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
19th Century Pair of KPM Attributed Porcelain Painted Plaques of Woman & Boy
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Pair of KPM Attributed Porcelain Painted Plaques of Woman & Boy
Dimensions : Frame - 16" Tall X 14" Wide X 2" Deep Porcelain 6.5" Tall
This gorgeous pair of KPM Attrib...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
VM-Plaster Mirror 70"
By L. P.
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
French Aesthetic Movement Patinated Bronze Figural Bowl/Basket
Located in Norwood, NJ
French aesthetic movement patinated and gilt bronze figural center bowl/basket, third quarter 19th century, formed as a large stylized woven basket. With leaves and vines as well as ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
VM-Martini Table
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Beatiful and delicate Martini side table, hammered solid black metal oiled finished 8"dia x 26"H
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Victorian Bamboo Headboard with lacquered chinoiserie panels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A highly decorative Aesthetic movement Bamboo headboard with hand painted lacquer panels. The natural finished bamboo frame with chinoiserie panels resting on brass castors . The t...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
Secretary/davenport In Bamboo And Lacquer With Asian Decor - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb and unique secretary called davenport in bamboo and Chinese lacquer with Asian decoration from the 19th century from England
Very beautiful little secretary, the first we ha...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
FOUR FINE BURR WALNUT AESTHETIC MOVEMENT DINING CHAIRS WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUEs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this suite of four very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement di...
Category
19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
French Faience Tureen Creil et Montereau, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Saint Cloud Tureen signed Creil et Montereau Circa 1890.
Painted roses and wild roses , shell handle.
Saint-Cloud is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France,...
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faience
Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Tazza
Located in New York, NY
This gleaming Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver "Blackberry" Tazza originates from the United States, Circa 1895. Featuring a scalloped profile achieved with ornate organic designs and...
Category
1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Store Showcase Cabinet Or Bookcase In Mahogany Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely little mahogany display cabinet or bookcase from the early 19th century circa 1820.
Small model with cut corners which is unusual. It must certainly have been in a store as a...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gillow and Co. Oak Octagonal Table, England, circa 1860
Located in Oxford, GB
Description
Stamped and numbered oak octagonal drum Gillow and Co. pedestal table, circa 1860. Untouched and 100% authentic with just shy of 160 years of...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Huichol Niereka Art Textile
Located in New York, NY
Mexican Huichol Niereka art textile depicting two figures, one with deer antlers shooting a bow and arrow at an anthropomorphic zoomorphic figure, housed ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Textile
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Category
20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Of Globe Wernicke Bookcases In Oak -19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of large Globe Wernicke London bookcases in oak from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England
The two bookcases are made up of 5 elements
The book...
Category
Early 20th Century English 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
Pair, Antique Meissen Porcelain Ornithological & Gold Encrusted Chargers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meissen (German, founded 1710), 20th century.
A pair of fine quality porcelain chargers depicting two hand painted birds. Each centralized ornithological bird perched on a branch is...
Category
20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Enamel
E W Godwin Attr, . Aesthetic Movement Oak Armchair With Serpentine Shaped Back
Located in London, GB
Attributed to E W Godwin;
An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair made by James Peddle.
With shaped arms, turned front legs and saber back legs united by high stretchers.
A comfortable ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Antique English Aesthetics Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century English desk handcrafted in bamboo in a Japonisme form featuring lacquered panels hand decorated with flowers and birds, the original brass hardware, leather ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
A large, shallow ceramic vase from France 1970s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A large, shallow ceramic vase from France, dating back to the 1970s, reminiscent of the work of Yves Mohy and the workshops of Virebent. It features abstract designs and exquisite en...
Category
1970s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Haviland Limoges Butterfly Handled Cup and saucer set, 1879-1889, Aesthetic
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Cup and saucer set by Haviland & Cie is decorated in Aesthetic style, combining elements of 3 different patterns. Meadow Visitors butterflies, placed between Bracquemond style sprays of pink roses and blue cornflowers, are accentuated with grey and gold medallions in abstract design. The butterflies and roses are decorated with raised enamel accents, and the butterfly shaped handle is outlined with delicate gold veins, tracing the wing pattern. The cup is 2.12" tall and 3.5" wide at the rim; the saucer is 5.65" in diameter.
Set uses butterfly handled blank that was in production for relatively short time; factory decorated pieces are rather rare due to limited supply and fragility of the cups. This set is marked with the blue donut-shaped decorator mark, used in 1879-1889, on both cup and saucer, and underglaze green manufacturer marks: H&C on the cup, dating it 1876-1879, and H&C/L on the saucer, dating it 1876-1889.
Examples of similar decorations, utilizing abstract border designs instead of medallions on china with Meadow Visitors decor, can be seen in Haviland China...
Category
19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
Height / 8 inches.
Diameter / 10.5 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Engraved Sterling Silver Tiffany & Co Footed Salver Tray New York 1870
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Tiffany & Co footed sterling silver salver or tray, circa 1870.
The circular footed tray is engraved in the aesthetic taste with fruiting flowers and having an 'egg & dart' e...
Category
1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Small Terrestrial Globe From J.forest - Paris
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful little Terrestrial Globe from the beginning of the 20th century circa 1910 by J. Forest Paris Rue de Bucci
The Terrestrial Globe has a very beautiful blackened wooden...
Category
Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Porcelain 6-Well Oyster Plate, c.1890
By Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French porcelain oyster plate, circa 1890.
Six shell shaped oyster wells with colorful, hand painted ‘eyes’ surround a central turquoise, round sauce well, outlined in gold.
The ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Mirror 1970, style, Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Nice, FR
Rectangular mirror in speckled maple from the 1970s in the style of Willy Rizzo. In the center a mirror. Four in brass.
Beautiful workmanship. Very good above a chest of drawers or ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Old Hand Painted "Fish" Tiles
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
nr. 1647 - Pair of antique "fish " tiles, hand painted under plaze. They were glued to the wall to embelish houses and gardens: I did it too at the seaside.
I have other ones, that ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Azerbaijani Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Glass and mirror pedestal table, asymmetrical, Fontana Arte style, 1970
Located in Nice, FR
Round glass and mirror pedestal table with asymmetrical glass legs, mirrored top in the style of Fontana Arte from the 70s
Italian work, design
This pedestal table can be placed at t...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mirror
Italian Gilt Lily Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Italian gilt metal lily table with glass top.
Category
20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Studio Crafted Claro Walnut End Table, 1970s
By Sam Maloof
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning, studio crafted end table constructed of solid Claro walnut, made by an unknown designer in the 1970s. The table features a large storage area, a small drawer and a pull out tray for a drink...
Category
1970s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cauldon Dinner Plates, Set of 12
By Cauldon
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a beautifully decorated set of 12 Cauldon dinner plates that date to the first half of the 20th century. All of the plates are in very good condition and are ready for your n...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Oil On Canvas Equestrian Scene by George Armfield
By George Armfield
Located in Dublin 8, IE
George Armfield (1808-1893) oil on canvas painting, depicting an atmospheric scene of three horses to foreground with a thunderstorm in the background. Dramatic tension is created by...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint
Antique Aesthetic Foliate Carved Rosewood & Rouge Marble Side Table C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic side stand offers rosewood construction with and inset rouge marble top, foliate carved skirt, lower shelf and raised on straight square legs, c1910
Measures - ...
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Marble
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Etagere
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement bamboo and lacquered etagere / canterbury, circa 1910. With bamboo frame work and lacquered panels. The lower section is a magazin...
Category
1910s European Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
Large Scale Gilt Bronze 6-Light Candelabra W/ Fox & Dog Hunting Scene
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, late 19th century. Good Quality
Behold the epitome of grandeur and sophistication: a truly magnificent Large Scale Gilt Bronze 6-Light Candelabra, resplendent with an enchan...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Giacometti Style Plaster Light Fixture, 6 Lights, France
Located in Nice, FR
Plaster luminaire with 6 branches (E27 base) in the style of Giacometti. Elegant and sober. The luminaire is electrified.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Brown Wedgewood Transferware wall plates England, 1880s
By Wedgewood
Located in Milan, IT
Set of Three Brown Wedgewood Transferware wall plates England, 1880s
The smaller wall plates measure 16.8 x 16.8 x H 3 cm
Category
1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
French Brown Majolica Oyster Plate, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Very rare French Majolica oyster plate, circa 1890.
White flower on the center and leaves.
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Josiah Wedgwood Colored Cabbage Leaf on Basket Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica multi-colored glazed cabbage leaf on basket rim plate, Josiah Wedgwood, circa 1870.
Most often found in a solid green glaze, cabbage leaf plates were also made briefly i...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Circa 1880s Set of Fish Knives & Forks for 6, English
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A circa 1880s set of fish knives & forks for 6, English. Silverplate made by William Hutton & Sons, Sheffield. Aesthetic taste. Fine condition.
Knife: 9.5" x 7/8" blade, Fork: 7 7/8"...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Large Majolica Thistle Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
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
1950s French Carved Giltwood And Painted Acorn And Leaf Sconces - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of carved giltwood French sconces that depict spiraling leaves with branches and acorns. They most likely date to the 1950s. The pair is not electrified.
Category
1950s French Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Vintage Wicker Garden or Porch Planter Stand
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fabulous, 1930s, tightly woven wicker plant holder with spiral turned wood legs.
Painted motif of red and black in center. High skilled craftsmanship.
Galvanized inner liner.
Category
Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Wood
13 Davenport 19th c. Dessert Set W/ Aesthetic Movement Teal Blue Fern Subjects
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 13 Aesthetic Movement dessert plates with matching serving compote, were made by Davenport ca. 1890's and feature hand decorated ferns surrounding the molded floral relie...
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Majolica Thistle Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica thistle jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880.
Height / 9 inches.
Diameter / 13 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
An Elegant Pair of Antique French, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figure Candelabra
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant pair of antique French, guilt and patinated bronze figure candelabra from the 1870s the pair with two different patinated bronze bust centers with the rest in its brillian...
Category
1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Wedgwood Majolica Tortoise Glazed Scallop-Shell Seafood Server, 1889
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, an English majolica scallop shell shaped seafood serving dish, date marked 1889.
Showing the mottled tortoiseshell glazing of greens, amber, and brown. The mold refle...
Category
19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
19th Century American Aesthetic Period Grain Painted Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
American Aesthetic Movement footstool on four tapered legs below a shaped and pierced apron, the legs connected with ball and ring turned x-stretcher centering a large red sphere wit...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Wood & Hughes Sterling Silver Zephyr Pattern Gravy or Sauce Ladles
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of silver gravy or sauce ladles.
By Wood & Hughes.
In sterling silver.
In the Zephyr pattern.
Each ladle with a gilt bowl and raised geometric decoration to the hand...
Category
19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Early 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Large Aesthetic Movement Hand Wrought Black Iron Andirons 28” Tall By 22” deep and 16” wide. Each andiron is one piece. Great condition with just s...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Circa 1880-1900 Seashells & Seaweed Motif Fish Service by Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880-1900 sea shells & seaweed motif fish service, Limoges, France. Comprised of a platter, shell bowl, 8 plates & 8 sauce dishes. All but sauce dishes are R. Delinieres & Co, ...
Category
1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Big Lustre A Cage Antique Chandelier Crystal Brass
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant Antique Chandelier: A Testament to Craftsmanship and Grace
Behold the splendor of the past revitalized in our meticulously restored old chandelier, a true masterpiece that e...
Category
1880s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th C Bronze pendant with Bats
Located in Hudson, NY
Amazing. Bronze. Possibly Austrian. Wonderful patina.
This is not currently wired. If you have any questions or would like it wired please reach out.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 6 1880-83 Sterling Silver Tablespoons by Gorham
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 Gorham's Cluny sterling silver tablespoons, 1880-1883. One of the greatest silver designs of the Aesthetic Movement in America. Obverse monogra...
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair, Aesthetic Movement Jeweled Bronze 2-Candle Wall Mirrors C. 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
Likely English, circa 1890.
A pair of heavy and good quality bronze 2-light wall sconces. Each with a pierced surface showing arrays of floral, foliate and inset with 4 beautiful je...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Porcelain Octagonal Hand-Painted Oyster Plate, c.1890
By Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French porcelain oyster plate, circa 1890-1910.
Octagonal in shape and glazed in a lovely soft turquoise, the five oyster wells sit on a bed of stylized coral or sea weed.
The wh...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique 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.
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