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
Period: Early 20th Century
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
Small 20th Century Satin Birch Writing Desk by Heal & Son London
By Heal's
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
English Rattan and Bamboo Tea Table, C. 1900-1920
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming late 19th or early 20th century English rattan and bamboo Tea Table. The hexagonal form of the table is somewhat unusual and adds i...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Cloisonne Urn Table Lamps
By Champeleve
Located in New York, NY
A large pair of gilt bronze and hand-painted and enameled Champleve lamps.
An elegant modern neoclassical urn form is combined with a mottled gilt bronze surface and with enamel inla...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
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
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
Antique Engraved Silverplate Fish Knives, Set of 5
Located in Seguin, TX
Set of 5 silverplate fish knives. Marked Henry Hobson & Sons, made in England. Each is engraved with foliage and a fish, minor scuffing.
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Set of Two Ceramic Majolica Sarreguemines Plates with Fruit Deco, France
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of two aesthetic movement poluychrome majolica plates with fruit motifs by Sarreguemines France. Each ceramic plate is round and colorfully dec...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
1900s Cold-Painted Statue of Arab
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted figure of an Arab man. Early 1900s. European. Not sure of origin. Signed by artist: "WEEGON" Some losses to the original paint. Very handsome figure.
Category
Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Superb Quality 1920s Antique Dressing Table Swing Mirror with Jewellery Counter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A quality 1920s antique table top swing mirror, a well made piece with superb lustre and colour grain. Nice detailing, with robust stand featuring a...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Ceramic Table Lamp by Jie Ceramics, Sweden
Located in London, GB
Unusual ceramic table lamp in cobalt blue and brown ceramic. The cobalt blue background has a high glaze and the climbing figures are in brown unglazed ceramic. This beautiful design...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Aesthetic Gilt Metal Cockatoo & Turtle Figural Cachepot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Aesthetic Gilt Metal Cockatoo & Turtle Figural Cachepot
USa, circa 1900s
Of large Size and scale, realistically cast and modeled of Cockatoo with in...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Patinated Mercury Glass Madonna with Child
Located in Tilburg, NL
Antique patinated Mercury glass Madonna with child. Turn of the century / early 20th century.
This is a wonderful and large mercury glass Madonna with child figurine...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mercury Glass
French Bust of Girl c1920 Signed
Located in Mimizan, FR
French Bust of Girl c1920
Signed at the back by the artist B Rezz (hard to see)
With copyright
Made of a type of Cristaux and Porcelain that is very hard
Very good Vintage condition.
Category
1920s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Tiffany Studios New York Student Lamp Signed Bronze Base and Artglass Globes
Located in Savannah, GA
Two bell shaped art glass signed iridescent shades are supported by an adjustable bronze two arm base with bell sockets. The twin paddle knob sockets are stamped GE CO. The base is s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Zabihi Collection Early 20th Century Qashqai Rare Small Room Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare room-size Persian Qashqai Rug
Measures: 7' x 10'1''
Weavers of highly desired Persian tribal rugs, the Qashqai people possess a history and culture rich in both struggle a...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large Terrestrial Globe From Handels Und Verkehrsglobus 69cm High
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb terrestrial globe by Handels Und Verkehrsglobus from the beginning of the 20th century from Leipzig
Very large model which has a height of 69 cm and a very beautiful blackene...
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
Royal Worcester Aesthetic Movement Pierced Oriental Blush Spill Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Royal Worcester ‘Aesthetic Movement’ porcelain pierced spill vase decorated in the oriental style with a building set amidst bambo...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Small Majolica Frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Rare Majolica frog Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Set of 12 KPM Dessert Plates with Hand Painted Fruit Pierced & Gilt Borders
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of KPM porcelain dessert plates are exceptional as they feature interesting and more unusual fruit subjects. The plates have the name of the fruit subject painted on the rev...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver
Set of 12 Cobalt and Gilt Limoges Dinner Plates in Arabesque Design, circa 1900
By Limoges
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 Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by Albert Caullet
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique framed oil painting on canvas by Albert Caullet (1875-1950) is a charming work by the artist in vivid earth tones creating wonderful definition and contrast. Caullet invites ...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Porcelain Oyster Plate with Seaweeds Limoges, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French porcelain oyster plate with seaweeds Limoges, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Circa 1900 Japanese Bronze Champleve Enamel Large Vase
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Circa !900 Japanese Large well shaped bronze champleve enameled vase..
Six paneled sides with Asian themed engravings on each panel.With two ringed handles. Original warm amber brow...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Articulating Brass Reading Floor Lamp in the Classical Style, C. 1900- 1930's
By O.C. White
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural articulating floor, reading lamp, having a tri- part footed spade foot base, with three segment vertical pole. The lower, and longest sec...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Majolica Frog on Lily Pad Jerome Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica frog on a green lily pad leaf Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Reference / Page 118,119 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur" of M.Bottero.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Antique Minton Secessionist Vase in Light Blue and Cobalt with Floral Motif
By Minton
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique potery vase was made by the renowned Mintons Company of England in approximately 1905 in the period Secessionist style. The vase is done with a Robin egg blue ground wit...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Market-Fresh Tiffany Aesthetic Daisy Tea Kettle on Stand
Located in New York, NY
Market-fresh Aesthetic sterling silver tea kettle on stand. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Ovoid body with raised, flat, and hi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
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
Copeland Spode Dessert Set 8 Plates, 2 Square Plates Blue w/ Florals Butterfly
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 8 Copeland Spode dessert plates is accompanied by 2 matching square serving plates- Perfect for a cheese and fruit course as well as d...
Category
1920s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
French Barbotine Majolica Sarreguemines Basket of Grapes Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French majolica covered tureen in the form of a handled basket brimming with bunches of grapes, Sarreguemines, circa 1900-1920.
A grape vine branch forms the top handle, grape b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Rare Coromantel, Ebony and Satinwood Display Cabinet
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A stylish and rare Coromantel, Ebony and Satinwood display cabinet.
The interior lined with Satinwood and fitted with two glass shelves. The frame made of Coromantel wood with dec...
Category
Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Rare Crystal Square Shape Delicate Pair Silver Ewers Mounted by Boivin C.1900
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very refined ewers in engraved crystal beautifully mounted, part of the silver sterling base is like lace! a work that few silversmiths could do.
The octagonal base is decora...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
English Aesthetic Movement Brass Hat Stand
Located in New York, NY
English Aesthetic Movement brass hat rack with circular top, three sets of hooks, and space for umbrellas in the base.
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Sarreguemines French Barbotine Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Melon Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the shape of a trompe l’oeil melon by Sarreguemines, circa 1900.
Molded in the form of a large yellow melon with green vines and leaves. The li...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Framed Charcoal & Watercolor of a Baroque Village by Alfred Martin, Date
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique framed charcoal & watercolor of a baroque village by Alfred Martin, Dated 1914 is a splendid work that features a Flemish village during the Baro...
Category
1910s Belgian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Parchment Paper
Pine Nightstand with One Door and One Drawer
Located in Baltimore, MD
Larger than most, this pine nightstand is an unusual variation on a common theme. The top has a step-down routed edge with concave molding beneath, to form a crown. The sides are pan...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
Atkin Brothers Sheffield England Stag Horn Handle & Silver Plate Table Crumber
By Henry Atkin
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 Framed Oil Painting on Board by Windel
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Board by F. Windel depicts an intriguing perspective of an impressionistic harbor scene at dawn wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Antique Aesthetic Movement Silver Plated Hot Water Urn with Floral Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique silver plated hot water urn was produced by the well known Simpson, Hall & Miller Co. of the United States in approxim...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Copeland Spode English 'Patricia' Chintz Floral Transferware Dinner Plates, S/6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six dinner plates in the floral ‘Patricia’ pattern, Copeland Spode, England, circa 1912-1940.
Often referred to as the ‘Rose Chintz’ pattern, sh...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Tiffany Chrysanthemum Bouillon Bowls & Original Lenox Inserts
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 Chrysanthemum sterling silver bouillon bowl holders. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Each: Curved and open sides comprising joined stem flowers. Flower-capped lo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Orientalist Austrian Cold Painted and Stained Glass Tented Table Lamp
Located in New York City, NY
A charming Middle Eastern theme decorative table lamp / night light in leaded glass and cold painted French metal. Highly atmospheric with a soft glow and deep rich colors, the mosai...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Spelter
Frie Onnaing French Barbotine Majolica Cochon Au Jambon Pig & Ham Water Pitcher
By Onnaing
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic French Barbotine Majolica pig water pitcher made by Frie Onnaing, circa 1921.
Known as the “Cochon au Jambon,” a pig with a ham, the tan colo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Daum Nancy Vase Monumental Digitalis orange Art nouveau
By Daum
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Daum Nancy vase
Digitalis, Circa 1915
Perfect condition
Size: 54 cm
Monumental.
Glassware marked Daum Nancy is attributed to Auguste and Antonin Daum. These brothers took over a gl...
Category
1910s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Antique Silver Aesthetic Rose Bowl
Located in London, GB
This amazing antique Edwardian sterling silver bowl is entirely handmade and styled after a Chinese design. The reliefs of chrysanthemums and fighting cocks are exceptional, being ha...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Edwards & Roberts, Queen Anne Revival Swan Neck Inlaid Mahogany Wall Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Edwards & Roberts.
An Edwardian Aesthetic Movement Queen Anne Revival mahogany wall cabinet with floral inlaid swan neck pediment and chequer and line in...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Cast Iron Butt Door Hinge Aesthetic Style Qty Available
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Floral Aesthetic style pintel butt antique door hinge with steeple tips and two knuckles. Small quantity available at time of po...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Sheffield Dickinson El Dorado Steel and Wood Handled Long Butchers Knife
By Dickinson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A 16 inch long butchers knife, a carbon steel blade with an unusual carved wood tapered handle, Sheffield, England.
The blade is marked: The El Dorado...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cut Steel
"Festgesang" Royal Vienna Porcelain Vase
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique Royal Vienna hand painted "Harp Player" porcelain vase with enamel paint and golden stucco patterns throughout the vase. Base color is an a beautif...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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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