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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
New Modern Beni Ourain Berber Moroccan Carpet with Minimalist Style
Located in Dallas, TX
20762 Moroccan Beni Ourain Rug, 07'01 x 09'04. Originating from the renowned Beni Ourain tribe, an integral part of Morocco's diverse Berber community, these Moroccan rugs are crafte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Coalbrookdale Nasturtium pattern cast iron garden seat
Located in Alton, GB
A beautiful Coalbrookdale Nasturtium pattern cast iron garden seat circa 1870. Rare and interesting, this fabulous Nasturtium chair shown was listed as seat number 44 in the Coalbroo...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case by George Unite
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver calling card/business card case in original, velvet lined leather box, London, year-hallmarked for 1860, George ...
Category

1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division
Located in Huntington, 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

Fine Aesthetic Movement Ormolu Porcelain Tiered Étagères, End Tables
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of fine gilt bronze ormolu mounted porcelain tiered étagères. Decedent French Aesthetic Movement styling, circa 1890, brilliant bronze doré suppo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

English Majolica Greenware Acorn Oak Leaf Twig Handled Deep Dish Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica green glazed leaf pattern deep server, England, circa 1870. A serrate edged rectangular platter with open work twig form double handles. Beautiful mold work showing four ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

Ebony, Mahogany

Anglo-Indian Carved Peacock Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century hand carved peacock chair.
Category

20th Century Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

C Dresser for Colebrookdale Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Garden Canopy Seat Ends
Located in London, GB
Designed by Dr C Dresser for Colebrookdale A cast iron Aesthetic Movement garden Canopy Seat named 'Waterplants'. The first image here is an example to ...
Category

1870s Great Britain (UK) Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo and birds eye maple Bed
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement birds eye maple and birch bed, circa 1900. The inside of the headboard with faux bamboo turnings and a large birds eye maple inset panel, both inside and outside o...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Birch, Birdseye Maple

English Mintons 1910 Aesthetic Movement Majolica Glazed John Henk Rooster Figure
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Mintons, a monumental and rare Rooster figure, Stoke-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, circa 1910. A mold designed by John Henk, this faithful r...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Sarreguemines Green Majolica Glazed Fern Leaf Server, France, 1870
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Sarreguemines, a Majolica glazed green leaf shaped server, France, circa 1870. Shaped as a large single Fern leaf. Precise mold work, with a strong g...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Early 20th C Huge Lot of Dinnerware by Homer Laughlin & Frederick Rhead 480 Pcs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous simple yet elegant design on this incredibly large set, 480+ pcs. Homer Laughlin a very prominent company with roots in the 19th century. Frederick Rhead...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gold

Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Mug/Cup by Wood & Hughes
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver Aesthetic Movement mug/cup on pedestal base, New York, Ca. 1875, Wood and Hughes - makers. Lovely etched designs on mug. Handle is in the form of a swan (its long nec...
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Barbotine Majolica Sarreguemines Basket of Pansies Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the form of a handled basket brimming with colorful pansies, Sarreguemines, circa 1900-1910. Two pansy heads form the top handle, pansy blossom...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

French Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Saint Cloud Tureen signed Creil et Montereau Circa 1890. Painted roses and wild roses , shell handle. Saint-Cloud is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France,...
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faience

Faux Bamboo Chest Of Drawers With Desk & Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th century tall faux bamboo and maple chest of drawers with fall front desk and white marble top that reflects the popular decorative arts of the era. The marble top adds eleg...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble

Style of E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized cabinet
Located in London, GB
Style of E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized cabinet. The upper shelf with a 3/4 gallery on turned supports with a bevelled mirror below and display area in front. The two doo...
Category

1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Black Ebonized Figural Carved Loveseat Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Black Ebonized Figural Carved Loveseat Sofa. Item features carved lion heads to the arms, rolling casters, black ebonized frame, great style and ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Christopher Dresser Old Hall "Indiana" Pitcher Aesthetic Movement
Located in Sharon, CT
Beautiful example of an English Aesthetic Movement ceramic for Old Hall Earthenware Company Limited, c.1881. A similar 'Indiana' pitcher Illustrated and discussed in "Christopher Dr...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th c. Aesthetic Movement Brass Fireplace Tools with Kensington Tile in Stand
Located in Southampton, NJ
A highly uncommon, full set of high style Aesthetic Movement brass fireplace tools in their original stand. This stand features a Kensington Tile in its base which points towards Ame...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

1960's Colorful Turkish Striped Kilim Rug with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
60651 Vintage Turkish Striped Kilim Rug, 09'05 x 09'07. Radiating with rhythmic energy and chromatic exuberance, this handwoven wool vintage Turkish kilim rug is a dazzling tableau o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Late 19th Century Turkish Oushak Rug with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73159 Late 19th Century Antique Turkish Oushak Rug, 10'01 x 13'09. Steeped in the golden legacy of Anatolian artistry, this exquisite, hand-knotted wool antique Turkish Oushak rug fr...
Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

French Majolica Bird Plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica bird plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Haviland Limoges Serving Bowl with Handles, Cobalt Blue and Gold, 1887
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Serving bowl with handles is hand decorated with gold rims and gold borders of abstract leaf designs on cobalt blue and white background. The handles and rim are done in solid gold, ...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Majolica Snail Platter Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica Snail Platter attributed to Luneville. Diameter / 11.3 inches . one chip on the back, hairline ( picture )
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

1900's Antique Persian Bibikabad Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77575 Antique Persian Bibikabad Rug, 10'08 x 12'08. A captivating orchestration of floral rhythm and age-old craftsmanship, this hand-knotted wool antique Persian Bibikabad rug unfol...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Garden Table with Stylised Floral Details
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Victorian cast iron garden table by G Hufton of Birmingham with stylised floral and zig-zag details throughout, an arched stretcher uniting the side uprights st...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Blue & White Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Blue & White Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890. Tureen plus an underplate. Decorated with white lilies.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faience

Royal Worcester Floral Painted Twin Handled Porcelain Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine Aesthetic Movement Royal Worcester twin handled vase hand painted with floral designs dated 1899. The small, elegant porcelain vase stands raised on a square pedestal bas...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Set of 10 Wedgwood & Barlaston of Etruria Green Glazed Majolica Cabbage Plates
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Set of 10 Wedgwood & Barlaston of Etruria Green Glazed Majolica Cabbage Plates Extremely popular during the Hollywood Regency period, now a classic. The mold shows an oversized ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Alabaster Carved Bird Bath With Putties
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique handcarved alabaster bird bath with birds and putties at base. Spectacular piece.
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

A pair of bronze panels / gates from a bank C 1910.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair bronze panels from a bank C 1910. Would make a great entry for your home or wine cellar. Each gate / panel / door comprised of 9 turned bars within a picture rail style frame.
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century Plate Vieillard Bordeaux Service Nella
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Plate signed Vieillard Bordeaux service Nella. Naturalist plate with a kingfisher, an insect , water lilies
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Mid Century Outdoor Garden Patio Porch Zinc Strap Iron Bench
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous galvanized iron bench from the middle of the last century. In excellent preserved condition, this bench sat mostly on an enclosed porch. Sturdy as the day it was made. No pa...
Category

1960s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron, Zinc

R. J. Horner Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of an R.J. Horner & Co. Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo bed. The bed is beautifully designed utilizing various type of maple--bi...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Maple

R. J. Horner Faux Bamboo Bed
R. J. Horner Faux Bamboo Bed
$5,250 Sale Price
50% Off
Morris & Co. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut tallboy with internal sliding drawers.
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. A Superior Quality Aesthetic Movement Walnut tallboy, with a polished top and dentil molding below with fielded diamond shaped panels to the upper doors opening to rev...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Majolica Seaweeds Oyster Plate Keller and Guerin Saint Clement, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica oyster plate attributed to Keller Et Guerin Saint Clement, circa 1890. Reference / page 98 "Collecting oyster plates" of Jeffrey B. Snyder.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Late 19th Century United States Co. Ladies Lapel Hunting Case Watch
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century United States Watch Co. Ladies Lapel Hunting Case Watch. Yellow gold filled. With shield pin for lapel. Defiance case "Warrant...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gold

19th Century English Tortoise Bamboo Trompe L'oeil Centre Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical 19th century English aesthetic movement occasional table, center table, or games table crafted from radiant tortoise shell bamboo. The two-tier table features a trompe l'oeil decorated top on both tiers with decoupage playing cards on a black background with a rope border. The top of the games table is square with clipped corners. The legs are crafted from thick bamboo poles...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood, Paper

19th Century Large French Majolica Flamingo Platter
Located in Austin, TX
Exceptional 19th Century Large French Majolica Flamingo Platter or Charger. 15.7 diameter.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks Beautiful original patina in red. Gilt bronze snake.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Globe Wernicke Waterfall Bookcase In Light Oak - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
exceptional set of three Globe Wernicke London oak bookcases from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England rare bookcase called waterfall since the elements hav...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

1920's Antique Persian Bakhtiari Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79169 Distressed Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug, 07'00 x 10'06. Woven in the heart of the Zagros Mountains by the nomadic Bakhtiari tribes, this hand knotted wool distressed antique P...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Thomas Jeckyll Register Stove Front Grate
Located in London, GB
A black-iron Thomas Jeckyll register stove front grate front from the foundry of Barnard, Bishop and Barnards. The full surround with asymmetric floral design, roundels with four bee...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Aesthetic Movement Bronze Champleve Urns
Located in Downingtown, PA
French Aesthetic Movement bronze champleve Urns, Circa 1880 The pair of aesthetic movement champleve footed jardinieres with floral enameling over a ...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Phillip Webb for Morris & Co. an English Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchair
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co. Designed in C1866. A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized adjustable reclining armchair. The arched arms with padded armrests...
Category

1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Victorian Period/Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period/Aesthetic Movement sterling silver calling card/business card case having a hinged lid and its original chain, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca...
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair 19th Century Apothecary Pharmacy Glass Carboys
Located in Houston, TX
An outstanding and extremly rare pair of hand blown 19th Century pharmacy carboys with cut crystal stoppers.
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Blue & White Morning Glory Plate Vieillard Bordeaux
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Blue & White Morning Glory Plate Vieillard Bordeaux. Diameter 8.8 inches.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Late 19th century aesthetic movement walnut side 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

English Crownford China Blue Calico Bone Dish
By Crownford China Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A crescent shaped bone dish in the Blue Calico pattern by Crownford China, Staffordshire, England, circa 1960s. This pattern was first made by Burleigh Pottery in 1851. It is inspir...
Category

1960s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ironstone

Maitland-Smith Faux Tortoise & Tooled Leather Bamboo Canterbury Magazine Rack
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a good looking Maitland-Smith faux tortoise and tooled leather bamboo magazine rack. It is marked and in very good condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Thomas Jeckyll for Barnard Bishop & Barnard. A rare Aesthetic Movement fireplace
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll for Barnard Bishop and Barnard. A rare Aesthetic Movement fireplace with curvaceous mantle with gadrooned and dot details and a row of Japanese floral Insignias the ce...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Berlin Iron

Italian Gilt Bamboo Leopard Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Italian gilt iron bamboo stool with leopard velvet upholstery.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Adolf Loos for Thonet Shoe Rest circa 1905
Located in CA, CA
Adolf Loos for Thonet Shoe Rest circa 1905, constructed of black stained steamed beech. "By beauty we understand the highest degree of perfection. For this reason it is completely o...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT BURR WALNUT TETE A TETE CONVERSATION SOFA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, highly collectable, Victorian Aesthetic Movement “Tete a Tete” Conversation couch with Burr...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

A large sterling silver maple leaf centerpiece by Buccellati, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A rare large maple leaf sterling silver centerpiece created by the famous Italian silversmith Buccellati, twentieth century. The centerpiece is composed of three large finely chisele...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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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