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.
7
1,457
41
20
to
182
860
606
1,518
1,497
1,505
192,835
116,422
41,902
32,249
15,072
11,578
10,463
10,253
9,498
8,666
7,311
7,075
6,301
5,885
5,629
5,235
4,630
3,529
5
1,067
385
61
186
92
45
41
11
11
10
7
9
13
9
7
8
486
481
421
176
146
1,121
659
566
243
221
33
29
29
21
19
Style: Aesthetic Movement
19th Century "Aesthetic Movement" Crema Valancia Marble Mantel
Located in New York, NY
A striking late 19th century “Aesthetic Movement" mantel in Crema Valancia marble. The tapered footblock supporting twin octagonal columns. The frieze centered with a rectangular neoclassical plaque of pale green wedgewood...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Tantalus Wine Cradle by Hukin & Heath in the Christopher Dresser Style
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Aesthetic Movement silver plate Tantalus Wine Cradle (1834-1904) made by Hukin & Heath, Birmingham, England and done in the style of Christopher Dresser.
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Large 19th Century Forged Iron Sconce
Located in Carmel, CA
This large sconce has seven candles or light cups. The upward arms of the sconce have berry and leaf detail. The candle cups are flower petals. It is drilled to be easily electrified...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
English Aesthetic Movement Refectory Table
By William Lethaby
Located in New York, NY
English Aesthetic Movement oak refectory dining table with plank top on 8 octagonal columnar legs joined by a stretcher (attributed to WILLI...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Bradley and Hubbard Umbrella Stand
Located in Greenwich, CT
A cast iron umbrella stand by noted maker Bradley and Hubbard, having elaborate scrollwork decoration, twist holder and carrying handle, with wonde...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Iron
English Victorian Bamboo and Rush Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian (19th century) large rectangular bamboo wall mirror with a red rush matted frame border trimmed with strips of bamboo.
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Black Porcelain Vase with Gold & Platinum
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an extraordinary example of "Aesthetic Movement" decoration, finely rendered on black glazed porcelain. The well detailed and beautifully painted subject, depicts a hunter wi...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
English Ebonized Cupboard Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
English Aesthetic Movement (19th Century) ebonized cupboard cabinet with gold incised and floral carved trim and mirrored back panels on upper section with filigree pediment top.
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold
Important French Orientalist Jeweled Clock for Turkish Market, YSL Collection
Located in New York, NY
An important antique French orientalist style Jeweled gilt bronze clock made for the Ottoman market. This enameled clock sits within the decorated column's supporting a tulip shaped ...
Category
19th Century Turkish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Pair 19th c. Wedgwood Aesthetic Movement Porcelain Plaques Thomas Allen
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This pair of unusual porcelain plaques depict two young women in period dress against gold background panels. The acid etched panels are decorated with an all-over Aesthetic Movement motif depicting peacock feathers and surrounded by sheaves of wheat. The painting of the women is finely done and very detailed in a thick enamelled application. One is playing with a stick-toy doll and the other with wheat and a toy broom.
Unsigned but attributed to Thomas Allen...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Pair of Handblown Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Rose Pink Crystal Vases
By Bohemia
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a well matched pair of Bohemian or French handblown vases shading from a subtle pale rose to a slightly darker shade as it reaches the top rim. They are decorated with an Aes...
Category
19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair of 19th Century Hand-Painted Ceramic Plaques Seascapes 2-DM Birds
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This huge pair of "Barbotine" ceramic plaques have all the bells and whistles. Completely hand-painted with inviting seascapes, each one is surrounded with paste flowers and realisti...
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century Ashworth Polychrome Huge Dinner Service "Aesthetic Movement" 1880's
Located in Great Barrington, MA
An extensive and creatively decorated, hand painted Ironstone dinner service with "Chinoiserie" enamel decoration, highlighted in gold. This s...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ironstone, Porcelain
Regency Style Bamboo Upholstered Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Regency Style bamboo open arm chair with high back design and upholstered seat and back panel (19/20th Cent.)
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Large Gothic Style Bronze Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
This late 19th century Gothic style patinated bronze chandelier was once a gasolier,. It has eight arms, four flowing down from the foliate decorated crown . The other four upturn...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Repousse Silver Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A French rectangular table with repousse silver plaques and inlay. Primary woods is walnut with ebonized wood trim and pewter legs.
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Large Orientalist Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large, early 20th century orientalist painting. Oil on canvas. No trace of signature.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
European Stone Lithographic German Poster by Franz Stuck Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This 1911 German authentic and original European original stone lithograph custom framed poster is by Franz von Stuck. The paper has gold leaf on it. This is a rare poster and very f...
Category
Early 20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Carved Two Color Granite Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This late 19th century table consisting of two different colors of granite is centred on a dark grey granite urn raised up on a long thin socle. The urn body using as its decorative ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Granite
Ford Maddox Brown. Morris & Co. Aesthetic Movement pair rush seat Sussex chairs
By Morris & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in London, GB
Ford Maddox Brown for Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement pair of rush seat Sussex side chairs with newly laid rush seat.These chairs have been totally restored and had new rush pro...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Rush
Antique English Walnut E W Godwin Style Side Table
Located in Sherborne, GB
E W Godwin side table circa 1880 in walnut with a moulded top, elegant turned legs and a lower shelf supported by fine angled brackets, the table is in very good condition.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Oyster Plate Porcelain with Turkey Pattern Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th Century French porcelain oyster plate with the turkey pattern signed Limoges Haviland.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Oyster Plate Porcelain with Turkey Pattern Haviland Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th-century French porcelain oyster plate with turkey pattern signed Limoges Haviland.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th-C. French Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Pine & Marble Chest / Commode
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a personal favorite! This is a late 19th century French pine commode with white marble top. The marble is not attached. The piece does have dovetail construction. It is in ve...
Category
Late 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble
George Jones English Majolica Albino Strawberry Spoon
By George Jones
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A George Jones Majolica Strawberry spoon, England, circa 1870.
In the Aesthetic taste and glazed in the white ground known as 'Albino.' The green l...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Aesthetic Walnut & Burl Marble Top Dressing Table with Bird & Leaf Tiles
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Aesthetic Walnut & Burl Marble Top & Mirrored Dressing Table with Bird & Leaf Tiles, c1890
Measures - 52"H x 51.25"W x 22.25"D
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Corner Etagere
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement bamboo corner etagere, with three faux lacquer shelves and four back back panels similarly decorated within a bamboo frame. 47...
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer
Just Andersen large alloyed bronze bowl
Located in London, GB
A large alloyed bronze patinated dish bowl stamped Just Andersen Denmark and numbered 1736 X. Some wear to the patination which should be visible in the photos but otherwise a larger...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th-C. English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo & Lacquer Wall Shelf W/ Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century English burnt bamboo wall shelf with center mirror. Each of the three smaller shelves have lacquered black and russet decorations. The shelf has age appro...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Mirror, Lacquer
Set of 12 Cobalt and Gilt Limoges Dinner Plates in Arabesque Design, circa 1900
By Limoges
Located in Essex, MA
Twelve cobalt and gold limoges dinner plates
Porcelain with cobalt background, hand-painted flowers and arabesque design.
Marked W. Guerin & Co. with circa 1900 green mark
e...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Classic Early Loetz Glass Vase Enamelled Flowers on Spreading Peach c1890
By Loetz Glass
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Classic early Loetz glass vase enamelled with yellow flowers and green grasses on peach at the top spreading to white below made c1890. A tall necked vase...
Category
1890s Czech Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Antique Gilded Room Divider Screen Oil Painting Aesthetic Movement NY 1885
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & rare antique American Aesthetic Movement gilded three panel room divider screen, with three original oil paintings, 1885, from...
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Writing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement bamboo and lacquer writing table, circa 1910. With an Asian style bamboo top, the writing area with two small drawers on each side a later tooled leather top, a fr...
Category
1910s European Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Hermes Horsebit Silver Bracelet 925, France
By Hermès
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Hermes Silver Bracelet 925 France. Vintage silver bracelet 925 representing horse bits connected between them by straps. Original velvet...
Category
1960s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver
Brass Aesthetic Movement Bulrush and Floral Push Plate
By William Morris (English), William Morris American
Located in Garnerville, NY
An amazing Late 19th Century cast brass PUSH push plate. This great period piece is a fine mix of Egyptian Revival, Art Nouveau and Aesthetic Movement design. The raised relief bulru...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Rogers Aesthetic Silver Plated Tilting Teapot & Stand with Birds C1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic teapot by Rogers offers silver plate construction with tilting teapot having embossed bird and foliate design, seated on heating ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Walnut, Marble and Minton Tile Sideboard
Located in Centennial, CO
An absolutely stunning early 1900s antique English aesthetic movement walnut sideboard with marble and Minton tile inserts set atop black cast iron legs. Heavily hand carved with botanical motifs and ornamented with original brass chinoiserie hardware...
Category
Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Pair of "King" Pattern Sterling Silver Spoons
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of "King" pattern sterling silver serving or table spoons, retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co., late 19th century. Most probably by Dominick & Haff. Light design wear...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
c. 1900 Set of Four Sterling Teaspoons by Dominick & Haff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 4 sterling silver teaspoons "King" pattern by Dominick & Haff, circa 1900. Good weight. Made for Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Monogram "MEJ". 4.65 troy oz.
6" x 1 1/4".
Whitehall ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Aesthetic Wakefield Rattan Co. Etagere, c.1880
Located in Savannah, GA
An Aesthetic Period Wakefield Rattan Co. etagere, circa 1880s.
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Rattan
Vassily Kandinsky Framed Poster
Located in New York, NY
"Spitzen im Bogen / Vassily Kandisky," offset lithographic poster, after the original from 1927. 48" H x 36" W.
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
Aesthetic Movement Silver Plate Ice Bucket by Meridan Silver w/Chrysanthemums
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
American Aesthetic Movement ice bucket in silver plate by Meridan. The tub form bucket with allover chrysanthemum pattern to the exterior and a removable strainer plate and fixed handle...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Antique Aesthetic Bronzed Metal, Jeweled & Mirrored Candle Wall Sconces C1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Aesthetic Movement mirrored wall sconces offer bronzed cast metal frames with a bird form pediments, marsh elements and double arms terminating in candle sockets; ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Elegant Italian Murano Mirror, and Stick
Located in Nice, FR
Elegant Italian Murano mirror, Golden brass structure, turquoise blue murano glass plates. It can be placed on the vertical or horizontal wall.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
The Secular Furniture of E.W. Godwin - Catalogue Raisonné - 1st Edition 1999
Located in London, GB
First Edition, published for The Bard Graduate Center by Yale University Press, 1999. Text by Susan Weber Soros.
"The Secular Furniture of E. W. Godwin" is a fascinating exploration...
Category
1990s American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
English Aesthetic Ebonized Wood and Brass Wall Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
English Aesthetic Ebonized Wood and Brass Wall Cabinet, c. 1880, the finialed back splash with a relief brass floral plate, over a double door cupboard with brass floral relief panels, above a shaped shelf on a finialed bottom.
Wonderful to place in your bathroom as a beautiful centerpiece as well as for storage of small items or in your living room, bedroom, keeping room or even your study. Anywhere you choose to place this unusual cabinet...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
John Seddon Bailey & Co Fulham Pottery Salt Glazed Stoneware Spirit Flagon
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare English Aesthetic Period salt glazed stoneware spirit flagon designed by John Seddon for Bailey & Co, Fulham and dated 29th December 1880. The flagon is of square shape with a...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Trio of Tables, 1970, Italy
Located in Nice, FR
Series of three brass nesting tables. Smoked lenses. Italian work from the 70s. In good condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Orchies French Faïence Majolica Asparagus Plate, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Faïence majolica glazed asparagus plate from the Orchies Faïencerie in Saint-Armand-Les-Eaux, Northern France, circa 1890-1900.
Cre...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Salins-les-Bain French Faïence Majolica Asparagus Plate, circa 1880
By Salins
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French majolica barbotine asparagus plate from the Salins-les-Bains region of eastern France, circa 1880.
Four purple tipped asparagus spears lay on a bed of green leaves agains...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
19th Century American Gothic Chair
Located in London, London
Gothic chair
American Aesthetic Movement
Walnut
Original velvet upholstery
19th Century America
46cm seat height.
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Contemporary Amethyst, Murano Glass Mirror, in Stock.
Located in Nice, FR
Contemporary Murano mirror, structure in gilded brass, the work of the glass resembles pebbles of Amethyst color. Very nice achievement.
Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
George Sheibler Sterling Tea Strainer, Homeric, Medallion Pattern
By Schiebler
Located in Riverdale, NY
Aesthetic period George Shiebler sterling tea strainer from the late 19th Century. Homeric/ Medallion pattern hand raised with 3 mediallions of p...
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Pedestal Torchière with Incised & Gilded Decoration
Located in London, GB
In style of Dr C Dresser for Bushloe House.
An Aesthetic movement, circular ebonized pedestal torchière or stand, with close carved gilded florets alternating with leaves and lower ...
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
Green Majolica Sunflower Plates by Wedgwood, circa 1880
By Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 20 green majolica glazed dinner plates in the ‘Sunflower’ pattern by Wedgwood, made circa 1880.
The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather, became an emblem ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery
Luneville French Faïence Majolica Asparagus And Shell Plate, circa 1890
By Luneville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French barbotine Majolica Asparagus plate attributed to Lunéville K & G (Keller et Guerin) – Circa 1890. Luneville Faience is one of the most well known French potteries, located i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Danish Mid Century Glass Cabinet
Double Display Cabinets
Framed Textile Panel
Chest Turned Feet
Embroidery Sofa
Chinese Republic Period
Double Door Handle
Vintage Cabinet Drawer Handles
Flower Power Vintage
Chinese Reverse Painting
Continental Cabinet
Chest With White Marble Top
Antique Corner Cabinet With Glass
Cast Door Pull
Chest Of Drawers With Carving
Distressed Antique Doors
Clothing Cabinets
Dry Bar Shelf