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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
Set of 12 Aesthetic Movement Blue Transfer Fruit Plates Brown, Westhead & Moore
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Classic 19th C. Aesthetic Movement decoration is featured on this set of 12 indigo blue unusual plates featuring different fruit subjects. They offer re...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique French Sconces
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/3746 - Antique French pair of sconces in massive bronze, with the original glasses (rare !). They are so special! And the price is good because I would like to close my business ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Aesthetic Movement Copper and Brass Oil Lamp
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement copper and brass oil lamp With stylised base and set on 3 splayed feet This lamp has been sympathetically converted to electric but could easily be re-converted ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

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

19th Century English Regency Tole Coal Hod Labeled Henry Loveridge
Located in Charleston, SC
The coal hod is stamped "H. LOVERIDGE & CO WOLVERHAMPTON". This design of coal scuttle "SAXON" is based on a medieval stool published in the Loveridge catalogue in the 1890s. The cam...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Tôle, Iron

"Olive Tree" by Scott Duce
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed lower left and titled and inscribed on reverse. b.1956 Scott Duce is an international artist working in New York. Duce’s work is included in many corporate, museum, and private collections. Notable collections include Random House, General Electric, IBM, Pfizer, Inc., Capital Holding Corporation, McGraw-Hill Corporation, Petroplus Holdings, Switzerland, Seagrams-Montreal, Canada, and the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Among his awards and honors he received a National Endowment for the Arts/SECCA artist grant. Duce’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, with several solo exhibitions in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, and internationally in Paris, France; Florence, Italy; and Lima, Peru. He has had many commissioned works, including Bell South...
Category

Early 2000s American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paint

Antique Tiffany Aesthetic Oval Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1909. Oval window in flat surround with acid-etched stylized ornament: Quatrefoils alternating with lea...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Stunning aesthetic period antique sterling silver tea set - hallmarked in 1874
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Exeter in 1874 by James & Josiah Williams, this exquisite, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver 4 Piece Tea Set, features incredible aesthetic design influenced engraving...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Glass and mirror pedestal table, asymmetrical, Fontana Arte style, 1970
Located in Nice, FR
Round glass and mirror pedestal table with asymmetrical glass legs, mirrored top in the style of Fontana Arte from the 70s Italian work, design This pedestal table can be placed at t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror

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 brass spirit kettle Circa 1890
Located in Central England, GB
A 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Spirit Kettle A late 19th century Aesthetic movement Spirit Kettle. This opulent and beautifully made piece is made from brass with gold plated surfaces which is in excellent condition. It is of a wonderful design, very reminiscent of a piece of Christopher Dresser's work. It is made in five pieces; stand, burner and cover, kettle and lid. The kettle has a woven wicker handle and the lid and burner have an ebonised wooden knob and handle...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Brass and Mirror Sconces
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This pair of unusual American Aesthetic Movement brass sconces has a beveled mirror centered in a square frame with an ornamental cornice at the top and three candle arms emanating f...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Gorham Aesthetic Sterling Silver Olive Spoon with Pick
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver olive spoon. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1885. Cast stem with entwined leaf and olive. Shallow and pierced bowl with engraved leaves. At other end pick...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-Century set of 4 Large Scale Four Seasons Paintings
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century set of 4 Large Scale Four Seasons Paintings were designed for a French bakery, and beautifully and colorfully represent the Four Seasons, with the seasons' names painted ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paint

Aesthetic Movement Walnut Cabinet
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
Aesthetic Movement Walnut Cabinet Walnut profiled sides and back, the door and drawer with raised fielded panels in figured pitch pine, stands on shaped feet but could also be hung o...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Pine

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

Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Curtain Tie-Backs
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/4740-5 - Beautiful pair of curtain tie-backs, perfect to support the curtains or belt or scarf in an elegant and functional way. They have been gilded with galvanic process: wonder...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Italian Walnut Framed Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
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

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

Davenport Aesthetic Movement Cobalt Blue Hand-Painted Chrysanthemum Dessert Set
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Made by the renown English porcelain firm of Davenport, this set of ten dessert plates and five serving pieces are all hand painted with a variety of chrysanthemums and foliage. What...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Bronze sculpture " Golfer" on green marble base. Levan Vardosanidze. 1990s.
Located in Köln, NW
Elegant and abstract Bronze sculpture "Golfer" on a green marble base by Levan Vardosanidze, Georgia 1999. The georgian sculptor, born 1957 in Tiflis studied at the Academy there. He...
Category

1990s Baltic Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

⸻ Round Murano Glass Mirror – “Winged Flowers” Model
Located in Nice, FR
Italian Murano mirror, surrounded by butterflies in white gray Murano glass. The support is made of brass. The work of the mirror is very well made. It can be placed above a fireplac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Minton Collector Plate by Gustave Léonce sleeping duck, Aesthetic Movement, 1878
Located in Paris, FR
Celadon-colored collector's plate featuring an illustration by Gustave Léonce, depicting a sleeping duck. 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

Painting :Germinal
Located in Nice, FR
Germinal: Germination sounds like revolution, right? Chebisiem artist   "In the flaming rays of the star, on this morning of youth, it was with this rumor that the countryside was...
Category

20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Acrylic, Paint

Painting By H. Coulon-19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
oil on canvas representing a still life with fruits, flowers and game in a wooden frame signed H.Coulon Large model In good condition and beautiful patina
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Old Painting Grapes in the Basket
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/1699 - Ancient painting by the German School with a basket full of grapes: for Your dining room - The grapes are so well painted that it seems to be able to take it in hand... Sign...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Large 19th Century Paint-Decorated Tole Tray
Located in Branford, CT
Large tole tray. Paint decorated with fruit and flower basket. American, mid. 19th century. Could be hung using small hanging hole or table use. L 25-1/4" W 30".
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by Ludovic Janssen
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique framed oil painting on canvas by Ludovic Janssen (1888-1954) is an unusual work being a landscape in a square format. Janssen has used the emerging spring growth of the fores...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Victorian Bronze Faux Bamboo Fire Screen
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian bronze faux bamboo fire screen with wire mesh swivel center panel.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Japonism tea service in silver-plated metal, style C. Dresser
Located in Paris, FR
Exquisite 3-piece tea service set, featuring a teapot, a milk pot, and a sugar bowl. Each piece is meticulously crafted from high-quality silver-plated metal, ensuring both durabilit...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

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

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

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

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

Minton Collector Plate by Gustave Léonce with a duck, Aesthetic Movement, 1878
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

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

Circa 1900 Wicker Serving Tray With Original Glass and Tapestry Base
Located in Hudson, NY
Fantastic circa 1900 hand woven wicker serving tray complete with original glass bottom and tapestry inset. I have not seen one in such great condition with original surface in a lon...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass, Tapestry, Wicker

Asian Style Wood Wall Lantern Sconce, Early 20th Century circa 1915
Located in San Francisco, CA
Asian / Esthetic Movement style wooden lantern shaped wall sconce with mica panel inserts. Newly reconditioned and re-wired, ready to install. In good antique condition. Early 20th ...
Category

Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

American Aesthetic Mahogany and Mother of Pearl Table by A&H Lejambre
Located in Essex, MA
Square top with brass edge and top decorated with two bands of brass stringing and inset mother of pearl and brass spider spinning a pewter web with copper center, a bee constructed of copper and mother of pearl approaches the web. Conforming lower shelf with pierced brass corners and stick spindle gallery, raised on circular ring turned tapered legs with curved brass feet. A rare museum quality piece.
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Pewter

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

English Aesthetic Oak Bucket
Located in Essex, MA
With brass handle and liner. Hexagonal form with incised carved decoration. Toupie feet.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

Superb French Table Lamp Modelled on a Paris Street Lamp
Located in Godshill, 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

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

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

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

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

Stilnovo, Lighting, Italy 1950 Th
Located in Nice, FR
Italian light from the 1950s, with 6 white opalines, brass structure, red metal, original bakelite parts. Interesting to find a light from this period, all complete.
Category

20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

1960's Muted Persian Viss Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
61189 Vintage Persian Viss Rug, 06'07 x 10'01. This hand-knotted wool distressed vintage Persian Viss rug evokes a sense of quiet elegance, where ancient tribal artistry meets timele...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of Lamps, Murano Glass, Pebbles, 20th
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of Murano glass lamps, emerald color, similar to pebbles. They are mounted in lamps with a white lampshade. An E 27 base bulb. Pair of very elegant lamps.The originality is the...
Category

20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

New Contemporary Abstract Gray High-Low Carpet with Expressionist Style
Located in Dallas, TX
61111 New Contemporary Abstract High-Low Rug, 09'10 x 12'09. Woven with quiet intensity and modern rhythm, this hand-knotted wool and silk rug from Turkey evokes a contemporary abstr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool, Silk

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

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

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

New Contemporary Patchwork Cowhide Rug with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
30908 New Contemporary Cowhide Rug, 05'00 x 07'05. A modern mosaic stitched from nature’s palette, this hand-crafted contemporary cowhide rug offers a poetic rhythm of diamond geomet...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cowhide, Leather

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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