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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
Aesthetic Movement Scissor Action Drop Leaf Side Table Made from Hungarian Ash
Located in London, GB
A Continental Aesthetic Movement scissor action drop leaf side table with a wild grain Hungarian Ash top. A secret drawer that has a button underneath to...
Category

1890s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ash

19th Century Victorian Iron Aesthetic Manner Fire Grate Basket and Original Hood
Located in Edinburgh, GB
An original antique 19th century -Victorian wrought iron fire grate basket in the Aesthetic Manner with its original sweeping chimney hood. A high Cartouche shaped fire back with a c...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 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

German Majolica Bird Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

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

French Bent Bamboo Mirror & Cane Hall Tree / Umbrella Stand / Coat Rack
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is one of my favorite hall trees! It is a 1950s French bent bamboo piece. It has four octagonal mirrors, multiple hooks and a lined base for umbrellas. It is in very good condit...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Mirror, Bentwood

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

Falkirk, an Aesthetic Movement Cast Iron Stick Stand with Mythical Dragons
Located in London, GB
Falkirk. An aesthetic movement cast iron stick stand with flowing finial, a semi-circular stick retainer flanked by coronets with a wonderful pai...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mirror 1970, style, 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

French Majolica Orchid Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
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

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

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

Studio Crafted Claro Walnut End Table, 1970s
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 o...
Category

1970s American Vintage Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair Of Tall Gilt Bronze Altar Candlestick Lamps as Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of Antique Altar Candle Sticks which have been electrified and shaded. Pair of tall, tripod footed lamps, with bobeche and single bu...
Category

19th Century Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Other

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

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

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

Large Majolica Thistle Jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica thistle jardinière Onnaing, circa 1880. Height / 9.5 inches. Diameter / 13 inches.
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

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
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

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

Dutch Refectory Table From The 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb 19th century extending table in colonial wood from the 19th century from the Netherlands Very elegant table with straight legs which has very beautiful proportions with a bea...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

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 some age-appropriate wear.
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Circa 1880-1900 Seashells & Seaweed Motif Fish Service 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

Bench ceramic contemporary glaze
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade earthanware Bench manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, straw, or heather straw. The pieces ar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

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

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 monogram "NS". 19.25 troy oz. 8.25" x...
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Center Table w/ Bronze Masks ca. 1870
By Pottier & Stymus
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A RARE AESTHETIC MOVEMENT EBONIZED MARQUETRY-INLAID PARCEL GILT CENTER TABLE WITH BRONZE MASKS OF DIANA OF ANET In the manner of Pottier & Stymus of New York unmarked ca. 1870 Item...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Bruce Talbert, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement upholstered oak armchair.
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed, stamped Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement oak armchair. It was professionally re-upholstered in a light blue Damask.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Oak

Cauldon Dinner Plates, Set of 12
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

Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Mahogany Of 3 Elements With Small Cabinet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London mahogany bookcase from the end of the 19th century - Early 20th century from England which has 3 elements with the upper element composed of a small ca...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Parcel Gilt Serving Spoon - J.E. Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
Large, beautiful, Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver, parcel gilt serving spoon (great for vegetables, cake/pie, desserts, potatoes, etc.), J.E. Caldwell, Philadelphia, Ca. 1880's. ...
Category

1870s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver

English Aesthetic Silver-Plate And Blown Glass Bridal Bowl
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stunning and unusual, rare English Aesthetic period silver plate and hand blown, hand painted with bell flowers, glass bridal bowl, having a perching bird with open beak under a canopy of leaves and sitting on a rocky outcropping on a shaped base with very detailed engraving of flora and fauna. Brides...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Thomas Forester Leaf on Bark English Majolica Tea Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A majolica glazed Tea Tray by Thomas Forester, Longton, Staffordshire, England, circa 1880. The tray has an unusual gray glazed body worked as tree bark. Applied twig form handles s...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

English Aesthetic Mahogany Table Attributed To Godwin
Located in Essex, MA
Square solid mahogany top over spindle sides supporting a conforming shelf. Circular ring turned legs joined by an X form stretcher with central ball turning.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Art Pottery Stoneware Dalton Lambeth Oil Lamp Signed Edith Lupton 1884
Located in Portland, OR
An exhibition quality Doulton Lambeth stoneware Aesthetic Movement oil lamp, Edith D Lupton, signed & dated 1884. This very fine & large oil lamp was d...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Brass

Joseph Holdcroft English Majolica Leaf & Dandelion Majolica Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An English majolica Leaf and Dandelion floral bowl by Joseph Holdcroft, Circa 1870. Designed in the Aesthetic taste, four overlapping leaves, glazed in the colors of Autumn, are cen...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

Heath & Middleton - Lotus Bowl - Antique Sterling Silver - London 1902
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1902 by Heath & Middleton, this wonderfully designed Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Bowl, takes the form of a blossoming lotus flower, supported on the stems o...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Audacious English Roll Arm Sofa with Pull-Out Bed, in French Jacquard Velvet
Located in colima, MX
Our devilishly handsome rendition of the classic English Roll Arm sofa, in a luscious French Jacquard Velvet. This sofa was initially envisioned ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Jacquard, Velvet

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

Rosella Glass Cake Plate by Mikasa
Located in Bradenton, FL
A decorative glass plate in the Rosella pattern made by Mikasa of New Jersey. Frosted glass is etched with roses on the underside and decorated in pink, surrounded by delicate foliag...
Category

Late 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Glass

Antique Gorham Coin Silver Vase No. 335
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver vase. By the Gorham Mfg. Co. In coin silver. The vase with a footed base, rounded body, and elongated narrow neck which opens into a wider mouth. These are v...
Category

Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Silver

Portuguese White Ceramic Lobster Platter
Located in Bradenton, FL
A white ceramic platter made by Sanor Ceramica of Portugal. Embossed with a coastal design, centered with a lobster amidst starfish and shells. Each end of the platter is embossed wi...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Aesthetic Movement Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Wedgwood Majolica Tortoiseshell Seafood Plates, Set of 8
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Wedgwood, an assembled set of eight English majolica scallop shell shaped, mottled tortoiseshell glazed seafood salad plates. Each plate shows a variation of the tortoiseshell ...
Category

Late 19th Century English 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.

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