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.
Phillip Webb for Morris & Co. English Aesthetic Movement oak reclining armchair
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co. Designed in C1866. A rare Aesthetic movement oak adjustable reclining armchair with good quality tan leather button back u...
Oak
Attributed to Philip Webb Aesthetic Movement original rush seat Sussex chair
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with original rush seat and retaining the rush seat side panels. This chair has been totally ...
Rush
George Jack for Morris and Co. A high Aesthetic Movement circular side table
Located in London, GB
George Jack for Morris and Co. A high Aesthetic Movement circular side table with a shaped top and shaped upper apron standing on six beautifully shaped legs, each with fine carved f...
Mahogany
Philip Webb for Morris & Co. Two Aesthetic Movement reclining armchairs.
Located in London, GB
Two classic adjustable reclining armchairs, one ebonized and one in golden oak the latter with good quality tan leather button back upholstery. The ebonized one with later upholstery...
Oak, Walnut
Phillip Webb for Morris & Co. an English Aesthetic Movement Reclining Armchair
Located in London, GB
Phillip Webb for Morris and Co. Designed in C1866. A rare Aesthetic Movement ebonized adjustable reclining armchair. The arched arms with padded armrests ...
Walnut
Burne Jones for Morris & Co Hand painted tile of Chaucer's legend of good wimmen
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Edward Burne Jones for Morris & Co, designed in 1861-1862. A rare hand-painted tile depicting Chaucer's Legend of Good Wimmen. The Fiberite packing we found inside the frame probably...
Ceramic
Morris & Co. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut tallboy with internal sliding drawers.
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. A Superior Quality Aesthetic Movement Walnut tallboy, with a polished top and dentil molding below with fielded diamond shaped panels to the upper doors opening to rev...
Walnut
Philip Webb for Morris and Co, A Rare Sheet Music or Folio Stand.
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Philip Webb for Morris and Co. A rare walnut sheet music or folio stand with elongated turned finials, pierced circular decoration and a three quarter turned gallery below with three...
Walnut
Morris & Co attr to Philip Webb. Aesthetic Movement pair rush seat Sussex chairs
By Morris & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in London, GB
Ford Maddox Brown for Morris and Co. An Aesthetic Movement pair of rush seat Sussex side chairs with newly laid rush seat.These chairs have bee...
Rush
Dante Rossetti for Morris and Co. A pair of rush seated armchairs
By Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
A pair of Morris and Co rush seated armchairs, designed by Dante Gabriel Rossetti with newly laid rush seats.
Rush
Hand Painted Ceramic Tile Art Of Woman Holding Wheat Sheaf
Located in Chicago, IL
Possibly Danish in origin tile mosaic of a young woman with a scarf around her neckk, and her arms wrapped around a bundle of wheat. Great colors of red, brown, grey, black and white...
Wood
Edward Wormley For Dunbar "Morris" Lounge Chair Tank Bentwood 1940's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar multi position recliner known as the "Morris" chair, ca' 1940'S. Styled as a tank, with bentwood arms and caned seat and back. Restored.
Mahogany
$2,044
H 37.8 in W 25.2 in D 29.93 in
Red Fabric & Black Metal Reclining Armchair Oscar by N. Pini for Novarredo, 1959
By Novarredo Livorno, Nello Pini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Reclining armchair "Oscar" produced by Novarredo and designed by Nello Pini. Red fabric covering with yellow and blue inserts. Painted metal and wood struct...
Metal
An Angular Armchair, Upholstered in COM
By Jacques Adnet, (after) Jean Michel Frank, Gerrit Rietveld, Jules Leleu
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A single modern angular club armchair, upholstered in customer supplied fabric. High quality handmade beech frames and sprung seats. COM fabrics subject to approval.
Beech, Oak, Fabric
Set of Four Charles Pollock Rush Seat Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Four wooden Charles pollock Green painted Chairs. These hand crafted chairs and hand painted chairs have hand rushed seats and in fine sturdy condition.This set of four chair...
Wood
$3,282Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.3 in W 35.4 in D 0.19 in
Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles Azulejos "Hanging Foods"
Located in Baldock, England
Beautiful tile mural with the "HANGING VEGETABLES" motif finely painted. Quantity: 42 tiles Tile mural size: 41.3"H X 35.4"W (105cm X 90cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) O...
Ceramic, Paint
$2,734Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 41.3 in D 0.19 in
Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles Azulejos "Lemon Vase"
Located in Baldock, England
Beautiful tile mural with the "FLORAL & LEMON VASE" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 29.5"H X 41.3"W (75cm X 105cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portug...
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century English Aesthetic Movement side table made of oak with decorative stick and ball design. Square wood body with curved and rounded bentwood trim and brass accents. Stur...
Brass
Morris & Co. Armchair from the Sussex Line, London, 19th Century
By Morris & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
Armchair, from the Sussex range of chairs by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., later Morris & Co., English 1870-1900 The armchairs and chairs, which have round seats and square back...
Rush, Fruitwood
$4,103
H 29.5 in W 53.1 in D 0.19 in
Large Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles Azulejos "Lemons"
Located in Baldock, England
Beautiful tile mural with the "FLORAL & LEMON VASE" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 29.5"H X 53.1"W (75cm X 135cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portug...
Ceramic, Paint
$650
H 34.5 in W 22 in D 14.5 in
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Black Ebonized 34" Plant Stand Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Black Ebonized 34" Plant Stand 6 Legged Side Tab...
Wood
$2,733
H 23.6 in W 59 in D 0.19 in
Portuguese Azulejos Tile Backsplash - Hand Painted Kitchen Tiles "Chickens"
Located in Baldock, England
Beautiful tile mural with the "CHICKENS " motif finely painted. Quantity: 40 tiles Tile mural size: 23.6"H X 59"W (60cm X 150cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Port...
Ceramic, Paint
$19,600 / set
H 33 in W 27 in D 33 in
A Vintage Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Morris" Adjustable Armchairs 1940's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare and unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar adjustable back lounge chairs. Known as "Morris" chairs they allow for 3 positions-low, medium, high. Made of mahogany and natura...
Mahogany
Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese armchair Godwin style
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Anglo-Japanese upholstered ebonised armchair in the manner of E. W. Godwin but attributed to H. W. Batley. The armchair is in good condition with its ...
Upholstery
$3,282Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 41.3 in D 0.19 in
18th Century Portuguese Tile Mural - Hand Painted Azulejo Tiles - Made to Order
Located in Baldock, England
Beautiful tile mural with the "Floral" motif finely painted. Quantity: 35 tiles Tile mural size: 29.5"H X 41.3"W (75cm X 105cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Po...
Ceramic, Paint
Sold
H 33.08 in W 16.54 in D 14.97 in
Morris & Co. Phillip Webb Attri. Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co. Attributed to Philip Webb An Aesthetic Movement rush seat Sussex side chair with newly laid rush seat. This chair has been totally restored and had new rush professional...
Beech
Sold
H 26.97 in W 24.02 in D 14.97 in
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
Walnut
Sold
H 25.2 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
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...
Walnut
Sold
H 27.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Morris & Co, Attributed to Phillip Webb, A Rare Sussex Rush Seat Corner Chair
Located in London, GB
Morris & Co, Attributed to Phillip Webb. A Rare English Sussex, rush seat corner chair with subtly curved armrests and the classic Morris bobbin turned ...
Rush, Beech
Sold
H 44 in W 28 in D 26 in
Morris & Co George Jack, Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Armchair in a Morris Fabric
Located in London, GB
Morris and Co. George Jack,. attributed. An Aesthetic Movement mahogany armchair, we have had professionally re upholstered in a quality Morris and Co 'cabbage and vine fabric.
Mahogany
Sold
H 34 in W 50.5 in D 16.5 in
William Morris, Ford Maddox Brown, a Rare Pair of Sussex Three Seater Settees
By Morris & Co., Ford Madox Brown 1
Located in London, GB
William Morris, Ford Maddox Brown. A extremely rare pair of Sussex three seater settees retaining their original rush, with original brown painted fi...
Beech