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Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

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
Gillow s of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement Walnut Armoire Wardrobe Compactum
Located in London, GB
Gillow's of Lancaster, an Aesthetic Movement walnut armoire wardrobe compactum with lots of useful storage space. The moulded cornice and b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Ogdens of Manchester, An Aesthetic Movement Wardrobe Matching Bedside Cabinet.
Located in London, GB
Ogdens of Manchester, in style of Dr C Dresser, An Aesthetic Movement treble wardrobe and matching bedside cupboard made from Ash with intricate ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Ash, Fruitwood

Antique Aesthetic Style Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Wardrobe with Mirror
Located in London, GB
Antique Aesthetic style marquetry and gilt bronze wardrobe with mirror Continental, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 202cm, width 154cm, depth 61cm This beautiful wardrobe ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Ormolu

Related Items
Stunning 1932 Waring Gillow Burr Walnut Double Bank Wardrobe with Mirror
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning burr walnut Waring & Gillow 1932 double bank wardrobe with built in mirror. This piece is part of a suite, I also have the matching dressing table, bedside tables and twin beds along with a triple bank wardrobe...
Category

1930s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Vintage British Burr Compactum Walnut Wardrobe, 1920s
Located in South Shields, GB
A vintage walnut triple door wardrobe, circa 1920s. Inside, beautifully fitted out with a a clothes rail to each side. This wardrobe dismantles into four parts.
Category

1920s British Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Mahogany Cabinet/Wardrobe/Linen Press
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A fine late 18th century neoclassical mahogany linen press/wardrobe in fantastic original condition. With two large cupboard doors over three drawers. The cabinetmaker used only the...
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Brass

Antique Mahogany Cabinet/Wardrobe/Linen Press
Antique Mahogany Cabinet/Wardrobe/Linen Press
$13,219
H 87.5 in W 78 in D 22.5 in
Antique Art Deco Burr Maple Triple Bank circa 1920 s Wardrobe Mirrored Door
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Art Deco Burr Maple triple bank wardrobe with large full length mirrored middle door which is par...
Category

1920s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Mirror, Maple

1920 s Chinese Export Oriental Heavily Carved Camphor Wood Wardrobe Part Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 Camphor wood wardrobe which is part of a set I have the matching super rare chest of draw...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Wood

Finest Quality Waring Gillow Burr Walnut Bedside Table Drawers Part of a Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this finest quality Waring & Gillow Lancaster, Burr Walnut inlaid large bed side table which is part of a large suite This piece is part of a bedroom set, I have in total a triple bank wardrobe...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Figured Walnut Compactum Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
A beautiful original Art Deco figured walnut compactum wardrobe. This was made in England, it dates from the 1930’s. It is of superb quality...
Category

1930s British Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Figured Walnut Compactum Wardrobe
Art Deco Figured Walnut Compactum Wardrobe
$1,996
H 53.94 in W 33.08 in D 19.3 in
English Art Deco Burr Walnut Bedroom Suite Attributed to H L Epstein
Located in Glasgow, GB
An English Art Deco four-piece burr walnut and rosewood crossbanded bedroom suite attributed to H & L Epstein and dating to circa 1925. Typically stylish and of superb quality it comprises: A four-door fitted wardrobe with a rare additional internal door providing triple dressing mirrors...
Category

1920s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Modern Teak Tambour Door Fitted Gentleman s Wardrobe / 1960 England
Located in Leicester, GB
A beautiful mid century fitted wardrobe by Austinsuite. England C1960. This piece is beautifully made with an elegant tambour door design and fitted interior. The tambour door sets...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Teak

Antique Edwardian Ash Compactum Combination Beaconsfield Wardrobe, 1900s
Located in South Shields, GB
An Edwardian ash combination wardrobe or hall robe - circa 1900s. There are two compartments - one with a clothes rail and coat hooks - the other with a shelf. There are a further ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Ash

Vintage Art Deco Compactum Wardrobe from Waring and Gillow, 1930s
Located in South Shields, GB
A vintage oak Art Deco compactum fitted wardrobe from Waring and Gillow, circa 1930s. Inside, is fitted out with a clothes rail and shelves
Category

1930s British Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Pair of matching Art Deco Sycamore wardrobes
Located in Barnstaple, GB
A glorious pair of matching Art Deco Wardrobes, dating to the 1930s, in a lovely warm blonde sycamore with the tiniest of line inlay to the tops of the doors and sides. Unbelievably ...
Category

1930s European Vintage Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Macassar, Sycamore

Pair of matching Art Deco Sycamore wardrobes
Pair of matching Art Deco Sycamore wardrobes
$5,026
H 71 in W 45.5 in D 23.5 in
Previously Available Items
Antique English Victorian Aesthetic Japanese Bamboo Rattan Bedroom Suite
Located in Glasgow, GB
A rare three piece Victorian ‘Japanese’ bamboo and rattan bedroom suite dating to circa 1890. Comprising a wardrobe, dressing table and marble topped washstand each features a rising...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Marble, Metal

Lamb of Manchester, an Aesthetic Movement Compactum Armoire Wardrobe
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement Arts & Crafts style compactum armoire wardrobe with castellated cornice and twin fielded panel doors openi...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Oak

Aesthetic Movement Five-Piece Bedroom Suite, Probably by Dyer and Watts
Located in London, GB
Dyer and Watts attributed, an Aesthetic Movement pitch and burr pine five-piece bedroom suite, the stylised floral painted stencil details in the manner of Dr C Dresser, comprising a triple wardrobe, 214cm high, 187cm wide, 60cm deep; a dressing table, 168cm high, 122cm wide, 55.5cm deep; a bedside locker...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Pine

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Full Bed by R. J. Horner Co.
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The principal piece in this rare collection of late 19th century golden stained bird's-eye maple faux bamboo bedroom furniture. The full size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head ...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Bedroom Sets

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Aesthetic Movement bedroom sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement bedroom sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bedroom sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement bedroom sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bedroom sets, popular names associated with this style include Gillows of Lancaster London, and Bruce James Talbert. 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 bedroom sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,558 and tops out at $27,960 while the average work can sell for $10,332.

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