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.
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
Le Bon Marché Boudoir chair upholstery restored b The Royal School of Needlework
By Le Bon Marché 1
Located in London, GB
Le Bon Marche. A unique Boudoir chair with the original upholstery restored by the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace retaining the origi...
Fruitwood
19th Century Carved Anglo Indian Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th-Century Anglo Indian carved wood chair featuring motif designs based on local lore. Newly reupholstered seat. Also available C.O.M. with quick turnaround, add $90.00, 1 yard o...
Upholstery, Wood
Jas Shoolbred Morris & Co Style a Pair of Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchairs
By Morris & Co., Jas Shoolbred & 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
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
$12,000 / set
1990s John Hutton for Donghia Merbau Lounge Chairs
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful organic/ coastal modern Lou mg e chairs by John Hutton for Donghia circa 1994. Great scale and use of materials. Could blend easily with a variety of interior styles give t...
Reed, Mahogany
$750Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
This pair is offered in as-is condition and at a significantly reduced price due to their current state. Both chairs require wood restoration, as the front section of the seat frame ...
Cane, Bentwood
Jas Shoolbred, in the Style of Morris & Co. a Reclining Upholstered Armchair
By William Morris (English), Jas Shoolbred & Co.
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
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
Pair of J.W. Fiske Victorian Wire & Iron Garden Lounge Chairs C 1895
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of Rare Late Victorian leaning to the Asethetic Movement with the pattern of the wire & iron. Coated in zinc and years of old paint have preserved these beauties waiti...
Iron, Wire, Zinc
H W Batley attri, Jas Shoolbred An Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Armchair
By Henry William Batley, Jas Shoolbred & Co.
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
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...
Leather, Oak
$2,981Sale Price|36% Off
Italian Adjustable Wooden Lounge Chair, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian adjustable wooden lounge chair with wave formed armrest in black tinted wood. Italy 1940s.
Upholstery, Oak
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
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
Gregory & Co. An Aesthetic Movement nursing chair with stylized carved sunflower
Located in London, GB
Gregory and Co. Regent St. London. An aesthetic movement nursing chair with a stylized sunflower carving to the top, cup handle to the back flanked by turned finials with turned upr...
Walnut
Arts and Crafts William Godwin Ebonised Low Walnut Japanned Folding Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Arts and Crafts Aesthetic Movement Hand Crafted Ebonised Low Walnut Folding Decorative Chair with A Pale Upholstered Seat Chair Executed In The Manner of E.W. Godwin Circa 1870's Ex...
Wood, Walnut
John Hutton for Donghia "Noble" Leather Lounge Chair
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Astoria, NY
John Hutton for Donghia "Noble" Mint Green Leather Arm Chair, on four wood feet, label to underside. 31.5" H x 31" W x 30.5" D; seat: 17.5" H. Provenance: From a Fort Lauderdale,...
Leather, Wood
$3,112Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 25.2 in D 44.89 in
19th Century Anglo Indian Inlaid Plantation Chair with Extending Arms
Located in Čelinac, BA
Anglo Indian Plantation chair 19th Century
Teak
$2,850 / set
H 32.75 in W 22.5 in D 31 in
Donghia Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs designed by John Hutton Mid Century Style
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Low Slung Slipper Lounge Chairs, designed by John Hutton for Donghia, American, circa 2000s.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,097
H 37.8 in W 25.2 in D 29.93 in
Red Fabric & Black Metal Reclining Armchair Oscar by N. Pini for Novarredo, 1959
By Nello Pini, Novarredo Livorno
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Reclining armchair "Oscar" produced by Novarredo and designed by Nello Pini. Red fabric covering with yellow and blue inserts. Painted metal and wood struct...
Metal
Carved 19th Century West Indies Rosewood Plantation Chair
Located in Richmond, VA
Beautifully carved 19th century West Indies rosewood plantation chair.
Cane, Rosewood
$19,995Sale Price|55% Off
H 37.5 in W 68 in D 31 in
Anglo Indian Settee, Late 18th or Early 19th Century Carved Rosewood
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand-carved rosewood, mid 19th century. Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Rosewood
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 30 in D 33 in
Pair of JOHN HUTTON for DONGHIA 'Merbau' Woven Cane Lounge Chairs
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of vintage Coastal lounge chairs designed by John Hutton for Donghia. The chocolate colored version is very rare- only a few were produced. Chairs are imprinted on base with mak...
Wicker, Cane, Mahogany, Walnut
19th Century Anglo Indian Bleached Rosewood Settee
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An impressive and highly decorative 19th Century Anglo-Indian, bleached rosewood settee. This beautiful piece has a great shape and is decorated with fantastic carved detail on the s...
Cane, Rosewood
004 Royal Chair
Located in Westlake Village, CA
SEDUCTIVE LINES FOR LOUNGING The Royal Lounger is a lesson in both relaxation and refinement. It is available slipcovered in Belgian stonewashed linen or fully upholstered in Italia...
Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Oak, Down
Set John Hutton Donghia Block Island Cane Dining Chairs
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of five genuine "Block Island" cane rush dining chairs designed by John Hutton for Donghia. Beautifully crafted in the organic modern taste. 20th-century inspired design by ...
Cane, Rattan, Rush, Mahogany
19th Century Anglo Indian carved sofa
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th Century Anglo Indian carved sofa, the shaped back profusely carved with various foliage, the frame connecting down to the high...
Teak
Anglo-Indian Lounge Chair, Bamboo and Hardwood, Vintage Design, 1950
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1558 Anglo Indian laouge chair
Bamboo, Hardwood
Victorian Mahogany Lounge Armchair
Located in Altrincham, GB
Victorian Mahogany Lounge Armchair of Aesthetic Design with Harris Tweed Upholstery - 28"w x 34"d x 36"h (16" to the seat)
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 39 in W 24 in D 29 in
Morris & Co Attributed, an Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchair for Upholstery
By Philip Webb, William Morris (English)
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. attributed, after a design by Phillip Webb. An aesthetic movement adjustable reclining armchair with original painted simulated rosewood effect. Ready for the upholste...
Rosewood
Sold
H 34 in W 24 in D 29 in
James Shoolbred, Morris & Co Style, an Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchair
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., Philip Webb, Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. In the style of Morris and Co, after a design by Phillip Webb. An Aesthetic Movement adjustable reclining armchair ready for the upholstery of your choice. The last...
Walnut
Sold
H 44 in W 28 in D 26 in
Morris & Co George Jack, Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Armchair in a Morris Fabric
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. George Jack,. attributed. An Aesthetic Movement mahogany armchair, we have had professionally re upholstered in a quality Morris and Co 'cabbage and vine fabric.
Mahogany
Sold
H 40 in W 34 in D 30 in
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...
Mahogany
Pair of Miles Talbott Turned Bobbin Upholstered Club Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Deep stained bobbin carved frames along the square backs front and back, the arms and front legs. With slanted backs, bobbin form front legs and square splayed back legs. Newly uphol...
Wood
Antique Mahogany and Leather Fireside Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved mahogany frame with a pale button tufted leather shaped back and inside arms, nail head trim. A shaped seat and skirt, carved arm ends and front legs with an interesting modif...
Leather
Late 19th Century Folding Maple Deck Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, late 19th century, folding deck chair features a stained maple frame with hand-caned back and distressed leatherette fabric seat that slopes down from 16 to 10 inches.
Fabric, Maple
Sold
H 33 in W 24 in D 28.5 in
Fine Pair of Aesthetic Movement Walnut and Embossed and Gilt-Leather Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine and rare pair of aesthetic movement carved walnut and embossed and gilt-leather armchairs Attributed to George Hunzinger, 1835-1898, circa 1870s Measures: Height 33 in. w...
Sold
H 34 in W 20 in D 24 in
Richard Charles An Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Lounge Chair.
By Richard Charles
Located in London, GB
Richard Charles (1823-93), A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel Gilt lounge chair, with a spindle gallery above and below the padded back rest, with arched shaped legs to ea...
Walnut, Giltwood
Herter Brothers Upholstered & Gilded Side Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Old but not original upholstery. Lacks the bottom fringe. Turned legs are gilded. Numbers on two legs. India Rubber Comb Co. Casters. Similar chair sh...
English Aesthetic Movement Filigree And Stripe Upholstery Slipper Chair
Located in Queens, NY
English Aesthetic Movement ebonized wood armchair featuring a filigree carved back, seat and side arms upholstered in striped brown an...
Wood, Fabric