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Aesthetic Movement Seating

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
Pair of Antique Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs, 19th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Victorian Upholstered Parlour Chairs Ebonised frames with turned and carved details very much in the Aesthetic style. c.1880s in date. Unsigned but very much in the style of designs by Bruce Talbot for March, Jones & Cribb or Gillows. Upholstered in faded Liberty ‘Ianthe...
Category

1880s British Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Liberty & Co Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Corner Chair Style of Ford Maddox Brown
By Ford Madox Brown 1, Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. Regent St. London. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized corner armchair from the Argyll suite designed in 1884, after a Sussex chair design by Ford Maddox Brown...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

Antique Bentwood & Cane Settee, Attributed to Michael Thonet, C1900-1920s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this Bentwood and Cane back Settee.This settee is attributed to Michael then the Austrian-German Cabinet maker well known for is skilled work of bentwood, c1900-1920 It coul...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Bruce Talbert attributed. A set of four Aesthetic Movement walnut dining chairs
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (attributed). Set of four fine quality Aesthetic Movement walnut dining chairs.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

H W Batley attr. Jas Shoolbred Pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech chairs
By Jas Shoolbred & Co., Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Henry William Batley attributed for Jas Shoolbred & Co. A pair of Aesthetic Movement cane seat beech side chairs. Stamped under the seat Jas Shoolbred and the production number 820
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

J P Seddon attri. An Aesthetic Movement oak side chair with ebonized circles
Located in London, GB
J P Seddon attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oak side chair with ebonized circles to the backrests and carved decoration with through exsposed tenonsn joints. Seat Height: 45 cm
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

Charles Bevan. Marsh & Jones. Aesthetic Movement button back chaise lounge
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan for Marsh and Jones of Leeds Late Kendal works. A good Aesthetic Movement walnut ebonized button back chaise lounge with carved rosettes to the front upright and subtle...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Coalbrookdale. Lily Pad pair of Aesthetic Movement cast iron garden benches
Located in London, GB
A pair of Aesthetic Movement cast iron garden benches, known as the Lily pad design, with fine fern leaf detailing, and smaller Lily-style leaves to the angular legs.Price per benchC...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Berlin Iron

Early 20th Century French Bamboo Swivel Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century French bamboo swivel stool newly upholstered in a saddle colored suede.
Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Small Oval Table or Stool Bobbin Turned Legs, 19th Century Spain
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
This table is raised on a base composed of six bobbin turned Legs and a optogonal star stretcher, also turned. Oval antique wine or side table of the 19th century. Wood with bobbin ...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

Attributed Herter Brothers Antique Aesthetic Movement Carved Slipper Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
The firm of Herter Brothers, (working 1864–1906), was founded by German immigrants Gustave (1830–1898) and Christian Herter (1839–1883) in New York City. An antique late 19th centur...
Category

19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood

Windsor Armchair In Chestnut Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant English Windsor armchair from the beginning of the 19th century in chestnut Very beautiful patina and in superb condition. Very elegant armchair which stands out by its bac...
Category

19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Chestnut

Black Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb chesterfield sofa in anthracite black leather from the 60s, made in England Very beautiful sofa from the 60s made in England in Nothingham Beautiful quality leather Sofa call...
Category

20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Leather

PAIR OF BURR WALNUT AESTHETIC MOVEMENT LIBRARY ARMCHAIRS WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUEs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale pair of very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement armchairs wit...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

EXQUISITE ANTIQUE BURR WALNUT AESTHETiC MOVEMENT SALON SOFA GRAND TOUR PLAQUE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale very rare, highly collectable Burr Walnut & Ebony framed Victorian Aesthetic Movement Salon sofa with a inse...
Category

19th Century European Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

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 Seating

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

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 Seating

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Arm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo arm chair.
Category

20th Century Aesthetic Movement Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Metal

Bentwood Office Chair Model Number 704 J J Kohn For Thonet 1900s Jacob Joseph
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, designed by Jacob and Joseph Kohn, Austria and produced by Thonet, dates from the early 1900s. Model Number 704 Retains the original embossed seat with won...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Bentwood

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 Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

Lips - Italian space age modular island sofa, Circa 1960s
Located in PARIS, FR
The 1960s Space Age design, influenced by space exploration and atomic era tensions, brought a futuristic twist to art, cinema, and interior design. Originating amid Cold War anxieties on the American West Coast, it combined humor and avant-garde creativity, often using 'vital forms' inspired by nuclear imagery. This style features modern, cosmic-inspired furniture with vibrant plastics, reflective metals, and curved lines, creating a futuristic ambiance reminiscent of a Stanley Kubrick film. Dominated by spherical and angular shapes, it mirrors the era's fascination with space and atomic science. Enhancing brightness and contrasting with the colorful, reflective furniture. Warm colors and silver accents add to the optimistic, futuristic vibe of this 1960s-inspired design. This sofa is an emblem of the period, refreshed with Vachette leather upholstery in anthracite, a human lips sculptural structure with an hand bar for...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bench ceramic contemporary glaze green black square organic
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade stoneware 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 are ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

Bentwood Chair with arms Model No 14 Art Nouveau Chair Thonet Austria 1890
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, produced by Thonet, this design originally dates from 1859. Made from bent solid and laminated Beech construction with moulded plywood seat. This chair date...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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 Seating

Materials

Jacquard, Velvet

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

19th Century Aesthetic Movement Tortoise Bamboo Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
Aesthetic Movement Tortoise bamboo settee carefully curated to emulate Japanned bamboo furniture of the period, in the dark forest green Moha...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Mohair, Bamboo

Liberty &Co Aesthetic Movement Thebes Corner Chair by Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement rare ‘Thebes’ walnut corner chair Red velvet seat By Liberty & Co Circa 1885  
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique Black Lacquer Aesthetic Movement Slipper/Hall Chair With Velvet Seat
Located in Morristown, NJ
A very striking Antique English Aesthetic Movement black lacquered chair. The chair has an openwork wood back carved as a fan of styli...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of Bobbin Turned Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of English late 19th Century ebonized and bobbin turned corner chairs with woven rush seats.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rush, Beech

American Aesthetic Oak Thebes Stool
Located in Essex, MA
Square in the Egyptian revival style. Curved slat seat with turned legs and stretchers.
Category

1880s American Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

Antique Walnut and Oak Wood Church Bench Aesthetic Movement
Located in Detroit, MI
This exceptional antique Aesthetic Movement wooden church bench is circa 1870, possibly originating from Virginia. This lovely bench is handcrafted...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Wood, Oak, Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Tall Back Mahogany Armchair Attributed to Liberty & Co
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement turned tall back mahogany chair Pad feet and spindle decoration Silk upholstery Circa 1890 Attributed to Liberty & Co Height 132cm. Width 57cm. Depth 47cm. ...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

EW Godwin Style of. Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with new cane seat
Located in London, GB
EW Godwin Style of. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized folding chair with bobbin details to the backrest and a new cane seat. This listing is for one chair. We ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

A small Aesthetic Movement ebonized foot stool
Located in London, GB
A small Aesthetic Movement ebonized foot stool, with partial gilt incised and turned decoration on stub feet.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

An Aesthetic Movement low side chair with fretwork to the lower back rest
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement low side chair with fretwork to the lower back rest, this has shrunk and cracked a little but still quite useable. With unusual high, turned stretcher supports ...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Liberty and Co attributed An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co attributed, in the style of a Morris and Co Sussex armchair. An Aesthetic Movement rush seat armchair with incised turnings to the back and below the arms with elegant...
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

SUPER RARE ANTiQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT ARMCHAIR WITH GRAND TOUR PLAQUES
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and totally original Aesthetic Movement, Victorian circa 1840-1860 Library armchair with ins...
Category

1840s European Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

An Aesthetic Movement ebonized & gilded foot stool with striped upholstery.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized footstool with concave-shaped sides and incised parcel gilt decoration on little flat feet with striped braided upholstery.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

Jas Shoolbred. A set of four Aesthetic Movement lattice back oak dining chairs.
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred attributed. A nice quality set of four Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs with lattice designs to the backs and tramline details throughout, professionally reupholste...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Oak

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 Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Satinwood

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

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 Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Rosewood

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 Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

Henry W Batley attr. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches.
By Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Henry Batley Attributed. An Aesthetic Movement walnut armchair with sinuous touches, curled finials, and a spray of elongated turned details to the back. The shaped arms have curvace...
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Mahogany

A rare Rosewood side chair with finely carved and turned details
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock. A rare Aesthetic Movement Rosewood side chair with finely carved and turned details to the back supports with exagerated disc turned front legs and conforming sid...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rosewood

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 Seating

Materials

Oak

Morris & Co (style of). An Aesthetic Movement armchair with seagrass seat
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co (style of). An Aesthetic Movement armchair with seagrass seat.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Beech

George Bell & George Freeth Roper Aesthetic Movement Walnut rush seat armchair.
By Kendall & Co., George Bell
Located in London, GB
George Bell & George Freeth Roper. Probably made by Kendal Milne & Co for Herman Schill. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut armchair with a row of fine barley t...
Category

1870s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Walnut

Le Bon Marché Boudoir chair upholstery restored b The Royal School of Needlework
By Le Bon Marché 1
Located in London, GB
Le Bon Marche.A unique Boudoir chair with the original upholstery restored by the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace retaining the original Le Bon Marche stamped labe...
Category

1880s French Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

Liberty & Co armchair with a shaped back & mashrabiya turnings to the head rest.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co An Aesthetic Movement ebonized Moorish low armchair with a shaped back with mashrabiya turnings to the head rest and tapestry seat
Category

1890s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

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 Seating

Materials

Walnut

Thomas Edward Collcutt for Collinson & Lock. Aesthetic Movement high back chair.
Located in London, GB
Thomas Edward Collcutt for Collinson & Lock. A fine quality Aesthetic Movement rosewood high back chair with later blue upholstery.
Category

1880s English Antique Aesthetic Movement Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Aesthetic Movement seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Aesthetic Movement seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Aesthetic Movement seating 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 seating, popular names associated with this style include Bruce James Talbert, Collinson & Lock, Gillows of Lancaster & London, and Philip Webb. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $307 and tops out at $35,806 while the average work can sell for $2,914.

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