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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
Handwoven Telephone Wire Accent, Moutarde
Located in Jersey City, NJ
With a vibrant mix of modern touches, our handwoven telephone wire accent is the ultimate piece for an elegant yet creative design. The curated collecti...
Category

2010s South African Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wire

Handwoven Telephone Wire Accent, Chameleon
Located in Jersey City, NJ
It is said that this stunning art form started with the African night shift security workers being bored on duty. They brought these weaving skills back to their villages and shared them with their wives, who have mastered them into today's sought-after pieces. The weavers behind these objects started by applying traditional skills in creating baskets for household usage. Time has passed, and remarkable innovative methods were applied, giving the lampshades a contemporary edge. Today, these beautiful telephone...
Category

2010s South African Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wire

Antique Gorham Victorian Aesthetic Sterling Silver Christening Mug
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Aesthetic sterling silver christening mug. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1894. Straight sides with gently curved base. Curvilinear frame with zigzag and wavy borders betw...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Majolica Oyster Plate Choisy-le-Roi, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica oyster plate signed Hippolyte Boulenger Choisy-le-Roi. The six pink wells are surrounded by green seaweeds.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Plated Presentation Sugar Bowl by Christopher Dresser for Walker & Hall
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique presentation sugar bowl or basin and spoon set was designed by the very well known Christopher Dresser and made by Walker & Hall of England in approximately 1900 in the ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Victorian Black Tole Chuck Wagon Kitchen Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
American Victorian black tole decorated spice hanging cabinet with mirror and flour sifter and coffee grinder.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Handwoven Telephone Wire Accent, Pink
Located in Jersey City, NJ
It is said that this stunning art form started with the African night shift security workers being bored on duty. They brought these weaving skills back to their villages and shared them with their wives, who have mastered them into today's sought-after pieces. The weavers behind these objects started by applying traditional skills in creating baskets for household usage. Time has passed, and remarkable innovative methods were applied, giving the lampshades a contemporary edge. Today, these beautiful telephone...
Category

2010s South African Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wire

Hand Carved Malachite Hippo
Located in Houston, TX
Beautifully carved malachite hippo. Great addition to any collection!
Category

21st Century and Contemporary African Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Malachite

Late 19th Century English Barley Twist Carved Armchair
Located in San Francisco, CA
the uniquely styled chair composed of barley twist supports
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Folded Fruit Bowl 'Rousseau-Bracquemond' Service 1866-1875
By Félix Bracquemond, Creil et Montereau
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare Japonism "Folded" Fruit Bowl from the famous service "Rousseau-Bracquemond", a similar folded fruit bowl is kept at the French Musée d'Orsay ( OAO1094). This piece belongs to this world-known service which is present in many museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Petit Palais Museum, Metropolitan NY Museum, and Occidental art Tokyo Museum and. Made in fine earthenware, the service has a blue combed decoration on the wing and drawings of animals after Japanese...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faience

Linthorpe Aestehtic Movement Floral Painted Art Pottery Plate
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine Aesthetic Movement floral painted side or dessert pottery plate by Linthorpe and dating from around 1885. Linthorpe Pottery was found...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Aesthetic Movement Mirrored Cabinet Attributed to Henry William Batley
By Henry William Batley
Located in Savannah, GA
In an unusual pentagon shape, this fine Victorian example of the Aesthetic Movement is constructed of burled walnut and ebonized wood. Features include a raised beveled mirrored ba...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

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

Antique Italian Walnut Framed Mirror
Located in East Hampton, NY
A simple and elegant Italian walnut wall mirror with a tiered wood frame. ALL original and in wonderful aged condition.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Birdseye Maple Full Bed
Located in New York, NY
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement carved birdseye maple faux bamboo full-size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head and foot-boards, and ball finials, and bracketed rails. (R.J...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Maple, Wood

Wedgwood Green Glazed Majolica Handled Leaf and Basket Shallow Bowl Server, 1869
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, Burslem, England, a green majolica glazed shallow bowl server with a fringed leaf on a basket weave pattern, date marked 1869. A leaf shaped mold with a pierced twig handle, showing a large fringed edged leaf on a basketweave ground. Realistically molded with the woven basket forming the shaped rim. Lovely pooled deep spring...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Qing Dynasty Aesthetic Movement Imperial Red Lacquer Sofa / Bench, 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Imperial red Lacquer Chinese bench with gilt highlights was made in the late Nineteenth Century during the late Qing Dynasty. The Aesthetic Movement Chinese sofa is handmade using intricate Chinese joinery. The Chinese Bench comes in two parts with the sofa top sitting on a joined base with carved giltwood basket weave frieze raised on four chow legs with carved apron highlighted in gilt. The Chinese Lacquer Imperial Sofa...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern, Murano Glass & Brass Floor Lamps
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of floor lamps, Murano, gray blue color, Modern, Brass structure. It is possible to dismantle the luminaire for transport. Base E 27 light bulb each. Each lamp has an incandesce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Copeland English Majolica Green Glazed Overlapping Leaf Two Handled Platter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From WT Copeland & Garrett pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire England, a handled server, circa 1860-1875. Glazed in a deep, luscious green, showing an overlapping leaf pattern with twig form handles. Serrate edging, in perfect condition. One of a few shapes produced in this pattern, this is the rectangular example. Beautiful mold work with nicely pooled glazing with a light iridescence. 11.75 in. L x 8.5 in. W x 2.0 in. H Marked: Impressed Copeland & Garrett, New Fayence...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Large Orientalist Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large, early 20th century orientalist painting. Oil on canvas. No trace of signature.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Doulton Lambeth Exceptionally Rare Pair Impasto Arrabian Pattern Vases, 1879
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptionally rare Doulton Lambeth Impasto pair of bottle vases marked Arrabian by F M Collins (Mrs Vale) dated 1879. F M Collins was a Faience Depart...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Glazed 19th C, Aesthetic Lantern Pendants with Gothic Stained Glass
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A wonderful pair of 19th century aesthetic Hall Lanterns with floral decorative motifs, foliage and scrollwork. Featuring five glazed stained glass panels which date to 1860. A matc...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Majolica Oyster Plates by Minton, 1876
Located in Paris, FR
These Minton majolica oyster plates were produced in different colors. Delicate turquoise color with iridescent green tones on the middle of the plate. Decorated with refined shells,...
Category

1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Majolica

Rare Gillow & Co 1852-1857 Aesthetic Movement Burr Walnut Ebonised Dining Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this very rare circa 1852-1857 Gillow & Co Lancaster attributed burr walnut and ebonished wood occasional or dining table A very rare and well made piece...
Category

1850s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Doulton Lambeth Stoneware Ewer with Stylized Leaf Motifs by Edith Lupton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and finely made Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth stoneware ewer with geometric and stylized leaf patterning by renowned artist Edith D Lupton and dated 1875. An earl...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Large Copeland Hand Coloured Lidded Tureen on Stand
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This large W T Copeland boat shaped, lidded soup tureen on stand, is decorated with a hand coloured printed pattern featuring climbing plants, flowers, hummingbirds and butterflies. ...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Bird Cage on Stand with Chinese Decor, 19 ° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant 19th century bird cage with Chinese decoration Very beautiful unique bird cage with a superb base Atypical piece with an Asian influence, but also elements of the Renaissan...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Pair Lamps, Murano, Toso, Modern, Smoked Brown
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of smoked brown lamps, Murano, brass structure, Modern, with lampshade. The lamps are signed Toso Murano.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

French Trompe l’Oeil Majolica Glazed Cherry Branch Wall Plaque, signed F. Perrot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Palissy majolica glazed hand painted wall plaque, signed by the artist, circa 1890-1900. In the trompe l’oeil style of fool the eye, a dimensional mold showing a branching ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Textured Glass, Brass and Steel Pendant in the Style of Stilnovo-Ipso Facto
Located in Nice, FR
Stylnovo Ipso facto metal lantern with crackle glass globe, from Italy, 1960. Green color. Interesting metal work.
Category

20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th C. Brass Mounted Bamboo Easel from the Estate of Sir John Richardson
Located in Hudson, NY
This rare surviving Aesthetic Movement easel comes from the estate of the renowned Sir John Richardson and can be seen in the book published regarding his homes and life. Crafted by ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carô Table
Located in São Paulo, SP
Following the direction of the Studio's work, the Carô table was developed only working with solid wood and its possibilities of fitting and locking, without the use of screws or nai...
Category

2010s Brazilian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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

Papier Mache Vase as Lamp
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine back and two tone gold chinoiserie decorated papier mache vase, now as lamp. Beautifully painted.
Category

19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paper

Late 19th Century Eclectic Cameo Table Lamp
Located in Canton, MA
This lamp is porcelain in a dark crimson with a hand painted cameo on one side and instruments on the other. The arms and base are metal. It was ori...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Louis XIV Carved Oak and Glass Display Cabinet from Normandy
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand crafted in Normandy, northern France circa 1870, and built in two sections, the antique oak and glass cabinet stands on a thick bottom plinth, and dressed at the pediment with a large carved decorative cornice. Each section features side glass panels and dressed with a central glass door decorated with hand carved floral and leaf motifs, opening to adjustable shelving (one glass shelf in each cabinet, but could accommodate 3 or 4). The elegant tall and narrow vitrine...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak

Coat Rack, Rattan, French, XXth
Located in Nice, FR
Wall coat rack, rattan, bi-color, bamboo and rattan work.
Category

20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rattan

R Crosby & Son Victorian Burr Elm Wellington Chest of Drawers 160 Crests Seal
By Crosby & Sons
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this important, one of a kind, R Crosby & Son, Victorian Aesthetic Movement, Burr Elm and Oak Wellington Chest of Drawers housing 160 Sulphur casts...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Elm, Oak

"Knitting by the Hearth" by Sam Uhrdin
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed and dated in the upper left and inscribed on the reverse. Painting features a Swedish girl knitting by the fire. The work has a lovely warm feel to it. Sam Uhrdin...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paint

Rare 19th Century Pair of Black Lacquered Aesthetic Movement Étagère Tables
Located in London, GB
A pair of black lacquered Étagères In the early aesthetic Manner The circular tables having lacquered surfaces with a striking sheen, highlig...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Copeland English Majolica Green Glazed Round Overlapping Leaf Handled Platter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From W.T. Copeland & Sons pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire England, a handled server, circa 1860-1875. Glazed in a deep, luscious green, showing an overlapping leaf patter...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Matched Pair of English Schoolbred Benches
Located in Sherborne, GB
A matched pair of oak Schoolbred benches/stools in the Aesthetic style, one with the kite mark stamp to the back rail. Both benches are a pleasant light honey colour retaining its or...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carved Rock Crystal Quartz Cockatoo Bird on Citrine
Located in Houston, TX
An intricately carved rock crystal cockatoo with amethyst tail, garnet eyes, agate beak and gilt bronze feet perched on a citrine druzy specimen. Superior workmanship and semi-precio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Amethyst, Quartz, Agate, Rock Crystal, Marble

19c Bronze Cloisonne Dragon Vessels
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese export late 19th century cloisonne vessels. Vessels feature hand chased glass stylized floral patterns in Victorian era colors of red/...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Royal Worcester Blush Porcelain Pitcher
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A beautiful blush porcelain pitcher in the Aesthetic style, made by Royal Worcester in 1890. This small pitcher is decorated with hand-painted flowe...
Category

1890s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Christopher Dresser for Old Hall Aesthetic Movement Pottery Bird Painted Ewer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and rare Old Hall Aesthetic Movement ewer hand painted with a blue tit perched on a crab apple tree designed by Christopher Dresser (British, 1834-1...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

19th Century Copper and Brass Plant Pot Bucket or Wine Cooler
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century copper and brass plant pot bucket or wine cooler This is a lovely looking 19th Century planter it is made in brass with riveted copper ...
Category

Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

H.B. Boulenger Choisy-Le-Roi Raviers En Barbotine Majolica Hor d’Oeuvres Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French majolica ravier by H.B. Boulanger, Choisy le Roi, France, circa 1880 – 1890. A ravier is a small, deep, oblong dish in which appetizers or hors-d’œuvres are served. This sha...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Single Antique Bronze Curtain Tie-Back
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6772-4 - Another single elegant bronze tie-back , perfect to support Your curtain or belt or scarf in an elegant and functional way.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Aesthetics Movement Faux Bamboo Needlepoint Stool
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetics Movement faux bamboo (English 19th Century) ebonized and gilt trimmed round stool/bench with a needlepoint seat.  
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Ebony

19th C French Gilt Bronze Model of a Resting Hand, Attributed to Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century French Gilt Bronze model of a resting hand, Attributed to Barbedienne. France, Circa 1880s A unique work, realistically cast model of an ormolu of a resting hand on ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bellevue Rye Floral Design Art Pottery Teapot & Cover
By Rye Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare antique art pottery teapot and cover decorated with floral designs from the Bellevue pottery in Rye, Sussex and dating from the 19th century. Typical of Rye pottery...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Table Designed as Two Fitted Together
Located in London, GB
A pair of good quality Aesthetic movement come Arts & Crafts solid oak dining tables with wonderful quarter sawn tiger grain throughout the oak on square legs with chamfered edges. T...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Atkin Brothers Sheffield England Stag Horn Handle & Silver Plate Table Crumber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Henry Atkin & Co. a natural Stag Horn handled table crumber, Sheffield, England, circa 1900. The extra-plated silver crumber shows a beaded edge,...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique English Salt-Glazed Pitcher
Located in Malibu, CA
Rare antique salt-glazed stoneware pitcher with hunting scene. Slight discoloration around the base.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Octagonal Side Table with Red Baize Top
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A 19th century Victorian Aesthetic Movement centre table in the manner of E.W. Godwin. Ebonised finish with gilt enhancements. Newly, professionally upholstered red baize octagonal ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Baize, Mahogany

Phillip Webb for Morris & Co. English Aesthetic Movement oak reclining armchair
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co. Designed in C1866. A rare Aesthetic movement oak adjustable reclining armchair with good quality tan leather button back ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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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