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
Returnable Items Only
Majolica Insect Wall Pocket Fives Lille, circa 1890
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica insect wall pocket Fives Lille signed, circa 1890.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Cast iron cross with Angels
Located in Branford, CT
Cast iron cross with Angels. Late 19th century.
H 47" W 27"
Category
1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Tortoise Bamboo Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
Aesthetic Movement Tortoise bamboo settee carefully curated to emulate Japanned bamboo furniture of the period, in the dark forest green Moha...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Bamboo
Minton's Christopher Dresser Style Japonisme Aesthetic Movement Plate
Located in Sharon, CT
One of the most colorful and successful Japonisme pieces of the period. Fully signed Minton's. In the collection of many museums including New York's Metropolitan.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Marsh Jones and Cribb. A superb pair of side tables
Located in London, GB
A superb pair of side tables by Marsh Jones and Cribb with circular top and shaped aprons below and fabulous shaped legs united by a shaped lower shelf on little pad feet.
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Sarreguemines Majolica Trompe L’Oeil Greek Key Napkin Covered Asparagus Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Sarreguemines, France, a very scarce majolica glazed covered tureen, circa 1870.
A basket and napkin form covered tureen modeled in the Trompe L’oeil style. The base is molde...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
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
Gillows attr. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays
Located in London, GB
Gillows of Lancaster attributed. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays to the oval top walnut.
Stamped mark under the top 8198
Category
1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Bruce Talbert attri. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered love or twin window seat
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered love or twin window seat made from stained Beech with turned and rounded finials and tramline details to the back headrest...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Beech
1887, Aesthetic-Style Ceramic Complete English Sauce Tureen
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Amazing sauce tureen, made in England in 1887, complete in all parts, superb quality.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
c. 1870 Scrolled Verdigris Iron 6-Light Chandelier
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870 scrolled verdigris iron 6-light chandelier, French. Bold iron work accented by gilt acanthus leaves, bobeches & central floret drop. Simple armorial decorations. Chandelie...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Le Bon Marché Boudoir chair upholstery restored b The Royal School of Needlework
By Le Bon Marché 1
Located in London, GB
Le Bon Marche. A unique Boudoir chair with the original upholstery restored by the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace retaining the origi...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Alabaster Carved Bird Bath With Putties
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique handcarved alabaster bird bath with birds and putties at base. Spectacular piece.
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Italian Gilt Bamboo Leopard Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Italian gilt iron bamboo stool with leopard velvet upholstery.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Blue & White Morning Glory Plate Vieillard Bordeaux
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Blue & White Morning Glory Plate Vieillard Bordeaux.
Diameter 8.8 inches.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Majolica Fishs Platter Choisy Le Roi, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Unusual Majolica platter with 3 fishes signed Choisy le Roi, circa 1880.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized walnut two tier side table with a pierced gallery
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut ebonized two-tier side table with turned legs, the lower shelf with raised pierced circular details.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement cane seated armchair
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement cane seated armchair by Morris and Co with circular cane seat. A variant is illustrated in the Liberty Yuletide Gifts catalogue.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cane
Faux Bamboo Wooden Two Drawer Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Faux Bamboo-style table desk with two drawers with patinated bronze hardware, resting on four gently tapered legs connected by an X-shaped stretcher base with a central decor...
Category
20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Late Victorian Bronze and Stain Leaded Glass Pendant Light / Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning design and amazing colors Victorian pendant light for the perfect ambiance.
If you are looking for a rare, beautiful and all handcraf...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Cast Fire Inserts with Mintons Aesop's Fables Tiles
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll in the style of.
A rare pair of Aesthetic Movement cast iron fire inserts, each with twelve Minton tiles, printed in blue and white with comical designs by John Moyr-Smith from Aesop's Fables.
The designs Moyr Smith drew on these tiles are known as:-
The Dog and his shadow.
The Fox & the Goat.
The Hare and the Tortoise.
The Frogs Who Wished for a King.
The Wolf and the Lamb...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Maple & Co London Bruce Talbert attr. Aesthetic Movement chest of five drawers.
By Maple & Co.
Located in London, GB
Maple and Co London, in the style of Bruce Talbert. A good quality Aesthetic Movement chest of drawers made from Walnut with a wonderful wild figure to the grain. Molded decoration t...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Grainger Worcester Porcelain Hand-Painted Grazing Cattle Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning English aesthetic movement porcelain vase hand-painted with a grazing cattle scene by renowned makers Grainger Worcester and dated 1893. The elegantly shaped and attractiv...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Aesthetic Movement Bronze Vases
Located in Newark, England
Decorated with Insects
From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer a pair of French Aesthetic Movement Bronze Vases. The Frenc...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-Century Modern, Murano Glass & Brass Floor Lamps
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of floor lamps, Murano, gray blue color, Modern, Brass structure. It is possible to dismantle the luminaire for transport. Base E 27 light bulb each. Each lamp has an incandesce...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
19th Century Pair of Large Cut-Glass Apothecary Jars with Faceted Finial Cover
Located in Carmel, CA
This pair of French goblet shape apothecary jars with covers are a matched set. The large-scale gives a formidable presence to the pair. The ringed base...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass
Antique Aesthetic Movement Tiger Maple Occasional Table English, 19th Century
Located in Lomita, CA
The beaded lunettes on this oval maple table are reminiscent of Moorish architecture; which the appraiser says was an influence of Aesthetic Movement furniture in England, which is w...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Maple
Royal Worcester, DR. CHR. Dresser, Elephant Handled Tureen, U.K., circa 1888
Located in Chatham, ON
Royal Worcester - Dr. Christopher Dresser (Attributed) - Antique English blue and white transfer decorated twin handled porcelain center...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Antique French Chinoiserie Majolica Faience Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of unique antique (early 20th century) French polychrome glazed earthenware (faience) vases mounted on brass pedestals for use as table lamps, featuring song birds in relief on ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Very Attractive Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Condiment Set in a Box, 1885
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1885 by Aldwinckle & Slater, this very attractive, Antique Sterling Silver Condiment Set, comprises a mustard pot and spoon, a salt shaker and a pepper shaker (engraved S...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Doulton Lambeth Faience Floral Painted Jug Signed
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive Doulton Lambeth Faience floral painted jug or pitcher by a listed but unidentified artist and dating from around 1880. The tall and ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
English Majolica Greenware Acorn Oak Leaf Twig Handled Deep Dish Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica green glazed leaf pattern deep server, England, circa 1870.
A serrate edged rectangular platter with open work twig form double handles. Beautiful mold work showing four ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Pedestal Bud Shaped Porcelain Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine Aesthetic Movement Royal Worcester bud shaped porcelain pedestal vase dated 1894. The vase stands raised on a domed square shaped base mounted on four molded leaf feet with a ...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Christopher Dresser Minton's Large Cake Platter
Located in Sharon, CT
The largest and most important piece from the Mintons series based on
the Christopher dresser flying cranes theme.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1920's Persian Sarouk Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77634, antique Persian Sarouk rug with old world Victorian style 03'05 x 04'11. With its beguiling beauty and rich jewel-tones, this hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug is p...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Oversize 19th Century English Chinoiserie Platter Bates Gildea & Walker
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize 19th century English Chinoiserie ironstone platter bates gildea & walker.
Kioto Pattern.
Earthenware and porcelain manufacturer at the Dale Hall Works, Longport, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
In 1878 James Gildea joined the partnership of Bates and Walker...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
1980s Maitland-Smith English Style Burnt Bamboo Chinoiserie Armoire / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale Maitland-Smith faux burnt bamboo armoire. This has English styling with its lacquered chinoiserie painted panels. The armoire has quite a bit of storage options...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Bohemian Aesthetic Movement Cased Blue and White Enameled Cut Glass Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Bohemian aesthetic period enameled and cut-to-clear art glass vase.
In two colors with a white cased top layer cut to reveal a blue ground in the style of the Moser or...
Category
19th Century Czech Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass
Antique Art Pottery Stoneware Dalton Lambeth Oil Lamp Signed Edith Lupton 1884
Located in Portland, OR
An exhibition quality Doulton Lambeth stoneware Aesthetic Movement oil lamp, Edith D Lupton, signed & dated 1884.
This very fine & large oil lamp was d...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th-C. English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo & Lacquer Cabinet / Etagere / Vanity
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a show stopper! This is a 19th century English burnt bamboo and Japanned lacquer cabinet. This could work in a bath or hall or kitchen or just about any where! This piece is ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
100 Pieces Limoges Service signed Charles Field Haviland Aesthetic Movement 1885
Located in Paris, FR
This 19th-century service is signed by world-well-known CFH-GDM Charles Field Haviland. His very high-quality porcelain with polychrome and hand-painted decoration "flowers and encha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Adams & Bromley English Majolica Geranium Motto Bread Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica glazed bread tray made by Adams & Bromley, circa 1875.
An oval tray with a rolled rim brown border showing a motto molded in raised ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Jas Shoolbred & Co. A pair of Aesthetic Movement dining or side chairs
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred and Co. A pair of Aesthetic Movement dining/side chairs with drop in rush seats.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Rush
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
George Jack for Morris and Co. A high Aesthetic Movement circular side table
Located in London, GB
George Jack for Morris and Co. A high Aesthetic Movement circular side table with a shaped top and shaped upper apron standing on six beautifully shaped legs, each with fine carved f...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
English Aesthetic Movement Pottery Japanese Dragon Jardinière on Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th/Early 20th century English Aesthetic Movement decorative jardinaire or planter stand featuring Japanese dragons. Beautifully glazed with a two tone finish of green with ric...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Wardle English Majolica Glazed Hand Holding Corn Spill or Posy Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica glazed spill vase from the Staffordshire pottery region of England, attributed to Wardle & Co. circa 1860.
The vase is molded as a woman’s hand holding an upright ear of...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Belgium Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Belgium Majolica oyster plate with pink flowers and green leaves Wasmuel, circa 1890.
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo And Rattan Wall Cabinet C.1890
Located in London, GB
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo And Rattan Wall Cabinet C.1890
In very good condition, commensurate with age. A replacement handle. (please refer to photos)
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Doulton Lambeth Pair Aesthetic Movement Floral Ewers by Alice Budden
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine pair Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth art pottery handled ewers decorated with floral and beaded designs by renowned artists Laura Green and Alice Budden and dated 1884. Th...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Aesthetic Movement Japanesque Cabinet Plate Attributed to Christopher Dresser
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine Aesthetic Movement porcelain cabinet plate decorated in the Japanesque style attributed to Christopher Dresser and dated 1877. The plate, possibly Minton, is finely made ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Richard Hunt. A Rare Silver Plated Six Piece Matching Tea and Coffee Service.
By Richard Hunt
Located in London, GB
Richard Hunt. A Rare Silver Plated six piece matching tea and coffee service.
Measurements :-
Tray width 20", height 1 1/4",
Teapot width handle to spout 9 1/2", height 5 1/2"
Spirit kettle width at base 6", height 11"
Coffee pot handle...
Category
1850s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Robert W Edis, An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair in the bamboo style
Located in London, GB
Robert William Edis. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair, ebonized on beech, in the bamboo style.
From 1883, Edis Architect extended and rebuilt Sandringham House in Norfolk fo...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Beech, Rush
Bradley and Hubbard Umbrella Stand
Located in Greenwich, CT
A cast iron umbrella stand by noted maker Bradley and Hubbard, having elaborate scrollwork decoration, twist holder and carrying handle, with wonde...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
c. 1880 Ashworth Ironstone Covered Sauce Tureen with Undertray
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880 Ironstone Covered Sauce Tureen with Undertray by Ashworth. Gilded "ropes" provide the finial & handles. Pattern 7707 in cobalt with elaborate gilt borders. Only the tureen...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ironstone
Faux Bois Bench
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
A charming garden accent, this cast iron faux Bois bench has been radically weathered to perfection. A testament to Janes, Beebe & Co foundry, one...
Category
1840s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Faience Oyster Plate, France, late 19th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
French Faience Oyster Plate, late 19th Century. Hand-painted porcelain, with six shell shaped oyster wells. Beautifully painted with a lavender center well.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique 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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