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Aesthetic Movement Furniture

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
Decorative Russian Hand Painted Lacquered Box With Fox & Fish
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Decorative Russian hand painted lacquered hinged box with red interior. The box with a fox licking his mouth over his discovery of a proudly displayed fisherman's catch. An unaware f...
Category

20th Century Russian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Three Light Aesthetic Movement Red Brass and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Canton, MA
Three light oil chandelier with original cast glass fonts and crystals. Completely restored and rewired, ready to hang. Can be shortened upon request. Red brass, is a higher copper c...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Chop Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Chop Plate. Featuring exceptionally flaring swirls of diapered reserves to a central mons floret. Arita & Kutani influences abound in this visually exciting...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Pair of Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Japanese Imari pair of plates. Scalloped edge; reserves representing Spring & Summer. Note the thistles. Superb colors. Nicely decorated en verso. 8 5/8" dia., 1.5" h. Wh...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Chop Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Chop Plate. Featuring exceptionally flaring swirls of diapered reserves to a central mons floret. Arita & Kutani influences abound in this visually exciting...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late 18th Century Delft Blue & White Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 18th century Delft blue & white plate, Dutch. Chinoiserie decoration of various flowers from chrysanthemums to cattails. Typical rim frits for the material. 8 7/8" dia., 1" h. ...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Delft

Circa 1860-80 Imari Plate With Swirled Design
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 Imari Plate with swirled design, Japanese. Swirled water motif setting off gardens on a molded body. Aesthetic movement. 8.5" dia., 1.25" h. Whitehall Antiques is a fa...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Circa 1860-80 Scalloped Imari Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 Scalloped Imari Plate, Japanese. Scalloped & molded with extravagant floral designs in bittersweet orange-red & blue underglaze. 9.75" dia., 1.25" h. Whitehall Antique...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Aesthetic Period Bronze Faux Bamboo Magazine Rack
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A well-made and impressive Aesthetic period bronze magazine rack formed as bamboo. The rack stands raised on four simple corner legs with a U-shaped body with a central dividing carr...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-18th Century Pair of Delft Polychrome Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-18th century pair of Delft polychrome plates, Dutch. Each with a central rose and repetitive entwined motif decorative border. Typical fritted edges. Charming & unusual. 8 7/8" d...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th Century English 3-Brass Leather Horse Strap
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th century English 3-brass leather horse strap. Shaped leather featuring brasses of the Symbols of the United Kingdom (Rose, Thistle & Clover), rampant horse, & an emu. 13.5"...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

c. 1860s Japanese Scalloped Imari Chop Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860s Scalloped Imari Chop Plate, Japanese. The boldly scalloped design creating two cartouches with flowering gardens decoration flanking the central floral urn reserve with f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

French Faux Bamboo Miniature Armoire
Located in New York, NY
French Faux bamboo maple miniature armoire with a large mirrored door above a drawer with a pediment top
Category

20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Josiah Wedgwood Majolica Multi-Color Leaf on Basket Handled Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed fringed leaf on basket weave handled server, Josiah Wedgwood, Burslem, England – circa 1870. A leaf shaped molded shallow bowl with a pierced twig ha...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Henry Stacy Marks Minton Aesthetic Movement Pottery Beer Jug
By Henry Stacy Marks
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Henry Stacy Marks Minton Aesthetic Movement Pottery Beer Jug A fine Minton Aesthetic Movement pottery beer jug probably designed by Christopher Dresser and decorated by Henry Stacy M...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Victoria Pottery Co. Majolica Sea Shell & Coral Bowl, 1880s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica glazed Seaweed and Shell, Coral footed bowl, by Victoria Pottery Co. England, Circa 1880s. The Victoria Pottery Company began in 1882 at the Victoria Works on Lonsdale St...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Wedgwood Majolica Strawberry Dishes, Set of 6, dated 1880
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, a delightful set of six majolica glazed Fruit Dishes, in the Strawberry pattern, date marked 1880. On the Argenta white ground, a wide rim...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Aesthetic Movement Victorian Table Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Aesthetic Movement Victorian Table Lamp. Shade is not included. 22" tall to the top of the fixture stem. This was originally an oil lamp wired for electricity some years ago.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

English Measham Bargeware Love at Home Teapot on Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Measham – Bargeware Teapot impressed with the saying, “Love At Home”, England, circa 1880. The three piece teapot set includes the kettle, lid, and table stand. Finished in a dar...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Copeland Spode Aesthetic Movement Comport or Cake Stand
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An 1870s Spode Aesthetic Movement comport in cream-colored earthenware with a beautiful transfer-printed pattern of birds and butterflies. After Japan was forcibly opened to Western...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Aesthetic Style Marble Top Cabinet With Painted Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made and decorative Aesthetic style double door cabinet with cookie corners and conforming fine yellow marble top. The doors with floral inlays in the corners and raised ...
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Set of 9 Custom Framed White Washed Scandinavian Herbarium Gallery, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A wonderful gallery of nine custom framed antique Swedish herbarium floral specimens, collected circa 1920. Presented in white washed oak frames. Ready to hang. (1) 6.13 x 8.13" (1)...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Carved Snake Serpent Pedestal Table
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th Century hand carved snake serpent pedestal table with lovely dark walnut stained finish.
Category

1890s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Round Table Turned Legs, Mid 20th Century.Spain
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
This table is raised on a base composed of six bobbin turned Legs and a optogonal star stretcher, also turned. Oval antique wine or side table of the 19th century. Wood with bobbin ...
Category

1930s Spanish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech

Set of 8 Aesthetic Movement Green Majolica Wedgwood Sunflower Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 8 Aesthetic Movement green majolica glazed dinner plates in the ‘Sunflower’ pattern by Wedgwood, made circa 1880. The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather,...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery

Dr Christopher Dresser for Benham and Froud. A pair of brass fire dogs
Located in London, GB
C Dresser for Benham & Froud, a pair of brass fire implement rests.
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Tole Mulberry Colored Tray on Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
An elegant tole mulberry colored tray on custom made faux bamboo coffee table height stand. Decorated with hanging basket of flowers, scrolling gilt and floral boarders. 31 5/8" x 24...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Cast Iron Table Lamp with Wintery Blue Reverse Painted Glass S
Located in Canton, MA
Late 19th Century cast iron table lamp with wintery blue reverse painted glass shade. Lamp is from the late 19th Century aesthetic period, just pre dating the art nouveau period and ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Arched Wooden Shutters - a Pair
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Antique Arched Wooden Shutters. 25 1/2 inches wide by 32 inches tall. The latch hinge is snapped but still holds. Louvers are in good working order.. age appropriate wear, and have ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Anglo Japanese Magazine Rack in Tortoiseshell Bamboo Late 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Antique Anglo Japanese Magazine Rack in Tortoiseshell Bamboo, United Kingdom, Late 19th Century. This characteristic antique Anglo Japanese magazine rack was well made in rare Torto...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Paint

Antique Royal Worcester Blush Porcelain Hadley Design Bud Vase with Roses F126/H
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain flower vase. By Royal Worcester. Model no. F126/H. Designed by James Hadley. Of a bulbous form with blush decora...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Timeless Ceiling Chandelier With Prisms Crystal Chandelier Cone Shape New Modern
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a brand new modern ceiling chandelier that captures new age elegance and fits perfectly in smaller and larger spaces. This exquisite piece has been crafted with precision...
Category

2010s German Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Monogram Gorham Silver Plated Tea Tray
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A superb quality Gorham silver plated on copper oval tea tray encrusted in cast vintage motifs. Monogram "EBR". Medallion maker's insignia: "Plate...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate, Copper

Bronze Elephant Head Console Table (Base Only)
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century bronze elephant console table. This listing is for the base only and is shown with glass as inspiration. Dimensions are for base only.
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Aesthetic Period Hurricane Parlor Oil Lamp Pendant Light Chandelier
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th century circa 1882 Victorian / Aesthetic period converted hurricane oil lamp swag pendant light / chandelier. Brass frame with etched cra...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Anglo Japanese Aesthetic Movement Tortoiseshell Bamboo Side Table 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Anglo Japanese Aesthetic Movement Tortoiseshell Bamboo Side Table 19th Century. This anglo-Japanese side table in wonderful tortoiseshell bamboo is a true high Victorian gem. Very e...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Pair 19th Century Apothecary Pharmacy Glass Carboys
Located in Houston, TX
An outstanding and extremly rare pair of hand blown 19th Century pharmacy carboys with cut crystal stoppers.
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Faience Oyster Plate, late 19th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
French faience oyster plate, late 19th century. Hand-painted porcelain plate with six shell shaped oyster wells. Beautifully detailed with striking turquoise and pale lavender backgr...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Faience Oyster Plate, France, late 19th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
French Faience Oyster Plate, late 19th Century. Hand-painted porcelain, with six shell shaped oyster wells. Beautifully painted with a lavender center well.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Adams & Bromley English Majolica Geranium Motto Bread Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica glazed bread tray made by Adams & Bromley, circa 1875. An oval tray with a rolled rim brown border showing a motto molded in raised ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Victorian Burr Walnut Ebonised Davenport
Located in Altrincham, GB
Victorian Burr Walnut Ebonised Davenport - Aesthetic influences with a birdseye maple fitted upstand above a writing drawer with inkwells and pen compartments, and an inlaid cupboard...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Large Mid 20th Century Italian White Blanc De Chine Creamware Fruit Topiary
Located in Charleston, SC
Glazed Terracotta Majolica Fruit Tower Centerpiece A stunning large 21” Mid-Century Italian Blanc de Chine creamware glazed ceramic handmade fruit topiary in a pedestal basket. This...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Terracotta, Paint

Late 19th Century Antique Bronze Champleve Table Lamp
Located in Canton, MA
Asian Antique Champleve table lamp. Totem like design Beautifully patinated bronze with Champleve in a band around the vase and with spears pointing down. The Champleve design in ver...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Classical 19th C. Brass Fireplace Fender
Located in New York, NY
Classical Victorian, Aesthetic Movement brass fireplace fender. The fender features two repeating brass rails, with decorative fluted ball spaces. late 19th century vintage, this e...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique French Chinoiserie Majolica Faience Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of unique antique (early 20th century) polychrome glazed earthenware (faience) vases mounted on brass pedestals for use as table lamps, featuring song birds in relief on a latt...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Wedgwood Grape Leaf Majolica Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Wedgwood majolica glazed Grape Leaf Pitcher, date marked 1935. Decorated in the round, a raised pattern showing bunches of purple grapes, greens leaves, and brown vining branches. The interior is finished in a deep yellow ochre, a brown applied handle. This mold is most often seen glazed in all green or all white, the multicolored version is more difficult to come by. This is the largest of the jugs Wedgwood produced in this pattern under the Etruria mark. 7.75 inches High x 6.5 inches from the handle to spout x 5.25 inches wide. Marked Wedgwood Etruria England...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Gorham Persian Aesthetic Sterling Silver Pierced Ladle
Located in New York, NY
Persian sterling silver pierced ladle. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1871. Pointed ovoid terminal with stylized leaf and scroll ornament mounted to round stem with reeded bands se...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair 19 century French Gilt Bronze Aestethic Urn Form Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt and patinated and git bronze table lamps with urn shape with looping handles and raised gilt designs of blooming tree branches.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Majolica Chesnut Pitcher Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Rare French Majolica chesnut pitcher Salins ( East of France ), circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Josiah Wedgwood Majolica Multi-Color Leaf on Basket Handled Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed fringed leaf on basket weave handled server, Josiah Wedgwood, Burslem, England – circa 1870. A leaf shaped molded shallow bowl with a pierced twig ha...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

American Aesthetic Oak Partners Desk manner Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in Buffalo, NY
American Aesthetic Oak Partners Desk manner Louis Comfort Tiffany.. Large and handsome antique oak partner's desk, Gorgeous grain, brass hard...
Category

1920s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Victorian Glazed Aesthetic Period Centerpiece Planter
Located in Norwood, NJ
Finest quality French aesthetic movement glazed ceramic centerpiece planter, fourth quarter 19th century, Japanese inspired decorating throughout the oval-bodied vessel. The medium ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

EXQUISITE ANTIQUE BURR WALNUT AESTHETiC MOVEMENT SALON SOFA GRAND TOUR PLAQUE
Located in GB
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 Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

19th Century Victorian Bamboo Headboard with lacquered chinoiserie panels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A highly decorative Aesthetic movement Bamboo headboard with hand painted lacquer panels. The natural finished bamboo frame with chinoiserie panels resting on brass castors . The t...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Lacquer

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

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

PAIR OF BURR WALNUT AESTHETIC MOVEMENT LIBRARY ARMCHAIRS WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUEs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale pair of very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement armchairs wit...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

FOUR FINE BURR WALNUT AESTHETIC MOVEMENT DINING CHAIRS WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUEs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this suite of four very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement di...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo and birds eye maple Bed
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement birds eye maple and birch bed, circa 1900. The inside of the headboard with faux bamboo turnings and a large birds eye maple inset panel, both inside and outside o...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Birch, Birdseye Maple

Aesthetic Movement furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Minton, Doulton Lambeth, Christopher Dresser, and Wedgwood. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $86,402 while the average work can sell for $1,820.

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