Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
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
Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Walnut
Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement Walnut Armoire Wardrobe Compactum
Located in London, GB
Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement walnut armoire wardrobe compactum with lots of useful storage space.
The moulded cornice and b...
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Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
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Walnut
1980s Maitland-Smith English Style Burnt Bamboo Chinoiserie Armoire / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale Maitland-Smith faux burnt bamboo armoire. This has English styling with its lacquered chinoiserie painted panels. The armoire has quite a bit of storage options...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Wood
VICTORIAN ASH AESTHETIC MOVEMENT WARDROBE BUILT IN CAMPAIGN CHEST OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Antique Victoria Aesthetic Movement Ash wood large triple wardrobe with built in Mi...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Aesthetic Style Wardrobe
Located in Dallas, TX
A large aesthetic ash wardrobe in the style of Charles Bevan dating to 1890. The front is beautifully inlaid with stylized flowers and painted bird motifs. The two doors flanking the...
Category
19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Wood
Antique Aesthetic Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Wardrobe with Mirror
Located in London, GB
Antique Aesthetic style marquetry and gilt bronze wardrobe with mirror
Continental, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 202cm, width 154cm, depth 61cm
This beautiful wardrobe ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Ormolu
Ogdens of Manchester, An Aesthetic Movement Wardrobe & Matching Bedside Cabinet.
Located in London, GB
Ogdens of Manchester, in style of Dr C Dresser,
An Aesthetic Movement treble wardrobe and matching bedside cupboard made from Ash with intricate ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Ash, Fruitwood
Lambs of Manchester Attributed, a Rare Aesthetic Movement Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Lambs of Manchester, attributed.
A rare Aesthetic Movement, unusually tall chest of drawers made from ash each drawer with stylized brass drop handles and ebonized inlaid rectangular details behind the back plates. Handcut dove tails to the drawers. All stood on a plinth base.
A huge storage...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Ash
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Aesthetic Movement Chinoiserie Decorated Bamboo Armoire
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Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Wardrobe
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Aesthetic Movement wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wardrobes and armoires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ash and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement wardrobes and armoires 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 wardrobes and armoires, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert, and Maitland Smith. 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 wardrobes and armoires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,400 and tops out at $27,960 while the average work can sell for $5,286.