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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
Cauldon Dinner Plates, Set of 12
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a beautifully decorated set of 12 Cauldon dinner plates that date to the first half of the 20th century. All of the plates are in very good condition and are ready for your n...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 16 Wedgwood Hand Painted Artist Signed Cobalt Gilt Fish Plates
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a large set of 16 hand painted and artist signed A. Holland, one of Wedgwood's famous and iconic artists. These fish plates are decorated with an unusual border incorporating...
Category

1930s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Black and White Toile Print Pillows with Black Velvet Backing - a pair
Located in Munster, IN
Classic and whimsical, these stylish pillows are the perfect way to enliven to home. Bucolic-inspired scenes represented in high-contrast black on white, create a romantic feel that ...
Category

2010s Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Down, Feathers, Velvet

Thomas Jeckyll Black-Iron Register Grate
Located in London, GB
From the foundry of Barnard, Bishop and Barnards, this Thomas Jeckyll black-iron register grate represents the very highest quality in fine casting. This asymmetric floral design is ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Eighteen piece hand painted porcelain dessert service by William Brownfield
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This very good quality eighteen piece hand painted porcelain dessert service by William Brownfield of Cobridge in Staffordshire consists of two high comports, four low comports and t...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Floral Linen Throw Pillows with Purple Chenille Backing - a pair
Located in Munster, IN
Whimsical and bright, these botanical lumbar pillows are the perfect way to add lush color and a beautiful floral-scape pattern to your living spaces. Soft flowers in full bloom feat...
Category

2010s Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Polyester, Down, Feathers

Calendrier Pirelli , Photographies de Anna Leibovitz Année 2000
By Pirelli Tyres, Annie Leibovitz
Located in AIX-LES-BAINS, FR
Annie Leibovitz, de son vrai nom Anna Lou Leibovitz, née le 2 octobre 1949 à Waterbury, dans l'État du Connecticut, aux États-Unis, est une photographe américaine, spécialisée dans l...
Category

Early 2000s American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique Gilded Room Divider Screen Oil Painting Aesthetic Movement NY 1885
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & rare antique American Aesthetic Movement gilded three panel room divider screen, with three original oil paintings, 1885, from...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Fern Wall Brackets
Located in New York, NY
American, circa 1850-1880. Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), with wire armature and composition ornament, gessoed and gilded. Measures: 14 1/8 in. high, 16 5/16 in. wide (at the sh...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Paintings Set of Four Seasons
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

Mid 20th century aesthetic movement inspired brass hall cushion mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality cushion mirror in the aesthetic movement taste, circa 1950. Pressed brass decorative surface with florals and moulding. Raised cushion mirror with single door to the fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gorham 'Narragansett' Gold Washed Sterling Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorham 'Narragansett' Gold Washed Sterling Shell Dish & Figural Crab Spoon USA, circa 1890s A rare find, two piece set in one of scarcest patter...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rush, Beech

Circa 1870-80 Pair of French Silver & Horn Salad Servers
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine pair of salad servers - French 1st standard silver & probably cow horn; c. 1870-80. Post-1838 marks. Aesthetic Movement. In associated presentation case. Spoon: 11" d., 1 7/8"...
Category

1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver

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

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

EW Godwin Style of. Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with new cane seat
Located in London, GB
EW Godwin Style of. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with bobbin details to the backrest and a new cane seat. This listing is for one chair. We ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech

19th Century Hand Forged Iron Fireplace Tools 4 Piece Set
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of hand forged fireplace tools with holder. Shovel, log clamp and brush with original holder all with tons of patina. Will oil and cleanup upon request.
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

1930s Rosenthal Selb Hand Painted Floral Cherry Blossoms Serving Platter
Located in Chicago, IL
Eye-catching, romantic Rosenthal Selb hand-painted serving plate or platter with cherry blossoms outlined in gold, set on a background of the loveliest greenish-blue. This is not you...
Category

1930s German Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Aesthetic Movement Pair of Bronze Candlesticks in Manner of Tiffany, ca. 1880s
Located in New York, NY
American Aesthetic Movement Pair of Bronze Candlesticks in Manner of Tiffany ca. 1880s DIMENSIONS Height: 18.25 inches Width: 3.25 inches Depth: 3.25 inches ABOUT This elegant pa...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large John Bennett Hibiscus Painted and Glazed Earthenware Vase Circa 1880
Located in Long Branch, NJ
​Large John Bennet Hibiscus Painted and Glazed Earthenware Vase Circa 1880 Dimensions : 15.5" Tall X 5.5" Wide X 5.5" Deep This vase was made by John Bennett(1840-1907) Circa 1880 ...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Kimble & Cabus Aesthetic Walnut Hanging Bookcase Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic wall shelf in the manner of Kimble & Cabus offers walnut construction with double door cabinet below shelves, c1890 Measures - 56.5"h x 31.25"w x 8.25"d
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Charles Bevan attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oak towel rail with fine details
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oak towel rail the three rails in a crucifix form with fine chamfering and ebonized dot banded inlay to ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique English Aesthetic Movement Walnut, Marble and Minton Tile Sideboard
Located in Centennial, CO
An absolutely stunning early 1900s antique English aesthetic movement walnut sideboard with marble and Minton tile inserts set atop black cast iron legs. Heavily hand carved with botanical motifs and ornamented with original brass chinoiserie hardware...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Oak Of 5 Elements
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London oak bookcase from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England which has 5 elements Beautiful oak bookcase which is composed of a mol...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Signed Charles Prendergast Aesthetic Movement Hand Carved Gilt Frame Dated 1902
Located in Peabody, MA
Hand carved and gilded Aesthetic Movement frame by the noted Boston area maker Charles Prendergast, signed and dated 1902. Along with his brother Maurice, Charles was one of the most influential members of the American Arts and Crafts movement, which had its roots here in Boston. Just a few years after creating this frame, he become part of the Carrig Rohane...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

An Aesthetic Movement rosewood two tier side table inlaid with floral decoration
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood two tier side table inlaid with floral decoration to the centres and parallel line inlay to edges of top and bottom shelf, stood on turned legs united ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Liberty & Co An Aesthetic Movement Walnut side table with a touch of Art Nouveau
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut side or occasional table with a square top and wavy Art Nouveau uprights on opposing sides flowing do...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Royal Crown Derby Aesthetic Period Porcelain Plate with Gold & Platinum
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Aesthetic Period porcelain plate. By Royal Crown Derby. Richly decorated with detailed leaves & plants in gold and platinum on a coral colored ground ground and a gilt rim. ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Haviland Fleurs Parisiennes Tureen, 1887-1889
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Up for your consideration is a hand painted and hand decorated small tureen by Haviland in the Fleurs Parisiennes pattern on Cannele blank, measuring 3.1" and 8.5" with 5.4" opening. The back-marks on the bottom are H&C*/Depose underglaze mark, dating back to 1887, and the circular Haviland Limoges decorator/overglaze mark (mark g, according to Haviland's Collectors International Foundation reference sheet) in brown (color indicates premium decor pieces on Haviland porcelain made in that period), dating back to 1879-1889. Cannele blank ("fluted"), influenced by traditional Japanese bowl shape called "kaki" or "chrysanthemum", was one of the new blanks created in 1880-1890s by Haviland's artists at the peak of Japonisme movement, after European artists and artisans become exposed to Japanese art. Cannele was hugely popular at the time and won the Grand Prix of 1889 Paris's World Fair. The Fleurs Parisiennes is one of the less common Haviland patterns...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 1880s Mitchell Vance & Co. Eastlake Lantern
Located in Mississauga, CA
Elegant 1880s converted gas lantern made by the Mitchell Vance & Co. New York. Made of cast bronze with beveled glass panels, the lantern was originally gas and has been converted to electricity. True Aesthetic Movement / Eastlake light...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

1880s Converted Gas Bronze Eastlake Newel Post Light Attributed to Thackera
Located in Mississauga, CA
Incredible Eastlake / Aesthetic Movement converted gas newel post light with honeycomb and ring center body. This gem in made in the style of Thackera / Oxley Enos and Giddings which...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

James Aitchison Aesthetic Movement mantel or bracket clock with Owls & Songbirds
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement mantel or bracket clock, Signed James Aitchison, Paris in the number 12, with finely carved floral decoration to the front and sides, a french city evening scen...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Tall Back Mahogany Armchair Attributed to Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement turned tall back mahogany chair Pad feet and spindle decoration Silk upholstery Circa 1890 Attributed to Liberty & Co Height 132cm. Width 57cm. Depth 47cm. ...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Gillows attri An Aesthetic Movement oblong ebonized & Gilded walnut centre table
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oblong ebonized walnut center table with canted corners and incised gilded decoration throughout. The top with a molded edge and quadrant su...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Hermes Horsebit Silver Bracelet 925, France
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Hermes Silver Bracelet 925 France. Vintage silver bracelet 925 representing horse bits connected between them by straps. Original velvet...
Category

1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver

1950s French Carved Giltwood And Painted Acorn And Leaf Sconces - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of carved giltwood French sconces that depict spiraling leaves with branches and acorns. They most likely date to the 1950s. The pair is not electrified.
Category

1950s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Low Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Art Deco Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane Attributed to Gorham
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane Attributed to Gorham An exquisite American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane, Attributed to Gorham date lettered...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

A little pair of Aesthetic Movement oak Thebe stools with leather studded seats
Located in London, GB
A little pair of Aesthetic Movement oak stools with leather studded seats, on Thebes style mushroom feet.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Tiffany Exotic Sterling Silver 3-Piece Turkish Coffee Set
Located in New York, NY
Exotic sterling silver 3-piece Turkish coffee set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Cof...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

An Aesthetic Movement side table with scroll supports stood on ring turned legs
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement side table with scroll supports stood on ring turned legs united by a turned cross stretcher with an object or plant pot stand to the centre.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

l'Ecole Art Co.Cast Iron Easel
Located in Hudson, NY
l'Ecole Art Co.Cast Iron Easel Amazing sculptural base. Large octagonal weight. Great patina and layers of paint from years of use. Completely adjusta...
Category

Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

1898 Dutch Coronation Plates - Set of 4 antique plates
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Wonderfully graphic wall plates with stencilled and hand painted design in orange, black and gold commemorating the coronation of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands in 1898. Great ...
Category

1890s Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century American Victorian Aesthetic Movement faux bamboo bed frame by R. J. Horner & Co. made of solid cherry and birdseye maple. All original with amber stained finish and n...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Cherry

Pair of 1880 Aesthetic Movement Ebony and Gilt Corner Wall Display Shelves
Located in Lincoln, GB
Exquisite pair of 1880 Aesthetic Movement Ebony and Gilt Corner Wall Display Shelves is a true testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the era. Made from high-quality ebony wo...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood, Ebony

19th Century Majolica Pink & Blue Oyster Plate Gien
By Gien
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th century Majolica oyster plate with pastels colors, shells and seaweeds signed Gien.  
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Faux Bamoo Doll Bed or Dog Bed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This a charming Faux Bamboo Doll Bed ( dog bed?) that date to the late 19th century. This little bed is in very good condition and features turned beehive f...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Pine

E W Godwin attributed, A set of four Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs
Located in London, GB
Edward William Godwin attributed. A set of four Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs with carved florets to the headrests and a turned gallery below the backrest with finely turned ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Hukin & Heath, Dresser style, A silver-plated sugar bowl & matching sugar spoon
Located in London, GB
Hukin and Heath, Dr C Dresser style of, A silver plated sugar bowl and matching sugar sifting spoon.
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of Eight Holmes & Edwards Tablespoons in "Pageant" Pattern
Located in Malibu, CA
Set of 8 Vintage Teaspoons by Holmes & Edwards in the Pageant Pattern. Light surface wear, soft silver patina.
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Dr C Dresser Benham & Froud. An Aesthetic Movement brass fire bucket and shovel.
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser for Benham and Froud, stamped mark to base. An Aesthetic Movement brass fire bucket and shovel with an organic whiplash handle, rising ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

American Aesthetic Oak Thebes Stool
Located in Essex, MA
Square in the Egyptian revival style. Curved slat seat with turned legs and stretchers.
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

An Aesthetic Movement wrought iron and copper fire bucket with sunflower finials
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement wrought writhen iron and copper fire bucket, with sunflowers that form a part of the main iron frame coming down to form the r...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Liberty and Co attributed An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, in the style of a Morris and Co Sussex armchair. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms with elegant...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech

Baccarat Decanter for Cognac Hennessy Paradise
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding, rare and unique Richard Henessy Baccarat Cognac Decanter ,Open worked crystal bottle Crystal stopper, This is an old type Richard, no long...
Category

1990s French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver

English Aesthetic Movement Two Tier Bamboo Plant Stand Shelf
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th century/early 20th century English aesthetic movement bamboo plant stand, display shelf, or side table crafted from bamboo. The table features a bent bamboo frame with thre...
Category

20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Mid-Century Cast Concrete English Garden Style Pots / Planters / Jardinieres - 2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of unique cast concrete planters. As one can see, one is significantly darker than the other. They most likely date to the 50s/60s. They are unmarked.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Portuguese Pedestal Table -19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Portuguese oak pedestal table from the 19th century Very beautiful center table which with its rustic side stands out from the usual pedestal tables Very beautiful one-piece...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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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