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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
R.J. Horner Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Birdseye Maple Full Bed
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement carved birdseye maple faux bamboo full-size bed with a spindled crest, paneled head and foot-boards, and ball finials, and bracketed rails. (R.J...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood, Maple

Silver-plated candlesticks by William Tonks and Sons, late 19th century
Located in London, GB
William Tonks & Sons Pair of Late 19th Century Silver Plated Table Candlesticks A finely crafted pair of late 19th-century silver plated candlesticks by William Tonks & Sons, renow...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel, Iron, Silver Plate

Oak Table Or Desk - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century farmhouse table in oak and chestnut from France. Very beautiful table with two drawers in the belt that can be used as a dining room table or desk. Very beautif...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

Antique German Sheppard Bronze Sculptures Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of solid bronze German Shepherd sculpture bookends or door stops. Dating to the 1920s or 1930s. Original felt on the bottom and a nice age ap...
Category

1930s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Louis Comfort Tiffany Reactive Blown Glass Vase
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848-1933) Reactive Blown Glass Vase, of waisted ovoid form with a subtly toned gold, pink, blue and green iridescent ground with a secondary medial ...
Category

Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Thomas Jeckyll, Aesthetic Movement Fire Insert, Made by Barnard Bishop Barnard
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll. An Aesthetic Movement cast iron fire insert with stylized flower details. Made by Barnard Bishop and Barnard of Norwich. This insert takes ten standard 6 inch squar...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

An Aesthetic Movement walnut drop leaf side table on four turned incised legs
Located in London, GB
A small Aesthetic Movement Walnut drop leaf side table on four turned and incised legs united by a lower stretcher with a turned gallery arround on original brass and ceramic castors...
Category

1880s 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

Watcombe Torquay Art pottery Brown Glazed Novelty Frog Shell Sauce Boat
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful and scarce Watcombe Torquay Aesthetic Movement art pottery novelty sauce boat modelled as a frog pulling a shell dating between 1880 and 1890. Probably made for Liberty ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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

A Victorian Continental Silver Pepperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Continental Silver Pepper Peperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes. A lovely 19th century (Victorian era) German silver pepperette or pounce pot (used to contain fine sand ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver

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

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

19th Century Majolica Snail Platter Luneville
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica Snail Platter attributed to Luneville. Diameter / 11.3 inches . one chip on the back, hairline ( picture )
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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

Antique Tri Color Cut Glass Perfume Bottle with Atomizer
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antque cut glass tri color perfume bottle with atomizer. Green glass background with lilies in Art Nouveau design. Great decorative and collectible piece.
Category

1940s English Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cut Glass

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

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

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

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

Henry W Batley Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Pedestal Stand with Carved Sunflowers
Located in London, GB
Henry W Batley attributed. Probably for Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized pedestal base with a central pillar adorned on all four sides with carved sunflowers in a s...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Théodore deck (1823-1891), A Gourd Shape Enameled Faïence Vase, circa 1885
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Théodore Deck (1823-1891) Gourd shape vase with a spherical body and straight neck Polychrome glazed earthenware designed on both sides with a bird, butterflies, a bee, and flowers o...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faience

Antique Carafe in Engraved Crystal and Silver
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Very elegant French carafe in engraved crystal and silver. On your table or in your bar area it's the most beautiful object to admire. It's perfect and r...
Category

20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

VM-Plaster Mirror 24"
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Discover the timeless essence of rustic elegance with our wooden-framed mirror plastered in gypsum. This mirror exudes a unique charm with its curvilinear, organic design that adds a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Plaster, Oak

Qajar Persian Hammered Copper Scuttle with Aesthetic Movement Form
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
This 19th-century Qajar Persian coal scuttle pairs traditional metalwork with an unexpectedly modern silhouette. Its hand-hammered, exaggerated crescent form and looping handle evoke...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Copper

Sheffield Dickinson El Dorado Steel and Wood Handled Long Butchers Knife
By Dickinson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A 16 inch long butchers knife, a carbon steel blade with an unusual carved wood tapered handle, Sheffield, England. The blade is marked: The El Dorado...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cut Steel

Small 19th Century Cherry Wood Farmhouse Table
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely little 19th century farmhouse table in cherry wood fromFrance with a length of 1.42m long and width of 69cm Small knife drawer in the belt. Very beautiful top with a superb p...
Category

19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cherry

19th Century Oyster Plate Vieillard Bordeaux Service Nella
Located in Austin, TX
Very rare 19th Century Oyster Plate signed Vieillard Bordeaux service Nella. Naturalist pattern plate with a bird, insects , carnations and others flowers.
Category

1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Business/Calling Card Case In Original Box
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver, bright cut, business/calling card case, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, Ca. 1870's. Holds a standard size business ca...
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Gillows attr. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays
Located in London, GB
Gillows of Lancaster attributed. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays to the oval top walnut. Stamped mark under the top 8198
Category

1880s Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

A. H. Lejambre American Aesthetic Movement Tiered Square Table
Located in Sharon, CT
Crafted by A. H. Lejambre in Philadelphia, circa 1880. The top is mahogany bordered with ebony and brass trim, and is inlaid with an Egyptian scarab and a bee in exotic woods. ...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Majolica Fans Dish
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century English Majolica Fan Shape Dish.
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

English Majolica Greenware Acorn Oak Leaf Twig Handled Deep Dish Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Majolica green glazed leaf pattern deep server, England, circa 1870. A serrate edged rectangular platter with open work twig form double handles. Beautiful mold work showing four ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

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

English Aesthetic Oak Bucket
Located in Essex, MA
With brass handle and liner. Hexagonal form with incised carved decoration. Toupie feet.
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

The Gilded Orchard: A Persian Mahal Rug of Timeless Grandeur
Located in Dallas, TX
72297 Vintage Persian Mahal Rug, 13'08 x 20'08. A one-of-a-kind masterpiece of elegance and heritage, this hand-knotted wool Persian Mahal palace rug captures the essence of refined ...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Aesthetic Mahogany Hanging Shelf
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with three shelves. The ends with turned spindles.
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ash, Mahogany

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

Late 19th Century Turkish Oushak Carpet with Parisian Elegance and Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74173 Late 19th Century Antique Green Turkish Oushak Rug, 14'02 x 15'07. Woven in the twilight of the Ottoman Empire, this rare hand-knotted wool Turkish Oushak rug from the Late 19t...
Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th c. Aesthetic Movement Brass Fireplace Tools with Kensington Tile in Stand
Located in Southampton, NJ
A highly uncommon, full set of high style Aesthetic Movement brass fireplace tools in their original stand. This stand features a Kensington Tile in its base which points towards Ame...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Tiffany Studios New York Student Lamp Signed Bronze Base and Artglass Globes
Located in Savannah, GA
Two bell shaped art glass signed iridescent shades are supported by an adjustable bronze two arm base with bell sockets. The twin paddle knob sockets are stamped GE CO. The base is s...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

New Contemporary Patchwork Cowhide Pillow Cover with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
30896 Brown Cowhide Pillow Cover, 01'06 x 01'06. Woven from the rugged poetry of the plains, this hand-crafted natural cowhide pillow cover captures the warmth and honesty of untamed...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cowhide, Leather

English Transferware Iris Plate Cauldon Circa 1904
Located in Austin, TX
English Transferware Iris Plate signed Cauldon Circa 1904 Cauldon Ltd (Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co)
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

French Limoges Majolica Porcelain Oyster Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Limoges Majolica Porcelain Oyster Plate, circa 1890. with shells.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Indo-portuguese Embroidery In Gold Thread On Velvet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Spectacular 18th century Indo-Portuguese embroidery gold thread work on burgundy silk velvet decorated with elephants, birds and floral motifs, e...
Category

18th Century Portuguese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silk

New Scandinavian Swedish Inspired Röllakan with Modern Nordic Style
Located in Dallas, TX
30936 New Scandinavian Modern Swedish Inspired Kilim Rug, 09'02 x 12'00. Wrapped in the soothing whispers of Scandinavian Modern design, this handwoven wool Swedish-inspired kilim ru...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinoiserie Burnt Bamboo Pagoda Wall Shelf Cabinet Att. To Maitland -Smith
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This a burnt bamboo pagoda form wall shelf attributed to Maitland-Smith. The shelf measures 28.5”L x 8”W x 27”H. It has two mirrored sections. It is unmarked and in very good condit...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Wood

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

Austro/Bohemian Hand-Painted Terracotta Gypsy Lady Bust
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish antique Austro/Bohemian terracotta bust of a gypsy lady dating from around 1890. The waist length bust stands raised on a round integral pedestal base and is modelled as la...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

German Majolica Wild Boar Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A scarce German majolica glazed earthenware Wild Boar plate, circa 1890-1900. Unusual both for the subject matter and for the lighter glaze coloring, this delightful plate is playful and amusing. The dark glazing of the wild boar shows him in contrast to the more pastel coloring of the background. Raised mold work defines the landscape. A slightly scalloped rim. 9 inches in diameter x 1 inch high. Marked with an inscribed mold number – possibly attributing this plate to the Zell pottery...
Category

1890s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Victorian Steer Horn Vanity Bench Side Chair C1890
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and fabulous steer horn vanity bench with a suede fabric. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Horns are tight and sturdy with no damage. Truly a rare form.
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Horn, Fabric, Hardwood

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

An Aesthetic Movement Amboyna and Ebonized Music Cabinet with gilt decoration
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement amboyna and ebonized music cabinet with incised and gilt decoration. The open top with amboyna and incised gilt decoration...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Marescaux et Hahn Belgian Asparagus Artichoke Majolica Plate
By J. Hahn Marescaux
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An earthenware asparagus and artichoke plate, marked P. Marescaux et J. Hahn, Belgium, circa 1880. Unusual for the coloring, and with mold work similar to Luneville or Saint-Amand...
Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Pair 19th Century Japanese Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th Century Japanese carved wood wall shelves with inlay and painted foliage motifs.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare c.1900 Grecian Pattern Historical Blue Royal Staffordshire Pottery Plate
Located in Louisville, KY
This rare Royal Staffordshire Pottery piece was part of the Aesthetic Movement, which started in England in the late 19th century. This plate has the historic Staffordshire markings ...
Category

Early 20th Century 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.