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 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 ...
Satinwood
Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Chaise Lounge
Located in New York, NY
A lovely chaise lounge crafted in the late 19th century. The design comes out of the Aesthetic Movement which began in the 1860s in England. Ebonized wood with gilt embellishment is ...
Ultrasuede, Burl, Mahogany
Charles Bevan. Marsh & Jones. Aesthetic Movement button back chaise lounge
By Marsh, Jones & Cribb, Charles Bevan
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...
Walnut
Billy Wilder Chaise Lounge by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Billy Wilder chaise lounge designed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Black leather with nice patina and original eggplant colored frame.
Leather
Vintage Channel Back Chaise Lounge Newly Reupholstered in Mohair
By Marge Carson
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marge Carson Style Channel Back Chaise Lounge Newly Reupholstered In "Crème-Latte" Italian Mohair with Hemp Skirt Dimensions H: 31" W: 42” ...
Mohair, Hemp
$5,895
H 32 in W 31 in D 55 in
Adrian Pearsall Diamond Button-Tufted Chaise Lounge for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Louis xvi chaise lounge
Located in Augusta, GA
Louis xvi style chaise longe upholstered in leather with a painted finish carved and tapered legs
Wood
Midcentury Metal Chaise Lounge
Located in Sheffield, MA
Reclining outdoor chaise lounge with painted black metal frame, flexible straps for added comfort. Two wheels on the chaise for easy movability.
Iron
Late 19th Century Wicker / Rattan Chaise Lounge Chair
Located in Buffalo, NY
This wicker / rattan chaise lounge showcases a beautifully woven design with a gently curved silhouette. It has brass tips on the corners and wavy side detailing. The warm, natural b...
Wicker, Rattan, Reed
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Directional, Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Charles Zublena Fiberglass Pool Chaise Lounges, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charles Zublena designed, mod, fiberglass, poolside, chaise lounges manufactured by Les Plastiques de Bourgogne, France, 1960, marked underside “LP/Club 41 Salbris.” Depending on how...
Fiberglass
Regency chaise lounge
Located in Cheshire, GB
Regency Chaise Lounge – Featuring a carved back rail above an upholstered back, a graceful scroll arm, and a loose cushion seat. The piece is supported by elegantly curved sabre legs...
Wood
Victorian Hand-Woven Wicker Chaise Lounge, Late 19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
A remarkably sturdy and intact Late 19th Century Wicker Chaise Lounge in old blue painted finish. The seat has been replace with authentic woven reed. It is a great sculptural piece....
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
$2,119
H 37.41 in W 27.56 in D 63 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Brown Leather Chaise Lounge Chair by Tord Björklund
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The "Skye" chaise lounge chair designed by Tord Björklund. It features a steel frame with soft brown leather after full professional renovation. Produced in Sweden in the 1980s/late ...
Steel
19th Century Continental Neoclassic Chaise Lounge in Mahogany & Silk
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Neoclassic-style (Possibly Austrian, late 19th Century) parcel gilt mahogany daybed/chaise lounge with scrolled back above a stripped yellow silk...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 32.68 in W 70.87 in D 26.38 in
Late 19th Century Buttoned Burgundy Leather & Walnut Day Bed Chaise Lounge
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A beautifully worn late 19th century burgundy leather chaise longue, decoratively carved scroll end and spindle gallery arm rail walnut frame with a nod to the aesthetic movement. ...
Leather, Walnut
English Daybed with Turned Wood Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English daybed with beautiful turned wood frame upholstered in a gold foil Naugahyde. The piece shows well and is in vintage condition, no labels that we can see. Measurements:...
Naugahyde, Wood
Sold
H 36.5 in W 72 in D 24 in
In the Style of E W Godwin, An Anglo-Japanese Ebonized Chaise Lounge or Day Bed
Located in London, GB
In the style of E W Godwin. Anglo-Japanese / Aesthetic Movement ebonized chaise lounge. With turned finials and turned uprights flanked by stylized floral fretwork devises to the ba...
Beech, Walnut
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Carved Mahogany Chaise Longue Recamier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Late 19th century, aesthetic movement, chaise longue or recamier features a beautifully carved mahogany frame with newly constructed upholstery in white muslin. The chaise can be use...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 72 in D 25.5 in
Good Quality Aesthetic Movement Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Chaise Longue
Located in London, GB
A good quality Aesthetic movement ebonised and parcel-gilt chaise longue, with nice fluid understated detailing in the style of Collinson and Lock.
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 29 in W 68 in D 26 in
Good Quality Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Chaise Lounge Attributed to Morris & Co
By Morris & Co.
Located in London, GB
A good quality Aesthetic Movement Mahogany chaise longue attributed to Morris and Co. with stylised carved florets to the upper resting supports and spiral turned details to the uppe...
Mahogany
Sold
H 31 in W 67 in D 27.5 in
Thomas Collcutt attributed An Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Ebonized Chaise Lounge
Located in London, GB
Thomas Collcutt (attributed) for Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut and ebonised chaise longue, with triangular 'A' frame to one end, ebonised tramlines throughout, with a lower turned gallery and turned feet, the semi upholstered back with open turned gallery and incised zig-zag and dot details. These details point towards the Dr C Dresser studios where Moyr Smith...
Walnut
Rare 19th Century American Chaise Lounge
Located in Bellport, NY
An extremely rare 19thc chaise lounge or gout chair. The lever on the side is used to heighten the lower part of the seat,( designed to elevate your feet if suffering from gout. ) ...
Leather, Wood