Aesthetic Movement, pierce-work corner shelves with galleries (a pair) c.1880

For sale are a beautiful pair of striking Aesthetic Movement ebonised and galleried corner display shelves with pierce-work decoration. - Matching pair of striking ebonised wooden corner shelves, pierce-work detail to the galleries, side panels and decorative edges. - Each corner piece has a top and bottom shelf, the bottom one being smaller as shown in the images. - To the rear side panels are two brass hanging bracket per shelf for corner hanging. - Clean bold impactful design, contrasting decoratively with the ebonised wood.  They look great against light backgrounds, suitable for candles as wall sconces or display of decorative items The Aesthetic Movement (1860 – 1900) defined in literature, fine art, furniture, metalwork, ceramics, stained glass, textiles, and wallpapers in later nineteenth-century Britain. The Aesthetic Movement argued that art was not supposed to be utilitarian or useful in any practical sense. The aesthetic movement flourished in Britain in the 1870s and 1880s it can be seen as part of the revolution in design initiated by William Morris, with the foundation of Morris & Co in 1862. The Aesthetic Movement in Britain aimed to escape the ugliness and materialism of the Industrial Age, by focusing instead on producing art that was beautiful rather than having a deeper meaning – 'Art for Art's sake'. The artists and designers in this 'cult of beauty' crafted some of the most sophisticated and sensuously beautiful artworks of the Western tradition. This beautiful pair of corner shelves with highly decorative decorative cut-away pierce-work are a great example of this design aesthetic and at circa 140 years of age in good antique condition to decorate any room.