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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
Period: 19th Century
Place of Origin: European
Late Victorian Aesthetic Movement upholstered Bench or Hall Seat
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Pretty Aesthetic Movement mahogany, upholstered small scale upholstered bench with low galleried back and finely ring turned legs circa 1880. It has been newly re-upholstered.
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Occasional Table with Hand Painted Flowers
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful Aesthetic Movement ebonised occasional table with a circular top and lower tier. Both tiers are beautifully painted in the original Victorian penwork designs with floral...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Elm, Pine, Paint

Style of E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized cabinet
Located in London, GB
Style of E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized cabinet. The upper shelf with a 3/4 gallery on turned supports with a bevelled mirror below and display area in front. The two doo...
Category

1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

E. W. Godwin for Gillows attri. Aesthetic Movement Walnut Ebonized Canterbury
Located in London, GB
E. W. Godwin for Gillows attributed, Aesthetic Movement Walnut and Ebonized Canterbury With elongated turned uprights that make up the dividers for magazines, it stood on turned and ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Hand Painted Framed Porcelain Tile
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A gorgeous hand painted porcelain tile in original giltwood frame. The tile with hand painted blue birds and wildflowers in an elegant original giltwood...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Giltwood

Pair of Antique Victorian Hand Carved 19th Century Asethetic Movement Stools
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Victorian late 19th century hand carved pine stools in the Aesthetic movement taste This stools are very decorative and we...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pine

Richard Charles Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Elbow Chair with X Frame stretcher
By Richard Charles
Located in London, GB
Richard Charles (1823-93), an Aesthetic Movement ebonized elbow chair, circa 1866, with ball finials, a ladder back, later leather seat, gilt highlights and X-frame base with X-frame...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Faux Bamboo and Pine Commode
Located in Queens, NY
French (late 19th Century) faux bamboo and pine bedside commode with a top drawer above a large door.
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Majolica Plate Flowers Dragonfly Choisy le Roi, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Plate Flowers & Dragonfly Choisy le Roi, circa 1880. Baby blue background with lily of the valley. 8 inches diameter.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Good Quality Aesthetic Movement Brass Fire Fender with Turned Details Finials
Located in London, GB
A good quality Aesthetic Movement brass fire fender with turned details and finials above, protective mesh to the lower part all stood on a solid brass plinth.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Continental School Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Continental, likely German, 19th century. Oil on canvas, housed in a gilt oval frame. A town scene, unsigned.
Category

19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

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

19th Century Majolica Pink and Blue Oyster Plate Gien
By Gien
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th century Majolica oyster plate with pastels colors, shells and seaweeds signed Gien.  
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Large French Majolica Flamingo Platter
Located in Austin, TX
Exceptional 19th Century Large French Majolica Flamingo Platter or Charger. 15.7 diameter.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Charles Bevan. Marsh Jones. Aesthetic Movement button back chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan for Marsh and Jones of Leeds Late Kendal works. A good Aesthetic Movement walnut ebonized button back chaise lounge with carved rosettes to the front upright and subtle...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Figure Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique English stained glass window hanging of a Victorian figure circa 1880, beautifully handpainted to create a sense of depth and expression. Hang in a window or in front of a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Lead

Jas Shoolbred attri. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut side table
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred attributed An octagonal Walnut centre table with central shelf, carved circular details to the legs, united by lower cross stretchers.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Majolica Oyster Plate Russian Imperial Eagle, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica oyster plate called Russian imperial eagle, circa 1890. Reference / page 132 "Oyster Plates" of Jeffrey B. Snyder.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Haviland Limoges Porcelain Dresser Box Lid, 1876-1889
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Antique porcelain dresser box with lid features sculptural squared form with rounded scalloped corners that is mirrored in the lid's outline. The box is hand decorated with a variat...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Sarreguemines French Majolica Trompe L’Oeil Greek Key Border Napkin Bread Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Sarreguemines Majolica line, a trompe l’oeil napkin bread tray, France, circa 1885-1890. An earthenware, faïence bread tray modeled as a cloth napkin with a floral and chec...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

19th Century Large Majolica Shell Coral Jardiniere Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Large spectacular 19th century Majolica Shell & Coral jardiniere signed Sarreguemines Majolica. 20 inches Lenght.
Category

1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

French Trompe l’Oeil Majolica Glazed Cherry Branch Wall Plaque, signed F. Perrot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Palissy majolica glazed hand painted wall plaque, signed by the artist, circa 1890-1900. In the trompe l’oeil style of fool the eye, a dimensional mold showing a branching ...
Category

Late 19th Century French 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

George Tinworth Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Pottery Bowl, 1879
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and decorative Aesthetic Movement Doulton Lambeth early stoneware bowl decorated with scrolling seaweed and rosette designs by renowned artist George Tinworth and dated 1...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Doulton Lambeth Exceptionally Rare Pair Impasto Arrabian Pattern Vases, 1879
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptionally rare Doulton Lambeth Impasto pair of bottle vases marked Arrabian by F M Collins (Mrs Vale) dated 1879. F M Collins was a Faience Depart...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

E W Godwin An Aesthetic Movement six leg walnut circular centre table
Located in London, GB
E W Godwin attributed. Made by Collinson & Lock. An Aesthetic Movement six leg walnut circular centre table with shaped radiating under supports and subtle shaped details to the ends...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Large French Majolica Vase with Flowers Edouard Gilles, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica vase with flowers signed Edouard Gilles, circa 1880. Painted flowers, impressionist period..   
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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

Aesthetic Movement French Ebonized Walnut Pedestal
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Elegant French pedestal in ebonized walnut, featuring a finely turned column resting on a square base, with a matching square top. A piece of refined simplicity and timeless appeal, ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Large Majolica Thistle Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica thistle jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880. Height / 9.5 inches. Diameter / 13 inches.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Belgium Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Belgium Majolica oyster plate with pink flowers and green leaves Wasmuel, circa 1890.
Category

1890s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Attributed to Philip Webb Aesthetic Movement original rush seat Sussex chair
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with original rush seat and retaining the rush seat side panels. This chair has been totally ...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Rush

EXQUISITE ANTIQUE BURR WALNUT AESTHETiC MOVEMENT SALON SOFA GRAND TOUR PLAQUE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement Salon sofa with a inse...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

Regency Period Mahogany Console Table, Circa 1820
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine Regency period console table from the early 19th century, circa 1820. A very beautiful and unusual small model with a mirror at the back with is rare and give here a lot of c...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

22 x Aesthetic Movement Oak Upholstered Dining Chairs with Turned Front Legs
Located in London, GB
Gillows of Lancaster attributed. A rare set of 16 + 6 aesthetic movement oak upholstered dining or boardroom chairs with turned front legs. (The price...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

French Faience Sunflower Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant and Rare French Faience sunflower Tureen Creil et Montereau Circa 1890. Signed C&M Le Soleil. Lemon handle.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faience

Wedgwood English Majolica Snail Shell and Ivy Pitcher date marked 1870
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English Wedgwood Majolica pitcher, an aesthetic movement mold showing a snail shell against sprays of climbing ivy on a tortoiseshell ground. A branch form handle, yellow ochre ri...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

French 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo Table With Red Tooled Leather Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this great looking French 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo two tier Table with Red Tooled Leather Top. The tortoiseshell effect is stunni...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bamboo

Large English Bamboo Over Mantle or Wall Mirror (H 42 3/4 x W 51 1/2)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo over mantel or wall mirror with a period Aesthetic Movement design, circa 1870-1910, featuring a bamboo frame with lovely bamboo fretwork around the circumferen...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass, Bamboo, Lacquer, Wood, Mirror

19th Century Bohemian Moser Attrib Enameled Ormolu Jewel Casket Table Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional Aesthetic Movement period Bohemian enameled jewel casket attributed to luxury glassmaker Moser. Hand-crafted in the late 19th cent...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

George Jack for Morris and Co. A high Aesthetic Movement circular side table
Located in London, GB
George Jack for Morris and Co. A high Aesthetic Movement circular side table with a shaped top and shaped upper apron standing on six beautifully shaped legs, each with fine carved f...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Majolica Oyster Plate Russian Imperial Eagle, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica oyster plate called Russian imperial eagle, circa 1890. Reference / page 132 "Oyster Plates" of Jeffrey B. Snyder.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Aesthetic Movement Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An elegant English aesthetic movement stained glass window, circa 1890, the central arched panel depicting a classical maiden in a garden holding a garland of flowers. Evoking a sens...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Lead

Samuel Alcock Royal Palissy Majolica Footed Comport
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the coveted Royal Palissy line, a majolica glazed Fern and Floral footed comport, from Samuel Alcock & Co, Burslem, Staffordshire, England, circa 1850. This is a scarce example...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Gillows attr, Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Mahogany Centre Table with Amboyna top
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Mahogany Octagonal Centre Table with a wonderful burr Amboyna top with line inlay and ebonized to the edges. The four turned legs...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Frank A Butler Early Doulton Lambeth Leaf Design Salt Glazed Jug
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and early Doulton Lambeth Art Pottery jug decorated with stylized scrolling leaf designs by highly renowned artist Frank A Butler and dated 1873. The stoneware jug is...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

English Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Marble Top Buffet Sideboard
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand english late 19th century buffet sideboard or server featuring an Italian Carrara marble inlay top. The case is crafted from rare fruitwood in the aesthetic movement taste with...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Marble, Iron

Haviland Limoges Serving Bowl with Handles, Cobalt Blue and Gold, 1887
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Serving bowl with handles is hand decorated with gold rims and gold borders of abstract leaf designs on cobalt blue and white background. The handles and rim are done in solid gold, ...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Ceramic

Edith D Lupton Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Thistle Vase
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 Century Games Box In Walnut And Boxwood
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century walnut and boxwood game box. Very beautiful, unusual box with light wood inlays forming a checkerboard on the top and decorations on the side. Inside, a backgammo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Oversize 19th Century English Chinoiserie Platter Bates Gildea Walker
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize 19th century English Chinoiserie ironstone platter bates gildea & walker. Kioto Pattern. Earthenware and porcelain manufacturer at the Dale Hall Works, Longport, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. In 1878 James Gildea joined the partnership of Bates and Walker...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

English Majolica Bamboo Planter and Stand, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
English Victorian Majolica bamboo planter and stand, circa 1880.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Belgium Majolica Oyster Plate Wasmuel Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Belgium Majolica oyster plate with pink flowers & green leaves Wasmuel, circa 1890.
Category

1890s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Late 19th century Aesthetic Period Victorian English Cast Iron Hall Tree
Located in Southampton, NJ
An English, Aesthetic Period cast iron hall tree by John and Thomas Cox of Birmingham. This design was registered on October 6, 1884. This Victorian hall tree features a mirror, shel...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel, Iron

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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