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.
$7,481Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Minton Majolica Cobalt-Blue Ground Reticulated Garden Seats, 1871
By Minton
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Pair of Minton Majolica Cobalt-Blue Ground Reticulated Garden Seats Shape no. 1364. Each hexagonal, with a paneled side pierced in the Aesthetic style with yellow-centered w...
Majolica
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
Aesthetic Movement Tiger Tortoise Bamboo Pedestal 2-Tier Side Drink Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian tiger bamboo side table with intricate embossed Paisley block pattern octagonal tabletop. The table features a tiger bamboo frame with a secondary bottom shelf, usuall...
Rattan
Marsh Jones and Cribb. A superb pair of side tables
Located in London, GB
A superb pair of side tables by Marsh Jones and Cribb with circular top and shaped aprons below and fabulous shaped legs united by a shaped lower shelf on little pad feet.
Mahogany
Philip Webb for Morris & Co. Two Aesthetic Movement reclining armchairs.
Located in London, GB
Two classic adjustable reclining armchairs, one ebonized and one in golden oak the latter with good quality tan leather button back upholstery. The ebonized one with later upholstery...
Oak, Walnut
$1,800
Victorian Cast Iron Urn
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Aesthetic Movement, Late Victorian cast iron urn, circa 1880/90's. This examples in very good, ready to use condition, free of breaks, welds etc. The paint finish shows o...
Cast Iron
Square White Majolica Mermaid Wall Plate Circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Square Majolica mermaid plate with shells on the corners, the mermaid sit on a flying fish, the border is decorated with shrimps, circa 1920.
Ceramic
Dr C Dresser Attr. Aesthetic Movement Incised, Gilded & Ebonized Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser attributed an Aesthetic Movement ebonized display cabinet with incised and gilded zig-zag decoration. Probably made for Bushloe House. I wa...
Walnut
Antique Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Aesthetic Movement example of a charming writing desk fashioned with elaborate galleries and simulated bamboo accents, including root feet. The desk with a single drawer with ...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Diminutive American Aesthetic Movement Peacock Motif Pedestal of Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Diminutive American Aesthetic Movement peacock Motif pedestal of side table of hexagonal form with a stylized Greek key border, with penwork decorated cube-work center. Supported on...
Birch, Poplar, Satinwood
Jas Shoolbred Attri, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal shaped centre table
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred Attri, An Aesthetic Movement Octagonal Shaped Centre Table with lower shelf and turned cross stretchers below.
Oak
Antique Southwestern-Style Yeibichai-Figure Kilim Rug Early 20th Century
By Navajo
Located in Dallas, TX
78502 Antique Southwestern-Style Yeibichai-Figure Kilim Rug, 05'03 x 07'03. Woven with reverent artistry and deep cultural resonance, this antique handwoven wool kilim presents a str...
Wool
Burmantofts Saffron Glazed Sunburst Pattern Dimple Art Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and stylish Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated with sun burst patterning and with a saffron glazed finish dating from around 1890. This stunning and elegant lightl...
Earthenware
20th-C. Bamboo, Wicker, and Rattan Etagere Vanity Or Hall Tree by Palecek
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a good looking late 20th century bamboo, wicker and rattan etagere, hall tree or vanity by Palecek. It is very interesting piece and ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
$3,900 / set
Pair of Bobbin Turned Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of English late 19th Century ebonized and bobbin turned corner chairs with woven rush seats.
Rush, Beech
Aesthetic Movement Shrimp & Shell Hand-Painted Ceramic Dish signed Limoges
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable Aesthetic Movement ceramic shell dish, crafted and signed by Limoges, France, circa 1900, is a stunning example of artistry and craftsmanship inspired by nature. Cele...
Ceramic
1950s Saridis Headboard Super King Size Bed 180cm Wood Bedroom Midcentury
By Sardis
Located in London, GB
An exquisite and extremely well made hand carved headboard from the renowned manufacturer Saridis in Athens. The headboard is 180cm long which makes it a Super King Size Bed in UK s...
Fabric, Wood
A Pastoral Reverie: Late 19th Century American Hooked Masterpiece of Folk Art
Located in Dallas, TX
79503 Antique American Hooked Rug, 01'11 x 03'02. This hand-crafted antique American hooked rug captures the quiet poetry of late-19th-century rural life, when domestic interiors wer...
Wool
19Th. Century Octagon Tiger Bamboo & Lacquer Side Table, C1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrived in my shop, This 19Th. Century Octagon Tiger Bamboo & Lacquer Side Table, C1880 This is perfect example of the Victorian and Napoleon II period from the 19Th. century, i...
Bamboo, Lacquer
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Side Table with Turquoise Tile Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Aesthetic movement burnt bamboo tile top side table. The base is constructed from bamboo, with a porcelain tile inset into the top surface. The tile artwork depicts a sc...
Bamboo
Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with hand painted floral tile to the Top
Located in London, GB
Aesthetic movement style floral tile-top ebonised side table. The tile has a fine crack running through it.
Porcelain, Beech
Liberty & Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
By Liberty & Co., Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, style of a Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms, the arms follow through to the sid...
Rush
Aesthetic Movement Jacobean Or Old English Armchair after a Design by E W Godwin
By C.J. Plunkett & Co, Edward William Godwin
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Jacobean or Old English ebonized armchair. After a design by E. W. Godwin. Probably made by C J Plucknett & Co. See The Secular Furniture of E W Godwin by Susan...
Walnut
12 American Aesthetic Movement Meriden Silverplate & Goldwashed Lotus Open Salts
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 12 American Aesthetic Movement Silverplate & Goldwashed Lotus Open Salts Meriden Britannia Company, circa 1875–1890 Dimensions: 2" W × 1.75" D × 1.5" H (each) Bowl: 1.25" dia...
Silver Plate
Vintage Brass and Iron Fireplace Fender Open Ball and Stick Design
Located in Stamford, CT
A vintage brass fireplace fender featuring an open balustrade ball and stick design with evenly spaced ball finials. Add a touch of elegance to your fireplace with this vintage brass...
Brass, Iron
English Bamboo Over Mantle or Wall Mirror - Aesthetic Movement (H 46 x W 48)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo over mantel or wall mirror with a beautiful Aesthetic Movement design, circa 1870-1910, featuring a bamboo frame with lovely bamboo fretwork around the circumfe...
Glass, Bamboo, Lacquer, Wood, Mirror
19th Century American Aesthetic Period Grain Painted Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
American Aesthetic Movement footstool on four tapered legs below a shaped and pierced apron, the legs connected with ball and ring turned x-stretcher centering a large red sphere wit...
Fabric, Wood
George Jones Majolica Turquoise Ground Jardiniere
Located in Essex, MA
With a registry lozenge on base. Decorated on a turquoise ground with flowers and birds.
Pottery
French Aesthetic Movement bronze mounted barbotine vase circa 1890
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A large and highly decorative French Aesthetic Movement ormolu-mounted barbotine majolica vase, Choisy-le-Roi, circa 1890. The vase is richly ...
Ormolu
$2,600 / set
Boar and Stag Majolica Tureens
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of Italian majolica boar and stag head tureens, mid 20th century. 16 ½ inches wide by 11 inches deep by 10 inches tall
Porcelain
Le Bon Marché Boudoir chair upholstery restored b The Royal School of Needlework
By Le Bon Marché 1
Located in London, GB
Le Bon Marche. A unique Boudoir chair with the original upholstery restored by the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace retaining the origi...
Fruitwood
French Faux Bois Giltwood Mirror With Murano-Etched Glass, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Faux Bois Giltwood Mirror With Murano-Etched Glass, Late 19th Century An ambitious French wall mirror conceived in the faux bois taste, its giltwood framework carved to imita...
Mirror, Plaster, Giltwood
Solid Oak 19th Century Pub Table
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional solid oak pub style dining table, in very good, clean and ready to use condition. This example exhibits late Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Aesthetic Movement elements, ...
Oak
$253Sale Price|43% Off
Art Nouveau Aesthetic Sterling Tea Strainer, C.1890
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Rare Art Nouveau Aesthetic sterling tea strainer, probably American C.1890. Decorated with light vermeil floral leaf decoration surround to welle...
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Bamboo Framed Mirror
Located in Troy, MI
This Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement mirror is an excellent example of the period's passion for Japonisme and natural forms. The scorched bamboo frame features a complex...
Bamboo, Mirror
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century English Aesthetic Movement side table made of oak with decorative stick and ball design. Square wood body with curved and rounded bentwood trim and brass accents. Stur...
Brass
19th Century Square Majolica Mermaid Wall Plate
Located in Austin, TX
Square Majolica mermaid plate with shells on the corners, the mermaid sit on a flying fish, the border is decorated with shrimps, circa 1880.
Ceramic
Austrian Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large unusual Austrian Majolica oyster plate, circa 1880.
Ceramic, Faience
Samuel Alcock Strawberry & Grape Leaf Majolica Earthenware Plates, Set of Two
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of two strawberry and grape leaf plates, from Samuel Alcock & Co, Burslem, Staffordshire, England, circa 1850. This pair is being offered AS IS, both showing issues due to...
Earthenware
Memento Mori Original Charcoal Skull Drawings 19th Century Art
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Original Memento Mori Charcoal Skull Drawings, France, circa 19th Century. They measure 11.5"H x 13"W, and 10.5"H x 14.25"W framed. They were purchased in France and are beli...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Landers, Frary & Clark Celluloid Ivory Handled Tableware Cutlery – 30 piece Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the makers, Landers, Frary & Clark, a set of 30 table knives and forks with carved, ivory colored Celluloid handles, circa 1900-1920. Landers, Frary & Clark was a housewares ...
Silver
Light Pink Fur Blanket throw - Rabbit Fur Customize to any size
Located in Dural, AU
Light Pink Rabbit Fur Blanket — 120 × 180 cm An expression of modern opulence, this light pink fur blanket throw is designed for those who appreciate understated luxury and impeccable craftsmanship. Crafted from carefully selected rectangular rabbit fur pelts, its slightly elongated fur creates a fluid, couture-like surface that is both visually striking and irresistibly soft to the touch. Sink into an extraordinary sensory experience. The plush softness of the rabbit fur is complemented by a naturally velvety hand-feel, offering warmth without heaviness. Each movement reveals a gentle sheen and a cloud-like texture that feels indulgent, soothing, and exquisitely refined. Lined with a luxurious cotton-blend velvet, the reverse side is as elegant as it is comfortable, ensuring the fur sofa...
Fur
Aesthetic Movement Wall Cabinet, Hand-Painted Floral, Walnut, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Aesthetic Movement wall cabinet. Striking English design from the 1890s. Solid walnut frame with original door and drawer. Overall original hand-painted floral d...
Walnut
$784Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Birdseye Maple Faux Bamboo Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Birdseye Maple Faux Bamboo Cabinet with White Marble Top. Cabinet features a faux bamboo carved frame. It is fitted with two storage drawers over two paneled doors, each door decorat...
Marble
Aesthetic Brass And Onyx Plant Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Brass with onyx top and shelf. In the a Aesthetic style.
Onyx, Brass
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
10 Pc., Ambrosius Lamm, Dresden Porcelain Tea Set C. 1910
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 10-piece Ambrosius Lamm Dresden porcelain tea set, dating to circa 1910, epitomizes the elegance and refinement of early 20th-cen...
Porcelain
19th C. Victorian Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Widows Walk Fence Garden Element
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Unusually long Victorian Widows Walk fence fragment, made in the USA, circa 1880’s, constructed of cast iron. Perfect to repurpose as a decorative garden ...
Iron
Rare Circa 1906 Rodgers Bros Charter Oak Meat Fork w/ Acorn Branch & Leaf Motif
Located in Red Lion, PA
Presenting a magnificent example of Edwardian-era craftsmanship: the 1847 Rogers Bros "Charter Oak" Meat Fork. Introduced in 1906, "Charter Oak" is widely considered one of the most ...
Silver Plate, Brass
R J Horner Bird's Eye Maple and Faux Bamboo Chiffonier
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century American Bird's-Eye Maple Chiffonier/Chest of Drawers, attributed to R.J. Horner & Co., New York. This elegant tall chest features five graduated drawers adorne...
Faux Bamboo, Birdseye Maple
Terrestrial Globe By J. Forest Paris From The Early 20th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A very beautiful early 20th-century globe, circa 1910, by J. Forest, Paris, scale 1/40,000,000. The globe has a superb blackened wood base with a fine turning. very beautiful globe ...
Paper
19th Century Carved Anglo Indian Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th-Century Anglo Indian carved wood chair featuring motif designs based on local lore. Newly reupholstered seat. Also available C.O.M. with quick turnaround, add $90.00, 1 yard o...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Anglo-Chinese Bamboo Lacquered Desk
Located in London, GB
Antique 19th Century Anglo-Chinese Bamboo Lacquered Desk Aesthetic Movement, England, C.1880 Leather inset surface Presented in excellent condition commensurate of age. Please messa...
Leather, Bamboo, Lacquer
19th Century Large French Majolica Flamingo Platter
Located in Austin, TX
Exceptional 19th Century Large French Majolica Flamingo Platter or Charger. 15.7 diameter.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Aesthetic Movement Signed Whiting Sterling Silver Ball-Form Scent Flask
By Whiting
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Aesthetic Movement sterling silver scent flask, crafted by the renowned American silversmith firm Whiting circa 1880, is a sublime example of both innovative design an...
Sterling Silver
Attributed to Philip Webb Aesthetic Movement original rush seat Sussex chair
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with original rush seat and retaining the rush seat side panels. This chair has been totally ...
Rush
Vintage Hermès Silver Bracelet 925 France
By Hermès
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Hermes Silver Bracelet 925 France. Vintage silver bracelet 925 representing horse bits connected between them by straps. Original velv...
Silver
Hollywood Regency Wire Birdcage USA
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Victorian domed wired bird cage with gold accents.Stand not included.
Wire
Lamb Of Manchester Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Gilt Chinoiserie Mirrored Sconces
By Lamb of Manchester, James Lamb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exceptional pair of Lamb of Manchester Aesthetic Movement mirrored wall sconces, each constructed with an architectural ebonized frame, broken pediment crest, oval gilt decorated bac...
Mirror, Wood
Fabulous Mother of Pearl Lacquer Jewelry Box with Birds of Patadise
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Fabulously decorated with rich ly carved mother of pearl on black lacquer jewelry box with 4 small drawers with metal butterfly handles, each side richly encrusted with mother of pea...
Mother-of-Pearl
Bentwood Mahogany Twin Bed
Located in Queens, NY
Bentwood (19/20th Century) mahogany stained twin size bed with fluted frame (includes: headboard, footboard, rails). (Irregular size, check measurements).
Bentwood