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
Hat For Table Lamp
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/425 - Lamp hat embroidered in silver tinsel: unique piece. It is suitable for a high floor or table lamp.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silk
Aesthetic Movement Walnut centre table with incised circular details to the legs
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut centre table with incised circular details to the legs, united by double cross stretchers.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
SUPER RARE ANTiQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT ARMCHAIR WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUES
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and totally original Aesthetic Movement, Victorian circa 1840-1860 Library armchair with ins...
Category
1840s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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 original Le Bon Marche stamped labe...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Syrian Inlaid Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a wonderfully creative Levantine or Syrian cabinet that dates to the late 19th century. It's style is reminiscent of the work of Carlo Bugatti. This cabinet is intricately de...
Category
Late 19th Century Syrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut eight leg centre table
By Henry William Batley, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed, in the style of H W Batley. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal Mahogany eight leg centre table with shaped supports below the top and four ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Whytock & Reid. A pair of Aesthetic Movement ebonized & parcel gilt side chairs.
Located in London, GB
Whytock & Reid of Edinburgh. A rare pair of high Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel gilt side chairs.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Tall Turned Rosewood Prickett Candleholders
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of tall, 27 inches turned Rosewood with a triangular base on ball feet. Beautifully turned and a very interesting grain pattern from light to dark. Lead filled base for...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Lead
Dr Christopher Dresser An ebonized and gilded pedestal torchère
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized and gilded pedestal torchère in the style of Dr C Dresser. The circular top has a Greek key pattern band, the main octagonal column has incised and gil...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A pair of small Aesthetic Movement oak sets of drawers with lockable side flaps.
Located in London, GB
A pair of small Aesthetic Movement oak sets of drawers, with carved alternating fern leaf decoration to the drawer fronts and ring pull brass handles. The hinged sides with lockable ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with a curvaceous back leather upholstery.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut Library armchair with a curvaceous back and nicely worn button back leather upholstery. The arms with double curves to the end of the armrests and floret...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Walnut side table wot-not-stand with half triangle shelves.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut tall side table wot-not-stand with a molded square top and a further full shelf below followed by staggered tri-angular shelves, from to bottom with fine...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Jaeger LeCoultre Vendome Atmos Clock
Located in Mérida, YU
A beautiful Jaeger LeCoultre mid century Vendome Atmos clock. This piece looks wonderful on a desk in a study, or on a mantelpiece or table. Very elegant. ...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate
19th Century English Victorian Aesthetic Bamboo Side Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A charming late 19th century English Victorian Aesthetic Movement side cabinet.
Hand-crafted in exotic Oriental Chinoiserie taste, featuring attractive lightly scorched tiger bamboo...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Glass
A Boucheron Paris 18k Gold Silver & Ruby Vermeil Minaudiere Circa 1940
By Boucheron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Boucheron Paris 18k Gold, Silver & Ruby Vermeil Minaudiere Circa 1940, of rectangular form with a hinged cover the top of the cover with pierced vermeil scrolling foliage the flow...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold, Silver
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. An Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair with ebonized dot details and chip carved details to the fra...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
E W Godwin for William Watt. An oak Shakespeare armchair. One of only four known
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin made by William Watt. An oak Shakespeare armchair. This armchair was part of the Shakespeare dining room suite in the Elizabethan-Revival style that Godwin designed for William Watt, which was illustrated in the Building News on 11 November 1881 Fig. 176.1. Four are currently known in existence, this one with an upholstered seat, two with solid seats in private collections, and the fourth is in a National Trust house. See The Secular Furniture of EW Godwin...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Bruce Talbert Gillows, Aesthetic Movement rosewood armchair with pink upholstery
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood armchair with a pink button back upholstered back and seat.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Brownfield & Sons. Olympus pattern. Dr C Dresser style. Aesthetic Movement bowl
Located in London, GB
Brownfield and Sons Olympus pattern, in the style of Dr C Dresser. A large Aesthetic Movement white bowl with blue printed love birds and stylized decoration around the bowl.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Category
1880s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Splendid Brown Transferware Cake stand, England, 1880s
Located in Milan, IT
Beautiful Gardens scene Brown Transferware Cake stand, England, 1880s
Category
1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
E W Godwin An Aesthetic Movement six leg walnut circular centre table
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin attributed. Made by Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement six leg walnut circular centre table with shaped radiating under supports and subtle shaped details to the ends...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Collinson & Lock EW Godwin attri. An Aesthetic Movement walnut side cabinet.
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock EW Godwin attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Mahogany side cabinet, the upper cupboard doors with contrasting fruit wood panels and little ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Liberty & Co armchair with a shaped back & mashrabiya turnings to the head rest.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co An Aesthetic Movement ebonized Moorish low armchair with a shaped back with mashrabiya turnings to the head rest and tapestry seat
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
E W Godwin attr for Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement walnut writing table
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock. Attributed to E W Godwin. An exceptional quality walnut writing table with five upper drawers each with swan neck handles standing on eight finely turned legs, ea...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
J P Hewitt. Aesthetic Movement circular plaque with a Pre-Raphaelite girls head.
Located in London, GB
J P Hewitt. An Aesthetic Movement circular plaque painted with a Pre-Raphaelite female head set in the original incised and ebonized period frame. Signed to the back.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
James Dixon, Dr C Dresser style of. A silver plated sugar bowl and milk jug
Located in London, GB
James Dixon, Dr C Dresser style of. An Aesthetic Movement silver-plated sugar bowl and milk jug, the jug with a trumpet style flower to the handle. H 5 x W 11 x D 11.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Aesthetic Movement Ash & fiddle back Ash wall cabinet inlaid with floral panels.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Ash and fiddle back Ash wall cabinet with a shaped and inlaid cornice and polychrome painted floral panels to the doors. The Ash wood has been stained to show d...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ash
Bruce Talbert An Aesthetic Movement Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement/Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box with carved lunettes, florets and incised turned details to the legs united with turnings ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Gillows of Lancaster An Aesthetic Movement ebonized circular side table
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized circular side table with carved sunflower floret to the top with three turned, carved and incised gilt decoration to the legs and t...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
R Boyd. in the style of Dr C Dresser. A pair of oak side chairs
Located in London, GB
R Boyd. in the style of Dr C Dresser. A pair of Aesthetic Movement oak side chairs with 1/4 moon details and double hoop stretchers. Furniture by R Boyd was illustrated in the Furnit...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Louis Maximilien Fiot : "Panthera", Terracota sculpture, edition Susse, C.
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Louis Maximilien FIOT (1886-1953, France) : « Lionne à sa toilette »
Patinated terracota sculpture of a lioness nobly standing on a rock
Old edition by Susse terracota workshop
Sig...
Category
1920s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
E W Godwin for Collinson & Lock An ebonised & parcel gilt side table chess table
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin attributed for Collinson & Lock. An ebonized and parcel gilt side table chess table with hand painted scenes on silk under an octagonal glass top. The silk has a little w...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Lambs of Manchester An Aesthetic Movement ebonized Walnut eight leg centre table
Located in London, GB
Lambs of Manchester. A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized walnut octagonal eight-leg centre table with a veneered macassar ebony top and a molded edge and shaped aprons below united by...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Macassar
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
R. W. Edis, probably made by Jackson & Graham A fine pair of Walnut side chairs
By Robert William Edis, Jackson & Graham
Located in London, GB
R. W. Edis, probably made by Jackson and Graham. A fine pair of Aesthetic Movement Walnut side chairs with fine ring turned and incised tramline details, and sweeping side supports. ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair Aesthetic Movement Club Chairs, Style of Herter Brothers.
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a striking pair of American Aesthetic Movement Parlor or Club Chairs in the style of Herter Brothers. These chairs are an unusual form of New York 19th century...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Victorian Glass Ball and Claw Black Ebonized Oak Table, circa 1870s
Located in Hastings, GB
Victorian glass ball and claw ebonised table
C'1870's
Beautiful ebonised side table with turned bobbin legs. There are 4 brass eagle claws holding ...
Category
1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
An Aesthetic Movement Elm stool with a 'S' handle, and a wild grain to the seat.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement period Elm stool with a 'S' shaped pierced handle, and a wonderful wild grain to the seat. Tight through and exposed joints to the four corners of the seat with...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Elm
Aesthetic Movement side table with sunflower & curved & straight side stretchers
Located in London, GB
A rare Aesthetic Movement walnut side table with two curved upper stretchers that unite to a central sunflower and a lower straight sided H stretcher that unites to the bottom of the...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
E W Godwin attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut octagonal centre table
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut octagonal center table with tramline molded edges with fine turnings to the legs united by a high stretcher and standing on Thebes...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement Satin walnut breakfront wall cupboard
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement Satin walnut breakfront wall cupboard with a dentil cornice, and Japanese basket weave detailing to the brass handle.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Unusual 19th C., Victorian Aesthetic Movement Petit Point Boot Jack
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, 19th century.
An unusual Victorian Aesthetic Movement petit point boot jack. The frame is constructed from walnut with gold painted detailing to the carved recessions. The ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
T E Collcutt for Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement walnut high back chair.
Located in London, GB
Thomas Edward Collcutt for Collinson & Lock. A fine quality Aesthetic Movement Walnut high back chair with later blue upholstery.
Illustrated in the Collinson and Lock catalogue.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Lamp Hat Embroidered in Silver Tinsel
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/423 - Unique piece : lamp hat embroidered in silver tinsel - It is suitable for a high floor or table lamp.
The price is very interesting because I want to close my activities.
...
Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silk
Collinson & Lock (attributed). A small Aesthetic Movement mahogany side table.
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock Attributed. A small Aesthetic Movement Mahogany side table with raised Japanese fretwork to the lower shelf.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Jas Shoolbred and Co (attributed) An octagonal oak side table with central shelf
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred attributed An octagonal oak side table with central shelf, carved circular details to the legs, united by lower cross stretchers.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Morris & Co. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut tallboy with internal sliding drawers.
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. A Superior Quality Aesthetic Movement Walnut tallboy, with a polished top and dentil molding below with fielded diamond shaped panels to the upper doors opening to rev...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Art Nouveau Brass Crystal Chandelier Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our exquisite smaller chandelier - a masterpiece of elegance and style that will fit seamlessly into any room. With its compact dimensions and stunning details, this chan...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century Pair of "King" Pattern Sterling Silver Spoons
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of "King" pattern sterling silver serving or table spoons, retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co., late 19th century. Most probably by Dominick & Haff. Light design wear...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Morris and Co. A superior quality Aesthetic Movement two tier walnut side table
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. Designed by George Jack.
A superior quality Aesthetic Movement two tier walnut side table, with a shaped apron below the top and f...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with a marquetry octagonal top
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with a marquetry octagonal top decorated with conch shells and a central star detail in various fruit woods, with ebonized string and cheque...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Phillip Webb A large Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co attributed. A larger than usual Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge or day bed, the upper turned armrests with typical Morris and ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Burne Jones for Morris & Co Hand painted tile of Chaucer's legend of good wimmen
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Edward Burne Jones for Morris & Co, designed in 1861-1862. A rare hand-painted tile depicting Chaucer's Legend of Good Wimmen. The Fiberite packing we found inside the frame probably...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Aesthetic Period Painting and Portfolio Easel, circa 1880
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a Victorian, late 19th century Aesthetic period walnut adjustable painting easel, with nicely carved fold-out portfolio at the base, decorated with satinwood i...
Category
1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
A 19th Century Antique French Pink Opaline Glass and Enamel Vase
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Antique French Pink Opaline cased glass hand decorated floral motif vase. The flared neck at the top flanked buy two handles with hand decorated enamel all over. The floral and butt...
Category
1870s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
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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