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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
Black Grey Fur Sofa Throw- Rabbit Fur Custom to any Size or Color
Located in Dural, AU
Style your everyday living in the ultimate expression of warmth, luxury, and opulence with a Black & Grey Rabbit Fur Throw Blanket. Carefully selected and crafted, our fur throws tr...
Category

2010s Chinese Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fur

19th Century Blue White Daisy Platter Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th century blue & white daisy platter signed Minton.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Thomas Sergent Palissy Trompe l’oeil Crustaceans School of Paris Wall Plaque
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Thomas-Victor Sergent nature plate in the style of Palissy, School of Paris, circa. 1875-79. An oval platter heaped with trompe l’oeil fish and crus...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

Large Dominick Haff Aesthetic Sterling Perfume or Flask with Dragon Fly
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Dominick & Haff aesthetic sterling perfume or flask with dragon fly, a choice example, a tall profusely repoused with florals and leaves. Complete with locking hinged circular ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Antique English Wooden Easel
Located in Calgary, Alberta
A lovely 19th century bentwood folding easel in the Aesthetic Movement style, influenced by Thonet bentwood furniture of English makers, It has beautiful scrolled cresting and a cent...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique English Victorian Solid Brass Flower Andirons
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful pair of brass flower antique andirons. Gorgeous style that blends perfectly with Hollywood Regency meets Aesthetic movement. Great scale for minimal fireplaces. Mid-Cen...
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Italian Gilt Bamboo Leopard Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Italian gilt iron bamboo stool with leopard velvet upholstery.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Aesthetic Black Slate Porcelain Clock Set, 3
Located in Astoria, NY
American Aesthetic Movement Black Slate and Porcelain Three Piece Clock Set, circa 1880, each piece decorated with porcelain panels depicting robins and various birds, fish, and inse...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Slate

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...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Hardwood

Antique Cast Iron Branch Form Garden Bench
Located in Toledo, OH
Antique Cast Iron Branch Form Garden Bench. Circa 19th Century 1840-1849 Period. Aesthetic Movement. Featuring rope tied oak branches with leaves motif. This bench has seen many chan...
Category

1840s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century Mahogany Library Ladder
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century English mahogany library ladder. Very beautiful ladder made up of 5 mahogany steps. It is rare to find them in mahogany. Our first. The ladder folds up (the dimen...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Florentine Giltwood Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 1950s Florentine giltwood wall shelves featuring foliage motifs.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

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

Three Melbourne Graduating Aesthetic Movement Brown White Ironstone
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Three 'Melbourne' graduating Aesthetic Movement brown & white ironstone platters, by Gildea & Walker. A rare and early set of three fully marked and nic...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ironstone

Large English Papier-Mâché Tray (H 20 x W 26 5/8)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English black lacquered papier-mâché tray from the Aesthetic Movement period, featuring a decorative painting of flowers and gilt rococo scrolls. Measures: H 20 in x W...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Paint, Paper

Rare Walnut Copper and Parchment Side Chair by Carlo Bugatti.
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare carved walnut side chair by Carlo Bugatti upholstered with parchment and inlaid with pewter details and mounted with hammered copper decoration. Beauty Mischief: The Desig...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Late 20th-C. Bamboo, Wicker, and Rattan Etagere or Vanity by Palecek
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a good looking late 20th century bamboo, wicker and rattan etagere or vanity by Palecek. It is very interesting piece and is in very ...
Category

1990s Philippine Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Wood

Rare Faux Bamboo Bench With 19Th. C Cashmere Shawl
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

Pair of Bobbin Turned Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of English late 19th Century ebonized and bobbin turned corner chairs with woven rush seats.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rush, Beech

Monogram Gorham Silver Plated Tea Tray
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

Liberty Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, style of a Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms, the arms follow through to the sid...
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rush

Antique Aesthetic Period Hurricane Parlor Oil Lamp Pendant Light Chandelier
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 19th century circa 1882 Victorian / Aesthetic period converted hurricane oil lamp swag pendant light / chandelier. Brass frame with etched cra...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Oyster Plate Porcelain Flowers Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
French Oyster Plate Porcelain Flowers Limoges circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Aesthetic Movement Mirrored Cabinet Attributed to Henry William Batley
Located in Savannah, GA
In an unusual pentagon shape, this fine Victorian example of the Aesthetic Movement is constructed of burled walnut and ebonized wood. Features include a raised beveled mirrored ba...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Bruce Talbert, by Gillows Co. Aesthetic Movement chess table
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, made by Gillows and Co. An exceptional exhibition-quality Aesthetic Movement chess table inlaid with boxwood to the chessboard top, with three baluster legs incised an...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Boxwood, Walnut

19th Century Plate Vieillard Bordeaux Service Nella
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Plate signed Vieillard Bordeaux service Nella. Naturalist plate with a kingfisher, an insect , water lilies
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Plaster light, Giacometti style with four branches for pair
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

Victoria Pottery Co. Majolica Sea Shell Coral Bowl, 1880s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica glazed Seaweed and Shell, Coral footed bowl, by Victoria Pottery Co. England, Circa 1880s. The Victoria Pottery Company began in 1882 at the Victoria Works on Lonsdale St...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Kate Rogers Doulton Lambeth Pair Impasto Daisy Painted Vases
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and fine pair Doulton Lambeth Impasto daisy painted vases by renowned Faience artist Kate Rogers and dated 1885. The stoneware vases are of tall bulbous shape standing r...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

VM-Plaster Mirror 70"
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Plaster mirror with solid oak wood structure and finished in smooth plaster, dimensions 36"x 70" or 24"x 20"
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Plaster, Oak

19th Century Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica oyster plate Wasmuel (Belgium) decorated with flowers.
Category

1880s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Victor Hugo Castañeda Bronze Sculpture, Mexico 1988, Edition 1/20
By Victor Hugo Castaneda
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare bronze sculpture by renowned Mexican artist Victor Hugo Castañeda (b. 1947), signed and dated Victor H. Castañeda, 1988, and marked Edition 1 of 20. This intimate and contemplat...
Category

1980s Canadian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Jas Shoolbred Morris Co Style a Pair of Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchairs
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. In the style of Morris and Co, after a design by Phillip Webb. A pair of Aesthetic Movement adjustable reclining armchairs. Professiona...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Set of 9 Custom Framed White Washed Scandinavian Herbarium Gallery, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A wonderful gallery of nine custom framed antique Swedish herbarium floral specimens, collected circa 1920. Presented in white washed oak frames. Ready to hang. (1) 6.13 x 8.13" (1)...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

An Aesthetic Movement Walnut Gilt Octagonal Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Hewetson & Thexton, in the style of Bruce Talbert. An Aesthetic Movement walnut and gilt octagonal centre table with ring and spiral turned legs terminating in turned finials, united...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890 Measures - 65.5"H x 32.5"W x 16.75"D This secretary from the Aesthetic Movement, dating to circa 1890, showcases the...
Category

19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Majolica Shell Jardiniere Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica Shell Jardiniere signed Sarreguemines. Coral base.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Ceramic

Large Majolica Bird Flowers Basket Centerpiece, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Unique large Majolica bird & flowers basket centerpiece, circa 1880. Roses, blue and yellow flowers. Impressionist period.  
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1980 s Berber Glaoui High-Low Moroccan Carpet with Raised Design
Located in Dallas, TX
20923 Vintage Glaoui Moroccan High-Low Rug, 12'10 x 17'08. Woven with intention and soul by the Glaoui artisans of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, this vintage high-low wool Moroccan...
Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Brunschwig Fils Victoria Albert Bird Song Hand-Printed Wallpaper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Adorable and rare Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed wallpaper border inspired by Victorian design from the Victoria & Albert Museum. Have not been able t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Paper

Thomas Elsley Co. An Aesthetic Movement cast iron fireplace style of T Jeckyll
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement cast iron fireplace with peacock feathers to the centre and two love birds just below flanked by Sunflowers. Made by Thomas Elsley the design attributed to Thom...
Category

Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Red Pilkingtons Royal Lancastrian Miniature Vase
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A lovely red miniature vase made by Pilkingtons in 1909 in the Aesthetic taste. The English ceramic manufacturer Pilkingtons Lancastrian Pottery produced art pottery at the beginnin...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Audacious English Roll Arm Sofa with Pull-Out Bed, in French Jacquard Velvet
Located in colima, MX
Our devilishly handsome rendition of the classic English Roll Arm sofa, in a luscious French Jacquard Velvet. This sofa was initially envisioned ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Jacquard, Velvet

Early Victorian Ebonised Inlay Pier Cabinet Glazed Bookcase Velvet Lined
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A well proportioned Victorian peer cabinet, ebonised with fruitwood inlay and standing on four turned bobbin feet. Two opening glazed doors, retaining its original lock and key, ope...
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood, Mahogany

Pair of Victorian Marquetry, Ebony Framed Burr Walnut Display Cabinets
Located in Altrincham, GB
Pair of Victorian Marquetry, Ebony Framed Burr Walnut Display Cabinets attributed to Lamb of Manchester - 30.5"w x 15"d x 46"h
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Phillip Webb A large Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co attributed. A larger than usual Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge or day bed, the upper turned armrests with typical Morris and ...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

Copeland Porcelain Cat and Cream Churn Vase
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and scare antique English porcelain vase modelled as a cat looking into a cream or milk churn made by renowned makers Copeland and dating from the 19th century. The vase...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Nordic Firelight: A Rare Scandinavian Swedish Rya Masterpiece in Full Bloom
Located in Dallas, TX
79051 Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Rya, 05'03 x 07'06. Immerse yourself in the magnetic vibrancy of this hand-knotted wool Swedish rya rug—a dazzling artifact of mid-20th century Sca...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Émile René MENARD (1862-1930) Adam et Eve, Monumental Oil on Canvas, 1923
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Adam and Eve Oil on canvas signed below left «E.R. Ménard 1923» Labels on the back, including one from the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1925. Titled in a cartou...
Category

1920s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

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 b...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Female Nude Bronze Sculpture by Vincenzo Aurisicchio from 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Bronze sculpture of a beautiful female nude, created by Vincenzo Aurisicchio in the second part of the 19th century. The bronze sculpture is in really good conditions. Ø cm 23 Ø cm...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Tiffany Aesthetic Oval Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1909. Oval window in flat surround with acid-etched stylized ornament: Quatrefoils alternating with lea...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Globe Wernicke Mahogany Bookcase Of 5 Elements With A Drawer
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London bookcase in mahogany from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century - England which has 5 elements and a drawer in the base Beautiful model whic...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Large Antique Giltwood Frame
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Large, old, perfect giltwood frame, suitable for painting or mirror. On request I also have an ornamental frieze to place on top. ref. O/8340
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Gorham Sterling Olive Bowl and Tongs
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1884, sterling, Gorham. This unequivocally charming serving piece embodies the relaxed refinement of the Victorian era. Complete with tongs, this rare example of a figural Gorham olive dish...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

LaBarge Italian Giltwood Painted Tole Mirror With Acorn Leaf Metal Foliate
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century tole and wood mirror by LaBarge. The oval frame is a distressed gilt and brown wood. The maple leaf and acorn tole are also brown with green and white accents, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

19th-C. English Victorian Carved Oak Eagle Form Console Table / Credenza
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a unique English Victorian carved oak eagle form console table or credenza. The back has a carved lion cartouche. The supports are opposing eagles. It is in very good conditi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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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