Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
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.
to
2
46
7
53
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
50
5
1
1
1
1
1
8,468
3,699
1,845
1,308
488
452
362
277
255
244
235
180
173
157
154
111
60
35
1
44
8
2
1
1
1
1
43
15
11
6
5
46
39
33
2
2
53
53
53
5
4
3
3
2
Style: Aesthetic Movement
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...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Beech, Rush
Liberty & Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
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...
Category
1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Rush
Late 19th Century American Mahogany and Brass Library Armchair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An impressive late 19thC American mahogany and brass library armchair. The seat and back rest are covered with dark burgundy leather and riveted. The slightly curved armrests protrud...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
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 ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
High-Back Aesthetic Movement Chair
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Note: if you are only interested in one of the two Armchairs please contact us.
Shipping Note:
If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options, don't hesitate to...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak, Hardwood, Wood
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...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Metal
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 leathe...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Dante Rossetti for Morris and Co. A pair of rush seated armchairs
By Morris & Co., Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Located in London, GB
A pair of Morris and Co rush seated armchairs, designed by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with newly laid rush seats.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Rush
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.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Victorian Designer E W Godwin Aesthetic Movement Jappaned Abstract Elbow Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Rare E W Godwin Aesthetic Movement Jappaned Low Elbow Arm Chair With Anglo Japonesque Geometric Back On Hand Turned Legs
Auctioneer has given attribution.
Victorian architect-desi...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Beech
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...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Jas Shoolbred Morris & Co Style a Pair of Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchairs
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...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Henry William Batley attri, Jas. Shoolbred. An Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair.
By Henry William Batley, Jas Shoolbred & Co.
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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Anglo-Indian Carved Peacock Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century hand carved peacock chair.
Category
20th Century Indian Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement cane seated armchair
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement cane seated armchair by Morris and Co with circular cane seat. A variant is illustrated in the Liberty Yuletide Gifts catalogue.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Cane
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 ...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
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
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
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, ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese armchair Godwin style
By Henry William Batley
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
Aesthetic Movement Jacobean Or Old English Armchair after a Design by E W Godwin
By C.J. Plunkett & Co, Edward William Godwin
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 Plunkett & Co. See The Secular Furniture of E W Godwin by Susa...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Barley Twist Carved Armchair
Located in San Francisco, CA
the uniquely styled chair composed of barley twist supports
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Wood
E W Godwin Style of Jacobean or Old English Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair
By C.J. Plunkett & Co, Edward William Godwin
Located in London, GB
After a design by E W Godwin.
An Aesthetic Movement OAK armchair originally named,' A Jacobean or Old English Armchair '.
Probably made by Collier and Plunkett or James Peddle. See...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Liberty & Co. an English Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Armchair with Seagrass Seat
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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Victorian button back armchair
Located in Petworth, GB
A stylish Victorian button back traditional upholstered armchair with turned walnut feet raised on brass castors, covered in cotton velvet fabric 'Glasgow Rose' by Patch Rogers Design.
Category
1890s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
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.)
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo
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 ...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Wood
E W Godwin for William Watt. An oak Shakespeare armchair. One of only four known
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin made by William Watt. An oak Shakespeare armchair. This armchair was part of the Shakespeare dining room suite in the Elizabethan-Revival style that Godwin designed for William Watt, which was illustrated in the Building News on 11 November 1881 Fig. 176.1. Four are currently known in existence, this one with an upholstered seat, two with solid seats in private collections, and the fourth is in a National Trust house. See The Secular Furniture of EW Godwin...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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. ...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
Henry W Batley attr. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches.
By Henry William Batley
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...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
George Faulkner Armitage (attributed). An Aesthetic Movement mahogany armchair
By George Faulkner Armitage
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...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Jas Shoolbred, in the Style of Morris & Co. a Reclining Upholstered Armchair
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...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
E W Godwin for William Watt An Aesthetic Movement tall back ebonized armchair.
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...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Bruce Talbert, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered oak armchair.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair. It was professionally re-upholstered in a light blue Damask.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
English Armchair In Dark Green Leather
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful English leather armchair with a mahogany base
Very beautiful armchair covered with green leather which has a very beautiful patina
The armchair rests on a solid mahog...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Leather
E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement Shakespeare armchair with marquetry decoration
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...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
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,...
Category
1920s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Bruce Talbert Gillows, Aesthetic Movement rosewood armchair with pink upholstery
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood armchair with a pink button back upholstered back and seat.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Rosewood
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...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Wood
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.
Category
20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Aesthetic Movement upholstered mahogany armchair
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Fine quality mahogany upholstered Aesthetic Movement armchair circa 1880. The chair has an elegant design with it's sweeping arm rests and finely reeded woodwork. It has its original...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
Lacquer Armchair, Maison Versace, 1970
Located in Nice, FR
Armchair structure in burgundy lacquer, the fabric is not original. Chrome feet. Italy 1970
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Lacquer
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...
Category
1840s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Aesthetic Movement armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement armchairs made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include William Watt, Gillows of Lancaster & London, Edward William Godwin, and Jas Shoolbred & Co.. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $18,297 and tops out at $18,297 while the average work can sell for $18,297.