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Aesthetic Movement Furniture

AESTHETIC MOVEMENT

In 1880, polymath designer William Morris declared: “If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” His words encapsulated the Aesthetic Movement, which prized beauty above all and blurred the lines between fine art and the decorative arts, particularly through lavishly crafted furniture pieces.

The Aesthetic Movement, whose major proponents included author Oscar Wilde, flourished from the 1860s to the 1880s and was mostly popular in England and the United States. Design expositions like the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, as well as the publishing of how-to books for interior design, helped disseminate Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture, serveware, coffee tables and other items, especially to the middle class.

The establishment of new art museums, art clubs and a rising passion for collecting at the time contributed to a growing appreciation for art. Morris’s founding of Morris & Co. in 1862 and the commercializing of this “cult of beauty” by the Liberty store in London, starting in the late 19th century, further disseminated the idea of a domestic space that was thoughtfully and floridly designed.

Leading Aesthetic Movement furniture designers included E.W. Godwin, who drew on Japanese influences and whose work reflected a wider enthusiasm for imported East Asian art. British designer Christopher Dresser created textiles, ceramics and more that were also inspired by Japanese decorative art but were representative of additional diverse design sources that ranged from Egypt to Mexico.

The Aesthetic Movement’s eclecticism resulted in dazzling interiors. Japanese fans were positioned on Renaissance-inspired cabinets with brass hardware, while mantels made of rich walnut or finely carved ebonized wood and adorned with painted Minton tiles mingled with cast-iron chairs against a backdrop of floral wallpaper. In 1881, in New York City, stenciled checkerboard motifs and painted floral murals could be found under an opalescent glass chandelier in a luxurious dressing room designed by German émigré cabinetmaker-decorator George Alfred Schastey. Amid the rise of the industrial age, the style’s promotion of art in everyday life would inform the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau.

Find a collection of antique Aesthetic Movement seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture and antiques on 1stDibs.

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Style: Aesthetic Movement
Antique Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Tea Set Barnard Brothers London 1878
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique sterling silver Aesthetic Movement tea service, by Walter & John Barnard, London 1878. This very fine antique sterling silver set comprises three pieces, tea or coffee...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Bruce Talbert Style, Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chair with Elongated Turnings
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert in the style of. Probably made by Gillows of Lancaster. A good quality Aesthetic Movement dining or side chair with elongated turnings to the back.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Henry W Batley attr. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches.
By Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Henry Batley Attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches, curled finials, and a spray of elongated turned details to the back. The shaped arms have curvace...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

VICTORIAN ASH AESTHETIC MOVEMENT WARDROBE BUILT IN CAMPAIGN CHEST OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Antique Victoria Aesthetic Movement Ash wood large triple wardrobe with built in Mi...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Doulton Lambeth Art Union of London Floral Vase by Emily E Stormer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth floral design Vase made for the Art Union of London by renowned artist Emily E Stormer and dating from around 1885. The stoneware va...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Venetian Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer Tole Iron & Marble Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Venetian Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer tole iron & marble table Priced each! Additional information: Materials: Iron, Marble, Tole Color: Green Brand: William Swi...
Category

Late 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

18th Century Framed Oil Painting on Canvas of Nativity ~ Flemish School
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Framed Oil Painting on Canvas of Nativity ~ Flemish School is an amazingly inspirational work, displaying the influences of the Old Masters in the setting, composition, ...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by Ewald Kreusch
Located in Dallas, TX
Framed oil painting on canvas by Ewald Kreusch (1895-1960) is a delightful study of an old-growth forest with a footworn path leading on to adventures beyond the horizon. Kreusch has...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Fine Hawkes Cut Crystal & Sterling Silver Ornithological Motif Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
T.G. Hawkes & Co. was founded in 1880 by Thomas Gibbons Hawkes in Tiffin Ohio. This exquisite cut crystal and sterling silver box by Hawkes features a beautifully detailed ornithol...
Category

20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

20th Century Chinese Burnt Bamboo Brighton Style Arm Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful Chinese Brighton style burnt bamboo arm chair. It has a vintage embroidered linen cushion that does show slight wear. It ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo

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

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

A Pair of Paris Porcelain Bird Vases Circa 1880
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A wonderful pair of French porcelain hand painted vases. The pair with hand painted black sparrows on one side, facing each other and the other side white doves. The body in the shape of an egg in a soft ecru color with pink tops...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

English Aesthetic Movement Two Tier Bamboo Plant Stand Shelf
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th century/early 20th century English aesthetic movement bamboo plant stand, display shelf, or side table crafted from bamboo. The table features a bent bamboo frame with thre...
Category

20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

James Aitchison Aesthetic Movement mantel or bracket clock with Owls & Songbirds
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement mantel or bracket clock, Signed James Aitchison, Paris in the number 12, with finely carved floral decoration to the front and sides, a french city evening scen...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rare Doulton Burslem Luscian Ware Hand Painted Exhibition Vase, circa 1893
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Doulton Burslem Luscian ware tear drop shaped vase handpainted by renowned miniature and historical artist Leslie Johnson dating between 1891 and 1902. The ta...
Category

1890s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Jas Shoolbred attri. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut side table
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred attributed An octagonal Walnut centre table with central shelf, carved circular details to the legs, united by lower cross stretchers.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Majolica Vase with Fishs and Shells, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica vase with fishs and shells, circa 1880. Bamboo handles.   
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Faience

Sarreguemines French Barbotine Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Melon Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the shape of a trompe l’oeil melon by Sarreguemines, circa 1900. Molded in the form of a large yellow melon with green vines and leaves. The li...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Wood Sculpture Display Pedestal, Circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic Movement sculpture pedestal offers ebonized wood construction with found upper display over column having car...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

English Minton Aesthetic Movement Majolica Nut, Leaf & Vine Pitchers, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Attributed to Minton pottery in Staffordshire, England, a scarce sized set of majolica glazed pitchers in the Palissy style, circa 1870s. The Aesthetic Period pitchers are molded with a raised nut vine pattern with leaves in light and dark green, and closed buds. The vine handle is ‘held’ in place with green shoots, the tight buds are glazed in cream encased in light spring green leaves. The body is finished in an iridescent brown, the interior in a beautiful turquoise. A turquoise glazed underside. The larger jug is impressed with the number two, possibly referring to size, as this is the middle size of what would have been a set of three graduated pitchers...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Mantle Clock
Located in Ross, CA
Aesthetic movement mantle clock made in France in the late 19th century. The face is blue and white hand painted enamel centered over blue and white porcelain. The round case which i...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Murano mirror, emerald green, XXeme
Located in Nice, FR
Mirror in Murano chiseled glass, emerald green. Structure in gilded brass. This mirror can very well be fixed on the horizontally or vertically. Fixing on the back provided. Can be p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

E W Godwin, Edwards & Roberts attr, An Aesthetic Movement set of Walnut shelves.
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin style of, possibly made by Edwards and Roberts. An Aesthetic Movement set of Walnut shelves with angled cupboard and door to the top, a two door cupboard below with brass ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900. Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Lambs of Manchester (stamped). A fine Aesthetic Movement oak breakfront bookcase
Located in London, GB
Lambs of Manchester, stamped to the brass door lock. A fine Aesthetic Movement breakfront bookcase made from quarter sawn oak with a raised back to the...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Good Quality Aesthetic Movement Brass Fire Fender with Turned Details & Finials
Located in London, GB
A good quality Aesthetic Movement brass fire fender with turned details and finials above, protective mesh to the lower part all stood on a solid brass plinth.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Russian, Hammered Brass & Copper Serving Tray
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A RUSSIAN HAMMERED BRASS SERVING TRAY Late 19th century. Rectangular hammered brass rimmed serving tray. Handles attached with co...
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Porcelain Half Moon Pink Shell on White and Gilded Oyster Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A late 19th century, French porcelain, crescent or half-moon shaped oyster plate, five pink blush oyster wells on a white colored ground hand-painted with blades of sea grass and a g...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Collinson & Lock attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut circular center table
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock attributed. A fine quality Aesthetic Movement Walnut circular center table with a shaped apron & fluted legs united by serpentine stretchers.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

VM-Plaster Mirror 70"
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, Oak

19th Century Scottish Aesthetic Movement Polished Cast Iron Fireplace Insert
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A large masculine and flamboyant example of a 19th century Scottish Aesthetic movement cast iron fireplace insert. A large outer plate with recessed fielded panels hosts an off set p...
Category

1880s Scottish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

Pondview Ceiling Light
Located in Hudson, NY
The elegant Pondview by AERIN updates one timeless design by pairing it with another. A simple candelabra floats visibly within a glass bell shade, gracefully illuminating any entryw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass

Minton Aesthetic Movement Plum Red Glazed Art Pottery Monkey Candlestick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and unusual Minton Aesthetic Movement plum glazed art pottery monkey candlestick dating from around 1885. The candlestick stands on a rou...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

English Bamboo Embossed Tooled Leather Top Side Table, 19th C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This late 19th C. English Bamboo table is from the Aesthetic Movement period. This table has the beautiful Tortoiseshell bamboo color. This square side table top is covered in a be...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bamboo

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

1950's Scandinavian Röllakan Flatweave Carpet with Modern Nordic Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78505 Vintage Gold Swedish Rollakan Rug, 05'11 x 12'05. Steeped in the warmth of Scandinavian design, this handwoven wool vintage Swedish rollakan rug exudes a sense of simplicity, c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Martial Redon French Limoges Porcelain Floral Gilded Handled Ewer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French Limoge porcelain handled ewer hand painted with birds and flowering shrubs by Martial Redon and dating from around 1885. The...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large 19th Century Forged Iron Sconce
Located in Carmel, CA
This large sconce has seven candles or light cups. The upward arms of the sconce have berry and leaf detail. The candle cups are flower petals. It is drilled to be easily electrified...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

A Victorian Continental Silver Pepperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Continental Silver Pepper Peperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes. A lovely 19th century (Victorian era) German silver pepperette or pounce pot (used to contain fine sand ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver

Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut eight leg centre table
By Henry William Batley, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed, in the style of H W Batley. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal Mahogany eight leg centre table with shaped supports below the top and four ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Bamboo Wardrobe, c. 1900
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming late 19th century English bamboo wardrobe or armoire. All elements of the wardrobe are original and in very good condition. The war...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Reed, Wood

American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane Attributed to Gorham
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane Attributed to Gorham An exquisite American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane, Attributed to Gorham date lettered...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Antique English Morley & Ashworth 'Mason's' Ironstone Pottery Angel Vase
Located in Portland, OR
Rare, antique, large 19th century exhibition ironstone pottery vase by Morley & Ashworth, for the 1862 International Exhibition. Morley & Ashworth had taken over the designs of Mas...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ironstone

New Contemporary Ebony and Ivory Abstract Carpet with Modern Style
By Fernand Léger, Franz Kline
Located in Dallas, TX
30877 new Contemporary abstract rug, 09'02 x 12'01. Showcasing conceptual style, incredible detail and texture, this hand knotted contemporary abstract rug pushes the boundaries of d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Unique Piece, Table, Palm Trunk, XXth
Located in Nice, FR
Realization of a table from a palm tree trunk. The legs of the table are carved in the mass. To obtain the hardness of the wood, it is soaked in salt water and then dried in the sun...
Category

20th Century Maghreb Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Palmwood

Christopher Dresser Mintons Chinoiserie Aesthetic Movement heart box inkwell
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Rare heart shaped inkwell designed by Christopher Dresser made by Mintons. Impressed markings OO / MINTON / 15 Pink version on line... Old Christies East labels
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Framed Oval Miniature Portraits Lady & Gentleman with Dog
Located in Toledo, OH
Two antique miniature oval portraits in a pieced frame of a lady and a man with a dog. Very nice condition. Images measure 2.5" x 3.25" and Overall size 5.38" x 8.63". This piece ha...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass

Otto Wagner for Jacob & Josef Kohn Secessionist Movement Stained Bentwood Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Otto Wagner for Jacob and Josef Kohn Secessionist Movement Stained Bentwood Chair, with Pierced Vase Splat & Branded Stamp to Chair Underside Made in Vienna Austria Jacob & Josef Ko...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Velvet

W W Harrison & Co. An Aesthetic Movement silver-plated tea pot
Located in London, GB
W W Harrison & Co (William Wheatcroft Harrison). An Aesthetic Movement silver-plated tea pot. Stamped underneath
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Collinson & Lock attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut octagonal center table
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut six leg octagonal two tier center table with fine turned legs and out swept feet. The construction has radiating stretchers ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Staffordshire Aesthetic Movement Transferware Platter, ‘Formosa’
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Aesthetic Movement platter, Thomas Furnival & Sons, Cobridge, Staffordshire, England, circa 1879. The Japanesque ‘Formosa’ pattern is transfer printed in black on a cream ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of French Aesthetic Movement Enameled Bird Motif Black & Gold Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Aesthetic movement enameled bird motif black & gold vases, each one with twin applied handles, colorful decoration on both sides, raised on a 4"diameter base Provenan...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Leather Giraffe 20th Century, England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb leather giraffe from England from the 20th century from the 50's Very nice giraffe in superb condition which has a very beautiful patina. The bl...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Leather

Late 19th Century Antique Persian Kurdish Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78319 Late 19th Century Antique Persian Kurdish Rug, 03'03 x 09'02. Step into a world where artistry meets the spirit of ancient traditions with this hand-knotted wool Late 19th Cent...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

c. 1900 Set of 12 Sterling Silver Seafood Forks by Dominick & Haff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 12 sterling silver seafood forks "King" pattern by Dominick & Haff, circa 1900. Retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Pattern patent c.1880. Monogram "W". Crisp condition. 5.95 ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Aesthetic Movement side table with sunflower & curved & straight side stretchers
Located in London, GB
A rare Aesthetic Movement walnut side table with two curved upper stretchers that unite to a central sunflower and a lower straight sided H stretcher that unites to the bottom of the...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

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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