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.
Ogdens Of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement Ebonized & Parcel Gilt Nursing Chair
Located in London, GB
Ogdens of Manchester, in the style Dr Christopher Dresser. Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel gilt walnut nursing chair, with a carved lotus f...
Walnut, Giltwood
E W Godwin Style of, an Aesthetic Movement Oak High Back Low Seat Chair
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin style of, an Aesthetic Movement high back oak nursing chair with a low seat, subtly carved head rest, and ball turned details to the side uprights with slender elongated t...
Walnut
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
Needlepoint Upholstered Slipper Chair
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of typical form, raised on legs ending in casters.
Wood, Fabric
$5,450 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Jens Risom Pair of 'Vostra' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, pair of 'Vostra' chairs with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring ...
Brass
$5,500
H 26.5 in W 28 in D 28 in
Pair of Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Shoji Screen Back Slipper Chairs
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Michael Taylor for Baker - Far East Collection, Mid-Century Modern slipper chairs with Asian influence, having Shoji screen inspired backs. Price includes refinishing with CO...
Wood, Upholstery
$6,625 / item
H 30 in W 32 in D 26 in
Little Petra Lounge Chair in Sheepskin with Oak Frame by & Tradition
Located in Vancouver, BC
Initially introduced back in 1938, Little Petra won instant praise at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition, subsequently winning awards at exhibi...
Sheepskin, Oak
$4,950
H 30 in W 25.5 in D 30 in
One of A Kind Sculptural Solid Brass and Grey Tweed Fabric Accent Chair, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional and rare, this one-of-a-kind sculptural lounge chair is a unique piece handcrafted in Florence, Italy. Featuring a gracefully contoured silhouette, the chair is constructed from solid brass with a warm soft patina that exudes warmth and sophistication. The deep, single form, scooped seat and back are upholstered in a richly textured grey tweed fabric, offering both comfort and refined visual contrast. Elegant tapered legs with brass cross bars for support and a curved brass shell evoke iconic mid-century Italian design, reinterpreted with a modern sensibility. Meticulously crafted by hand, this chair is not only a functional seating piece but also a statement of design artistry. Its bold form and luxurious materials make it ideal as a standalone accent. A unique work of art. On display at the Gallery at 200 Lex...
Brass
$3,800
H 33 in W 16 in D 18 in
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895 Dimensions: 33" H × 16" W × 18" D Seat Height: 16" This rare and sculpturally articulated American side ...
Walnut, Leather
$3,914 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Vintage 1960s set of Low & High Back Lounge Chair Oak, Style of Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A beautiful set of design chairs, resembling the style of Henning Henry Kjærnulf, forms a rare sculptural find. This set is crafted from oak and retaining their original savak wool u...
Fabric, Oak
Elegant Pair of Slipper Chairs with Lucite Legs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of deep slipper chairs with Lucite legs. Newly recovered in blue boucle. Sold as a pair. Available and currently on display in our NYC showroom.
Fabric, Upholstery, Lucite, Wood
Paolo Buffa Style Tall Back Club Red Velvet Slipper Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Miami, FL
A stylish chair. Very tall dramatic back. Ebonized wood legs.
Velvet, Wood
$750Sale Price / set|76% Off
H 32 in W 30.5 in D 28 in
Chic Pair of Estate Slipper Chairs, Matte Black Fabric
Located in Bronx, NY
chic pair of estate slipper chairs in a cool stretch matte black fabric with a waterfall skirt and inset pleats. Fully refurbished.
$3,430Sale Price|30% Off
H 44.5 in W 20.75 in D 29 in
Victorian Walnut & Needlepoint Nursing Chair, United Kingdom, Mid-19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
High Victorian walnut framed nursing / occasional chair with original needlepoint tapestry and decorative gimp cord - exceptional bench made hand carved quality frame with warm aged patina - featuring tapestry upholstery with flowers and tobacco leaves - finished with the original brass casters with ceramic wheels - polished finish to the frame - United Kingdom - mid 19th century. Excellent / near mint antique condition - minor loss to the seat tapestry...
Tapestry, Walnut
$3,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 32 in W 20.25 in D 30 in
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Grid Back Iron Lounge Chairs, Rene Gabriel Style
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern wrought iron lounge chairs, side chairs or slipper chairs in the style of Rene Gabriel with grid backs and grid seats. The open grids add to a feeli...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Walnut Slipper Chair in Green Velvet
Located in Batley, GB
A good quality Aesthetic Movement walnut slipper chair in green velvet upholstery and tassel trim. Raised on nice turned and fluted front legs with splayed rear legs and all with the...
Velvet, Walnut
Sold
H 29.25 in W 17 in D 18.5 in
Attributed Herter Brothers Antique Aesthetic Movement Carved Slipper Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
The firm of Herter Brothers, (working 1864–1906), was founded by German immigrants Gustave (1830–1898) and Christian Herter (1839–1883) in New York City. An antique late 19th centur...
Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 19 in D 18 in
Antique Black Lacquer Aesthetic Movement Slipper/Hall Chair With Velvet Seat
Located in Morristown, NJ
A very striking Antique English Aesthetic Movement black lacquered chair. The chair has an openwork wood back carved as a fan of styli...
Brass
Sold
H 25.6 in W 20.87 in D 21.26 in
Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Slipper Chair with Original Needle Work Upholstery
Located in Benington, Herts
A wonderful example of a fine 19th century Aesthetic Movement ebonised slipper chair with original needle work upholstery, offered in untou...
Wood
Asian Style Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Slipper Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Interesting black lacquered or ebonized slipper chair constructed late 19th century in the Asian style aesthetic movement taste. From the Anglo-Japanese or Japonisme influences on We...
Linen, Lacquer, Wood
Sold
H 27.75 in W 18.5 in D 20.75 in
American Aesthetic Movement Giltwood Slipper Chair, circa Late 1800s
Located in Peabody, MA
American Aesthetic Movement giltwood slipper chair, possibly by Herter Brothers of New York. Fretwork back features a marquetry medallion. The carved giltwood frame consists of turne...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Wood
American Aesthetic Movement Giltwood Tufted Slipper Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of American Aesthetic Movement giltwood slipper chairs or side chairs. Made in the manner and style of Herter Brothers Furniture. Feat...
Fabric, Giltwood
Sold
H 36 in W 24 in D 23 in
A Fine Pair of hand crafted American 19th century slipper chairs. 1880-1890
Located in Bellport, NY
Beautiful pair of 19thc American slipper chairs. Crest and stiles with hand carved flowers and leaves ,carved shaped skirt between turned and tapered legs. Solid light walnut with e...
Walnut
19th Century American Ebonized Spindle Slipper Chair
Located in Water Mill, NY
Rare 19th century American ebonized spindle upholstered slipper chair.
Upholstery, Wood
Early Aesthetic American Renaissance Ball and Stick Slipper Chair Davenport
Located in Chicago, IL
Early aesthetic American Renaissance ball and Stick slipper chair possibly by Davenport.