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.
to
523
1,007
692
1,597
123
29
196,911
113,155
42,693
32,677
15,969
11,722
10,547
10,408
9,678
8,849
7,237
6,735
6,345
6,270
6,120
5,614
4,844
3,722
12
1,107
478
152
211
140
65
52
11
10
8
4
11
15
16
9
6
515
491
432
301
199
1,183
712
581
246
233
1,749
1,734
1,739
34
31
30
21
19
Style: Aesthetic Movement
Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
Subtle Turkish Anatolian floral pattern rug from the 20th century
Measures: 2'6'' x 5'3''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Paintings, Sand, Color, Elio Garis 2012
Located in Nice, FR
Elio was born in Vigone, Italy in 1954, where he still lives and works. After graduating from school, he began to paint and exhibited for the first time, in 1975, at the Floriana Gal...
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Natural Fiber
A 19th century gilt table centre piece or tazza, English circa 1880
Located in Central England, GB
This fine table centre piece or tazza dates to the 1880s and is made from brass or bronze. The dish top is decorated with a very detailed central panel showing a medieval king, other...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Pillow in Silver and Gold Printed Signed Velvet
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
B/1782-1 - Large cuhion or pillow in silver and gold printed velvet, to be combined with curtain fabrics already published on 1stdibs:
see reference at the bottom of the page.
The w...
Category
2010s English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Velvet
English Victorian Bamboo and Rush Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian (19th century) large rectangular bamboo wall mirror with a red rush matted frame border trimmed with strips of bamboo....
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Elegant Hand Gilt and Painted Porcelain Lamp by Royal Worcester, England 1878
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Magnificent hand gilt and enameled porcelain vase by Royal Worcester, circa 1870-80. The raised gilt and decorated surface with a coral background with gilt bronze and gold tones wit...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large pair of Victorian Arts & Crafts Iron Andirons Fire Dogs
By Richard Norman Shaw
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Unusal large pair of hand wrought Iron and steel Arts & Crafts andirons in good original condition. Dating to the late 19th Century they are very much in the manner of Aesthetic Mov...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Demure Watercolor of Woman In Thoughtful Pose
Located in Round Top, TX
An enigmatic portrait of a demure woman in a thoughtful pose.
Deep, rich gouache and watercolor original painting, framed in the mid-20th century. Artwork appears to be slightly old...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper
Christopher Dresser Aesthetic movement Japonism style Pink Minton Plate 1876
Located in Paris, FR
Pink Aesthetic Minton Porcelain plate in the style of Japonism creations made by Christopher Dresser. Round plate adorned with an oriental fan representing a lovely and colorful bird...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Anatolian Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a Turkish Anatolian rug.
16'' x 17''
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Doulton Burslem Figural Grape Stand Centerpiece
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This figural porcelain grape stand and holder is decorated with whimsical mushrooms encircling the "faux branch" to hold the grapes. It is embellished with...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
American Victorian Inlaid Circular Carved Wooden Plant Stand / Side Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian wooden plant stand / side table with circular top featuring a central inlaid medallion design, resting on a pedestal base with a ...
Category
1870s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Minton Collector Plate by Gustave Léonce with a duck, Aesthetic Movement, 1878
By Minton
Located in Paris, FR
Celadon-colored collector's plate featuring an illustration by Gustave Léonce, depicting a little duck. The edges of the plate are scalloped with a woven effect border. Discover this...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Set of 6 DAUM Crystal Wine Glasses
By Daum
Located in Mérida, YU
Very rare Set of DAUM vintage crystal Wine Glasses. Very elegant.
Impeccable. Signed.
Category
1970s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Sculptural Bronze Lamp with Dual Patina Representing Indra on Airavata, Thailand
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
We present to you an exceptional piece of art, a sculptural bronze lamp dating from the mid-20th century, which majestically combines traditional Thai craftsmanship with a mythologic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
New Colorful Contemporary Turkish Oushak Carpet with Transitional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52731 New Turkish Oushak Rug with Transitional Style 11'01 x 14'00. Incorporating a harmonious blend of modernity and timeless elegance, this hand-knotted wool Turkish Oushak style a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Schumacher Pattee & Luna 20" Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Pattee on the front with Luna on the back by Molly Mahon for Schumacher with a knife edge finish. Fabric is hand-block printed in Indi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Linen
Paintings Set of Four Seasons for a Dining Room
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/5542 - What to say about this rare set of four large paintings ? It's certainly an idea for wall decoration: inside a boiserie (wooden panels) or with golden frames. in the dini...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Fine Antique Rosewood Aesthetic Style Table by Edwards And Roberts/ London
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Edwards and Roberts produced furniture starting in 1845 in London, England. Their name became synonymous with expert craftsmanship, style and quality. This superb and rare Rosewood table bears a partial paper label identifying the esteemed furniture house attached to the underside. This fine Aesthetic Style table...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
African bead pendants with mouth blown milk glass shades
By Csaba Markus
Located in Berkeley, CA
We have created three new pendants using rolled African ash beads, earth and stone mixed.
They can be a symbol and celebration of womanhood, sexuality, femininity, fertility, healing, spirituality, protection, seduction, and wealth,
The milk glass was blown by our Bay Area super star Alex Abajian at Glow studios.
We value these unique lights...
Category
2010s Botswanan Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Coade Stone, Art Glass
American Aesthetic Mahogany and Inlaid Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a beautifully figured octagonal top inlaid with shell and volutes. With a conforming frieze raised on circular tapered legs joined by a lower shelf with spindle gallery. Ending ...
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
English Simple Epergne in Silver Plate
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Simple but nice épergne in silver plate for Your table ornament, specially for Christmas: with candles, flowers and fruits all around. Just a few flowers are enough to refine a tabl...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Aesthetic Movement ebonised table with parquetry top
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Aesthetic Movement ebonised table with decorative parquetry top in contrasting woods. This table dates to around 1880 the maker is unknown but it is good quality, it could possibly ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Gothic Style Bronze Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
This late 19th century Gothic style patinated bronze chandelier was once a gasolier,. It has eight arms, four flowing down from the foliate decorated crown . The other four upturn...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Brass Mounted Folding Double Sided Low Screen
Located in Norwich, GB
An Aesthetic Movement walnut and brass mounted folding low screen. Circa 1870.
The double sided fabric has been replaced with modern Walter Crane, Swallo...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Silk
Superb French Table Lamp Modelled on a Paris Street Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Superb French Table Lamp Modelled on a Paris Street Lamp
An Exhibition Stand Alone Piece, made in brass and set on a marble plinth
I believe this is a one off designer made piece it...
Category
1910s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Letter Rack or Stationery Rack in Leather from the 19th Century, France
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant 19th centuryletter rack or stationery rack from France
It is unusual to find them with their original key.
Very nice interior
beautiful pati...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather
Aesthetic Movement Victorian Table Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Aesthetic Movement Victorian Table Lamp. Shade is not included. 22" tall to the top of the fixture stem. This was originally an oil lamp wired for...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Gorham Persian Aesthetic Sterling Silver Pierced Ladle
Located in New York, NY
Persian sterling silver pierced ladle. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1871. Pointed ovoid terminal with stylized leaf and scroll ornament mounted to round stem with reeded bands se...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Three Antique Sterling Silver Designers Teaspoons
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Three sterling silver teaspoons by three different old famous designers ,with assorted beautiful decorations and patterns , perfect and rare: Blackington Co., Alvin Co., Fontenac pattern by International Silver Company.
Can be sold INDIVIDUALLY.
Everyone was used exclusively for 5 o'clock tea.
They are three little sculptures...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
J P Seddon attri. An Aesthetic Movement oak side chair with ebonized circles
Located in London, GB
J P Seddon attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oak side chair with ebonized circles to the backrests and carved decoration with through exsposed tenonsn joints. Seat Height: 45 cm
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
English Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Chest
Located in Queens, NY
English Aesthetic Movement mahogany chest with 4 drawers and gilt foliate carved panels with brass handles and trim and an inset marble top.
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
An Elegant Pair of Antique French, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figure Candelabra
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant pair of antique French, guilt and patinated bronze figure candelabra from the 1870s the pair with two different patinated bronze bust centers with the rest in its brillian...
Category
1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
White Painted Bentwood Cheval Mirror 'Manner of Michael Thonet'
Located in Queens, NY
White painted 19th/20th century bentwood cheval mirror (in the manner of Michael Thonet).
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Large Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Large Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons 28” Tall By 22” deep and 16” wide. Each andiron is one piece. Great condition with just s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
English Aesthetic Mahogany Table Attributed To Godwin
Located in Essex, MA
Square solid mahogany top over spindle sides supporting a conforming shelf. Circular ring turned legs joined by an X form stretcher with central ball turning.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Tortoiseshell Root Bamboo Magazine Holder, C.1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this pristine antique English Root Bamboo magazine Rack in a beautiful tortoiseshell finish, this is a 19th Century English Bamboo Magazine or Newspaper Rack
I say pristine ...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
English Fence & Ivy Majolica Crescent Plate, TC Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rarer English Majolica crescent shaped plate from Thomas C. Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co., Cauldron Place, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, circa 1865.
A rustic pattern ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
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
Glass Coffee Table, Italy, Romeo Rega, Design, 1960s
Located in Nice, FR
Glass coffee table, Italy, designer Romeo Rega, 1970, Structure in brass and black iron, smoked glass. Very refined.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mosaic table, iron foot, 1960, unique piece
Located in Nice, FR
Table or pedestal table with a mosaic top, iron base, all made in the old fashioned way, in an antique way, the mosaics are highlighted, unique piece.
The outline of the mosaic tray...
Category
1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
1960's Colorful Turkish Striped Kilim Rug with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
60644 Vintage Turkish Striped Kilim Rug, 09'01 x 12'09. Like a radiant mosaic of Anatolian sunrise, this handwoven wool vintage Turkish kilim rug dazzles with kinetic color and rhyth...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Bentwood and Cane Thonet "Caminsessel" / Fire Place Chair No. 1, c. 1860
By Thonet
Located in Surbiton, GB
Rare folding cane chair from the aesthetic movement, produced by Thonet, c.1860.
In fair condition, with minor scuffs to the frame and a small area...
Category
1860s Swiss Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
19th Century American Hooked Rug
Located in Van Nuys, CA
American hand hooked wool rug of brightly colored floral bouquet on oval, pale gray background, framed in black wool surround, with small floral ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Burlap, Wool
Mirror 1970, style, Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Nice, FR
Rectangular mirror in speckled maple from the 1970s in the style of Willy Rizzo. In the center a mirror. Four in brass.
Beautiful workmanship. Very good above a chest of drawers or ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Pair of Aesthetic Movement oak hall seat benches by J A S Shoolbred
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Good pair of Aesthetic Movement oak brass mounted hall seats by J A S Shoolbred of Tottenham Court Rd London.
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Black and Gold Haberdashery Draper Shop Cabinet
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black and Gold Haberdashery Draper Shop Cabinet
This is a Large Chest of Drawers, it has an unusual combination of 12 long square drawers, the drawers have original brass Lions Mas...
Category
1930s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Aesthetic Victorian Parlor Set Settee & 4 Chairs By John Moyr Smith
Located in Long Branch, NJ
This parlor set was designed by John Moyr Smith in the 19th century UK. The panels are made by Minton designed by John Moyr Smith. The panels are excellently made and the chairs are ...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Oak
Large Aesthetic Movement Silver Plated Serving Tray with Warriors and Serpents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very large and ornate silver plated serving tray is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in the United States in circa 1900 in the period Aesthetic Movement style. The tray ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
New Contemporary Patchwork Cowhide Rug with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
30913 New Contemporary Patchwork Cowhide Rug, 08'00 x 10'00. A celebration of balance and repetition, this hand-crafted contemporary cowhide rug ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cowhide, Leather
1960's Persian Malayer Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
61107 Vintage Persian Malayer Rug, 10'08 x 14'03. Embark on a captivating journey through the annals of time and tradition with this meticulously hand-knotted wool masterpiece – a vi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Bronze Figural Sundial by Robert Ingersoll Aitken
Located in Katonah, NY
A bronze figural sundial with satyr figure by American sculptor Robert Ingersoll Aitken (1878-1949), the satyr holding a large stylized shell while crouched beneath it, the shell top...
Category
1910s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Minton Collector Plate by Gustave Léonce with eggs, Aesthetic Movement, 1878
By Minton
Located in Paris, FR
Celadon-colored collector's plate featuring an illustration by Gustave Léonce, depicting eggs and chicks. The edges of the plate are scalloped with a woven effect border. Discover th...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Bamboo Rocker in the George Hunzinger Style
Located in Bellport, NY
A charming little rocker with all the bells and whistles of the George Hunzinger style. Handcrafted and upholstered in a modern woven beige and green top grade fabric. Excellent cond...
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Bowler Hats
Antique Chasuble
Antique Crutches
Antique Glass Oil Containers
Antique Guardian Angel
Antique Human Skeleton
Antique Pedestal Fruit Bowl
Antique Pie Birds
Antique Punch Tool
Antique Silhouette Picture
Antique Victorian Inkwell Tray
Antique Wine Server
Antique Wooden Indian Cabinet
Antique Wooden Ruler
Arne Vodder Wall
Art Deco Store Counter
Vintage 24 Faubourg
Vintage Christmas Bells