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.
to
128
381
127
521
176,782
35,613
27,431
22,218
10,129
8,461
5,530
5,156
4,427
3,645
3,636
2,477
2,426
2,151
1,567
1,553
1,442
1,004
12
1,139
521
166
230
163
69
50
13
12
10
7
10
17
16
9
6
179
142
140
87
79
252
131
106
74
68
521
521
521
11
8
6
5
4
Style: Aesthetic Movement
Period: 20th Century
European Stone Lithographic German Poster by Franz Stuck Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This 1911 German authentic and original European original stone lithograph custom framed poster is by Franz von Stuck. The paper has gold leaf on it. This is a rare poster and very f...
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
1950's Turkish Oushak Carpet with Modern Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52145 Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug Runner, 03'05 x 12'03. Woven like a verse from the earth’s own hymnal, this hand knotted wool vintage Turkish Oushak runner unfolds with soulful inte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$3,199 Sale Price
20% Off
1900’s Turkish Oushak Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76656 Antique Red Turkish Oushak Rug, 11'08 x 16'02. Antique red Turkish Oushak rugs from the 1900s originate from Oushak in western Turkey, renowned for its rich rug-making heritage...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Persian Sarouk Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75656, a vintage Sarouk accent rug. This stunning rug features a cornflower central floral medallion centred with an amulet on an oval field of cream dotted with crimson leaves blooming with indigo flowers and lotus, resting on a crimson background. The rug is bordered with a meandering vine and floral motif banded with three thin guard borders of geometric designs. The brightly colored palette of this charming rug would make an enchanting addition to any home. Used as: Entry rug, Foyer rug, Entryway rug, Persian kitchen mat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$1,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Persian Malayer Runner with Aesthetic Movement and Craftsman Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74473, antique Persian Malayer runner with aesthetic movement and craftsman style. This hand knotted wool antique Persian Malayer runner displays an all-over repetitive pattern of op...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$3,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Distressed Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
51452 Distressed Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug, 08'03 x 10'02. Borne from the looms of western Anatolia, this hand-knotted wool vintage Turkish Oushak rug is a weathered poem in thread ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$4,479 Sale Price
24% Off
1920’s Ivory Persian Malayer Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73321 Antique Persian Malayer Rug 03'04 x 06'05.
This hand knotted wool antique Persian Malayer rug features the stylized Mina Khani design. A lively geometric all-over pattern of po...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Turkish Oushak Runner with Traditional Style, Wide Hallway Runner
Located in Dallas, TX
52178 Vintage Turkish Oushak Gallery Rug, 04'06 X 10'11. Rooted in the grandeur of Anatolia’s weaving traditions, this hand-knotted wool vintage Turkish Oushak rug unfolds like an he...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,239 Sale Price
42% Off
1950's Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
50929 Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug Runner, 03'00 x 09'08. Like a woven page from Anatolia’s storied past, this hand-knotted wool vintage Turkish Oushak runner stretches forth in quiet ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,228 Sale Price
24% Off
Antique Persian Malayer Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
76558 Antique Brown Persian Malayer Rug Runner, 03'02 x 13'00. Long, narrow hand-knotted wool rugs, Antique Persian Malayer rug runners hail from Malayer, Iran, revered for their age...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Ferro Art Gold Leaf Wall Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb and rare pair of gilt iron wall lights of large proportions, by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950's.
Detailed gilt leaves profusely decorate the lights, while the two single bulb l...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
$2,461 / set
Large Orientalist Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large, early 20th century orientalist painting. Oil on canvas. No trace of signature.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Model 17 Bentwood High Back Armchair by Michael Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
This model 17, bentwood side chair with a cane seat and back was designed by Michael Thonet for his own company in the 1860s. This example was produced in the 1970s and is in a very ...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
Large Scale Meiji Japanese Bronze Table Lamp W/ Floral Candelabra Mounts
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese, circa 1900.
A pair of antique Japanese bronze table lamps. The lamps feature a detailed body showcasing applied lotus blossom and bird motifs to center, traditional Japanese motifs throughout and good quality guardian handles to each.
These have a very unusual blossom floral and vine...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,116 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large Terrestrial Globe From Handels Und Verkehrsglobus 69cm High
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb terrestrial globe by Handels Und Verkehrsglobus from the beginning of the 20th century from Leipzig
Very large model which has a height of 69 cm and a very beautiful blackene...
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
Large Orientalist Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large, early 20th century orientalist painting. Oil on canvas. No trace of signature.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Demure Watercolor of Woman In Thoughtful Pose
Located in Round Top, TX
An enigmatic portrait of a demure woman in a thoughtful pose.
Deep, rich gouache and watercolor original painting, framed in the mid-20th century. Artwork appears to be slightly old...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper, Wood
Unique Pair of Faux Rosewood Clarinet Form Table Lamps
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Faux rosewood base. Clarinet body. 37 3/4" h x 5 1/2" diameter.
Condition
Good condition. We recommend all lighting be rewired.
Category
1970s European Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$796 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of French Victorian Green Limoges Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Victorian green Limoges porcelain and gilt trimmed vases with lady and cupid scene (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
English Armchair In Dark Green Leather
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful English leather armchair with a mahogany base
Very beautiful armchair covered with green leather which has a very beautiful patina
The armchair rests on a solid mahog...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather
Midcentury Water Color from Axl Leskoschek, Original Frame, 1946, Austria
Located in Vienna, Austria
Axl Leskoschek, an Austrian artist was born on September 3rd 1889 in Graz, Austria. He died on February 12, 1976 in Vienna, Austria.
He began his studies with Law but in 1917 he had...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint
$1,343 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by Ludovic Janssen
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique framed oil painting on canvas by Ludovic Janssen (1888-1954) is an unusual work being a landscape in a square format. Janssen has used the emerging spring growth of the fores...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Paintings, Sand, Color, Elio Garis 2012
Located in Nice, FR
Elio was born in Vigone, Italy in 1954, where he still lives and works. After graduating from school, he began to paint and exhibited for the first time, in 1975, at the Floriana Gal...
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Natural Fiber
$3,837 / set
Black and Gold Haberdashery Draper Shop Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black and Gold Haberdashery Draper Shop Cabinet
This is a Large Chest of Drawers, it has an unusual combination of 12 long square drawers, the drawers have original brass Lions Mas...
Category
1930s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century English Bamboo and Leather Chair
Located in Bellport, NY
A beautiful bamboo chair with free form feet and finial tops. Leather seat with antique brass nail heads. Probably dated circa 1890.
Category
20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Leather
Antique French Esthetic Two-Armed Bronze Sconces with 'Swirl', 1900s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Exquisitely crafted pair of French two-armed sconces with superb detailing. Originally made as wall-candelabras. No alterations to the construction has been made so they are easily c...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,722 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Rifle Floor Lamp With Its Lampshade
Located in Brussels, Brussels
floor lamp with a wrought iron base and an infantry rifle from the early 20th century and a lampshade
Original and unique piece formed with a very beautiful wrought iron base as well...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Persian Rug Knotted Wool, Handmade, 20 ° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb hand-knotted Persian rug in blue colors -20th century. Measure: 302cm-378cm.
Category
20th Century Jordanian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Aesthetic Movement Trinket Box, circa 1900
Located in Spencertown, NY
The box with scenes of lilliputian figures
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Oil on cardboard “View of the Villefranche coast”Rene Charles Edmond His
Located in Valladolid, ES
This Amazinf and beautiful work by René His transports you to the Villefranche coast, an idyllic corner of southern France, where nature is displayed in all its splendor. The painti...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
$3,069 Sale Price
34% Off
Hartford Silverplate Aesthetic Movement Tilting Water Pitcher on Stand with Cups
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Arts & Crafts silver plate beverage dispenser on stand with cups, by the Hartford silver plate Co., CT. Large tilting beverage dispenser on ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Persian Rug With Red Decor
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful hand-woven Persian rug
Superb color in red tones
Category
Early 20th Century Turkmen Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
Subtle Turkish Anatolian floral pattern rug from the 20th century
Measures: 2'6'' x 5'3''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$1,375
Vintage Murano Opaline Glass Pair of Elegant Lamps
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Unusual model for these beautiful elegant old Murano lamps, suitable for a sitting room or a sleeping room.
I recommend making hats when they arrive, so You can make them as You wish...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
$2,014 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Sculptural Bronze Lamp with Dual Patina Representing Indra on Airavata, Thailand
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
We present to you an exceptional piece of art, a sculptural bronze lamp dating from the mid-20th century, which majestically combines traditional Thai craftsmanship with a mythologic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Hallmarked English Successionist Style Porcelain Water Jug and Centrepiece Bowl
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulously designed successionist style hallmarked English set of porcelain pieces dates from the early 1950's yet has a modern flair.
It is successionist meets serpent Egyptian...
Category
1950s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Anatolian Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a Turkish Anatolian rug.
16'' x 17''
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
$159 Sale Price
20% Off
Orange Peel Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
Orange peel colored Midcentury Turkish Anatolian rug.
Category
1940s Turkish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Petite Wood Armchairs With Cord Seats, a Pair
Located in Greensboro, NC
A Pair of Petite Wood Armchairs With Cord Seats. Likely French.
22"w x 19"d x 34" x17.5" seat height
seat width 18" seat depth 15.5"
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Papercord, Wood
Original Paintings by Jacob Semiatin
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
These three abstract paintings by Jacob Semiatin (1915-2003) are in wooden frames. Sold one by each.
Category
1950s Irish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint
$5,995 / item
Antique Tri Color Cut Glass Perfume Bottle with Atomizer
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antque cut glass tri color perfume bottle with atomizer. Green glass background with lilies in Art Nouveau design. Great decorative and collectible piece.
Category
1940s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass
Pair of Lamps, Murano Glass, Pebbles, 20th
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of Murano glass lamps, emerald color, similar to pebbles. They are mounted in lamps with a white lampshade. An E 27 base bulb.
Pair of very elegant lamps.The originality is the...
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
$4,556 / set
Unique Piece, Table, Palm Trunk, XXth
Located in Nice, FR
Realization of a table from a palm tree trunk. The legs of the table are carved in the mass.
To obtain the hardness of the wood, it is soaked in salt water and then dried in the sun...
Category
20th Century Maghreb Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Palmwood
Mirror 1970, style, Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Nice, FR
Rectangular mirror in speckled maple from the 1970s in the style of Willy Rizzo. In the center a mirror. Four in brass.
Beautiful workmanship. Very good above a chest of drawers or ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Mid-Century set of 4 Large Scale Four Seasons Paintings
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century set of 4 Large Scale Four Seasons Paintings were designed for a French bakery, and beautifully and colorfully represent the Four Seasons, with the seasons' names painted ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint
Silver Overlay Glass Patisserie Pedestal Stand
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant patisserie stand with flowers printed in silver on the glass: named "overlay", classical American object for the table service.
O/. 1770.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Chinese Rustic "Root" Table
Located in San Marino, CA
19th century Chinese rustic root table, made from natural tree timbers. Sturdy and appealing country styling is obvious in this table from the Qing period,...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,880 Sale Price
41% Off
Stylish Aesthetic Blacksmith Made Large Ballon Light A stunning one off design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Stylish Aesthetic Blacksmith Made Large Ballon Light
A stunning one off design, the light comes from France it is hand made in the shape of a flying balloon, it is created with meta...
Category
1980s Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by De Kok
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Framed oil painting on canvas by De Kok showcases the artist's firm grasp on creating the tranquility of an intriguing landscape composition using color and contrast resultin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Mosaic table, iron foot, 1960, unique piece
Located in Nice, FR
Table or pedestal table with a mosaic top, iron base, all made in the old fashioned way, in an antique way, the mosaics are highlighted, unique piece.
The outline of the mosaic tray...
Category
1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Early 20th Century Rare Coromantel, Ebony and Satinwood Display Cabinet
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A stylish and rare Coromantel, Ebony and Satinwood display cabinet.
The interior lined with Satinwood and fitted with two glass shelves. The frame made of Coromantel wood with dec...
Category
Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
19th Century Copper and Brass Plant Pot Bucket or Wine Cooler
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century copper and brass plant pot bucket or wine cooler
This is a lovely looking 19th Century planter it is made in brass with riveted copper ...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Tall Pale Grey french Opaline Lamps
Located in Westport, CT
Extra tall Pair French Opaline and Brass trim Lamps Rare size and highly unusual color.Think they photograph slightly darker than in person,slight difference in the brass fittings as...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
$5,900 / set
Pair of Cast Iron Aesthetic Doorknob Rosettes, Early 20th C.
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century cast iron Aesthetic style doorknob rosettes. The patinas vary slightly because one has a nickel finish and the other has an antique bronze finish. Priced as a pair...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Large Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons 28” Tall By 22” deep and 16” wide. Each andiron is one piece. Great condition with just s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Bronze sculpture " Golfer" on green marble base. Levan Vardosanidze. 1990s.
Located in Köln, NW
Elegant and abstract Bronze sculpture "Golfer" on a green marble base by Levan Vardosanidze, Georgia 1999.
The georgian sculptor, born 1957 in Tiflis studied at the Academy there.
He...
Category
1990s Baltic Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1960's Muted Persian Viss Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
61189 Vintage Persian Viss Rug, 06'07 x 10'01. This hand-knotted wool distressed vintage Persian Viss rug evokes a sense of quiet elegance, where ancient tribal artistry meets timele...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$4,704 Sale Price
31% Off
1950's Turkish Angora Wool Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53832 Vintage Turkish Angora Wool Kilim Blanket Rug, 04'05 x 06'05. Woven in the rugged highlands of southeastern Turkey, this handwoven Turkish Angora kilim...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool, Angora
$1,288 Sale Price
30% Off
1960's Persian Malayer Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
61107 Vintage Persian Malayer Rug, 10'08 x 14'03. Embark on a captivating journey through the annals of time and tradition with this meticulously hand-knotted wool masterpiece – a vi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
$10,956 Sale Price
20% Off
1950's Turkish Angora Wool Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53861 Vintage Turkish Angora Wool Blanket Kilim Rug, 02'07 x 03'10. Woven like twilight caught in motion, this handwoven Turkish Angora kilim rug pulses with the untamed energy of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool, Angora
$895 Sale Price
30% Off
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.