic Revival oak armchair attributed to Charles Bevan and dating to c. 1870. The back with canted angles, carved and ebonised dog tooth carvings to the arch and circula...
Fabric, Oak
Phillip Webb for Morris & Co. English Aesthetic Movement oak reclining armchair
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co. Designed in C1866. A rare Aesthetic movement oak adjustable reclining armchair with good quality tan leather button back u...
Oak
Philip Webb for Morris & Co. Two Aesthetic Movement reclining armchairs.
Located in London, GB
Two classic adjustable reclining armchairs, one ebonized and one in golden oak the latter with good quality tan leather button back upholstery. The ebonized one with later upholstery...
Oak, Walnut
19th Century Windsor Oak Armchair
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine 19th-century English Windsor armchair in oak. This beautiful armchair has a superb wood turning featuring elegant legs and decorative details on the backrest. It has a lovely ...
Oak
An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with a curvaceous back leather upholstery.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut Library armchair with a curvaceous back and nicely worn button back leather upholstery. The arms with double curves to the end of the armrests and floret...
Walnut
Jas Shoolbred, in the Style of Morris & Co. a Reclining Upholstered Armchair
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., William Morris (English)
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. In the style of Morris and Co, after a design by Phillip Webb. A reclining armchair professionally upholstered in a Morris and Co. Vine p...
Oak
Liberty and Co attributed An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, in the style of a Morris and Co Sussex armchair. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms with elegant...
Beech
E W Godwin Style of Two Jacobean or Old English Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
By C.J. Plunkett & Co, Edward William Godwin
Located in London, GB
After a design by E W Godwin. Jacobean or Old English armchairs. Two Aesthetic Movement Walnut ebonized armchairs both professionally reupholstered in a quality green and tan leather...
Leather, Walnut
Liberty & Co. an English Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Armchair with Seagrass Seat
By Liberty & Co., Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. In the style of Morris and Co's Sussex range. An English Aesthetic Movement ebonized rush-seat Sussex style armchair after a design by Daniel Gabriel Rossetti in original condition with original seagrass seat...
Beech
Henry W Batley attr. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches.
Located in London, GB
Henry Batley Attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches, curled finials, and a spray of elongated turned details to the back. The shaped arms have curvace...
Mahogany
Liberty & Co armchair with a shaped back & mashrabiya turnings to the head rest.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co An Aesthetic Movement ebonized Moorish low armchair with a shaped back with mashrabiya turnings to the head rest and tapestry seat
Walnut
George Bell & George Freeth Roper Aesthetic Movement Walnut rush seat armchair.
By Kendall & Co., George Bell
Located in London, GB
George Bell & George Freeth Roper. Probably made by Kendal Milne & Co for Herman Schill. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut armchair with a row of fine barley t...
Walnut
William Birch. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with turned ball finials
Located in London, GB
William Birch. An Aesthetic Movement stylish Walnut armchair with turned ball finials to the tops and to the front of the arms with crossed decoration to the back and below the arms,...
Walnut
Bruce Talbert Gillows, Aesthetic Movement rosewood armchair with pink upholstery
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood armchair with a pink button back upholstered back and seat.
Rosewood
E W Godwin for William Watt An Aesthetic Movement tall back ebonized armchair.
By Edward William Godwin, William Watt
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin attributed, probably made by William Watt. An Aesthetic Movement tall back ebonized armchair. The turnings are in keeping with other Godwin designs, and the arms are iden...
Walnut
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized & upholstered armchair with sweeping side rails.
Located in London, GB
A stylish Aesthetic Movement ebonized armchair with sweeping side rail incorporating the upholstered armrests which are set back to accommodate those wonderful hoop dresses of the Vi...
Walnut
George Faulkner Armitage (attributed). An Aesthetic Movement mahogany armchair
Located in London, GB
George Faulkner Armitage (attributed). An Aesthetic Movement mahogany armchair with rib detailing to the head rest flanked by scroll carved finials. With tramline decoration througho...
Mahogany
E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement Shakespeare armchair with marquetry decoration
By William Watt, Edward William Godwin
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin attributed, probably made by William Watt. An Aesthetic Movement Shakespeare armchair with marquetry and carved decoration. The overall form of this Shakespeare armchair...
Oak
H W Batley attri, Jas Shoolbred An Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Armchair
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Henry William Batley (attributed) Jas. Shoolbred., a mahogany armchair, with stylised floral carved details to the back supports, the curved arms with elbow pads on fluted supports, ...
Mahogany
E. W. Godwin, Attributed. A tall back serpentine shape Walnut Armchair
By James Peddle, Edward William Godwin
Located in London, GB
E. W. Godwin (attributed) Made by James Peddle or Smee. A tall back serpentine shape walnut armchair with an ergonomically perfectly shaped slatted back with curved arms and a shaped...
Walnut
E W Godwin Attr, . Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair With Serpentine Shaped Back
Located in London, GB
Attributed to E W Godwin; An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair made by James Peddle. With shaped arms, turned front legs and saber back legs united by high stretchers. A comfortable ...
Oak
Austrian Children's Chair in Polychrome Wood, circa 1800
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely Austrian child's chair decorated with flowers and birds from the end of the 18th century beginning of the 19th century circa 1800. Very beautiful original polychromy. The ...
Wood
$3,303 / set
Armchair with Ottoman Antique Horn
Located in Nice, FR
Armchair with its pouf, horn structure, beautiful light brown braided leather work. Good condition, not torn.
Leather
Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese armchair Godwin style
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese upholstered ebonised armchair in the manner of E. W. Godwin but attributed to H. W. Batley. The armchair is in good condition with its ...
Upholstery
Austrian 19th century Aesthetic Movement 'Swan' Library Armchair
Located in Troy, NY
Unique Library or Lounge armchair, the padded armrests supported by decorative sculpted and ebonized swans., the back ending in a backwards scroll, the...
Pearwood, Upholstery
SUPER RARE ANTiQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT ARMCHAIR WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and totally original Aesthetic Movement, Victorian circa 1840-1860 Library armchair with ins...
Upholstery, Walnut
ANTiQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT STYLE LEATHER ARMCHAIR FOR RESTORATION
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this original Aesthetic Movement style Victorian circa 1860 armchair for restoration with original brown lea...
Leather, Hardwood