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
Decorative Small Floral Painted Ebonised Victorian Stool
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A delightful small Victorian hand painted stool.
Beautiful hand painted floral decoration, a great decorative piece.
In good sound condition.
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Art Pottery Vase by Emily Edwards 1875
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and exceptional Doulton Lambeth aesthetic movement stoneware vase decorated with stylized motifs by renowned designer and decorator Emily J Edwards and dated 1875.
Emily Edwards...
Category
1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Venice Vintage Chandelier Lustre Antique Big Flower Glass Brass
Located in Berlin, DE
Authentic preserved Venice chandelier:
Impeccably restored and revitalized
Step back in time with this original preserved chandelier from 1950. It has been carefully restored to emb...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
French Faux Bamboo Miniature Armoire
Located in Queens, NY
French Faux bamboo maple miniature armoire with a large mirrored door above a drawer with a pediment top
Category
20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
19th Century Majolica Pink and 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
Early 20th century Swedish bookcase cabinet by Sandberg & Co
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Swedish bookcase cabinet by Sandberg & co circa 1910.
Good quality 1 piece bookcase cabinet by swedish furniture makers sandberg of linköping.
Stepped top surfac...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass, Birch
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
Heals attributed. An Anglo-Japanese Aesthetic Movement three tier ebonized stand
By Heal's
Located in London, GB
Heals attributed. An Anglo-Japanese Aesthetic Movement three tier ebonized stand with fretwork decoration to the top and a raised and turned gallery to each of the lower tiers, with ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Delft Blue & White Pair of Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 18th century Delft blue & white pair of plates, Dutch. Elegant floral decoration with central floret & alternating border. 8.75" dia.
Whitehall Antiques is a family business th...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Delft
Austrian Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large unusual Austrian Majolica oyster plate, circa 1880.
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
$1,200 / item
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
Gillows. A fine Aesthetic Movement side cabinet with hand painted floral panels
Located in London, GB
Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement side cabinet with hand painted floral panels to the doors and drawers; with a turned gallery to the top and to the lower shelf.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
H Boulenger & Cie Exceptional Hand Painted Heavenly Scene Ceramic Plaque
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare French signed hand painted ceramic plaque with a signed heavenly scene by H Boulenger & Cie, Choisy dating from the 19th century. T...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
John Rose Coalport Prince of Wales Parian Bust, 1863
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine antique Coalport parian bust of the Prince of Wales sculpted by John Rose and dated 1863. Probably made to commemorate the forthcoming marriage of Albert Edward Prince...
Category
1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
c. 1860-80 Japanese Imari Oval Platter
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 Japanese Imari Oval Platter. Molded, raised leaves & fan ribs. Deep cobalt; the reserves with butterflies & birds.
12" x 10" ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Iconic Nest-Egg Hanging Chair
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The Nest Egg hanging chair swing seat is inspired from the organic forms in birds' nests and has a natural egg shape. The chair has been designe...
Category
2010s South African Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
$3,400 / item
Creil et Montereau French Barbotine Teal Blue Fluted Asparagus Plates, Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of four French barbotine majolica asparagus plates by Creil et Montereau, circa 1890. A beautiful iridescent teal blue glaze on fluted rims, with two raised asparagus spears, o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Wicker and Oak Library Table by Heywood Wakefield With Original Label
Located in Hudson, NY
Heywood Wakefield library table. With quarter sawn, oak top and woven wicker pedestal legs, apron, and stretcher. This wicker table drew on the Aesthetic Movement and Japanese influe...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Oak
19th Century Majolica Pink and 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
Majolica, Ceramic
Aesthetic Movement Marine Motif Stoneware Bowl by Doulton Lambeth, circa 1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Aesthetic Movement Marine Motif Stoneware Bowl by Doulton Lambeth, circa 1880
A rare and visually arresting Victorian stoneware centerpiece bowl by Doulton Lambeth, dating to the Ae...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
English Aesthetic Tortoise Bamboo Hall Shelf Magazine Rack
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous English aesthetic movement bookstand with a display shelf and a large magazine rack or canterbury. Beautifully crafted from tortoise shell bamboo poles. The stand has a smal...
Category
20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Minton Porcelain Cabinet Plate Attributed to Christopher Dresser, 1880
By Minton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A superb and stylish Aesthetic Movement Minton porcelain cabinet plate decorated with birds, flowering hawthorn and other designs attributed t...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Art Deco Cut Crystal & Silver Plate Inkwell Signed Cross
Located in New York, NY
Add a touch of historical elegance to your desk with this Art Deco Cut Crystal & Silver Plate Inkwell, signed by Cross, England, from the early 20th century. This exquisite inkwell e...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
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
French Majolica Elephant Delphin Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Elephant Delphin Massier, circa 1890.
Measures: Height / 5.4 inches.
Length / 6.7 inches.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
French Set Of 12 Faience Blue & White Architectural Dinner Plates, Gien, C.1900
By Gien
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrived!
This beautiful and rare French Set of 12 Faience Blue & White Architectural design Dinner Plates.
There are three different designs of Architectural ruins in Blue on a ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faience
$2,376 Sale Price / set
48% Off
Wedgwood Majolica Large Tortoiseshell Shell Shaped Server Majolica Serving Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, an English majolica scallop shell shaped seafood serving dish, date marked 1889.
Showing the mottled tortoiseshell glazing of greens, amber, and brown. The mold refl...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
American Aesthetic/Japonisme Sterling Mounted Root Cane Attributed to Gorham
By Gorham CO.
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
$1,920 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Jas Shoolbred Attri, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal shaped centre table
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred Attri, An Aesthetic Movement Octagonal Shaped Centre Table with lower shelf and turned cross stretchers below.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
An Aesthetic Movement low side chair with fretwork to the lower back rest
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement low side chair with fretwork to the lower back rest, this has shrunk and cracked a little but still quite useable. With unusual high, turned stretcher supports ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Tiffany & Co Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Cream and Sugar Set
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Antique Tiffany & Co Aesthetic Movement sterling silver cream and sugar. This striking 19th century matched cream and sugar set was mad...
Category
1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Zabihi Collection Antique Peach Oushak Square Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century antique Turkish Oushak rug. Soft peach field and powder blue border.
Measures: 11'6'' x 13'.
Category
20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Piano Sponnagel Circa 1900 With Its Seat
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Sponnagel piano circa 1900 with its seat
Very beautiful work of sculpture and beautiful work of wooden marquetry
Very beautiful patina and in very good condition
The piano is in wo...
Category
Late 19th Century Polish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Tantalus Wine Cradle by Hukin & Heath in the Christopher Dresser Style
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Aesthetic Movement silver plate Tantalus Wine Cradle (1834-1904) made by Hukin & Heath, Birmingham, England and done in the style of Christopher Dresser.
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Italian Adjustable Wooden Lounge Chair, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian adjustable wooden lounge chair with wave formed armrest in black tinted wood.
Italy 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
$3,011 Sale Price
36% Off
Circa 1880-1910 Japanese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880-1910 Japanese cloisonne vase. Fine, elegant example. Silver mounted & silver wire. Marked on base rim CLOISONNE. Base of lapet reserves of dragons & phoenix birds. Floral ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Etagere
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement bamboo and lacquered etagere / canterbury, circa 1910. With bamboo frame work and lacquered panels. The lower section is a magazin...
Category
1910s European Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
English Sheffield Silver & Oak Handled Salad Fork & Spoon Serving Pair, c. 1886
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of silver plated servers with English Oak handles, Sheffield, England, circa 1890.
Showing the markings for Hammond, Creake & Co., Sheffie...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver
English Transferware Iris Plate Cauldon Circa 1904
Located in Austin, TX
English Transferware Iris Plate signed Cauldon Circa 1904
Cauldon Ltd (Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co)
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Stained Glass Rectangular Wood Framed Window
Located in Guaynabo, PR
An old stained glass window designed as a bell shaped arc that is decorated in the center with a green leave wreath with flirtatious pink ribb...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass
Christopher Dresser Richard Hodd & Sons Large Copper Jug
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and exceptional aesthetic movement copper ale jug designed by renowned designer Christopher Dresser for Richard Hodd & Sons dating from around 1880....
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Townsend & Co Aesthetic Movement Brass and Copper Bamboo Candlesticks
By Townsend & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish pair Townsend & Co Aesthetic Movement candlesticks with mock bamboo supports dating from circa 1890. The candlesticks are finely made with rounded stepped domed heavy ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Sheffield Dickinson El Dorado Steel and Wood Handled Long Butchers Knife
By Dickinson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A 16 inch long butchers knife, a carbon steel blade with an unusual carved wood tapered handle, Sheffield, England.
The blade is marked: The El Dorado...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cut Steel
1930’s Persian Turkoman Carpet with Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78216 Vintage Persian Turkoman Rug, 02'01 x 03'06. Crimson shadows and midnight tones converge in this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Turkoman ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$639 Sale Price
20% Off
Aesthetic Style Carved Hoof Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
One of a kind aesthetic style ebonized table with black marble top and turned spindled finial sphere base supported by four hand carved hooved legs.
Category
Late 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Majolica Bird Plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica bird plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver-Gilt Calling Card/Business Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period/Aesthetic Movement calling card/business card case with hinged lid and original chain, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode island, Ca. 1875. The case is...
Category
1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver
Pair of Fine Antique English Aesthetic Movement Lolling Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of English lolling chairs with noteworthy carved and turned oak frames, circa 1870s. Custom upholstered in brown tone-on-tone raised fabric ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Majolica Parakeets Garniture Set Vases & Jardinière Sarreguemines, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Parakeets Garniture set with 2 vases and a jardinière planter signed Sarreguemines, circa 1880.
Model 7122.
Measures: Jardinière / Height 6.2", length 11" on 6".
Vases / ...
Category
1880s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Snail Platter Luneville
By Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
Unusual 19th century Majolica Snail Platter attributed to Luneville.
Decorated with grapes.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
English Bamboo Round Occasional Table from the Aesthetic Movement
Located in Austin, TX
A fine collector's quality English bamboo round occasional or side table from the Aesthetic Movement period, c.1870-1910, featuring a circular top with bamboo fretwork surrounding a ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
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
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Mantle Clock
Located in Ross, CA
Aesthetic movement mantle clock made in France in the late 19th century. The face is blue and white hand painted enamel centered over blue and white porcelain. The round case which i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$360 Sale Price / item
47% Off
19Th. C. Cashmere Shawl Upholstered On Faux Bamboo Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a wonderful French 19Th. C. Cashmere Shawl that has been Upholstered on Faux Bamboo wood Bench
The shall is circa 1880-1900, in very good condition,
Very good condition, cons...
Category
1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Faux Bamboo
$1,496 Sale Price
39% Off
1970's Turkish Kilim Rug with Minimalist Style
By William Baziotes, Le Corbusier
Located in Dallas, TX
52624 Vintage Turkish Kilim Rug, 10'10 x 13'10. A rare and refined artifact of artistic evolution, this vintage Turkish kilim rug stands at the crossroads of Modernism and Anatolian ...
Category
Late 20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Mahogany And Brass Music Cabinet in Aesthetic Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall mahogany music cabinet with brass racks for music or magazines. The top with brass supports with art deco style brass decorative plaques. framing functional brass bars. Below ...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
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.