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.
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Style: Aesthetic Movement
PAIR OF BURR WALNUT AESTHETIC MOVEMENT LIBRARY ARMCHAIRS WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUEs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale pair of very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement armchairs wit...
Category
19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Ebony, 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
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
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
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
SUPER RARE ANTiQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT ARMCHAIR WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUES
Located in GB
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
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
Morris & Co (style of). An Aesthetic Movement armchair with seagrass seat
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co (style of). An Aesthetic Movement armchair with seagrass seat.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Beech
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
ANTiQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT STYLE LEATHER ARMCHAIR FOR RESTORATION
Located in GB
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
Antique Walnut Barley Twist Library Armchair with Cane Seat & Rear 1850s
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Walnut Barley Twist Library Armchair with Cane Seat & Rear
Extra dimensions
Seat width: 52cm I Seat depth: 47cm
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Victorian Designer E W Godwin Aesthetic Movement Jappaned Low Elbow ArmChair
Located in High Wycombe, GB
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-designer E....
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Divine Luxury in this English 1880s Antique Wing Chair
Located in Bellport, NY
Luxury and comfort in this "Aesthetic Movement "English antique High back Wing Chair. All new upholstery in a Scalamandre Leopard pattern fabric.
...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
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
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
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
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
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
Antique 19th C. Eastlake Victorian Aesthetic Movement Walnut Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Eastlake Victorian Aesthetic Movement (1870s-1890s) parlor armchair. Made of walnut featuring fluted and turned supports with upholstered seat and back.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, 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
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
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
Aesthetic Movement Jacobean Or Old English Armchair after a Design by E W 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
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
E W Godwin Style of Two Jacobean or Old English Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
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
E W Godwin Style of Jacobean or Old English Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair
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
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
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
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
Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese Mahogany Armchair with Lattice Work Details
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese mahogany armchair with sweeping arms and vertical supports below following down past the seat forming lattice wo...
Category
Late 19th Century 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
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
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...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, 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.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Richard Charles Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Elbow Chair with X Frame stretcher
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
H W Batley attri, Jas Shoolbred An Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Armchair
By 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
Henry William Batley attri, Jas. Shoolbred. An Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair.
By 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...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Regency Style Bamboo Upholstered Arm Chair
Located in New York, 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
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
19th Century American Gothic Chair
Located in London, London
Gothic chair
American Aesthetic Movement
Walnut
Original velvet upholstery
19th Century America
46cm seat height.
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
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
Rosewood Bobbin Turned Open Armchair with Cushion, England, 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
A vintage rosewood Bobbin turned open armchair with new upholstered feather seat cushion in pale blue with off white piping. From 19th century England.
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
Materials
Rosewood
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.
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