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
Pair of Bohemian Engraved Glass Bottle Decanters
Located in London, by appointment only
Wonderful pair of a ruby red bohemian engraved glass decanter with wheel engraved scenes of a deer hunt.
Category
1850s Czech Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Glass
English Aesthetic Movement Pottery Japanese Dragon Jardinière on Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th/Early 20th century English Aesthetic Movement decorative jardinaire or planter stand featuring Japanese dragons. Beautifully glazed with a two tone finish of green with ric...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Pair of Antique Austrian Aesthetic Silver 3-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Austrian Aesthetic 800 silver 3-light candelabra, circa 1880. Each: Raised central light between bracket branches, each terminating in single socket. Sockets conical with sty...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver
Large Meissen Porcelain Group of Lovers Kissing in the Ocean on a Rock
Located in New York, NY
A Large Meissen Porcelain group of lovers kissing in the Ocean on a Rock. This piece is truly spectacular in both quality and size. The pair of lovers a...
Category
1870s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
English Victorian Stained Glass Window
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian stained and leaded glass window with bamboo and cherry blossom design with border in wood frame
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood
Antique Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Half Lace Partial Dinner Service: 68 Pieces
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique partial mixed dinner service was made by the well known Royal Copenhagen factory of Denmark between 1880 and 1920, in their signature style. The set is composed of porce...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Gillow and Co. Oak Octagonal Table, England, circa 1860
Located in Oxford, GB
Description
Stamped and numbered oak octagonal drum Gillow and Co. pedestal table, circa 1860. Untouched and 100% authentic with just shy of 160 years of...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Vase Coalport England Hand Painted with Jeweling and Raised Gilt
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming vase by the storied English firm of Coalport. This sweetie features 2 handles, and an interesting hand painted scene with river, mountains, flora fauna accented with white...
Category
1890s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Antique English Japonisme Gilt & Enameled Porcelain Plate Attributed to Bodley
By Bodley & Sons, Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English Aesthetic Movement porcelain plate.
Attributed to Bodley.
With a trompe l'oeil decorated Japanese fans (an uchiwa and a sensu) & precious objects to the ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
90s Pair of Japanese Ceramic Ware
Located in Clermont, FL
The pair includes two distinct pieces that perfectly complement each other. Their unique shapes and sizes make them versatile and suitable for various uses. The smooth and lustrous g...
Category
1990s Japanese Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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 Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Pine, Cut Glass
Low Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Art Deco Gold Sparkle
Located in Berlin, DE
Old chandelier with love and professionally restored in Berlin. Electrical wiring works in the US. Re-wired and ready to hang. Not one missing. Cabling completely renewed. Crystal, h...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Faux Lacquer Coal Scuttle
Located in New York, NY
Japonaisme bamboo and faux lacquer tiered coal scuttle with paper rack above angled scuttle door with parquetry, bone and mother-of-pearl inlaid Japanese figure opening to reveal a l...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Paint
Sarreguemines French Majolica Laughing Sow Absinthe Water Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Sarreguemines, a French Majolica pig pitcher known as True Rieuse, or the Laughing Sow, date marked 1904.
This Barbotine majolica pitcher was made to be used for pouring wate...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Superb Quality 1920s Antique Dressing Table Swing Mirror with Jewellery Counter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A quality 1920s antique table top swing mirror, a well made piece with superb lustre and colour grain. Nice detailing, with robust stand featuring a...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Large French 19th Century Ceramic Jardiniere with Enameled Birds and Butterflies
Located in New York, NY
Very large and exceptional Aesthetic period planter of the finest quality with enameled birds and butterflies on a cobalt blue ground.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Aesthetic Period Hand Painted Desk Probably New York
By Herter Brothers
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid Aesthetic period desk probably made in New York, with a wooden top gallery surmounting a central beveled mirror, flanked by two doors decorated with hand painted birds, ea...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Burl
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Sealife Haviland Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th-century French porcelain oyster plate with sealife pattern (shells, seaweeds, fish) signed Limoges Haviland & C.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Sealife Haviland Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th century French porcelain oyster plate with sea life pattern (shells, seaweeds, fish) signed Limoges Haviland & C.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Custom Aesthetic Design Desk or Server in Cherry Wood by Paul Tuller, Dublin, NH
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful form custom Aesthetic design desk or server in cherry wood and glass top, with ebonized frame, supported by two red painted pedestal bases, each with three drawers and brass teardrop pulls. The desk was made by Dublin, NH furniture...
Category
20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cherry
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Sealife Haviland Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th-century French porcelain oyster plate with sealife pattern (shells, seaweeds, fish) signed Limoges Haviland & C.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Copeland FL Miller Princess of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
By Copeland
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Copeland parian bust of the Princess of Wales sculpted by F.L. Miller for the the Crystal Palace Art Union and dated 1863. Probabl...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Aesthetic Bronzed Metal, Jeweled & Mirrored Candle Wall Sconces C1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Aesthetic Movement mirrored wall sconces offer bronzed cast metal frames with a bird form pediments, marsh elements and double arms terminating in candle sockets; ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
John Rose Coalport Prince of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Coalport parian bust of the Prince of Wales sculpted by John Rose and dated 1863. Probably made to commemorate the forthcoming marriage of Albert Edward Prince...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Sealife Haviland Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th-century French porcelain oyster plate with sealife pattern (shells, seaweeds, fish) signed Limoges Haviland & C.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Sealife Haviland Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th-century French porcelain oyster plate with sealife pattern (shells, seaweeds, crabs,turtle) signed Limoges Haviland & C.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Ott & Brewer American Belleek, Aesthetic Movement Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ott & Brewer American Belleek, Aesthetic Movement Bowl
USA, Trenton NJ, circa 1880s
A fine and rare example of a short lived period in American porcela...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Japonisme Bronze Chandelier Attributed to Marnyhac, France, circa 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Charming Aesthetic movement chandelier in gilded and patinated bronze with six lights, decorated with flowers, butterfly and stylized bamboo branches, evoking a stylistic repertoire ...
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th C. Royal Copenhagen* Parian Aesthetic Movement Vase by Anna Plenge, 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Royal Copenhagen* Parian Aesthetic Movement Vase by Anna Plenge, 1870
*Attributed to Royal Copenhagen, this work is not marked Royal Copenhagen, it is signed by the art...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Aesthetic Movement, Parcel Gilt and Ebonized Side Table
Located in Walton-On-Thames, GB
Gorgeous little 19th century Aesthetic Movement, parcel gilt and ebonized side table.
Anglo Japanese detailed styling, in all original condition right down to the ceramic casters....
Category
19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Doulton Lambeth Frank Butler Stylized Pattern Candlestick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Doulton Lambeth saucer shape stylized leaf design candlestick with brass fittings by Frank Butler and dating from around 1890. The candle stick...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ceramic Table Lamp by Jie Ceramics, Sweden
Located in London, GB
Unusual ceramic table lamp in cobalt blue and brown ceramic. The cobalt blue background has a high glaze and the climbing figures are in brown unglazed ceramic. This beautiful design...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Benham & Froud Brass Fire Dogs Christopher Dresser Attributed
Located in Sharon, CT
Pair of period Aesthetic Movement Fire Dogs, design attributed to Christopher Dresser. Manufactured by Benham & Froud, both signed with the cypher on bottom. Beautifully detailed and...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mediterranean Slag Stained Glass Bronze Pendant Chandelier
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Slag glass and bronze swag pendant. Great proportion and balance. Nicely patinated. 3 Bulb function on individual pull chains for controlled ambiance and color control of slag panes....
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Petite French Enameled & Gilt Bronze Aesthetic Artist Palette Motif Frame
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Petite French Enameled & Gilt Bronze Aesthetic Artist Palette Motif Frame
France, circa 1880s
Diminutive in size, with exceptional attention to detail and design. The french bron...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Carved Oak Elm & Marble Occasional Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very decorative, hand made in England, circa 1860 Victorian Aesthetic movement, Elm & Oak with thick marble top, large side table or small occ...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Fire Grate
Located in London, GB
An English Aesthetic Movement fire grate in cast iron with bronze finials. The tapered and fluted front supports with bronze finials and splayed feet. The basket with geometric style...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Late 19C French Aesthetic Movement Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a GORGEOUS & RARE Late 19C French Aesthetic Movement Gilt Bronze Chandelier.
Made in France circa 1890-1900 during the very ‘short lived’, French Aesthetic Movement.
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Antique Aesthetic Carved Mahogany Dresser with Mirror, circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic Movement dresser offer mahogany construction with mirror having foliate carved crest and flanking candle stands over chest with central drawer tower having flank...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Bronze Balloon Vase
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Heavy texture, bronze covered, black matte glaze, whites, and multi layered
10" wide x 9" tall vase.
water tight
Unique Bronze and black glazes
tones and textures
...
Category
2010s American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
French Aqua Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Very rare French aqua Majolica oyster plate, circa 1890.
White flower on the center and leaves.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Pair of Vintage Cast Brass Restored Gas Wall Sconces
Located in Farmington, CT
Old Lights On is pleased to offer this amazing pair of vintage cast brass gas wall sconces. They have been fully restored, wired and are ready to inst...
Category
1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Clement Massier French Majolica Glazed Art Pottery Wall Plaque
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French art pottery wall plaque depicting an angel with two children by renowned artist Delphin Massier (French, 1836-1907) and dating from around 1870. The pottery plaque ...
Category
1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pottery
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Category
1880s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Aesthetic Gilt Metal Cockatoo & Turtle Figural Cachepot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Aesthetic Gilt Metal Cockatoo & Turtle Figural Cachepot
USa, circa 1900s
Of large Size and scale, realistically cast and modeled of Cockatoo with inset glass eye, standing on a ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of 6 Green Majolica Wedgwood Sunflower Plates
By Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 6 green majolica glazed dinner plates in the ‘Sunflower’ pattern by Wedgwood, made circa 1880.
The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather, became an emblem...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery
Frances E Lee Doulton Lambeth Pair Exceptional Floral Bottle Vases
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and well decorated pair Doulton Lambeth floral vases by renowned artist Frances E Lee and dated 1883. The stoneware bottle shaped vases stand rais...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Brass Sunburst Mirror by Chaty Villauris
Located in New York, NY
Brass Sunburst Mirror By Chaty Villauris.
Patinated brass frame with central round mirror.
Signed on the back.
Category
1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Category
1880s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Ornately Carved Burr & Burl Walnut Green Leather Coffee Cocktail Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning heavily carved Aesthetic Movement style Burr & Burl Walnut coffee table with green Leather top
A very good looking and well made ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Leather
Small 20th Century Satin Birch Writing Desk by Heal & Son London
By Heal's
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A beautiful Satin Birch writing desk by Heal & Son London.
This little desk will light up any room, the satinwood birch has a wonderful texture and movement and a colour tone that o...
Category
Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Birch, Satinwood
Antique Engraved Silverplate Fish Knives, Set of 5
Located in Seguin, TX
Set of 5 silverplate fish knives. Marked Henry Hobson & Sons, made in England. Each is engraved with foliage and a fish, minor scuffing.
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Cara Baker Doulton Lambeth Thistle Shaped Leaf Pattern Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful Doulton Lambeth aesthetic movement thistle shaped vase applied with stylized leaf and floral designs by Clara Baker and dated 1878. This nice early stoneware vase stands...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Pair 19th Century Aesthetic Bamboo Style Leopardo Silk Velvet Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Exquisitely hand turned and carved 19th century Aesthetic bamboo style side chairs upholstered in Leopardo silk velvet.
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silk, Velvet, Wood
English Bamboo Table Stand or Cabinet Etagere from the Aesthetic Movement
Located in Austin, TX
A fine collector's quality English bamboo table stand or etagere shelf cabinet from the Aesthetic Movement period, circa 1870-1910, featuring a rectangular canted top with Japan lacq...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Blue & Tan Woven Square Decorative Tapestry Pillow
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Blue & Tan Woven Square Decorative Tapestry Pillow.
Depicting Poseidon 'Greek Sea God'
Moss multi-color trim all around, blue silk velvet backing
and antique metallic trim embelli...
Category
1940s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metallic Thread
English Bamboo Round Occasional Table from the Aesthetic Movement
Located in Austin, TX
A fine collector's quality English bamboo round occasional or side table from the Aesthetic Movement period, c.1870-1910, featuring a circular top with bamboo fretwork surrounding a ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division
Located in New York, NY
Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division
Whiting had small production but produced exceptional handmade silverware in relatively small quantities.
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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, wall decorations 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 Doulton Lambeth, Minton, Christopher Dresser, and Sarreguemines. 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 $85 and tops out at $108,325 while the average work can sell for $1,887.
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