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.
Large Globe Wernicke London "Waterfall" Bookcases In Mahogany, Circa 1900
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Globe Wernicke London "waterfall" Bookcases In Mahogany, Circa 1900 Elegant Globe Wernicke London oak bookcase from the late 19th/early 20th century - England This charming bo...
Mahogany
Stacking Bookcase In Oak Of 6 Elements With An Advanced Lower Part (height 2m19)
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant oak stacking bookcase from the late 19th/early 20th century from England, with 6 elements and an advanced lower part. making it ideal for large books and objects. the total h...
Oak
Store Showcase Cabinet Or Bookcase In Mahogany Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely little mahogany display cabinet or bookcase from the early 19th century circa 1820. Small model with cut corners which is unusual. It must certainly have been in a store as a...
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Scorched Bamboo Library Bookcase Etagere
Located in Dayton, OH
A large antique Victorian scorched bamboo étagère bookcase showcases the charming, natural engineering typical of late 19th-century Aesthetic Movement furniture. Constructed from stu...
Bamboo
Pair Of Globe Wernicke London "waterfall" Bookcases In Mahogany, Circa 1900
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of Globe Wernicke London mahogany bookcases from the late 19th/early 20th century from England. This delightful pair of waterfall bookcases, so named because they have e...
Mahogany
Early Victorian Ebonised Inlay Pier Cabinet Glazed Bookcase Velvet Lined
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A well proportioned Victorian peer cabinet, ebonised with fruitwood inlay and standing on four turned bobbin feet. Two opening glazed doors, retaining its original lock and key, ope...
Fruitwood, Mahogany
Bamboo and Lacquer Etagere 1900, H 56.5" W 23" Depth 13" Aesthetic Movement.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Bamboo and Lacquer Etagere 1900, H 56.5" W 23" Depth 13" 1 PC Great color and patination. Lovely Chinoiserie decoration. Aesthetic Movement. Frequently made in England. Small mirro...
Bamboo
Globe Wernicke Mahogany Bookcase With 3 Large Elements And A Drawer
Located in Brussels, Brussels
An elegant Globe Wernicke London mahogany bookcase from late 19th/early 20th century from England composed of three sections and a drawer in its base. This bookcase stands out by its...
Mahogany
Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Mahogany With 3 Elements
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London bookcase in mahogany from the late 19th century–early 20th century from England, composed of 3 elements A beautiful piece composed of a molded base and ...
Mahogany
Lamb of Manchester (stamped). A fine Aesthetic Movement oak breakfront bookcase.
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. Charles Edward Horton. Stamped to the brass door lock. A fine Aesthetic Movement breakfront bookcase made from quarter sawn oak wit...
Oak
Bibliothèque Globe Wernicke En chêne De 5 éléments avec tiroir
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London oak bookcase from the late 19th century - early 20th century from England with 5 elements and a drawer in the base Beautiful model with a molded base a...
Oak
Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Oak, 4 Elements
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London oak bookcase from the late 19th/early 20th century from England composed of four sections. A beautiful model consisting of a molded base and top and fo...
Oak
Globe Wernicke Waterfall Mahogany Bookcase Of 4 Sections
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London bookcase in mahogany from the late 19th century–early 20th century -England, featuring 4 sections A bookcase known as a “waterfall” bookcase because it ...
Mahogany
Antique Bamboo Étagère with Pagoda Top, Inlaid Design, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
19th Century Bamboo and inlaid etagere with pagoda top and 3 doors with 3 beveled mirrors and black lacquered decorated top.
Bamboo, Mirror
Antique Bamboo Étagère Bookcase, Black Lacquered Top, Circa 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
Late 19th-early 20th century bamboo étagère with side shelves, glass door, and mirrored upper section with shaped black lacquered decorated top.
Bamboo, Lacquer
$2,022Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Hardwood Revolving Bookcase Book Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made English mahogany circa 1880-1900 Aesthetic Movement revolving bookcase table with nicely carved cabriolet legs and fret work pa...
Hardwood
$3,795
H 82 in W 33.75 in D 11.5 in
Antique Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Five-Stack Barrister Bookcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts five-stack barrister bookcase By Globe Wernicke USA, Circa 1900 Mahogany, with glass front doors and brass hardware. Measures: 33.75"W x 11.5"D x...
Brass
$2,450
H 50.25 in W 36.75 in D 12.75 in
Arts & Crafts Macey Oak 3-Stack Barrister Bookcase Signed C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Macey 3-stack barrister bookcase, crafted from oak around 1920. This functional and decorative piece features three individual stacking sections, each with a glass-front d...
Oak
$2,195 / set
H 48.5 in W 34.5 in D 11 in
Mission Art's & Crafts 5 Section Leaded Door Bookcase by Globe Wernicke
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous arts & crafts mission bookcase with 5 sections, 3 leaded glass door compartments which have storage space. Sizes are, 32x 9.5x 10h, 32x 9.5 x 10.5h, 32 x 9.5 x 8.75h. Drawer...
Metal, Lead
Pair Boulle Pier Cabinet Ebonised Inlay Antique 1850
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful Pair of French Ebonised and Boulle Pier Cabinets. Circa 1850 These Cabinets are Raised Upon Shaped Plinth Bases. Each Cabinet Having 1 Glazed Door Which Opens to Reveal She...
Glass, Wood
Unavailable|$8,995 / set
H 78.75 in W 34 in D 18 in
Pair of Globe-Wernicke Oak Stacking Barrister's Bookcases with Leaded Glass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of large stacking oak barrister's bookcases were made by the Globe-Wernicke Company of England in approximately 1920. These bookcases each have...
Metal, Brass
19th-century mahogany bookcase
Located in MILL, NL
Belgian or French bookcase/sideboard made in the 19th century This piece is in the Louis Philippe style (c. 1850–1870). Made from solid oak veneered with mahogany. Original period g...
Glass, Mahogany, Oak
$2,981Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 59.85 in W 34.26 in D 13.39 in
Early 1900s Globe Wernicke Four Tier Glazed Sectional Barrister's Bookcase
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Globe Wernicke four tier glazed sectional / modular / barrister's bookcase 1920s Comes apart in sections for easy transportation. Height 152cm Width 87cm Depth at top and base plin...
Brass
Antique Oak Six Tier Stacking Oak Barrister Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and functional storage option in this six stacking oak barrister bookcase with Copper pulls and an interesting Arts and Crafts decorative pattern on the Copper strapping...
Copper
$7,515
H 89.38 in W 60.04 in D 19.3 in
Antique English Victorian Flame Mahogany Library Bookcase 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique Victorian flame mahogany four door library bookcase, masterfully crafted in rich solid mahogany, Circa 1860 in date. This magnificent bookcase features a...
Mahogany
$2,153Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 11.03 in
Early 19th Century Mahogany Waterfall Bookcase with Three Shelves
Located in Sofia, BG
An early 19th century Regency period mahogany waterfall bookcase, having shaped sides and three open shelves with a large drawer beneath. England, circa 1820.
Mahogany
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 57.5 in W 34 in D 13.5 in
Gunn Arts & Crafts 4-Stack Oak Barrister Stack Bookcase C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Gunn Arts And Crafts 4 Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase C1910 Measures - 57.5"h x 34"w x 13.5"d
Oak
Monumental English Ebonised Mahogany Glazed Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1940 Monumental English Ebonised Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Sku 2282 W262 x D42.5 x H233.5 cm (Splits into two sections) Top internal shelf depth 28 cm Bottom internal shelf dept...
Mahogany
$3,498Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 63.78 in W 33.86 in D 11.42 in
1920s Antique Globe Wernicke Stacking Barrister's Bookcase, USA
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An attractive American Globe-Wernicke stacking barrister’s bookcase dating from the 1920s, constructed in richly toned wood and arranged as four glazed stacking sections above a rais...
Brass
Original Globe Wernicke Bookcase
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Antique mahogany Globe Wernicke bookcase in a configuration of 2 x 3 sections high. Beautiful warm mahogany color. Globe Wernicke bookcases are stackable bookcases. This configuratio...
Mahogany
$2,434Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.72 in W 36.62 in D 11.62 in
Antique Display Bookcase, English, Glazed Book Cabinet, Home Library, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique display bookcase. An English, mahogany glazed two-door book cabinet, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. A pleasing example of period craftsmanship,...
Glass, Mahogany
Pair Of Globe Wernicke London Bookcases In Oak, Circa 1900
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A rare pair of Globe Wernicke London bookcases in oak from the late 19th century–early 20th century—England Very beautiful, low bookcases in light oak with deep compartments, allowin...
Oak
Pair Of Globe Wernicke Bookcases In Oak, Circa 1900
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A rare pair of Globe Wernicke London bookcases in oak from the late 19th century to early 20th century—England Very beautiful bookcases in light oak, known as “golden oak” It is poss...
Oak
English Early 20th Century Glazed Tiger Bamboo Cabinet
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Early 20th Century Tiger Bamboo Glazed Library Bookcase. Leather top, warm naturally aged patina. fitted with two glazed doors enclosing three shelves. with woven cane panels to the ...
Leather, Bamboo, Glass, Pine
Sold
H 51.5 in W 33.25 in D 14.25 in
English Bamboo Bookcase Cabinet with Gallery Top and Two Glazed Doors
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English bamboo bookcase cabinet from the Aesthetic Movement period, featuring a decorative gallery top of bamboo with japan-lacquered panel, over two framed-glass doors wi...
Brass
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Book Case
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement bamboo and lacquer bookcase, circa 1910. With a black lacquer top with red floral decoration, glass doors with bamboo frames and bronze pulls, embossed paper mache...
Bamboo, Glass, Lacquer, Paper
Sold
H 71.66 in W 34.26 in D 12.21 in L 71.66 in
Globe Wernicke Bookcase In Oak Of 5 Elements With A Drawer
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant Globe Wernicke London oak bookcase from the late 19th century - early 20th century from England with 5 elements and a drawer in the base The bookcase has large, deep elements...
Oak
A Set Of 3 Globe Wernicke Oak Bookcases -19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
exceptional set of three Globe Wernicke London oak bookcases from the late 19th century-early 20th century from England It's rare to find such a beautiful set with large elements. It...
Oak
Sold
H 89.77 in W 26.78 in D 16.74 in
Pair of late 19th Century English Victorian Narrow Oak Bookcases
Located in Glasgow, GB
A narrow pair of golden oak estate bookcase cabinets dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. The tops with a spindle gallery flanked by ball finials above a pair of glazed d...
Glass, Oak
English Figured Walnut Open Bookcase with Marble Top
Located in High Peak, GB
K0630 A low Victorian marble topped open bookcase, having original veined marble above a shallow frieze and two height adjustable shelves all fitted with green tooled leather dust c...
Marble
English Bamboo Open Bookcase with Seagrass Accents
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo bookcase from the Aesthetic Movement period, circa 1870-1910, featuring open shelving - with original seagrass accents to the top, sides, and shelves - and a to...
Bamboo, Seagrass, Wood
Sold
H 46.5 in W 26 in D 13 in
Aesthetic Movement Stick & Ball Wicker & Oak Bookcase/Shelf by Heywood Wakefield
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Stick & Ball Wicker & Oak Bookcase/Shelf by Heywood Wakefield USA, Circa 1880 Bearing Remnant of Heywood Wakefield Label A remarkable Aesthetic Mov...
Wicker, Rattan, Reed, Oak, Willow
19th-C. English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Bookcase Or Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century English burnt bamboo bookcase. It has two shelves behind glass doors over two open shelves. It is wrapped in embosse...
Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th century Swedish bookcase cabinet by Sandberg & Co
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Swedish bookcase cabinet by Sandberg & co circa 1910. Good quality 1 piece bookcase cabinet by swedish furniture makers sandberg of linköping. Stepped top surfac...
Glass, Birch
Sold
H 48 in W 25 in D 10 in
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Burnt Bamboo Bookshelf / Etagere / Shelf
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a nice early burnt bamboo bookshelf. It has almost stick and ball styling. It does show age wear but is structurally sound. It is English and has Aesthetic Movement styling. ...
Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 46.46 in W 33.86 in D 10.63 in
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...
Mahogany