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Aesthetic Movement Furniture

AESTHETIC MOVEMENT

In 1880, polymath designer William Morris declared: “If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” His words encapsulated the Aesthetic Movement, which prized beauty above all and blurred the lines between fine art and the decorative arts, particularly through lavishly crafted furniture pieces.

The Aesthetic Movement, whose major proponents included author Oscar Wilde, flourished from the 1860s to the 1880s and was mostly popular in England and the United States. Design expositions like the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, as well as the publishing of how-to books for interior design, helped disseminate Aesthetic Movement bedroom furniture, serveware, coffee tables and other items, especially to the middle class.

The establishment of new art museums, art clubs and a rising passion for collecting at the time contributed to a growing appreciation for art. Morris’s founding of Morris & Co. in 1862 and the commercializing of this “cult of beauty” by the Liberty store in London, starting in the late 19th century, further disseminated the idea of a domestic space that was thoughtfully and floridly designed.

Leading Aesthetic Movement furniture designers included E.W. Godwin, who drew on Japanese influences and whose work reflected a wider enthusiasm for imported East Asian art. British designer Christopher Dresser created textiles, ceramics and more that were also inspired by Japanese decorative art but were representative of additional diverse design sources that ranged from Egypt to Mexico.

The Aesthetic Movement’s eclecticism resulted in dazzling interiors. Japanese fans were positioned on Renaissance-inspired cabinets with brass hardware, while mantels made of rich walnut or finely carved ebonized wood and adorned with painted Minton tiles mingled with cast-iron chairs against a backdrop of floral wallpaper. In 1881, in New York City, stenciled checkerboard motifs and painted floral murals could be found under an opalescent glass chandelier in a luxurious dressing room designed by German émigré cabinetmaker-decorator George Alfred Schastey. Amid the rise of the industrial age, the style’s promotion of art in everyday life would inform the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau.

Find a collection of antique Aesthetic Movement seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture and antiques on 1stDibs.

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Style: Aesthetic Movement
Returnable Items Only
Plaster light, Giacometti style with four branches
Located in Nice, FR
Plaster lamp in the style of Giacometti Composed of four branches. The luminaire is electrified in working order. Base E 27
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Plaster

19th c. Meriden Brittania Silver Plate Tray c.1860-1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT 19th century large Aesthetic Movement silver plate tray with handles. Marked "Meriden B* Company Quadruple Plate 8220" to underside of tray. CREATOR Meriden B* Company, ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Bevan. Marsh Jones & Cribb. An Aesthetic Movement walnut ebonized card table
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan, made by Marsh Jones and Cribb. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut ebonized card table with fold over top retaining the original red baize on turned legs united by a double w...
Category

1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Dr C Dresser for Benham & Froud. A pair of Aesthetic Movement brass fire dogs.
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser for Benham and Froud stamped mark. A pair of Aesthetic Movement brass fire dogs with sunflower heads on elegant shaped necks.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Victorian Designer E W Godwin Aesthetic Movement Jappaned Abstract Elbow Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Rare E W Godwin Aesthetic Movement Jappaned Low Elbow Arm Chair With Anglo Japonesque Geometric Back On Hand Turned Legs Auctioneer has given attribution. Victorian architect-desi...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech

Antique French Limoges Ball & Potter Hand Painted Floral & Gilt Porcelain Vase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Limoges Aesthetic Movement Ball & Potter Hand Painted Floral & Gilt Double Handled Porcelain Vase with Blackberries c1890 Measures - 9"h x 6.25"w x 4.5"d
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of porcelain “swallow” vases , L'Escalier de Cristal, France, 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of Chinese porcelain vases. On a blue background of stylized clouds, two cartouches display a design of pairs of swallows flying among flowering branches. The reverse ...
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Mahogany Side Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
19th century square walnut side table raised on four exquisite barley twist legs. Detailed, carved stretchers with urn-shaped carved finial and brass ball and claw...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

English Paisley Upholstered Storage Ottomans, a Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of petite English upholstered storage ottomans on tiny castors. The paisley fabric is in very good condition as is the pink ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Atkin Brothers Sheffield England Stag Horn Handle & Silver Plate Table Crumber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Henry Atkin & Co. a natural Stag Horn handled table crumber, Sheffield, England, circa 1900. The extra-plated silver crumber shows a beaded edge,...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Powell, Bishop & Stonier - Aesthetic Transfer Decorated Pitcher - U.K. - C. 1880
By Powell, Bishop & Stonier
Located in Chatham, ON
POWELL, BISHOP & STONIER (Manufacturer) - Beatrice No. 4 (Product Line) - Rare and exceptional Aesthetic Movement ceramic pitcher / vase - two color transfer decorated featuring fern...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

New Contemporary Moroccan Brutalist Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
81079 Modern Brutalist Moroccan Rug, 09'04 x 11'09. Introducing the epitome of avant-garde elegance, our hand knotted wool Modern Moroccan area rug seamlessly blends the bold essence...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Fine Hawkes Cut Crystal & Sterling Silver Ornithological Motif Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
T.G. Hawkes & Co. was founded in 1880 by Thomas Gibbons Hawkes in Tiffin Ohio. This exquisite cut crystal and sterling silver box by Hawkes features a beautifully detailed ornithol...
Category

20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Bamboo Wardrobe, c. 1900
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming late 19th century English bamboo wardrobe or armoire. All elements of the wardrobe are original and in very good condition. The war...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Reed, Wood

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

19th Century Victorian Aesthetic Movement Silver Tea Service, circa 1880
By Joseph, Albert, Horace & Ethelbert Savory, Goldsmiths Alliance Ltd.
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century Victorian Aesthetic movement solid silver tea and coffee service, comprising of a hot water kettle, coffee pot, teapot, sugar bowl, cream jug and tray. The set i...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Giacometti Style Plaster Light Fixture, 6 Lights, France
Located in Nice, FR
Plaster luminaire with 6 branches (E27 base) in the style of Giacometti. Elegant and sober. The luminaire is electrified.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Plaster

H W Batley attr. Jas Shoolbred Pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech chairs
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Henry William Batley attributed for Jas Shoolbred & Co. A pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech side chairs. Stamped under the seat Jas Shoolbred and the production number 820
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech

Bruce Talbert Style, Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chair with Elongated Turnings
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert in the style of. Probably made by Gillows of Lancaster. A good quality Aesthetic Movement dining or side chair with elongated turnings to the back.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Sarreguemines French Barbotine Majolica Trompe l'Oeil Melon Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Majolica covered tureen in the shape of a trompe l’oeil melon by Sarreguemines, circa 1900. Molded in the form of a large yellow melon with green vines and leaves. The li...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Wood Sculpture Display Pedestal, Circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic Movement sculpture pedestal offers ebonized wood construction with found upper display over column having car...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Fives-Lille De Bruyn Morning Glory & Butterfly Wall Pockets, 1890, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of majolica glazed French Morning Glory wall pockets, Fives-Lille, circa 1890. Fives-Lille was founded by the Belgian potter, Antione Gustave De Bruyn. He opened his pottery...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Minnie G Thompson Doulton Lambeth Pigment Painted Vase, 1883
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very unusual Aesthetic Movement biscuit fired Doulton Lambeth stoneware vase pigment hand-painted with stylized foliage and geometric designs by Minnie G Thompson...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Henry Stacy Marks Minton Aesthetic Movement Pottery Beer Jug
By Henry Stacy Marks
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Henry Stacy Marks Minton Aesthetic Movement Pottery Beer Jug A fine Minton Aesthetic Movement pottery beer jug probably designed by Christoph...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Majolica Turquoise Asparagus Plate Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
19th century rare Majolica turquoise asparagus plate, Luneville unsigned. Every important French manufactures produced at the end of the 19th century asparagus and artichoke sets. Re...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic, Faience

Dr Christopher Dresser for Benham and Froud. A pair of brass fire dogs
Located in London, GB
C Dresser for Benham & Froud, a pair of brass fire implement rests.
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Hand-Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl by Meriden Britannia Co '1893'
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Hand hammered sterling silver poppy motif bowl in the Aesthetic taste by the Meriden Britannia Co. Meriden, Connecticut, after 1893.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

1890s Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century 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

Fulham Pottery Aesthetic Movement Salt Glazed Jug by John Pollard Seddon
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good and finely decorated Aesthetic Movement stoneware jug decorated with fan shape and floral designs by John Pollard Seddon and dating from around 1880. The jug stands on a round...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Theresienthal enamel decanter and two liqueur glasses c1907
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Super Theresienthal set -a large clear and enamel decanter and two small liqueur glasses, decorated in green and yellow translucent enamel swags and garlands in a classic Aesthetic M...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Large French Tazza Etched Cristal Pedestal Fruit Dish
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large French Tazza etched crystal pedestal fruit dish A beautiful piece of etched crystal showing pictures of fruits, the dish stands on a heavy steppe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Chop Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Chop Plate. Featuring exceptionally flaring swirls of diapered reserves to a central mons floret. Arita & Kutani influences abound...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A pair of bronze panels / gates from a bank C 1910.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair bronze panels from a bank C 1910. Would make a great entry for your home or wine cellar. Each gate / panel / door comprised of 9 turned bars within a picture rail style frame.
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Aesthetic Movement Grainger Worcester Sucrier Dated 1899
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An Aesthetic Movement Grainger Worcester sucrier with a fitted silver plated swing handle Stand dated 1899. The very finely made porcelain sucrier has a ribbed flower bud shaped body...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Aesthetic Brass & Opalescent Hobnail Glass Hanging Library Lamp C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Aesthetic Brass & Opalescent Hobnail Glass Hanging Library Lamp with Foliate and Bird Elements, Electrified, C1890 Measures- 42.75"H x 15.5"W ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique oil painting "Flowers of the Field" signed, Second Half of the 19th century, France
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This splendid French oil painting was made with a remarkable painting technique that allows the artist to achieve a high degree of naturalistic rendering.Put in relation to the chron...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Royal Worcester Aesthetic / Japonisme Handkerchief Vase, 1876
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Royal Worcester Aesthetic / Japonisme handkerchief vase, 1876 A fine example of the English Aesthetic Movement, realistically modeled of spa...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

George Jones Palissy English Majolica Lobster Pâté Basketweave Covered Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica Lobster covered pâté tureen by George Jones, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1870. A scarce and highly desirable piece with collectors, a Palissy style oval basketweave ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

An Aesthetic Movement brass mirror with stylized peacocks perched on a branch
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement brass mirror with stylized Peacocks perched on a branch decorated to each side and retaining the original bevelled mirror.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gillow and Co. Oak Octagonal Table, England, circa 1860
Located in Oxford, GB
Description Stamped and numbered oak octagonal drum Gillow and Co. pedestal table, circa 1860. Untouched and 100% authentic with just shy of 160 years of...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Persian Bakhtiari Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73095 Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug 10'02 x 11'10. In this masterfully hand-knotted antique Persian Bakhtiari rug, the story of a tribe is written not with ink, but with wool—each kn...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

New Silent Diamond Serenade Contemporary Moroccan Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
31271 New Silent Diamond Serenade Modern Moroccan Rug, 09'01 x 12'00. The Silent Diamond Serenade Modern Moroccan Rug offers a mesmerizing interplay of simplicity and elegance, draw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Bellevue Rye Floral Design Art Pottery Teapot & Cover
By Rye Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare antique art pottery teapot and cover decorated with floral designs from the Bellevue pottery in Rye, Sussex and dating from the 19th century. Typical of Rye pottery...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Wedgwood Green Glazed Majolica Handled Leaf and Basket Shallow Bowl Server, 1869
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, Burslem, England, a green majolica glazed shallow bowl server with a fringed leaf on a basket weave pattern, date marked 1869. A leaf shaped mold with a pierced twig handle, showing a large fringed edged leaf on a basketweave ground. Realistically molded with the woven basket forming the shaped rim. Lovely pooled deep spring...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Mahogany Of 3 Elements With Small Cabinet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London mahogany bookcase from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England which has 3 elements with the upper element composed of a small ca...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Russian, Hammered Brass & Copper Serving Tray
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A RUSSIAN HAMMERED BRASS SERVING TRAY Late 19th century. Rectangular hammered brass rimmed serving tray. Handles attached with co...
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Doulton Lambeth Stoneware Ewer with Stylized Leaf Motifs by Edith Lupton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and finely made Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth stoneware ewer with geometric and stylized leaf patterning by renowned artist Edith D Lupton and dated 1875. An earl...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

John Broad Doulton Lambeth Rare Art Pottery Beaker Vase Dated 1880
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and exceptional Doulton Lambeth art pottery beaker shaped vessel beautifully decorated with floral panels by renowned artist John Broad and dated 1880. This unusually finely m...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Aesthetic Movement Multi Toned Gilt Framed Mirror
Located in Malibu, CA
Late 19th Century/early 20th century Aesthetic Movement giltwood frame with gilt flower & leaf motif set between a small repeat pattern of crossed square on the inner & outer frame. ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Hardwood

Pair of J.W. Fiske Victorian Wire & Iron Garden Lounge Chairs C 1895
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of Rare Late Victorian leaning to the Asethetic Movement with the pattern of the wire & iron. Coated in zinc and years of old paint have preserved these beauties waiti...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wire, Zinc

Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Bamboo Turned Bench
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic Movement ebonized wood bench with bamboo style turnings and gilt decoration, circa 1920s.
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Gilded Grapes Candleholder 3 lights, gilted handcrafted
Located in Paris, FR
Decorative handmade candelabra for unique centerpiece decoration or even more. Great effect as a pair on a table and matches with many other pieces of this collection. Handcrafted tin and nice gilded color hand painted patina. with applied sheet gold looking as it used to be done in old time. Au Bain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Tin

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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