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.
French Victorian Carved Pine Faux Bamboo Daybed Or Twin Headboards
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement carved pine faux bamboo daybed. It would also make a great pair of twin headboards. The cushion is a custom cushion in a neutral flax ...
Maple, Pine
Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Chaise Lounge
Located in New York, NY
A lovely chaise lounge crafted in the late 19th century. The design comes out of the Aesthetic Movement which began in the 1860s in England. Ebonized wood with gilt embellishment is ...
Ultrasuede, Burl, Mahogany
$81,900
H 33.08 in W 30.12 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
This chaise lounge is one of the designs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The traditional chaise is a lounge chair characterized by...
Iron
Large Tito Agnoli (attr) Bamboo Daybed Bamboo and Rattan Daybed
By Tito Agnoli, Bonacina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sensational large bamboo daybed with elegant curvature on legs and beautiful woven rattan details. Sturdy, lightweight frame. In original condition with visible wear consistent with ...
Bamboo, Rattan
$3,850
H 14.97 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
French Mid-Century Bamboo Daybed 1950s Audoux Minet Style Woven Rattan Platform
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Almelo, NL
Exceptional 1950s French bamboo daybed in the style of Audoux-Minet—sculptural, textural, and perfectly suited for refined indoor or covered outdoor living. A rare and highly decorative French mid...
Bamboo, Wicker, Plywood
$3,112Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 34.26 in
19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent 18th century French Louis XV period daybed. The bed needs a reupholstered , we can do it with the color velvet you choose.
Velvet, Walnut
Late 19th Century Wicker / Rattan Chaise Lounge Chair
Located in Buffalo, NY
This wicker / rattan chaise lounge showcases a beautifully woven design with a gently curved silhouette. It has brass tips on the corners and wavy side detailing. The warm, natural b...
Wicker, Rattan, Reed
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Fabric, Walnut
André Arbus Sycamore Chaise Lounge, Champagne Satin, France, 1940s
By André Arbus
Located in Queens, NY
French Mid-Century (1940s) sycamore chaise lounge with champagne satin upholstery and tufted shaped side and back (p. 90 "ANDRE ARBUS" by Yvonne Brunhammer) (authentication letter fr...
Sycamore, Satin
Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed or Lit de Repos
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant early 19th century French lit de repos with a richly figured wood frame and distinctive outscrolled ends. The long paneled front rail is detailed with carved borders and a ce...
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Continental Neoclassic Chaise Lounge in Mahogany & Silk
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Neoclassic-style (Possibly Austrian, late 19th Century) parcel gilt mahogany daybed/chaise lounge with scrolled back above a stripped yellow silk...
Gold Leaf
$17,702
H 14.57 in W 75.79 in D 32.68 in
Vintage Daybed by Christian Durupt, Pine, French Modernist, 1960s
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Vintage Daybed by Christian Durupt, 1960s – French Modernist Design, Collaboration with Charlotte Perriand This is a vintage daybed crafted in the 1960s by the skilled French furnit...
Pine
Hans Hartl "Soloform 5008" Chaise Lounge
By Hans Hartl, Eugen Schmidt
Located in Hanover, MA
Rare Soloform model 5008 chaise lounge designed by Hans Hartl (1899-1980) for Eugen Schmidt, Darmstadt, Germany, 1953. Measures: 72 1/2" W x 35 3/4" D x 30 1/4" H Known as the Shell Couch (Schalencouch) channel tufted white leather upholstered hardwood frame with elastic straps and foam on tubular chrome base. Very rare and beautiful Avant Garde freeform chaise longue produced in very few numbers. This is one of the few post WWII designs produced by Hartl and exemplifies the link between art and design during this progressive period. Hartl was a high profile architect, decorator and furniture designer during the late 1920s-1930s period whose works were published alongside those of greats such as Josef Hoffmann, Le Corbusier, Mendelsson, Pier Luigi Nervi...
Chrome
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Preview, Weiman Preview Furniture, Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Sold
H 32.68 in W 70.87 in D 26.38 in
Late 19th Century Buttoned Burgundy Leather & Walnut Day Bed Chaise Lounge
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A beautifully worn late 19th century burgundy leather chaise longue, decoratively carved scroll end and spindle gallery arm rail walnut frame with a nod to the aesthetic movement. ...
Leather, Walnut
English Daybed with Turned Wood Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English daybed with beautiful turned wood frame upholstered in a gold foil Naugahyde. The piece shows well and is in vintage condition, no labels that we can see. Measurements:...
Naugahyde, Wood
Sold
H 36.5 in W 72 in D 24 in
In the Style of E W Godwin, An Anglo-Japanese Ebonized Chaise Lounge or Day Bed
Located in London, GB
In the style of E W Godwin. Anglo-Japanese / Aesthetic Movement ebonized chaise lounge. With turned finials and turned uprights flanked by stylized floral fretwork devises to the ba...
Beech, Walnut
1950s German Daybed
By WK Möbel
Located in London, Lambeth
Very comfortable German daybed with slight angled top To make for a perfect relaxing bed. Wooden frame with Origin cotton fabric, circa 1950s.
Sold
H 29.5 in W 72 in D 25.5 in
Good Quality Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Chaise Longue
Located in London, GB
A good quality Aesthetic movement ebonised and parcel-gilt chaise longue, with nice fluid understated detailing in the style of Collinson and Lock.
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 31 in W 67 in D 27.5 in
Thomas Collcutt attributed An Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Ebonized Chaise Lounge
Located in London, GB
Thomas Collcutt (attributed) for Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut and ebonised chaise longue, with triangular 'A' frame to one end, ebonised tramlines throughout, with a lower turned gallery and turned feet, the semi upholstered back with open turned gallery and incised zig-zag and dot details. These details point towards the Dr C Dresser studios where Moyr Smith...
Walnut