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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
Triple Silver Plated Tea Urn from Chas. W. Hamill & Co, Baltimore, MD, 1876-1884
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique silver plated tea urn, with ornate arms and lid, from the late 1800's, manufactured in Baltimore, MD, by Chas. Hamill & Co. Lovely vessel to stash all kinds of goodies, thoug...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Lampe Onyx
Located in Nice, FR
onyx table lamp lit with two bulbs a white cotton lampshade this lamp can go very well on a desk on a chest of drawers on a console a bulb is placed inside the lamp to illuminate it....
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Onyx

American Sterling Aesthetic 'Sailors Knot' Brush, Attributed Dominick & Haff
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Sterling Aesthetic 'Sailors Knot' Brush, Attributed Dominick & Haff USA, CIRCA 1880S Hallmarked 'STERLING', Attributed Dominick & Haff Silver Company. A remarkable America...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 12 Rare Signed Sinclaire Hand Blown Crystal Engraved Fish Soup Bowls
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an extremely rare set of signed hand blown crystal rimmed soup bowls made by the iconic H. P. Sinclaire Co, Ca. 1910-20's. Each crystal clear bowl is uniquely decorated with...
Category

1910s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Keller & Guerin Saint Clément French Faïence Majolica Asparagus Artichoke Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Saint Clément French Faïence, majolica glazed plate showing overlapping asparagus spears, leaves and globe artichoke heads on blue stems. A deep sauce well is also formed as an art...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

c. 1900 Brass Book Slide by Judd Mfg. Co., CT.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Expanding, folding brass book slide with cast iron camels by Judd Mfg. Co., CT., c.1900. The camels cold painted with patinated bases symbolic of pharaonic Egypt. Brass & steel mecha...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Aesthetic Period Painting and Portfolio Easel, circa 1880
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a Victorian, late 19th century Aesthetic period walnut adjustable painting easel, with nicely carved fold-out portfolio at the base, decorated with satinwood i...
Category

1890s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Splendid Brown Transferware Cake stand, England, 1880s
Located in Milan, IT
Beautiful Gardens scene Brown Transferware Cake stand, England, 1880s
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

c. 1900 Pair of Camel Cast Iron Bookends
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A pair of recumbent camel bookends, English, c.1900. Cast iron. 5 7/8" x 2.25" x 4.5" h. Whitehall Antiques is a family business that has been a major ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

1890s Belgian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Liberty & Company Mahogany Thebes Stool
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with new leather with tacks. With label from Liberty on base. From a Bunny Williams designed Palm Beach home.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Wedgwood Argenta Majolica Lemon Fruit Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood and in the color way known as Argenta, a fruit plate, England, circa 1875. Showing a central yellow lemon and leaves along with a branch of pears and walnuts, all on a...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Wedgwood Argenta Majolica Melon Fruit Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood and in the color way known as Argenta, a fruit plate, England, circa 1875. Showing a central green and orange melon and leaves along with a branch of plums and strawbe...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Minton Majolica Purple Grape Cluster on Green Leaf Covered Box, date marked 1861
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We rarely use the term rare … here we have a VERY rare covered majolica box in the form of a cluster of grapes on a leaf tray, made by Minton in England, date marked 1861. One of on...
Category

1860s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Gorham Bird’s Nest Sterling Silver Egg Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Bird’s Nest sterling silver egg spoon. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1880. Leafing twig stem and nest terminal lain with 3 eggs. Bowl elongated ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

American Aestheticism, Griffoul Foundry Sculptural Bronze Bookends, Early XX C.
By M. Peinlich
Located in New York, NY
A charming set of bronze bookends. One of the bookends depicts a figure of a young girl with a questioning face expression, holding a bouquet; and the other a cupid, who peeks around...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Marquetry Panel of a Terrace Scene by Pierre Rosenau
By Pierre Rosenau
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th century marquetry panel by Pierre Rosenau portrays a captivating classical scene of a terrace and garden set against the backdrop of an ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Wedgwood Argenta Majolica Apple Fruit Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood and in the color way known as Argenta, a fruit plate, England, circa 1875. Showing a central red and greenish apple and leaves along with a branch of apricots and haze...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Set of 14 Wedgwood Green Majolica Aesthetic Movement Sunflower Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 14 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

Pair Framed Silk Stevengraphs The Present Time & The Good Old Days
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine pair framed silk Stevengraphs, one titled The Present Time and the other The Good Old Days, by Thomas Stevens and dating from 1875. The rectangular silk sewn panels portray t...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silk

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

Aesthetic Movement Tiger Bamboo Bat Wing Bar
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Early 20th century Aesthetic Movement tiger bamboo small 2 person bat wing bar with a unique batwing bar top and small 2 shelf cabinet along the back.  
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Johnson Hartig Libertine Le Grand Tour Floral Screen
Located in Houston, TX
Custom six panel screen with Johnson Hartig of Libertine Le Grand Tour Floral Wallpaper (reverse side Architecture Teal Wallpaper) by Schumacher. Each p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Oak Platform Rocking Chair Rocker Beehive
Located in Dayton, OH
An intriguing Aesthetic Periiod platform rocking chair. Made from oak with a spindled back, ribbed and graduated (beehive) finials, bentwood and turned arms and a cloth seat. Dim...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Oak

ANTiQUE CIRCA 1880 AESTHETIC MOVEMENT BAMBOO CARVED CHINESE MAGAZINE PAPER RACK
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and highly collectable Aesthetic Movement Chinese ha...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Chair & Ottoman, Attr: Herter Brothers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite Antique Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Side Chair and Ottoman, ATTR: Herter Brothers This listing is for the TWO PIECES. *Please View Other Listings - Matching Piano Sto...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Wood

Faux Bamboo White Marble Top Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A charming chest of drawers with faux bamboo columns and moldings. Four roomy drawers. The marble which is original is in good antique condition. Original wood handles, pine wood carved faux bamboo columns on corners. White Marble Top...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Faux Bamboo

Scottish Wool Upholstered Stools
Located in Greenwich, CT
Two early 20th century aesthetic movement stools in ebonized beech with new lettuce green 100% scottish wool upholstered tops with brass stud detailing, both with box spindle stretch...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Beech

Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas by G. Remmerie is an interesting take on the classic landscape painting, where the artist has captured a low lying marshy area under an overcast...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Fine Bronze Bust of a Man in Manner of Sir Jacob Epstein (British 1880-1959)
By Jacob Epstein
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Bronze Bust of a man in the manner of Sir Jacob Epstein (British, 1880-1959), artist unknown. This beautifully executed green-patinated bronze somewhat resembles the style of ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

SMALL ANTiQUE CIRCA 1880 AESTHETIC MOVEMENT BAMBOO CARVED CHINESE FOOTSTOOL
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and highly collectable Aesthetic Movement Chinese ha...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo

Antique oil painting "Flowers of the Field" signed, Second Half of the 19th century, France
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This splendid French oil painting was made with a remarkable painting technique that allows the artist to achieve a high degree of naturalistic rendering.Put in relation to the chron...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Aesthetic Movement Emerald Green Glass Leaf Plates
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Discover the epitome of elegance and refinement with our exquisite collection of a set of 4 emerald green glass leaf plates. The delicate gree...
Category

20th Century Swedish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass

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

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Carved Nordic Monk Chairs
Located in Malibu, CA
Unique pair of solid oak monk chairs with intricate carvings in Norse style. Hand crafted and unique with removable double sided upholstered cushions. Norw...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

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 frame. ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Hardwood

Possibly by E W Godwin, Japanned Ebonized Cane Folding Chair, Gilt Highlights
Located in High Wycombe, GB
An Aesthetic Movement small walnut low folding decorative chairs with cane seats, in the manner of E.W. Godwin. Circa 1870s. Extra dimensions: Depth of seat 31cm
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

Italian Hardstone Cockatoo Figure
Located in New York, NY
Italian hardstone cockatoo figure, in the Faberge style in quartz with lapis beak and silver mounted feet, formerly on a perch or rock (lacking). Dimensions: 7.5" H x 6" W x 2.5" ...
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Silver

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

English Bamboo Bookcase Cabinet with Gallery Top and Two Glazed Doors
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome tall English bamboo bookcase from the Aesthetic Movement period, featuring a decorative gallery top of bamboo with japan-lacquered panel, over two framed-glass doors with ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of 12 Wedgwood Green Majolica Aesthetic Movement Sunflower Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 12 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

Antique Victorian silver scent bottle, Sampson and Mordan, Birds and Holly
Located in NEWARK, GB
A beautiful antique sterling silver scent bottle. This is a cylindrical scent bottle made from sterling silver with a glass liner and stopper. It has the prettiest engraving of bir...
Category

19th Century British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Minton 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Fish Platter
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This fish platter is a true work of art! Classic Aesthetic Movement whimsical decoration with fish in motion and in conversation with the viewer, it has a three-dimensional feel. Rea...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

English Antique Silver Plate Epergne
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique English silver plate épergne with side candy holders for sweets, to complete the central tray. There are many stamps, including an elephant (that I don't know). It 's perfect...
Category

Early 20th Century English 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

Mediterranean Slag Stained Glass Bronze Lamp
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Slag glass and bronze lamp. Great proportion and balance. Nicely patinated. 3 Bulb function on individual pull chains for controlled ambiance and color control of slag panes. Lamp Fa...
Category

20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Metal

Doulton Lambeth Aesthetic Movement Art Pottery Vase by Emily Edwards 1875
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and exceptional Doulton Lambeth aesthetic movement stoneware vase decorated with stylized motifs by renowned designer and decorator Emily J Edwards and dated 1875. Emily Edwa...
Category

1870s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Otto Wagner for Jacob & Josef Kohn Secessionist Movement Stained Bentwood Chair
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Otto Wagner for Jacob and Josef Kohn Secessionist Movement Stained Bentwood Chair, with Pierced Vase Splat & Branded Stamp to Chair Underside Made in Vienna Austria Jacob & Josef Ko...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Velvet

Rare Antique English Aesthetic Movt. Chased Copper Square Tea Kettle on Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
Gorgeous Antique English Arts & Crafts or Aesthetic Movement hand chased copper and wrought iron square tea kettle on its original brass barley twist stan...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Square White Majolica Mermaid Wall Plate Circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Square Majolica mermaid plate with shells on the corners, the mermaid sit on a flying fish, the border is decorated with shrimps, circa 1920.
Category

1920s Belgian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Upholstered Sofa or Bench Circa 1920
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, circa 1920. An antique English Aesthetic movement bamboo bench for two. The bench is upholstered with a traditional fabric that brings stunning lines to accent the beautiful...
Category

Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bamboo

R. J. Horner Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of an R.J. Horner & Co. Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo bed. The bed is beautifully designed utilizing various type of maple--bi...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Maple

Doulton Lambeth Floral Design Art Pottery Jug by Edith Lupton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and unusual Doulton Lambeth stoneware jug decorated with floral designs by renowned artist Edith D Lupton and believed to date from the early 1880’s. The jug stands on a w...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Walnut Barley Twist Library Armchair with Cane Seat & Rear 1850s
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Walnut Barley Twist Library Armchair with Cane Seat & Rear Extra dimensions Seat width: 52cm I Seat depth: 47cm
Category

19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Cane, Walnut

19th Century Aesthetic Victorian Parlor Set Settee & 4 Chairs By John Moyr Smith
Located in Long Branch, NJ
This parlor set was designed by John Moyr Smith in the 19th century UK. The panels are made by Minton designed by John Moyr Smith. The panels are excellently made and the chairs are ...
Category

19th Century Scottish Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Oak

Aesthetic Movement Carved Wood Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement hardwood side or end table with top opening to reveal storage compartment, the front hand-carved with a geometric design, upon four rectangular legs. Dimensions: ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Lacquered Bamboo Wall Mirror / Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, late 19th century. A fantastic 19th century Victorian era bamboo wall mirror decorated with chinoiserie lacquer detailing and three sturdy shelves. The bamboo frame is sturd...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Mirror

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

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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