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Aesthetic Movement Seating

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
Arts and Crafts Upholstered Bentwood Bench or Trunk
Located in Southampton, NJ
An Arts and Crafts period bench of steam bent oak construction with exposed framework, turned ball feet and curved brass accented support stretchers. Custom upholstered in William ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Brass

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 Seating

Materials

Walnut

Italian Gilt Bamboo Leopard Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Italian gilt iron bamboo stool with leopard velvet upholstery.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Iron

A rare Rosewood side chair with finely carved and turned details
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock. A rare Aesthetic Movement Rosewood side chair with finely carved and turned details to the back supports with exagerated disc turned front legs and conforming sid...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Art Nouveau Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus dining chairs, Austria, 1970s, set of 6
Located in Buffalo, NY
Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1970s Fledermaus set in Art Nouveau style consisting of four chairs, executed by the company Wittmann. The design is by Josef Hoffman...
Category

1970s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Bentwood

Bentwood Scroll Café Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
84 Bentwood café side chairs with hairpin scroll design open back and wood seat. From BILLY'S 1890 RESTAURANT, NY. (84 - PRICED EACH)
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Bentwood

High-Back Aesthetic Movement Chair
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Shipping Note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly. Important Care Information: When purchasing a ch...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Oak

Anglo-Indian Carved Peacock Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century hand carved peacock chair.
Category

20th Century Indian Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood

Rare Faux Bamboo Bench With 19Th. C Cashmere Shawl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a wonderful French 19Th. C. Cashmere Shawl that has been Upholstered on Faux Bamboo wood Bench The shall is circa 1880-1900, in very good condition, Very good condition, cons...
Category

1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Fabric, Faux Bamboo

Victorian William Godwin Ebonised Low Walnut Jappenned Folding Decorative Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Victorian 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 Extra ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Rare Walnut Copper and Parchment Side Chair by Carlo Bugatti.
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare carved walnut side chair by Carlo Bugatti upholstered with parchment and inlaid with pewter details and mounted with hammered copper decoration. Beauty & Mischief: The Desig...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

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...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

A little pair of Aesthetic Movement oak Thebe stools with leather studded seats
Located in London, GB
A little pair of Aesthetic Movement oak stools with leather studded seats, on Thebes style mushroom feet.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

Audacious English Roll Arm Sofa with Pull-Out Bed, in French Jacquard Velvet
Located in colima, MX
Our devilishly handsome rendition of the classic English Roll Arm sofa, in a luscious French Jacquard Velvet. This sofa was initially envisioned ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Jacquard, Velvet

ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT BURR WALNUT TETE A TETE CONVERSATION SOFA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, highly collectable, Victorian Aesthetic Movement “Tete a Tete” Conversation couch with Burr...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Bench ceramic contemporary glaze
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade earthanware Bench manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, straw, or heather straw. The pieces ar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay

Late Victorian Aesthetic Movement upholstered Bench or Hall Seat
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Pretty Aesthetic Movement mahogany, upholstered small scale upholstered bench with low galleried back and finely ring turned legs circa 1880. It has been newly re-upholstered.
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Liberty & Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, style of a Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms, the arms follow through to the sid...
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rush

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...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Brass

Richard Charles Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Elbow Chair with X Frame stretcher
By Richard Charles
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 Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Bobbin Turned Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of English late 19th Century ebonized and bobbin turned corner chairs with woven rush seats.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rush, Beech

Phillip Webb A large Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co attributed. A larger than usual Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge or day bed, the upper turned armrests with typical Morris and ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Satinwood

Attributed to Philip Webb Aesthetic Movement original rush seat Sussex chair
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with original rush seat and retaining the rush seat side panels. This chair has been totally ...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rush

Liberty & Company Mahogany Thebes Stool
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with new leather with tacks. With label from Liberty on base. From a Bunny Williams designed Palm Beach home.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Bench ceramic contemporary glaze green black square organic
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade stoneware Bench manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, straw, or heather straw. The pieces are ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

EXQUISITE ANTIQUE BURR WALNUT AESTHETiC MOVEMENT SALON SOFA GRAND TOUR PLAQUE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement Salon sofa with a inse...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Pair Of English Windsor Armchairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine pair of English Windsor armchairs in oak. Superb and rare model from the beginning of the 20 century Beautiful, good -quality armchairs with elegant curved legs and a very dec...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement cane seated armchair
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement cane seated armchair by Morris and Co with circular cane seat. A variant is illustrated in the Liberty Yuletide Gifts catalogue.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Cane

Strikingly Decorative Victorian Aesthetic Movement Gilt & Ebonized Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A strikingly decorative Victorian side chair having detailed carved ebonized wood and gilded frame offset with fancy chartreuse damask new upholstery.
Category

19th Century North American Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood

Bruce Talbert attri. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered love or twin window seat
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered love or twin window seat made from stained Beech with turned and rounded finials and tramline details to the back headrest...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

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.
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Horn, Fabric, Hardwood

A Rare Original Chair By Syrie Maugham ca' 1940's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare hand painted chair designed by Syrie Maugham and custom made for John Gerald, NYC ca' 1940's. What is rare is that the chair appears to have original upholstery and label unde...
Category

1930s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo side chair.
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Metal

Charles Bevan. Marsh & Jones. Aesthetic Movement button back chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan for Marsh and Jones of Leeds Late Kendal works. A good Aesthetic Movement walnut ebonized button back chaise lounge with carved rosettes to the front upright and subtle...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Antique Victorian Hand Carved 19th Century Asethetic Movement Stools
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Victorian late 19th century hand carved pine stools in the Aesthetic movement taste This stools are very decorative and we...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Pine

George Bell & George Freeth Roper Aesthetic Movement Walnut rush seat armchair.
By George Bell, Kendall & Co.
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 Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Model: Fireside chair model 1 (Kaminsessel) designed in 1866 The chairs need restoration, only the wood, the wicker cane webbing is in good condition on both pieces. MOMA New York ha...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

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
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

22 x Aesthetic Movement Oak Upholstered Dining Chairs with Turned Front Legs
Located in London, GB
Gillows of Lancaster attributed. A rare set of 16 + 6 aesthetic movement oak upholstered dining or boardroom chairs with turned front legs. (The price...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

C Dresser for Colebrookdale Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Garden Canopy Seat Ends
Located in London, GB
Designed by Dr C Dresser for Colebrookdale A cast iron Aesthetic Movement garden Canopy Seat named 'Waterplants'. The first image here is an example to ...
Category

1870s Great Britain (UK) Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Iron

Morris & Co. Phillip Webb Attri. Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with newly laid rush seat. This chair has been totally restored and had new rush professional...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

Dante Rossetti for Morris and Co. A pair of rush seated armchairs
By Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
A pair of Morris and Co rush seated armchairs, designed by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with newly laid rush seats.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rush

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 ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique Burnt Bamboo & Root Bamboo Details Desk Chair c.1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this perfect example of an Antique Burnt Bamboo and Root Bamboo Desk Chair. The finials and the feet of the chair are in the root of the bamboo This chair is late 19Th cen...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Linen, Bamboo

Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Metal

Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Leather Piano Stool With Drawer Circa 1880
Located in Norwich, GB
Aesthetic Movement ebonised & leather piano stool, with drawer. English. Circa 1880. The stool has been reupholstered and covered in a 'super luxu...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Leather, Beech

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 Seating

Materials

Beech, Rush

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.  
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Hand Carved Aesthetic Movement Table/ Stool with Floral Design
Located in Houston, TX
Wonderful, hand carved floral stool/table. An exuberant stylized flower and leaf pattern covers the top of the table. A simpler corresponding pattern con...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood

E. W. Godwin, Attributed. A tall back serpentine shape Walnut Armchair
By James Peddle, Edward William Godwin
Located in London, GB
E. W. Godwin (attributed) Made by James Peddle or Smee. A tall back serpentine shape walnut armchair with an ergonomically perfectly shaped slatted back with curved arms and a shaped...
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Collinson and Lock, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut armchair
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut armchair with double shaped back and arm rail. The seat sits slightly proud of the tapering legs to allow for the decorat...
Category

1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

H W Batley attr. Jas Shoolbred Pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech chairs
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
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Black Ebonized Figural Carved Loveseat Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Black Ebonized Figural Carved Loveseat Sofa. Item features carved lion heads to the arms, rolling casters, black ebonized frame, great style and ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

19thc Ebonised Piano Stool by Henry Brooks & Co London W/Howard & Son Upholstery
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An ebonised piano stool by Henry Brooks & Co London. Beautifully made, well proportioned stool with cushioned seat leading to four turned legs with hoof like feet and delicate turned...
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair
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...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

Dr C Dresser for Coalbrookdale Two ‘Medieval’ Pattern Cast Iron Garden Benches
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser for Coalbrookdale. Two ‘Medieval’ pattern cast iron garden benches. These particular models are ‘Medieval’ number 52 in the Coalbrookdale 1875 trade catalogue. I bought...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Iron

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

Aesthetic Movement seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Bruce James Talbert, Collinson & Lock, Gillows of Lancaster & London, and Philip Webb. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $307 and tops out at $35,806 while the average work can sell for $2,914.

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