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.
Antique Carved Wood Armchair with Cane Back
Located in Pasadena, TX
This stunning antique armchair features an intricately carved wooden frame with a unique cane backrest design that brings an airy elegance to its stately presence. The rich dark wood...
Cane, Wood
Morris & Co attr to Philip Webb. Aesthetic Movement pair rush seat Sussex chairs
By Morris & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in London, GB
Ford Maddox Brown for Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement pair of rush seat Sussex side chairs with newly laid rush seat.These chairs have bee...
Rush
Antique English Burnt Bamboo Side Chair With Japanned Lacquer Seat
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking antique English burnt bamboo side chair featuring a beautifully detailed japanned lacquer seat with hand-painted floral and bird motif. The rich tortoise finish paired wit...
Bamboo, Plywood
$1,650 / item
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo side chair.
Metal
An Aesthetic Movement A frame ebonized chair in the style of Dr C Dresser
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement A frame ebonized chair in the style of Dr C Dresser with octagonal shaped backrest supports, on turned legs with gilded highlights, professionally reupholstered...
Wood, Leather
Pair Of Aesthetic Design Victorian Mahogany Hall Chairs
By Henry Ogden
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality And Attractive Pair Of 19th Century Mahogany Hall Chairs, By H.Ogden Of Manchester, In The Aesthetic Movement Taste, Having Carved And Moulded Decoration To Pierc...
Mahogany
Thomas Jeckyll Style a Pair Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs with Sunflowers
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll in the style of. A good quality pair of aesthetic movement dining chairs with sunflower carved details to the backs, subtle details below the seats with ring-turned le...
Oak
An Aesthetic Movement low side chair with fretwork to the lower back rest
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement low side chair with fretwork to the lower back rest, this has shrunk and cracked a little but still quite useable. With unusual high, turned stretcher supports ...
Walnut
$1,215 / set
Pair Aesthetic period Oak Tiled back Hall chairs
Located in Dereham, GB
Pair Aesthetic period Oak Tiled back Hall chairs Circa 1880s Oak with Ebonised detail, Arch tops, with carved leaf decoration, Inset tile by: Minton China works : Designed by Moyr Sm...
Oak
Ebonized Bobbin Turned Side Chair, 19th Century Antique Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century ebonized bobbin turned side chair. An ebonized black wood frame with elaborate amount of turning. From the English Anglo Indian / Aesthetic movement. A very archite...
Fabric, Wood
$1,185Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Small Folding Chairs E.W Godwin Manner
Located in Norwich, England
A pair of Aesthetic Movement small walnut low folding decorative chairs with cane seats, in the manner of E.W. Godwin. Circa 1870s. Free delivery to the UK via a selected parcel company. The walnut frames are in very good condition and have their original patina, showing some age with use, they have been lightly waxed. One of the chairs cane seats professionally re-caned, and it has been aged to resemble the other original cane seat. This same chair has had the under rail replaced in oak with two bolts, as shown in photograph number 12. This was done many years ago - I would say about 80 plus years, looking at the construction. Also added at a similar time under the seat, one small rail either side. The wooden dome...
Cane, Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Yellow Floral Upholstered Walnut Side Chair
Located in Astoria, NY
Aesthetic Movement Walnut Side Chair, with geometric crest, burl walnut inlay, and butter yellow floral upholstered seat and back on turned wood front legs on casters. 39" H x 20" W...
Upholstery, Walnut
Petite Wood Armchairs With Cord Seats, a Pair
Located in Greensboro, NC
A Pair of Petite Wood Armchairs With Cord Seats. Likely French. 22"w x 19"d x 34" x17.5" seat height seat width 18" seat depth 15.5"
Papercord, Wood
19th Century English Bamboo and Leather Chair
Located in Bellport, NY
A beautiful bamboo chair with free form feet and finial tops. Leather seat with antique brass nail heads. Probably dated circa 1890.
Bamboo, Leather
$1,160Sale Price|19% Off
Aesthetic Movement Side Chair in Walnut by E.W. Godwin, circa 1885
By Goodwin
Located in Faversham, GB
Aesthetic Movement walnut and rush seated chair by E.W. Godwin for William Smee & Son, London. Turned spindle and dowel back with legs united by six-shaped ...
Walnut, Bamboo, Cane, Rush
H W Batley. Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement side chair with floral decor
By Collinson & Lock, Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
H W Batley for Collinson and Lock. A fine Aesthetic Movement side chair with pierced floral decoration to the back. Retaining the original cane seat with some minor losses and old st...
Walnut, Cane
Charles Mills & Sons. Three Aesthetic Movement side chairs w. ebonized turnings
Located in London, GB
Charles Mills and Sons Bradford. A set of three Aesthetic Movement side chairs with ebonized turnings to the backrest and all over turned detailing with through pegged joints to the double stretchers. Charles Mills and Sons Bradford was the maker of the furniture for the New Liberal Club House, Bradford, in 1877 and walnut fittings and furniture for the new restaurant and reading room at the Boar’s Head, Bradford, in 1885 (The Furniture Gazette, 7 July 1877 & 1 January 1886 respectively). The firm exhibited two oak sideboards, a rosewood mantel with overmantel and other furniture at the Yorkshire Fine Arts Society Show, Leeds, 1881 [The Furniture Gazette, 5 March 1881]. Its display at the Industrial & Fine Art Exhibition, Bradford Technical School, 1882, included a bedroom suite of wainscot oak, with purple wood mouldings, the panels of figured ebony and carvings of cedar, design modern Queen Anne. Also a Tudor bedstead, drawing room and Jacobean oak dining...
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Low Spindle-Back Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
A marvelous low, decorative chair is remarkable for its maker's attention to detail. Four beautifully detailed bronze hemispheres cap the front legs and either side of the chair's ba...
Bronze
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. An Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair with ebonized dot details and chip carved details to the fra...
Oak
J P Seddon attri. An Aesthetic Movement oak side chair with ebonized circles
Located in London, GB
J P Seddon attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oak side chair with ebonized circles to the backrests and carved decoration with through exsposed tenonsn joints. Seat Height: 45 cm
Oak
H W Batley attr. Jas Shoolbred Pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech chairs
By Henry William Batley, Jas Shoolbred & Co.
Located in London, GB
Henry William Batley attributed for Jas Shoolbred & Co. A pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech side chairs. Stamped under the seat Jas Shoolbred and the production number 820
Beech
Victorian Steer Horn Vanity Bench Side Chair C1890
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and fabulous steer horn vanity bench with a suede fabric. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Horns are tight and sturdy with no damage. Truly a rare form.
Horn, Fabric, Hardwood
R Boyd. in the style of Dr C Dresser. A pair of oak side chairs
Located in London, GB
R Boyd. in the style of Dr C Dresser. A pair of Aesthetic Movement oak side chairs with 1/4 moon details and double hoop stretchers. Furniture by R Boyd was illustrated in the Furnit...
Oak
Early 20th Century Pair of Chiavarine Eclectic Chairs , Carlo Molino designer
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century unique and rare pair of Chiavarine Chairs, by Carlo Mollino in ebonized mahogany and with new red velvet upholstery. Feet in gilt brass Measure cm: H 125\50 W 43 ...
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Victorian Mahogany Occasional Chairs
Located in Altrincham, GB
Pair of Victorian Mahogany Occasional Chairs - with a padded seat & back upholstered green velour, & on turned & fluted tapering legs - 19"w x 19"d x 34"h (18" to the seat)
Mahogany
A Very Fine Pair of 19th Century Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine pair of 19th Century well figured, mahogany hall chairs, fabulously hand carved with gorgeously rich patination and grain. The shaped, moulded and fluted shield back wit...
Mahogany
Boho Chic Upholstered Bamboo Side Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Constructed of bamboo, this Boho Chic chair is upholstered. It has a spindled back and a gate like skirt. Reupholstery is strongly recommended.
Upholstery, Bamboo
Italian Carved 18th Century Tall Back Caned Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful antique very early caned tall backed Italian chair. Bought in the South of France. Caning has a small hole on the back but in great s...
Cane, Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Antique Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A pair of mid 19th Century mahogany hall chairs, having circular shaped and moulded backs and centred by shield reserves, hard seats...
Mahogany
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38.98 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in
19th Century Spanish Colonial Altar Carved Armchairs with Wood Seat & Back
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood back with ornamental carved and wood seat. The unusual lyre legs complete this exceptional pair of armchairs Measures: ...
Walnut
Morris & Co. Armchair from the Sussex Line, London, 19th Century
By Ford Madox Brown 1, Morris & Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Armchair, from the Sussex range of chairs by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., later Morris & Co., English 1870-1900 The armchairs and chairs, which have round seats and square back...
Rush, Fruitwood
$1,870 / set
H 37.41 in W 14.57 in D 15.36 in
Superb Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Mahogany Hall / Side Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
A superb pair of antique Victorian mahogany hall / side chairs beautifully crafted with rich carved detail and elegant sweeping forms—an excellent example of mid-19th-century decorat...
Mahogany
$2,975 / set
H 30.52 in W 23.63 in D 19.89 in
19th Century Spanish Pair of Colonial Carved Armchairs with Leather Seat & Back
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood back with ornamental carved and wood seat. The unusual lyre legs complete this exceptional pair of armchairs Measures: ...
Walnut, Leather
$5,335
H 33.08 in W 16.15 in D 13.39 in
Pair of antique Regency mahogany hall chairs in the manner of Gillows
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
A pair of antique Regency mahogany hall chairs, the oval backs with gadrooned scroll carving terminating with domed paterae and supported by a pair of carved scrolls. The tapered boa...
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Unusual Carved Mahogany Armchair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique Victorian carved mahogany armchair having the most magnificent carved, pierced mahogany shaped top and two carved pierced maho...
Other
Pair of Slipper Chairs in the style of James Mont.
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of slipper chairs in the style of James Mont.
Wood
Pair Aesthetic period Oak Tiled back Hall chairs
Located in Dereham, GB
Pair Aesthetic period Oak Tiled back Hall chairs Circa 1880s Oak with Ebonised detail, Arch tops, with carved leaf decoration, Inset tile by: Minton China works : Designed by Moyr Sm...
Oak
19th Century English Chinoiserie Painted Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century English side chair: painted ebonized wood with chinoiserie detailing, turned spindle splats beneath a shaped crest rail, caned seat and hand turned legs. Newly upholster...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Bobbin Turned Side Chair by E.W. Godwin
Located in London, GB
A simulated rosewood side chair designed by E.W. Godwin. Raised on bobbin turned front legs and outswept back legs with a cane seat. The rectangular back supported by bobbin turned ...
Beech
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Oak Side Chair
Located in London, GB
A Victorian Aesthetic Movement oak side chair in the manner of Charles Eastlake. English, circa 1870 Pierced back splat over a later upholstered seat. In good solid condition wi...
Oak
Aesthetic Movement 'Thebes' Chair By Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Thebes chair in Mahogany with original Liberty & Co cotton velvet fabric. Liberty & Co Circa 1895 Height 92cm. Width 49cm. Depth 55cm. Seat Height 42cm
Velvet, Mahogany
Aesthetic Movement Painted Side Chair
Located in Faversham, GB
A beautifully hand-painted ebony Aesthetic Movement side chair in beech. The side chair has a twisted cane back with ball finials on a recently added canvas seat. The fluted legs a...
Beech
Sold
H 36.62 in W 22.45 in D 22.05 in
Bentwood Chair with arms Model No 14 Art Nouveau Chair Thonet Austria 1890
By Thonet
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, produced by Thonet, this design originally dates from 1859. Made from bent solid and laminated Beech construction with moulded plywood seat. This chair date...
Bentwood, Beech
Sold
H 32.29 in W 26.38 in D 21.26 in
Bentwood Office Chair Model Number 704 J J Kohn For Thonet 1900s Jacob Joseph
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, designed by Jacob and Joseph Kohn, Austria and produced by Thonet, dates from the early 1900s. Model Number 704 Retains the original embossed seat with won...
Bentwood
Sold
H 34.26 in W 15.75 in D 15.36 in
E W Godwin or H W Batley for Collinson & Lock An Aesthetic Movement side chair.
By Edward William Godwin, Collinson & Lock
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin or H W Batley, probably made for Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement walnut side chair with carved curls and line decoration to the headrai...
Walnut
19th Century Walnut Penny Chair
Located in Robertsbridge, England
19th Century Walnut Penny Chair Aesthetic movement three splay legged chair with excellent carved details typical of the period, all strong with no damage...
Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 18 in D 19 in
Pair of Antique English Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs with Upholstered Seats
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From the English Aesthetic Movement, a pair of finely-crafted side chairs in mahogany with ebonized line inlays. Featuring an exquisite choice of woods with concave high back with th...
Mahogany, Ebony
Pair Napoleon III Faux Bamboo Leopardo Silk Velvet Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Exquisitely hand turned and carved period Napoleon III faux bamboo opera chairs upholstered in Leopardo silk velvet.
Silk, Velvet, Wood