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.
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
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 ...
Brass
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
$1,971 / set
Set Of 4 19th Century Windsor Wheelback Chairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A fine set of four 19th-century English Windsor chairs in chestnut with a wheelback . Very beautiful model called wheelback with a decoration on the back. Very beautiful set which h...
Oak
$1,242 / 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
Bruce Talbert, Attributed. A pair of back throne style Aesthetic Movement chairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of tall back throne style Aesthetic Movement chairs with fine carved decoration throughout. The seats are drop in and the backs have an unusual design where they are held firm...
Walnut
19th Century American Aesthetic Period Grain Painted Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
American Aesthetic Movement footstool on four tapered legs below a shaped and pierced apron, the legs connected with ball and ring turned x-stretcher centering a large red sphere wit...
Fabric, Wood
$3,900 / set
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.
Rush, Beech
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...
Ebony, Mahogany
$12,000 / set
1990s John Hutton for Donghia Merbau Lounge Chairs
By Donghia, John Hutton
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
19th Century Walnut Hall Bench By Shoolbred & Co
Located in Sherborne, GB
Walnut hall bench made by Shoolbred &Co with enamel applied label stamped and numbered. The richly patinated seat is flanked with bold bolsters ands resting on elegant turned legs.
Walnut
$825Sale Price / set|44% Off
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
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...
Cane, Bentwood
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
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...
Oak
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.
Wood
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Childs Chair with Pressed Leather Cats on Seat Back
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Childs Chair with Pressed Leather Cats on Seat Back. 17” wide by 14” deep by 24 1/2” tall seat hight 10”. Pressed leather...
Leather, Oak
English 1880s Aesthetic Movement Carved Oak Chair with Zebra Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This English Aesthetic Movement accent chair from the 1880s is a stunning example of craftsmanship and decorative detail. Made of bleached oak, this chair highlights intricate carvin...
Zebra Hide, Oak
C Dresser for Colebrookdale Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Garden Canopy Seat Ends
By Coalbrookdale Foundry, Christopher Dresser
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 ...
Iron
$1,650 / item
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo side chair.
Metal
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...
Walnut
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement E.W. Godwin-Style Oak Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement E.W. Godwin-Style Rocking / Nursing Chair, circa 1870s. Features a quartersawn oak frame with spindled back, beaded accents and a red upholstere...
Oak
Dr C Dresser for Coalbrookdale Two ‘Medieval’ Pattern Cast Iron Garden Benches
By Coalbrookdale Foundry, Christopher Dresser
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...
Iron
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...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$390 / item
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)
Bentwood
Model 17 Bentwood High Back Armchair by Michael Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
This model 17, bentwood side chair with a cane seat and back was designed by Michael Thonet for his own company in the 1860s. This example was produced in the 1970s and is in a very ...
Cane, Wood
Italian Gilt Bamboo Leopard Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Italian gilt iron bamboo stool with leopard velvet upholstery.
Iron
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 ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Lacquer Armchair, Maison Versace, 1970
Located in Nice, FR
Armchair structure in burgundy lacquer, the fabric is not original. Chrome feet. Italy 1970
Lacquer
A small Aesthetic Movement ebonized foot stool
Located in London, GB
A small Aesthetic Movement ebonized foot stool, with partial gilt incised and turned decoration on stub feet.
Beech
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.
Oak
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...
Beech, Rush
Bruce Talbert, for Gillows Set of 6 English Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Made by Gillows of Lancaster and London. A good quality set of six oak dining chairs with an upper and lower row of turnings and carved details above. As you can see...
Oak
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
Late 19th Century British Sofa with Tiles by John Moyr Smith, England circa 1875
Located in Greven, DE
Sofa Bench with Tiles by John Moyr Smith England Ebonised wood, mother-of-pearl, brass, ceramic tiles circa 1875 Dimensions: H × W × D: 99 × 157 × 70 cm, seat height: 45 cm Descri...
Ceramic, Wood
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
Charles Eastlake attri., Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Carved Swivel Desk Armchair
Located in London, GB
Charles Eastlake attributed., An Aesthetic Movement Walnut swivel desk armchair, with floral carving to the headrest and circular backrest, with tram ...
Walnut
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...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Morris & Co attr to Philip Webb. Aesthetic Movement pair rush seat Sussex chairs
By Ford Madox Brown 1, Morris & Co.
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
EW Godwin Style of. Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with new cane seat
Located in London, GB
EW Godwin Style of. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with bobbin details to the backrest and a new cane seat. This listing is for one chair. We ...
Beech
22 x Aesthetic Movement Oak Upholstered Dining Chairs with Turned Front Legs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
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...
Oak
Godwin Style. Pair of Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair w. new cane seat
Located in London, GB
EW Godwin Style of. A pair of Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with bobbin details to the backrest and a new cane seat. This listing is for the pair (2 chairs). We also have...
Wood
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...
Ebony, Walnut
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Armchairs Attributed to G.Viardot, France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
These armchairs made of tinted wood are to be linked to another pair of armchairs executed by Gabriel Viardot, and now exhibited at the Decorative Arts Museum in Paris (Inv. 2006.105.1.2). They present a similar asymmetric design and an equal carving quality including the winding dragon on the back. (see picture attached) Gabriel Viardot career began as a wood carver and he produced small furniture, sculpturally carved with naturalistic motifs and animals. In the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, his finely sculpted objects were well received. However, with the increasing importation of similarly produced Swiss and German articles, he found less opportunity for these and decided to innovate. G. Viardot succeeded to his father’s business in 1861 installed rue Rambuteau in Paris, circa 1870 he turned to the idea of producing “Meubles genre Chinois et Japonais”. The taste in Europe for exotic furniture...
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Chinese Burnt Bamboo Brighton Style Arm Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful Chinese Brighton style burnt bamboo arm chair. It has a vintage embroidered linen cushion that does show slight wear. It ...
Upholstery, Bamboo
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
19THC Hunzinger Walnut with Original Strapping Rocking Chair Signed 1876
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic example of a Victorian walnut designed and created by George Hunzinger c1876. His work stands alone and is easily recognized. Numerous turnings with bent wood and the remna...
Leather, Walnut
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
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
Bruce Talbert attri. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered love or twin window seat
By Bruce James Talbert, Morris & Co.
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...
Beech
Dante Rossetti for Morris and Co. A pair of rush seated armchairs
By Morris & Co., Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Located in London, GB
A pair of Morris and Co rush seated armchairs, designed by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with newly laid rush seats.
Rush
Liberty & Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
By Morris & Co., Liberty & Co.
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...
Rush
Bentwood and Cane Thonet "Caminsessel" / Fire Place Chair No. 1, c. 1860
By Thonet
Located in Surbiton, GB
Rare folding cane chair from the aesthetic movement, produced by Thonet, c.1860. In fair condition, with minor scuffs to the frame and a small area...
Cane, Bentwood
Aesthetic Movement Thebes Corner Chair by Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement rare ‘Thebes’ walnut corner chair Red velvet seat By Liberty & Co Circa 1885.
Walnut
Lily Pad Pair of Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Garden Benches by Coalbrookdale
Located in London, GB
A pair of Aesthetic Movement cast iron garden benches, known as the Lily pad design, with fine fern leaf detailing, and smaller Lily-style leaves to the angular legs. Coalbrookdale ...
Iron
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...
Leather, Beech
Hunzinger Aesthetic Movement Walnut Rocking Chair, Circa 1876
Located in Darien, CT
A rocking chair crafted in walnut - the architectural frame reflects the refined geometry of late 19th-century Aesthetic Movement design. Squared uprights, subtle block crest detail...
Steel
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
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
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...
Upholstery, Wood
19th C. Windsor Style Chair with Dolphin Head Arms
Located in Southampton, NJ
A scarcely seen 19th c. spindle back barrel accent chair with George Hunzinger & Windsor chair influences. Marvelous character in the unusual splayed & carved dolphin head ar...
Upholstery, Walnut