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 Estate English Aesthetic Movement Silver-Plated Candlesticks Circa 1950-60.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Estate English Aesthetic Movement Silver-Plated Candlesticks, Circa 1950-1960.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Handwoven Telephone Wire Accent, Moutarde
Located in Jersey City, NJ
With a vibrant mix of modern touches, our handwoven telephone wire accent is the ultimate piece for an elegant yet creative design. The curated collecti...
Category
2010s South African Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wire
Round Walnut Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Round walnut extension dining table. The tabletop features a beautiful star design constructed of walnut and white oak veneer, and it sits upon a base...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair, Antique Meissen Porcelain Ornithological & Gold Encrusted Chargers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meissen (German, founded 1710), 20th century.
A pair of fine quality porcelain chargers depicting two hand painted birds. Each centralized ornithological bird perched on a branch is...
Category
20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Antique English Aesthetics Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century English desk handcrafted in bamboo in a Japonisme form featuring lacquered panels hand decorated with flowers and birds, the original brass hardware, leather ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
1810 Wedgwood Shadow Leaf Creamware Bowls, Set of 4
Located in Richmond, VA
Offered is an extremely rare set of 4 hand-painted 1790-1810 creamware shallow soup bowls, by famed English potter Josiah Wedgwood. Only a few pieces remain in this coveted pattern, ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Creamware
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 ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mersad Berber 'Bosnia, 1940-2012' Oil on Canvas, Woman with Flowers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Signed lower left. A lovely pensive woman dressed in 19th c. style holding flowers. She looks to the left with fruits in an abstract composition on a tab...
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Brown Wedgewood Transferware wall plates England, 1880s
By Wedgewood
Located in Milan, IT
Set of Three Brown Wedgewood Transferware wall plates England, 1880s
The smaller wall plates measure 16.8 x 16.8 x H 3 cm
Category
1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
French Majolica Oyster Plate Russian Imperial Eagle, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica oyster plate called Russian imperial eagle, circa 1890.
Reference / page 132 "Oyster Plates" of Jeffrey B. Snyder.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
Falkirk, an Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Stick Stand with Mythical Dragons
By Falkirk
Located in London, GB
Falkirk. An aesthetic movement cast iron stick stand with flowing finial, a semi-circular stick retainer flanked by coronets with a wonderful pai...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Ceiba Table Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba Lamp embodies the essence of artisanal craftsmanship, meticulously crafted entirely by hand. Inspired by the sacred Tree of Life in the Yucatan Peninsula, renowned as the C...
Category
2010s Mexican Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Clay, Linen
Rare French Majolica Butterfly Wall Pocket, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Rare French Majolica butterfly wall pocket, circa 1880.
From North of France.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb An Aesthetic Movement D End Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan attributed, made by Marsh, Jones and Cribb.
An Aesthetic Movement walnut centre table with ebony line inlaid details.
The rectangular top with D ends, turned legs wit...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
George Tinworth Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Pottery Bowl, 1879
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and decorative Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth early stoneware bowl decorated with scrolling seaweed and rosette designs by renowned artist George Tinworth and dated 1...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Huichol Niereka Art Textile
Located in New York, NY
Mexican Huichol Niereka art textile depicting two figures, one with deer antlers shooting a bow and arrow at an anthropomorphic zoomorphic figure, housed ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Textile
Plaster light, Giacometti style with four branches
Located in Nice, FR
Plaster lamp in the style of Giacometti
Composed of four branches.
The luminaire is electrified in working order.
Base E 27
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Antique Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs, 19th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Victorian Upholstered Parlour Chairs
Ebonised frames with turned and carved details very much in the Aesthetic style.
c.1880s in date.
Unsigned but very much in the style of designs by Bruce Talbot for March, Jones & Cribb or Gillows.
Upholstered in faded Liberty ‘Ianthe...
Category
1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Tortoise Bamboo Trompe L'oeil Centre Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical 19th century English aesthetic movement occasional table, center table, or games table crafted from radiant tortoise shell bamboo. The two-tier table features a trompe l'oeil decorated top on both tiers with decoupage playing cards on a black background with a rope border. The top of the games table is square with clipped corners. The legs are crafted from thick bamboo poles...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Paper
Black Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb chesterfield sofa in anthracite black leather from the 60s, made in England
Very beautiful sofa from the 60s made in England in Nothingham
Beautiful quality leather Sofa call...
Category
20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather
Windsor Armchair In Chestnut Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant English Windsor armchair from the beginning of the 19th century in chestnut
Very beautiful patina and in superb condition.
Very elegant armchair which stands out by its bac...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Chestnut
A Library Terrestrial Globe With Wrought Iron Base
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine library terrestrial globe from the 60s made in Italy
Very beautiful wrought iron base of good quality resting on a tripod base
The globe is removable on its cradle for trans...
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
French Aesthetic Movement Patinated Bronze Figural Bowl/Basket
Located in Norwood, NJ
French aesthetic movement patinated and gilt bronze figural center bowl/basket, third quarter 19th century, formed as a large stylized woven basket. With leaves and vines as well as ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
Christopher Dresser Watcombe Aesthetic Movement Twin Handled Persian Taste Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Aesthetic Movement flow glaze twin handled vase in the ‘Persian Taste’ by renowned British designer Christopher Dresser (British, 1834 – 1904) for Watcombe Torquay...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Store Showcase Cabinet Or Bookcase In Mahogany Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely little mahogany display cabinet or bookcase from the early 19th century circa 1820.
Small model with cut corners which is unusual. It must certainly have been in a store as a...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Pair of KPM Attributed Porcelain Painted Plaques of Woman & Boy
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Pair of KPM Attributed Porcelain Painted Plaques of Woman & Boy
Dimensions : Frame - 16" Tall X 14" Wide X 2" Deep Porcelain 6.5" Tall
This gorgeous pair of KPM Attrib...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Secretary/davenport In Bamboo And Lacquer With Asian Decor - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb and unique secretary called davenport in bamboo and Chinese lacquer with Asian decoration from the 19th century from England
Very beautiful little secretary, the first we ha...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Vintage Wicker Garden or Porch Planter Stand
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fabulous, 1930s, tightly woven wicker plant holder with spiral turned wood legs.
Painted motif of red and black in center. High skilled craftsmanship.
Galvanized inner liner.
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Wood
French Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Saint Cloud Tureen signed Creil et Montereau Circa 1890.
Painted roses and wild roses , shell handle.
Saint-Cloud is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France,...
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faience
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
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo side chair.
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Aesthetic Bradley & Hubbard Fireplace Screen, Brass & Stained Glass
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Aesthetic Bradley & Hubbard Fireplace Screen, Foliate Cast Brass & Central Stained Glass Medallion, c1870
Measures- 27''H x 21.5''W x 7''D
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Oyster Plate Porcelain with Turkey Pattern Haviland Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th-century French porcelain oyster plate with turkey pattern signed Limoges Haviland.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Faience Sunflower Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant and Rare French Faience sunflower Tureen Creil et Montereau Circa 1890.
Signed C&M Le Soleil.
Lemon handle.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faience
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
Pair Of Globe Wernicke Bookcases In Oak -19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of large Globe Wernicke London bookcases in oak from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England
The two bookcases are made up of 5 elements
The book...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Vintage Oval Coffee Table - Natural and White Botanical Theme
Located in Munster, IN
Whimsical and free, this vintage coffee table has never looked more fabulous. Delicate leafy vines surround a distinctly feminine facade. Stain on stain stenciling creates a natural ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
VM-Martini Table
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Beatiful and delicate Martini side table, hammered solid black metal oiled finished 8"dia x 26"H
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
A large, shallow ceramic vase from France 1970s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A large, shallow ceramic vase from France, dating back to the 1970s, reminiscent of the work of Yves Mohy and the workshops of Virebent. It features abstract designs and exquisite en...
Category
1970s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Engraved Sterling Silver Tiffany & Co Footed Salver Tray New York 1870
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Tiffany & Co footed sterling silver salver or tray, circa 1870.
The circular footed tray is engraved in the aesthetic taste with fruiting flowers and having an 'egg & dart' e...
Category
1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Small Terrestrial Globe From J.forest - Paris
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful little Terrestrial Globe from the beginning of the 20th century circa 1910 by J. Forest Paris Rue de Bucci
The Terrestrial Globe has a very beautiful blackened wooden...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
VM-Plaster Mirror
By L. P.
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Plaster mirror with solid oak wood structure and finished in smooth plaster, dimensions 36"x 70" or 24"x 20"
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Plaster
French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
Height / 8 inches.
Diameter / 10.5 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Mirror 1970, style, Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Nice, FR
Rectangular mirror in speckled maple from the 1970s in the style of Willy Rizzo. In the center a mirror. Four in brass.
Beautiful workmanship. Very good above a chest of drawers or ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Glass and mirror pedestal table, asymmetrical, Fontana Arte style, 1970
Located in Nice, FR
Round glass and mirror pedestal table with asymmetrical glass legs, mirrored top in the style of Fontana Arte from the 70s
Italian work, design
This pedestal table can be placed at t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mirror
Studio Crafted Claro Walnut End Table, 1970s
By Sam Maloof
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning, studio crafted end table constructed of solid Claro walnut, made by an unknown designer in the 1970s. The table features a large storage area, a small drawer and a pull o...
Category
1970s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair Of Tall Gilt Bronze Altar Candlestick Lamps as Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of Antique Altar Candle Sticks which have been electrified and shaded. Pair of tall, tripod footed lamps, with bobeche and single bu...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Other
Old Hand Painted "Fish" Tiles
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
nr. 1647 - Pair of antique "fish " tiles, hand painted under plaze. They were glued to the wall to embelish houses and gardens: I did it too at the seaside.
I have other ones, that ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Azerbaijani Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Gorham Sterling Olive Bowl and Tongs
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1884, sterling, Gorham. This unequivocally charming serving piece embodies the relaxed refinement of the Victorian era. Complete with tongs, this rare example of a figural Gorham olive dish...
Category
1880s American Antique 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, 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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