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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
California Coastal Landscape by Rod Goebel (American 1946-1993)
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

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

Small 20th Century Satin Birch Writing Desk by Heal & Son London
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A beautiful Satin Birch writing desk by Heal & Son London. This little desk will light up any room, the satinwood birch has a wonderful texture and movement and a colour tone that o...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Birch, Satinwood

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

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 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

Aesthetic Movement Whieldon Glazed Maiden Pottery Snuff Bottle
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual antique pottery vessel molded with maiden’s heads and decorated in Whieldon glazes dating from the 19th century. Possibly a spill vase or table snuff bottle the vessel is ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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

Vintage Brunschwig & Fils Victoria & Albert Bird Song Hand-Printed Wallpaper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Adorable and rare Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed wallpaper border inspired by Victorian design from the Victoria & Albert Museum. Have not been able t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paper

1950s Georgetown Galleries George III Style Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1950s George III Style Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table by iconic Georgetown Galleries. Features 4 pedestals all on original solid wheels. Recently refinished and in very good condi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

Neoclassical Pierced Reticulated Brass Fireplace Fender, circa 1885
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple yet elegant neoclassical revival fireplace fender in brass. Reticulated front and sides with arches at the corners which finials ador...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 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

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

1890 Limoges Porcelain Wild Birds Set for 12 People
Located in Paris, FR
Very unusual with a deep blue sky in the background and wonderful colors, this antique Limoges set for 12 people is made with the finest quality Li...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pair of Plaster Lamps, Cubist , moderniste
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of plaster lamps, cubist, XX th, work done at home, artist's creation. They sold with the lampshade. Base E 27.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Vintage S&A Haddad Jezzine Horn Bird Handled 2 Pieces Carving Set in Box
By S&A Haddad
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage handmade Haddad Jezzine Horn and Brass Bird Handled 2 Pieces Carving Set, cake set in Box. Vintage S & S Haddad Jezzine Traditional Cutlery or Carving Serving Set of 2. A Classic S & S Haddad Jezzine traditional cutlery or carving set handmade in Lebanon of bone in Haddad iconic bird design. This fancy vintage Haddad Jezzine Horn bird...
Category

Late 20th Century Lebanese Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Collection of Three 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Pitchers
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A collection of English 19th century porcelain pitchers with a hand painted finish. Sold as a set, these decorative pitchers feature rich cobalt blue and deep red Asian aesthetic designs on creamware that offsets the hand painted gold highlights. Elegant ornamental patterns on classic pitchers with a wide base to ensure stability and comfortable, shaped blue handles. A combination of refinement, incredible ornamental details and craftsmanship. In great antique condition with minimal wear. This pitcher collection would make a wonderful addition to any interior. Be sure to view all the images to see the many details of these lovely antique pitchers...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Aesthetic Movement Ebonised and Gilt Side Chair with Hand Painted Birds, c. 1870
Located in Lincoln, GB
c.1870 Aesthetic Movement Ebonised and gilt side chair with hand painted birds One of the most beautiful side chairs with hand painted birds The chair has been luxiously reupholstred using crushed velvet that was simalar to the farbric previously on the chair but also help brings out the gilt in the wood and the colors in the paintings. Dating from c. 1870 this stunning chair...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Ebony

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

Copeland FL Miller Princess of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
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

Edith D Lupton Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Thistle Vase
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

James Shoolbread Occasional Chairs
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful pair of James Shoolbred occasional chairs in mahogany. The gothic style chairs have a square back with four vertical slats. Featuring Marlborough front legs and sabre l...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany

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

Set of 3 Mexican Antique Flower Pot Ceramic Vases
By Popular Style
Located in Mérida, YU
Amazing looks and patina of these 3 Mexican antique flower pots. Nice texture. Blue ornamental motif. With or without plants this ceramics fill a r...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Clay

Large Dominick & Haff Aesthetic Sterling Perfume or Flask with Dragon Fly
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Dominick & Haff aesthetic sterling perfume or flask with dragon fly, a choice example, a tall profusely repoused with florals and leaves. Complete with locking hinged circular ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

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

French Majolica Flower Tile, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica flowers tile, circa 1890. 6' by 6".
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faience

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

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

Antique Framed Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique framed landscape oil painting on canvas is a Classic pastoral but oriented on the vertical allowing the stream to gently Meander thro...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas

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

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

2 Hispano Moorish Hinged Doors, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Magnificent pair of oak hining doors (saloon doors) from the 19th century Hispano Moorish style The doors have a lock so it's possible to lock the doors....
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

Tall Sculptural Trompe L'Oeil Draped Handkerchief Glass Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall sculptural transparent glass vase with ruffled edges. The base of this beauty is round, with scalloped edges. The body has long rounded edges which graduate and curl outward i...
Category

20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass

Hand-Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl by Meriden Britannia Co '1893'
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hand hammered sterling silver poppy motif bowl in the Aesthetic taste by the Meriden Britannia Co. Meriden, Connecticut, after 1893.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 12 Cobalt and Gilt Limoges Dinner Plates in Arabesque Design, circa 1900
Located in Essex, MA
Twelve cobalt and gold limoges dinner plates Porcelain with cobalt background, hand-painted flowers and arabesque design. Marked W. Guerin & Co. with circa 1900 green mark e...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

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

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

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

Arab on Horseback with Slave Girl
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

20th Century Asthetic Movement Style Bamboo Hall Stand
Located in LYON, FR
Bamboo and brass Hall stand with mirror in the style of the asthetic movement. The tiger cane bamboo has been stripped and refinished. the shelves have bee...
Category

Mid-20th Century Australian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

"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

Elegant Italian Murano Mirror, and Stick
Located in Nice, FR
Elegant Italian Murano mirror, Golden brass structure, turquoise blue murano glass plates. It can be placed on the vertical or horizontal wall.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Aesthetic Movement Antique Chimneypiece in Pencil Statuary Marble
Located in London, GB
An elegant and large Aesthetic Movement, bordering on Reformed Gothic, antique fireplace surround in Pencil Statuary Marble with a wide moulded shelf. The main body of the fireplace,...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Statuary Marble

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

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

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

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Christopher Dresser Japonism Yellow Minton Plate, 1876
Located in Paris, FR
Yellow Aesthetic Minton Porcelain Plate in the style of Japonism creations made by Christopher Dresser. Round plate adorned with an oriental fan representing a lovely and colorful bi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Aesthetic Movement Silverplate Tray with Birds
Located in Seguin, TX
Circa 1880's Simpson, Hall & Miller Co. silver plate serving tray. Aesthetic movement engraved design with birds and grapes. Marked on back, surface scratches.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century Majolica Snail Platter 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

Gorham & Co Aesthetic Movement Copper and Silver Tray
Located in Paris, FR
Astonishing and precious this mixed metals tray is very rare, from American Aesthetic Movement inspired by the Japonism style. The base of the tray ...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver, Copper

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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