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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Aesthetic Movement
19th Century Large Cast Iron Garden Urn Aesthetic Movement
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular cast iron Victorian Aesthetic Movement Garden Urn. In excellent antique condition with tons of patina, and no breaks or bad repairs. Amazing pair of handles all original ...
Category
1870s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Red Mahogany Pedestal or Plant Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Red Mahogany Pedestal or Plant Stand. Nice Ribbed base. 35 1/2" tall. Perfect for sculpture or plant. Re-finished at some point and has some age appropri...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Aesthetic Movement Tiger Bamboo Bat Wing Bar
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Early 20th century Aesthetic Movement tiger bamboo small 2 person bat wing bar with a unique batwing bar top and small 2 shelf cabinet along the back.
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
American Aestheticism, Griffoul Foundry Sculptural Bronze Bookends, Early XX C.
By M. Peinlich
Located in New York, NY
A charming set of bronze bookends. One of the bookends depicts a figure of a young girl with a questioning face expression, holding a bouquet; and the other a cupid, who peeks around...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
"The Red Barn" by Gershon Benjamin
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Watercolor on paper presented in a contemporary frame measuring 19" x 25" overall. This work by Gershon Benjamin is signed in the lower right and features a classic red barn.
An ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Heywood Wakefield Wicker and Oak Table With Original Label
Located in Hudson, NY
Heywood Wakefield library table. With quarter sawn, oak top and woven wicker pedestal legs, apron, and stretcher. This wicker table drew on the Aesthetic Movement and Japanese influe...
Category
1940s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Oak
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
Set of Six "King's" Pattern Sterling Silver Five O'Clock Spoons
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 sterling silver five o'clock spoons "King's" pattern retailed by Isaac Dixon. Probably made by Dominick & Haff. Double monogram sets: CGD & MD 1891 obverse. 3.20 troy oz.
4 ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Bamboo Swivel Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century French bamboo swivel stool newly upholstered in a saddle colored suede.
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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
Antique German Hartleben's Volks Atlas Book World Maps
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1900 A. Hartleben's Volks-Atlas. Published by A. Hartleben's, Germany. Folio hardcover with decorated olive cloth binding and brown leather spine. Gilt title to spine...
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
1967 Aubrey Beardsley Book
Located in Seguin, TX
Aubrey Beardsley by Brian Reade. Published by The Viking Press, New York, 1967. An illuminating biography, and an engrossing analysis of Beardsley's aims and achievements as an art...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
1913 Huntley & Palmers Japanese Screen Form Biscuit Tin Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1913 Huntley & Palmers Japanese screen form biscuit tin box. Aesthetic Movement design 4-panel screen complete with faux leather trim - each panel well decorated. Regd No. 611071. St...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Tin
Wedgwood Grape Leaf Majolica Pitcher
By Wedgwood
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....
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
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
19th Century Majolica Turquoise Asparagus Plate Luneville
By Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
19th century rare Majolica turquoise asparagus plate, Luneville unsigned.
Every important French manufactures produced at the end of the 19th century asparagus and artichoke sets.
Re...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
French Oyster Plate Porcelain with Turkey Pattern Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th Century French porcelain oyster plate with the turkey pattern signed Limoges Haviland.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Majolica Chesnut Pitcher Salins
By 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
Attributed Herter Brothers Antique Aesthetic Movement Carved Slipper Chair
By Herter Brothers
Located in Atlanta, GA
The firm of Herter Brothers, (working 1864–1906), was founded by German immigrants Gustave (1830–1898) and Christian Herter (1839–1883) in New York City.
An antique late 19th centur...
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 hardware.carving to the massive feet.Drawers ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Highly Unusual French Majolica Rope Twist Vase or Jardiniere
Located in Atlanta, GA
Aubagne France, early 20th century.
A highly unusual French ceramic piece with beautiful brown glazed exterior and a polychrome glazed interior. The vase or jardiniere features a li...
Category
20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
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
French Porcelain 6-Well Oyster Plate, c.1890
By Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French porcelain oyster plate, circa 1890.
Six shell shaped oyster wells with colorful, hand painted ‘eyes’ surround a central turquoise, round sauce well, outlined in gold.
The ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Tiffany Aesthetic Exotic Sterling Silver Turkish Coffeepot
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver Turkish coffeepot. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Upward tapering neck and round bowl. Ball-cover hinge-mounted to c-scroll...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
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, 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
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
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
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
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
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
Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Tazza
Located in New York, NY
This gleaming Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Tazza originates from the United States, Circa 1895. Featuring a scalloped profile achieved with ornate organic designs and...
Category
1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
French Bent Bamboo Mirror & Cane Hall Tree / Umbrella Stand / Coat Rack
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is one of my favorite hall trees! It is a 1950s French bent bamboo piece. It has four octagonal mirrors, multiple hooks and a lined base for umbrellas. It is in very good condit...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Cane, Mirror, Bentwood
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
Large Scale Gilt Bronze 6-Light Candelabra W/ Fox & Dog Hunting Scene
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, late 19th century. Good Quality
Behold the epitome of grandeur and sophistication: a truly magnificent Large Scale Gilt Bronze 6-Light Candelabra, resplendent with an enchan...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Aesthetic Wakefield Rattan Co. Etagere, c.1880
Located in Savannah, GA
An Aesthetic Period Wakefield Rattan Co. etagere, circa 1880s.
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Rattan
Italian Gilt Lily Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Italian gilt metal lily table with glass top.
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Majolica Thistle Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica thistle jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880.
Height / 9.5 inches.
Diameter / 13 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Circa 1880s Set of Fish Knives & Forks for 6, English
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A circa 1880s set of fish knives & forks for 6, English. Silverplate made by William Hutton & Sons, Sheffield. Aesthetic taste. Fine condition.
Knife: 9.5" x 7/8" blade, Fork: 7 7/8"...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
13 Davenport 19th c. Dessert Set W/ Aesthetic Movement Teal Blue Fern Subjects
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 13 Aesthetic Movement dessert plates with matching serving compote, were made by Davenport ca. 1890's and feature hand decorated ferns surrounding the molded floral relie...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Majolica Thistle Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica thistle jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880.
Height / 9 inches.
Diameter / 13 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century American Aesthetic Period Grain Painted Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
American Aesthetic Movement footstool on four tapered legs below a shaped and pierced apron, the legs connected with ball and ring turned x-stretcher centering a large red sphere wit...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Wood & Hughes Sterling Silver Zephyr Pattern Gravy or Sauce Ladles
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of silver gravy or sauce ladles.
By Wood & Hughes.
In sterling silver.
In the Zephyr pattern.
Each ladle with a gilt bowl and raised geometric decoration to the hand...
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Josiah Wedgwood Colored Cabbage Leaf on Basket Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed cabbage leaf on basket rim plate, Josiah Wedgwood, circa 1870.
Most often found in a solid green glaze, cabbage leaf plates were also made briefly i...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Aesthetic Walnut & Burl Marble Top Dressing Table with Bird & Leaf Tiles
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Aesthetic Walnut & Burl Marble Top & Mirrored Dressing Table with Bird & Leaf Tiles, c1890
Measures - 52"H x 51.25"W x 22.25"D
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Large Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Large Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons 28” Tall By 22” deep and 16” wide. Each andiron is one piece. Great condition with just some age-appropriate wear.
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Aesthetic Foliate Carved Rosewood & Rouge Marble Side Table C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic side stand offers rosewood construction with and inset rouge marble top, foliate carved skirt, lower shelf and raised on straight square legs, c1910
Measures - ...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
Enamel, Gold
Set of 6 1880-83 Sterling Silver Tablespoons by Gorham
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 Gorham's Cluny sterling silver tablespoons, 1880-1883. One of the greatest silver designs of the Aesthetic Movement in America. Obverse monogram "NS". 19.25 troy oz.
8.25" x...
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
American Aesthetic Movement Birds Eye Maple Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Chinese and Japanese bamboo style furniture reached the height of popularity after the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. As the Aesthetic...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
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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