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
Gillows attri An Aesthetic Movement oblong ebonized & Gilded walnut centre table
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oblong ebonized walnut center table with canted corners and incised gilded decoration throughout. The top with a molded edge and quadrant su...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1887 Aesthetic Movement Combination Gas Electric Chandelier
Located in Mississauga, CA
Now this is a fascinating light and an incredible historic artifact from the very early days of electricity. It was originally a gas and electric light with the gas burners pointing ...
Category
1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Mid-Century Chinese Hand Painted Bird & Floral Bamboo Side Tables / Cabinets -2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century hand painted Aesthetic Movement inspired celadon bamboo cabinets. They have bird and floral fronts with pinstripe details....
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Gillows of Lancaster An Aesthetic Movement ebonized circular side table
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized circular side table with carved sunflower floret to the top with three turned, carved and incised gilt decoration to the legs and t...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
An Aesthetic Movement heavy cast brass peacock trivet with fine detailing
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement heavy cast brass peacock trivet with fine detailing throughout.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
19th C French Bronze Snake Candlesticks
Beautiful original patina in red. Gilt bronze snake.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Orientalist Chandelier, France, Circa 1870
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare chandelier in gilded and patinated bronze with eighteen lights, finely decorated with stylized oriental motifs in polychrome red and blue cold enamel. Surmounted by an elegant c...
Category
1870s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A little pair of Aesthetic Movement oak Thebe stools with leather studded seats
Located in London, GB
A little pair of Aesthetic Movement oak stools with leather studded seats, on Thebes style mushroom feet.
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Maple & Co London Bruce Talbert attr. Aesthetic Movement chest of five drawers.
By Maple & Co.
Located in London, GB
Maple and Co London, in the style of Bruce Talbert. A good quality Aesthetic Movement chest of drawers made from Walnut with a wonderful wild figure to the grain. Molded decoration t...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
E W Godwin attributed, A set of four Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs
Located in London, GB
Edward William Godwin attributed.
A set of four Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs with carved florets to the headrests and a turned gallery below the backrest with finely turned ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Aesthetic Movement walnut metamorphic oak coal box with Herons in a river scene.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut metamorphic oak coalbox. The handle when pulled back mechanically opens the two doors to the front, which has brass panels depicting Herons eating fish i...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Gillows attr An Aesthetic Movement ebonized & fold over floral inlaid card table
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized fold over and swivel top card table with the original red baize to the playing area. The recta...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Dr C Dresser Benham & Froud. An Aesthetic Movement brass fire bucket and shovel.
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser for Benham and Froud, stamped mark to base.
An Aesthetic Movement brass fire bucket and shovel with an organic whiplash handle, rising ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
James Dixon, Dr C Dresser style of. A silver plated sugar bowl and milk jug
Located in London, GB
James Dixon, Dr C Dresser style of. An Aesthetic Movement silver-plated sugar bowl and milk jug, the jug with a trumpet style flower to the handle. H 5 x W 11 x D 11.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Walker Hall Dr C Dresser style. An Aesthetic Movement silver plated spoon warmer
Located in London, GB
Walker Hall Sheffield after a design by Dr C Dresser. An Aesthetic Movement silver-plated ostrich egg shape spoon warmer with a circular handle, a mouth-shaped opening, and subtle ha...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Aesthetic Movement, Maple Faux Bamboo Side Table Attributed to RJ Horner
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
19th Century rare Aesthetic Movement, Maple Faux Bamboo Side Table Attributed to RJ Horner + Co. NY.
Category
19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
E W Godwin for William Watt An Aesthetic Movement tall back ebonized armchair.
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin attributed, probably made by William Watt. An Aesthetic Movement tall back ebonized armchair. The turnings are in keeping with other Godwin designs, and the arms are iden...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Collinson & Lock. Aesthetic Movement octogonal two tier table on ring turn legs.
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut octogonal two tier side table on splayed and fine ring turn legs, reminiscent of some of the legs Godwin chased around.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement oak oblong side table with ring turned legs, and splayed feet
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement oak oblong side table with staggered ring turnings to the legs and stood on splayed-out feet united by a fine ring-turned centr...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
A Boucheron Paris 18k Gold Silver & Ruby Vermeil Minaudiere Circa 1940
By Boucheron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Boucheron Paris 18k Gold, Silver & Ruby Vermeil Minaudiere Circa 1940, of rectangular form with a hinged cover the top of the cover with pierced vermeil scrolling foliage the flow...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Gold, Silver
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. An Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair with ebonized dot details and chip carved details to the fra...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Lambs of Manchester (stamped). A fine Aesthetic Movement oak breakfront bookcase
Located in London, GB
Lambs of Manchester, stamped to the brass door lock. A fine Aesthetic Movement breakfront bookcase made from quarter sawn oak with a raised back to the...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Faux Bamoo Doll Bed or Dog Bed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This a charming Faux Bamboo Doll Bed ( dog bed?) that date to the late 19th century. This little bed is in very good condition and features turned beehive f...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Pine
Lewis Foreman Day. A rare Aesthetic Movement mantel clock with floral decoration
Located in London, GB
Lewis Foreman Day for Howell James & Co. An Aesthetic Movement mantel clock with hand painted floral decoration and sunflower to the dial flanked...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Collinson & Walton. An Aesthetic Movement burr walnut & ebonized music cabinet
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Walton. A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized music cabinet with pierced gallery to the top, wild burr walnut panels to the doors which open to reveal sheet music slides, ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut eight leg centre table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed, in the style of H W Batley. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal Mahogany eight leg centre table with shaped supports below the top and four ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
An Aesthetic Movement wrought iron and copper fire bucket with sunflower finials
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement wrought writhen iron and copper fire bucket, with sunflowers that form a part of the main iron frame coming down to form the r...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Collinson & Lock EW Godwin attri. An Aesthetic Movement walnut side cabinet.
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock EW Godwin attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Mahogany side cabinet, the upper cupboard doors with contrasting fruit wood panels and little ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dr. C Dresser & Barnard, Bishop & Barnard. A rare Aesthetic Movement fireplace.
Located in London, GB
Barnard, Bishop, and Barnard & Dr C Dresser, with the original B, B, & B paper label to the back.
A rare Aesthetic Movement walnut fire surround, inset with four Linthorpe pottery c...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Pottery
Aesthetic Movement Walnut side table wot-not-stand with half triangle shelves.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut tall side table wot-not-stand with a molded square top and a further full shelf below followed by staggered tri-angular shelves, from to bottom with fine...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Bruce Talbert Gillows, Aesthetic Movement rosewood armchair with pink upholstery
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood armchair with a pink button back upholstered back and seat.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Bruce Talbert An Aesthetic Movement Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement/Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box with carved lunettes, florets and incised turned details to the legs united with turnings ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
An Aesthetic Movement Satin Birch bedside cabinet with a central Walnut handle.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Satin Birch bedside cabinet with a contrasting turned Walnut handle to the door. Circa 1870.
SALW.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Birch
E W Godwin attr. A pair of Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs ready upholstery
Located in London, GB
Edward William Godwin attributed. A pair of Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs with carved florets to the headrests. Ready for upholstery. Price for the pair
See Soros, Susan Weber...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Phillip Webb A large Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co attributed. A larger than usual Aesthetic Movement bobbin turned Satinwood chaise lounge or day bed, the upper turned armrests with typical Morris and ...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Armani Casa Pump Workout Luxury Set Made in Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Armani Casa Pump Workout Luxury Set
Pump is a range conceived for the home fitness signature of designer Giorgio Armani as part of Armani Casa. This minimalist yet incredibly glamourous set includes:
• Mesh and Leather Carrying Workout Bag featuring GA Signature
• Pump Leather Jump Rope with dust bag in mesh fabric featuring GA Signature: Handles can be opened to regulate length of rope.
• Set of two weights (1 kilo or 2.2 pounds) each. Wrapped in eco leather featuring GA Signature.
• Leather water...
Category
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Metal
Morris & Co (style of). An Aesthetic Movement armchair with seagrass seat
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co (style of). An Aesthetic Movement armchair with seagrass seat.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Beech
A pair of small Aesthetic Movement oak sets of drawers with lockable side flaps.
Located in London, GB
A pair of small Aesthetic Movement oak sets of drawers, with carved alternating fern leaf decoration to the drawer fronts and ring pull brass handles. The hinged sides with lockable ...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
E W Godwin for William Watt. An oak Shakespeare armchair. One of only four known
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin made by William Watt. An oak Shakespeare armchair. This armchair was part of the Shakespeare dining room suite in the Elizabethan-Revival style that Godwin designed for William Watt, which was illustrated in the Building News on 11 November 1881 Fig. 176.1. Four are currently known in existence, this one with an upholstered seat, two with solid seats in private collections, and the fourth is in a National Trust house. See The Secular Furniture of EW Godwin...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
E W Godwin. An Aesthetic Movement Shakespeare armchair with marquetry decoration
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin attributed, probably made by William Watt.
An Aesthetic Movement Shakespeare armchair with marquetry and carved decoration. The overall form of this Shakespeare armchair...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by De Kok
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Framed oil painting on canvas by De Kok showcases the artist's firm grasp on creating the tranquility of an intriguing landscape composition using color and contrast resultin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
19th c. Minton Aesthetic Movement "Aquarium" Fish Plate
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This Minton "Aquarium" plate was part of a fish service which is a rare and sought after pattern. The celadon green ground contrasts beautifully with the vibrant polychrome decoratio...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Unusual 19th C., Victorian Aesthetic Movement Petit Point Boot Jack
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, 19th century.
An unusual Victorian Aesthetic Movement petit point boot jack. The frame is constructed from walnut with gold painted detailing to the carved recessions. The ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Aesthetic Movement side table with sunflower & curved & straight side stretchers
Located in London, GB
A rare Aesthetic Movement walnut side table with two curved upper stretchers that unite to a central sunflower and a lower straight sided H stretcher that unites to the bottom of the...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Martin Brothers Loving Cup
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
5461
Martin Brothers Loving Cup with a crisp firing of an aquatic scene with twin handles.
The vessel, thrown and decorated by Edwin and Walter Martin features stylised decoration of 9 fish...
Category
1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Hat For Table Lamp
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/425 - Lamp hat embroidered in silver tinsel: unique piece. It is suitable for a high floor or table lamp.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silk
Collinson & Lock (attributed). A small Aesthetic Movement mahogany side table.
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock Attributed. A small Aesthetic Movement Mahogany side table with raised Japanese fretwork to the lower shelf.
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dr C Dresser for Benham & Froud. A pair of Aesthetic Movement brass fire dogs.
Located in London, GB
Dr C Dresser for Benham and Froud stamped mark. A pair of Aesthetic Movement brass fire dogs with sunflower heads on elegant shaped necks.
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Brass
Lamp Hat Embroidered in Silver Tinsel
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/423 - Unique piece : lamp hat embroidered in silver tinsel - It is suitable for a high floor or table lamp.
The price is very interesting because I want to close my activities.
...
Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Silk
Morris and Co. A superior quality Aesthetic Movement two tier walnut side table
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. Designed by George Jack.
A superior quality Aesthetic Movement two tier walnut side table, with a shaped apron below the top and f...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Thomas Jeckyll A rare Aesthetic Movement Walnut fire surround with butterfly's
Located in London, GB
Thomas Jeckyll for Barnard Bishop and Barnard. A rare Aesthetic Movement Walnut fire surround, the mantel with molded edges and four ebonized panels incised with butterfly and bamboo stems and leaf...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Morris & Co. A fine quality Aesthetic Movement walnut side table.
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. A fine quality Aesthetic Movement walnut side table with herringbone inlay to the top edge, stood on hexagonal shaped legs with a lower shelf
Category
1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
American Aesthetic Movement Birds Eye Maple Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Chinese and Japanese bamboo style furniture reached the height of popularity after the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. As the Aesthetic...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Birdseye Maple
French Painted Faux Bamboo Armoire, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A French painted faux bamboo armoire, circa 1890s.
Ten drawers with a mirror-front wardrobe.
34 ½ inches wide by 15 ½ inches deep by 63 ½ inches tall
Category
1890s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Paint, Wood
Lambs of Manchester An Aesthetic Movement ebonized Walnut eight leg centre table
Located in London, GB
Lambs of Manchester. A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized walnut octagonal eight-leg centre table with a veneered macassar ebony top and a molded edge and shaped aprons below united by...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Macassar
Dr Christopher Dresser An ebonized and gilded pedestal torchère
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized and gilded pedestal torchère in the style of Dr C Dresser. The circular top has a Greek key pattern band, the main octagonal column has incised and gil...
Category
1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Jas Shoolbred. An Aesthetic Movement adjustable height piano stool
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. An Aesthetic Movement adjustable height piano stool with carved florettes and line scribed decoration to the seat and to the shaped legs, united by a double stretcher. This has a BSA motor bike company mechanical height adjusting mechanism with gear cogs...
Category
1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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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