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 Globe Wernicke Bookcases in Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of small Globe Wernicke London bookcases in mahogany from the end of the 19th century-Early 20th century from England which has an advanced lower part. Which is unusual ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Christopher Dresser Richard Hodd & Sons Large Copper Jug
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and exceptional aesthetic movement copper ale jug designed by renowned designer Christopher Dresser for Richard Hodd & Sons dating from around 1880....
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Lacquered Bamboo Wall Mirror / Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, late 19th century. A fantastic 19th century Victorian era bamboo wall mirror decorated with chinoiserie lacquer detailing and three sturdy shelves. The bamboo frame is sturd...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Mirror
Rare Antique English Aesthetic Movt. Chased Copper Square Tea Kettle on Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
Gorgeous Antique English Arts & Crafts or Aesthetic Movement hand chased copper and wrought iron square tea kettle on its original brass barley twist stan...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
California Coastal Landscape by Rod Goebel (American 1946-1993)
By Rod Goebel
Located in Dallas, TX
SPRING LIGHT, American West / California rocky Pacific coast oil on canvas landscape picture by American painter / artist Rod Goebel (1946-1993) impressionist style, signed front low...
Category
20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Mid-Century Italian Painted Carved Wood Faux Bois Mirror With French Styling
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French style heavily carved Italian faux bois mirror with sprigs of leaves a berries throughout the branches. It is an ivory painted finish. It is unmarked and in very good...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Austrian Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large unusual Austrian Majolica oyster plate, circa 1880.
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century Refectory Table in Natural Wood-France
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb large 19th century refectory table in pich pine and cherry wood from France in natural wood
Superb table which has a width of 90m which is very comfortable and rare and a l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Pine
Late 19th Century aesthetic movement walnut occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century aesthetic movement walnut occasional table circa 1890.
Shaped top surface with matched burr walnut veneers, ebony stringing and ebonised outer edge. Supported by ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Abstract Ceramic Lamp in Cerise An unusual shape
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Mid Century Abstract Ceramic Lamp in Cerise
An unusual shape with the light bulb concealed in the bottom of the lamp, this makes unusual and attractive patterns when lit
The lamp is...
Category
1960s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Val Saint Lambert Cobalt Blue Cut To Clear Crystal Vase Birds & Flowers
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This Val Saint Lambert vase is a rare example of a pattern that was only used for goblets and most likely a custom order. It is hand blown crystal with cobalt blue overlay cut to cle...
Category
1930s Belgian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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.
This Company's most important designer was Charles Osborne...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Antique English Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs with Upholstered Seats
Located in Miami, FL
From the English Aesthetic Movement, a pair of finely-crafted side chairs in mahogany with ebonized line inlays. Featuring an exquisite choice of woods with concave high back with th...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Ebony
Aesthetic style silver photograph frame
Located in London, GB
Rare and early Aesthetic style antique silver photograph frame from the late Victorian era. The border is hand hammered with a mottled effect. There is a cast central surround with a...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Hand Painted Antique Large Screen
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/781 - Interesting large hand painted on wood high screen : from France, mid '800.
It can be the background of an entire wall: an imaginary garden with flowers' triumph; on the o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint
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
English Bamboo Table or Stool with Tile Seat from the Aesthetic Movement Era
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo table or stool from the Aesthetic Movement period of the late 19th century, featuring a handsome patinated finish and square seat of bamboo with inset blue and ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery, Bamboo, Wood
Aesthetic Movement Three Tiered Cake Stand, 19th Century Victorian cake display
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE DISPLAY STAND
Three removable porcelain circular plates decorated with floral motifs are inlaid in an ebonised and gilt faux bamboo woode...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Ceramic
Antique Austrian Alabaster and Gilt Metal Book Box
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Austrian Alabaster And Gilt Metal Book Box.
Unusual Austrian gilt metal and alabaster box in the form of a book.
This lovely decorative box has a wood interior and hinged l...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Metal
Russian Icon with Processional Cross 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful Russian icon with a processional cross in its center from the 17th century
We can see that the icon was created to accommodate the processional cross with the Chris...
Category
19th Century Belarusian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Aesthetic Movement Jardiniere Attributed to G .Viardot, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
A large Japanese style boat-shaped jardiniere attributed to G. Viardot, made in carved wood, ornated with panels decorated with Japanese blossoming cherry tree branches and a trophy ...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
George Hugo Tabor Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Large Art Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large, impressive and rare aesthetic movement Doulton Lambeth vase by renowned artists George Hugo Tabor, Eliza L Hubert and Ernest R. Bishop whose work is rare and dated 1883. The...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Christopher Dresser Henry Loveridge Copper & Brass Teaset
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare aesthetic movement three piece copper and brass teaset designed by Christopher Dresser for Henry Loveridge & Co in 1881. The set comprises of a teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19TH Century Aesthetic Era Library Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Designed with a slight Japonisme aesthetic, the piece is fashioned with an
inset glass covered panel with a textile inset. Its side panels and cross stretchers
are deeply carved wit...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Textile, Glass, Hardwood
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
Edith D Lupton Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Thistle Vase
By Edith Lupton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and stunning aesthetic movement Doulton Lambeth Silicon Ware vase decorated with incised and pate-sur-pate thistle designs by r...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Large 19th Century Majolica Vase with Birds Delphin Massier
Located in Austin, TX
Large rare Majolica triple vase with birds, very colorful signed Delphin Massier.
Completely painted with flowers.
Height / 18.8 inches.
The Massier are known for the quality of thei...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
E W Godwin Side Table, circa 1870
Located in Sherborne, GB
A delicate and slender ebony and parcel gilt E W Godwin style Aesthetic movement side table. This attractive table is in the Egyptian furniture desi...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Beech, Ebony
Pair of Lamps, Murano Glass, Pebbles, 20th
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of Murano glass lamps, emerald color, similar to pebbles. They are mounted in lamps with a white lampshade. An E 27 base bulb.
Pair of very elegant lamps.The originality is the...
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
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
Antique Walnut Whatnot/ Shelves
Located in Cheltenham, GB
"Hutton-Clarke Antiques is delighted to present a distinctive Antique Walnut Whatnot or Shelves, dating back to approximately 1880. This piece stands out for its unique rectangular f...
Category
1860s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Interesting and Unusual Swiss Designed Side Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Unusual table, either Swiss or Swedish. Was brought to the USA by cellist Haim Zemach. Has two drawers. With partial label underside of table. Great form and turnings on base and top...
Category
1930s Swiss Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Aesthetic Movement Antique Gold Mirror with Gilt Leaves
Located in Malibu, CA
This small mirror is embellished with burnished gold swirling leaves on a dark bronze textured background. The exterior and interior border is comprised of a geometric pattern of sma...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Pair of Murano Lamps, Amethyst
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of lamps from Murano, Amethyst color.
The lamps are electrified and sold with their lampshade.
To please you, I can take care of the packaging for better transport security.
...
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
19th Century Majolica Snail Platter Luneville
By Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
Unusual 19th century Majolica Snail Platter attributed to Luneville.
Decorated with grapes.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Set of 11 Royal Worcester Aesthetic Movement Dessert Plates Signed E. Raby
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and spectacular set of 11 19th c Royal Worcester dessert cabinet plates, hand painted and signed by the renowned Edward Raby. He was con...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
"Angel Kiss" Life Size Granite Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the "Angel Kiss" Life Size Granite Sculpture, a stunning addition to any home or office space.
This exquisite sculpture features a pair of lovers embracing each other w...
Category
1980s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Granite
Maw & Co Walter Crane Majolica Chariot Art Pottery Plaque
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and unusual Maw & Co, Jackfield, English majolica aesthetic movement art pottery plaque decorated with a chariot attributed to designer Walter Cran...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Aller Vale Multi-Necked Hand-Painted Daffodil Posy Vase
By Aller Vale
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce Torquay Devon pottery multi-necked (udder) posy vase hand painted with a daffodil attributed to Aller Vale Pottery dating from around 1890. The vas...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Jaeger LeCoultre Vendome Atmos Clock
Located in Mérida, YU
A beautiful Jaeger LeCoultre mid century Vendome Atmos clock. This piece looks wonderful on a desk in a study, or on a mantelpiece or table. Very elegant. ...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate
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
Decastro Bookcase — Handmade Solid Wood Contemporary Brazilian Design
Located in Curitiba, PR
Ideal furniture for storing books and decorative pieces.
It also works as a sideboard and can be used in kitchens or dining rooms to store crockery and cutlery.
Built using tradi...
Category
2010s Brazilian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
10 Antique Mintons Porcelain Raised Gold Aesthetic Movement Luncheon Plates
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of 10 richly gilt porcelain luncheon or dessert plates.
By Mintons.
In an Aesthetic Movement numbered pattern with raised gold and gold jeweling throughout.
Each marked to t...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Arab on Horseback with Slave Girl
By Alfred Barye
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large Sculpture by both Barye and El Guillman cast and made after the Original . Two signatures are visible on the base . Large at 33" in Ht and 22" long . Heavy casting . Has a re...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Aesthetic Movement English Sideboard
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The sideboard comes from England from the late 19th century, it was built from English walnut in the course of the Aesthetic Movement. The fittings are made of brass, the doors open ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Marquetry Inlaid Bench in Aesthetic Movement Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptionally well made 19th C. Aesthetic Movement period bench, likely European, the cresting rail with intricate marquetry with winged figures, trailing vines and acanthus leaf ...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Porcelain Oyster Plate With Shells, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Porcelain Oyster Plate With Shells, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
English Bamboo Table or Stool with Tile Seat from the Aesthetic Movement Era
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo table or stool from the Aesthetic Movement period of the late 19th century, featuring a handsome patinated finish and square seat of bamboo with inset blue and ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Ceramic, Bamboo, Wood
Furstenberg Germany Vintage Flower Round Gold Leaf Trinket Plate
Located in BILBAO, ES
Furstenberg Germany vintage flower round gold leaf trinket plate
Perfect gift for your special someone.
Dimensions:
Diameter 10 cm (3.93 inches)
A s...
Category
Late 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
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 cyp...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C. French Walnut Carved Lyre Back Side Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Aesthetic Movement Style chair with fine form. A charming chair with carved openwork arch top back with a center lyre with bird heads within a scrolled frame. The turned sides with f...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
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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