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
c. 1900 Set of 12 Sterling Silver Seafood Forks by Dominick & Haff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 12 sterling silver seafood forks "King" pattern by Dominick & Haff, circa 1900. Retailed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Pattern patent c.1880. Monogram "W". Crisp condition. 5.95 ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Flower Chandelier Amber Crysatal Glass Candelabrum Brass Bronze Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant Vintage Chandelier: A Fusion of History and Elegance
Step into a realm of timeless beauty with our meticulously restored old chandelier, a testament to the skilled craftsman...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
An Aesthetic Movement walnut two-tier side table with canted corners
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement walnut two-tier side table with canted corners on fine ring turned legs
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Minton English Majolica Daisy and Trellis 2-Piece Jardinière on Stand circa 1875
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An excellent quality Minton Majolica ‘Daisy and Trellis’ Jardinière on its stand, England, circa 1875.
The jardinière shows a pattern of a climbing trellis against a maroon stippled...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
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
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
An Aesthetic Movement rosewood two tier side table inlaid with floral decoration
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood two tier side table inlaid with floral decoration to the centres and parallel line inlay to edges of top and bottom shelf, stood on turned legs united ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized polychrome painted humidor with floral decor
Located in London, GB
A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized polychrome painted Humidor with a shaped display plinth to the top, surrounded with a turned gallery, and an upper compartmented drawer hand painte...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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
E W Godwin style of, An Anglo-Japanese Old English or Jacobean Ebonized Armchair
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin, style of,
An Anglo-Japanese Old English or Jacobean ebonized armchair.
Professionally upholstered in a quality hide.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Dr C Dresser Attri, 18 Cast Iron Floral Staircase Balustrades & the knurl post.
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser attributed for Colebrookdale Iron Works. A rare set of 18 Anglo-Japanese cast iron stair and/or balcony balustrades including the origi...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
David Waddington. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel gilt writing desk
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel gilt writing desk with cantered corners and incized floral decoration and a tower turned gallery. Stamped David Waddington Ulphosterer Bolto...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Welsh Cider Flask - 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
18th century Welsh cider flask that farmers took with them to the fields for their lunch
Small wrought iron carrying handle to carry it or hang it on the horse
Wrought iron reinforce...
Category
18th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Victorian Aesthetic Movement marble topped table
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
A Victorian Aesthetic Movement marble topped table
The Rosso Bilbao red marble top with square cut corners and chamfered edge. The oak base of typical Aesthetic styling, the frieze ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
C. 1890 Middletown Silverplate Serving Tray w/ Figural Handles
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning silverplate serving tray by Middletown Plate Co., circa 1890. Decorated with an engraved clipper ship vignette, flanged sides with ornate foliage scrolling and figurative h...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
French Fives-Lille De Bruyn Morning Glory & Butterfly Wall Pockets, 1890, a Pair
By Fives-Lille
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
Set of 12 Cauldon Hand-Painted "Flower Arrangement" Dessert Plates, Cobalt Blue
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A decorative and beautifully hand-painted set of 12 Cauldon dessert plates with shaped rims trimmed in gold with central floral decoration. Each plate depicts a unique flower arrange...
Category
Early 1900s British 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
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
An elegant 19th Century Figured Walnut Bobbin Leg Stretcher Side Table
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A wonderful 19th-century figured walnut bobbin side table encapsulated the timeless elegance of period furniture. Constructed from mixed hardwoods with a beautifully figured walnut v...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
Christopher Dresser "Studies in Design"
Located in Sharon, CT
This is the original and complete edition of the Classic. Contains all 60 plates.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Silver Mounted Blue & White Pottery Faience Inkwell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual French silver mounted faience pottery inkwell hand painted with blue and white designs dating from the 19th century. The domed shape inkwell stands on a rounded base with ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver
Monogram Gorham Silver Plated Tea Tray
By Gorham
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A superb quality Gorham silver plated on copper oval tea tray encrusted in cast vintage motifs. Monogram "EBR". Medallion maker's insignia: "Plate...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Copper
Gilded Grapes Candleholder 3 lights, gilted handcrafted
By Aude Clément
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
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
Edith D Lupton Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Thistle Vase
By Edith Lupton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and stunning aesthetic movement Doulton Lambeth Silicon Ware vase decorated with incised and pate-sur-pate thistle designs by r...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Beautiful original patina in red. Gilt bronze snake.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique 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
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
Christopher Dresser Watcombe Aesthetic Movement Twin Handled Persian Taste Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Aesthetic Movement flow glaze twin handled vase in the ‘Persian Taste’ by renowned British designer Christopher Dresser (British, 1834 – 1904) for Watcombe Torquay...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Elizabeth a Sayers Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Onion Shape Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement onion shaped vase decorated with star like motifs by renowned artist Elizabeth A Sayers dated 1878.
Elizabeth A Sayers while recongized as a highly accomplished and distinguished artist did not spend much time at Doulton Lambeth so pieces by her are both rare and sought after.
This stylish stoneware onion bodied vase...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
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
Russian Icon with Processional Cross 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful Russian icon with a processional cross in its center from the 17th century
We can see that the icon was created to accommodate the processional cross with the Chris...
Category
19th Century Belarusian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wood
1920's Greta Skogster-Lehtinen Finnish Flatweave Rug with Modern Nordic Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78465 Greta Skogster Antique Finnish Flatweave Rug, 07'11 x 11'01. Made in the golden era of Finnish modernist textile design, this handwoven wool an...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool
English Measham Bargeware Love at Home Teapot on Stand
By Barge Ware
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Measham – Bargeware Teapot impressed with the saying, “Love At Home”, England, circa 1880.
The three piece teapot set includes the kettle, lid, and table stand. Finished in a dar...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Victorian Wall Mirror and Coat Racks Faux Bamboo Victorian, England
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Measure: 96 x 84 cm.
Faux bambbo mirror and coat rack mirror with four iron hangers on the sides of the mirror
Precious and decorative mirror t...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
New Form and Function Bauhaus Modern Wool & Silk Carpet with Expressionist Style
Located in Dallas, TX
30312 New Form and Function Bauhaus Modern Rug 09'00 x 12'01. A radiant study in modernist harmony, the Form and Function Bauhaus Modern Rug is a hand-knotted wool and silk compositi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
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
E W Godwin Style of Two Jacobean or Old English Aesthetic Movement Armchairs
By Edward William Godwin, C.J. Plunkett & Co
Located in London, GB
After a design by E W Godwin. Jacobean or Old English armchairs.
Two Aesthetic Movement Walnut ebonized armchairs both professionally reupholstered in a quality green and tan leathe...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Josiah Wedgwood Colored Cabbage Leaf on Basket Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed cabbage leaf on basket rim plate, Josiah Wedgwood, circa 1870.
Most often found in a solid green glaze, cabbage leaf plates were also made briefly i...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Large and Ornate Figural Bronze Handled Urn
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Figural bronze urn with relief figures among the foliage, the urn with two sea serpent handles with embossed scales, scalloped rim, footed.
Very...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wedgwood Argenta Majolica Apple Fruit Plate
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood and in the color way known as Argenta, a fruit plate, England, circa 1875.
Showing a central red and greenish apple and leaves along with a branch of apricots and haze...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Aesthetic Movement Jacobean Or Old English Armchair after a Design by E W Godwin
By Edward William Godwin, C.J. Plunkett & Co
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Jacobean or Old English ebonized armchair.
After a design by E. W. Godwin.
Probably made by C J Plunkett & Co. See The Secular Furniture of E W Godwin by Susa...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Silver Flower Basket Place Card Holders Set of 6
Located in Stamford, CT
1950s Brazilian 900 silver basket place card holders. Each holder features a “bouquet” of semi precious stones. Twisted round silver holder. Each hol...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Silver
Lambs of Manchester A Set of Four Aesthetic Movement Oak & Leather Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
Lambs of Manchester A Set of Four Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs with carved and part ebonised details, professionally reupholstered in a quality matt black leather.
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
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
Pair of 19th Century Exoticism Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Pair of polished bronze elephant candlesticks which clearly show the late 19th Century fascination with the exotic. Similar to Orientalist subjects in the nineteenth-century, exotici...
Category
1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Venetian Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer Tole Iron & Marble Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Venetian Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer tole iron & marble table
Priced each!
Additional information:
Materials: Iron, Marble, Tole
Color: Green
Brand: William Swi...
Category
Late 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
Doulton Lambeth Art Union of London Floral Vase by Emily E Stormer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth floral design Vase made for the Art Union of London by renowned artist Emily E Stormer and dating from around 1885. The stoneware va...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
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
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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