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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
French Painted Faux Bamboo Armoire, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A French painted faux bamboo armoire, circa 1890s. Ten drawers with a mirror-front wardrobe. 34 ½ inches wide by 15 ½ inches deep by 63 ½ inches tall
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Paint, Wood

Bamboo Wardrobe, c. 1900
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming late 19th century English bamboo wardrobe or armoire. All elements of the wardrobe are original and in very good condition. The war...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Bamboo, Reed, Wood

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

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...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

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 rectangula...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Ash

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

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

Ogdens of Manchester, Dr C Dresser Style of, an Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Suite
Located in London, GB
Ogdens of Manchester, in style of Dr C Dresser, An Aesthetic Movement three-piece bedroom suite made from Ash with intricate stylized fruitwood ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Ash, Fruitwood

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

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Wilhelminian Period England Wardrobe in Solid Oak, 1900
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Wardrobe restored Wilhelminian period around 1900 solid oak England Features: Model with drawer compartment, umbrella stand, mirror and wooden hook Originally from England Beau...
Category

19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Wardrobe Sideboard with Drawers in Canaletto Walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum
Located in Meolo, Venezia
The curved and straight lines, the solids and voids, the austerity and lightness; and, above all, the refined lightness of the arches which follow on from each other at a constant rhythm. The Arcate collection of furniture represents a stated homage to one of the essential architectural elements – the arch in its typical variation of Romanesque constructions, present in various areas of the Veneto region such as some of the smaller islands of the Venetian lagoon – consisting of seven-drawer chests, dressers and bedside tables...
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2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Satinwood concaved Compactum Wardrobe
Located in Cheshire, GB
Late 19th century Sheraton Revival compactum wardrobe, the detachable decorated concaved cornice above a central cupboard fitted with hanging rail enclosed by a pair of floral inlaid...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Satinwood

Satinwood concaved Compactum Wardrobe
Satinwood concaved Compactum Wardrobe
H 80 in W 80 in D 24.5 in
Walnut compactum wardrobe
Located in Cheshire, GB
Walnut combination wardrobe, the moulded top above two long panelled well-figured doors opening to reveal the large hanging area flanked by two banks of drawers with stylised walnut ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Walnut compactum wardrobe
Walnut compactum wardrobe
H 66.5 in W 94.5 in D 25 in
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Armoire or Wardrobe
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French faux bamboo armoire, or wardrobe, made of pitch pine with solid beechwood faux bamboo details. Beveled m...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mirror, Pine, Beech

Antique William IV Compactum Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
A superb antique William IV period compactum wardrobe. This was made in England & dates from around the 1830-1840’s period. This is of amazing qual...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Art Deco Cloud Figured Walnut Wardrobe, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this fabulously styled Art Deco wardrobe dating to the 1930's. Small and well proportioned this wardrobe has stunning Walnut grain with book paged veneers w...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

French Neo Renaissance Wardrobe, 1900s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This stunning antique wooden wardrobe with two doors and two drawers is a true masterpiece. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Oak

French Neo Renaissance Wardrobe, 1900s
French Neo Renaissance Wardrobe, 1900s
H 83.47 in W 63 in D 25.6 in
Antique French Louis XIV Style Kingwood Two-Door Curio Wardrobe C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** An antique French Louis XIV style curio Wardrobe offers kingwood construction with arc...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Kingwood, Glass

ANTIQUE CIRCA 1940's BURR WALNUT LARGE WARDROBE SPLITS IN TWO FOR EASY TRANSPORT
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, original circa 1940’s Art Deco large Wardrobe which is part of a suite Please note the deliv...
Category

1940s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Italian-Lombardy Empire Walnut Golden Bronzes Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Three drawers, golden bronze handles, walnut wood, elegant shapes and line make this chest of drawers an interesting piece able to be used in different kind of interior decoration pr...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Bronze

Antique 1844 Carved & Dated Large Wardrobe Armoire with Expertly Crafted Panels
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very grand, hand carved extremely large continental oak wardrobe dated to the base 1844 A truly stunning piece, this is a tour de force of ...
Category

1840s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Previously Available Items
Aesthetic Movement French Faux Bamboo Armoire/ Beveled Glass Door
Located in Malibu, CA
19th century French pine & cherry faux bamboo armoire. A pine pitched piece with hand turned cherry wood appliqued trim & moldings with simple paneled sides. The case has a sing...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Cherry, Pine, Cut Glass

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Burled Armoire Wardrobe Closet Almirah
Located in Dayton, OH
A unique free standing Aesthetic movement wardrobe or closet, circa 1880s. Made from curly pine with a large full length mirror between burle...
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine, Mirror

R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Armoire and Nightstand
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century American Victorian Aesthetic Movement faux bamboo armoire and bedside table by R.J. Horner made of solid cherry and amber...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mirror, Birdseye Maple, Cherry

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand Painted Linen Press
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century Aesthetic Movement hand painted linen press This is a fantastic looking piece furniture it dates from the mid-19th century The pres...
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Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Paint

Lamb of Manchester, an Aesthetic Movement Compactum Armoire Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement Arts & Crafts style compactum armoire wardrobe with castellated cornice and twin fielded panel doors openi...
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1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Aesthetic Movement Chinoiserie Decorated Bamboo Armoire
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic Movement bamboo armoire with chinoiserie style decorations, circa 1930s. Lacquer has a high gloss finish.
Category

1930s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Bamboo, Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Wardrobe
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4314 fine quality, Victorian solid walnut three-door wardrobe in Gothic taste, having castellated cornice above inlaid frieze and a mirrored centre door flanked by inlaid cupboard ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Wardrobe
Aesthetic Movement Solid Walnut Wardrobe
H 83.08 in W 76.38 in D 23.63 in
Victorian Oak Lamb of Manchester Wardrobe
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4160, Aesthetic movement two-door wardrobe in oak, having moulded and ebonized cornice above carved frieze and double panelled and carved doors hanging section or enclosing four sliders, two short over two long drawers below, all with ebonised mouldings and fitted with original brass handles, flanked by reeded pilasters. This superb quality wardrobe has been stamped by leading cabinet maker of Victorian era, Lamb of Manchester...
Category

1880s Great Britain (UK) Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Victorian Oak Lamb of Manchester Wardrobe
Victorian Oak Lamb of Manchester Wardrobe
H 86.62 in W 51.97 in D 24.02 in
Four Seasons, a Rare Aesthetic Movement Wardrobe in the Style of E W Godwin
Located in London, GB
The four seasons. A rare aesthetic movement wardrobe with pre raphaelite style maidens carved into each door depicting spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mahogany

Faux Bamboo and Pine Armoire
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Faux bamboo and pine armoire, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mirror, Beech, Pine

Faux Bamboo and Pine Armoire
Faux Bamboo and Pine Armoire
H 90.5 in W 38 in D 18.5 in
Exquisite Lamb of Manchester Wardrobe
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4013 An exhibition quality Victorian - Aesthetic Movement two-door wardrobe in walnut, having egg and dart cornice above coromandel frieze and a pair of panelled doors, enclosing four sliding trays and drawer alternatively hanging section. The panels being inlaid with coromandel, satinwood and ebonised, two panels being gilded and decorated with Japanese theme. The base having two short over one long cedar lined, coromandel and walnut banded drawers all fitted with original brass handles and flanked by chevron carving, sides are also panelled, all standing on square legs united by shaped apron. This fabulous wardrobe is a finest example of craftsmanship of this period, all in excellent condition throughout, ready to place at home. The wardrobe is stamped Lamb of Manchester...
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1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Exquisite Lamb of Manchester Wardrobe
Exquisite Lamb of Manchester Wardrobe
H 87.41 in W 48.04 in D 18.12 in
Aesthetic Movement Maple Faux Bamboo Armoire Attributed to R. J. Horner & Co.
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Armoire cabinet with large right side aged mirrored door. The left side with one door, revealing shelves, and four drawers below. An important piece in a rare seven-piece collection ...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Birdseye Maple

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.

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