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.
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo and Lacquer Side Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Aesthetic movement bamboo and lacquer side table, circa 1910. With a black and red lacquer top with floral and bird decoration and bamboo borders, an embossed paper mache lower shelf...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
$3,800 / set
Pair Of American Aesthetic Brass And Onyx Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with square onyx tops with beveled edge set in a cast brass frame with square section legs and stretchers, raised on cabriole legs.
Onyx, Brass
Tall Aesthetic Movement Pewter Inlaid Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare English Aesthetic movement pewter inlaid mahogany tall octagonal taboret table in the "Orientalist" taste, after the Indian and Middle Eastern examples, this one using very dens...
Pewter
19th Century Bamboo Table with Découpage Fish Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
Découpaged bamboo end or side table, probably English, circa 1880s.
Wood, Bamboo
Fine Aesthetic Movement Ormolu Porcelain Tiered Étagères, End Tables
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of fine gilt bronze ormolu mounted porcelain tiered étagères. Decedent French Aesthetic Movement styling, circa 1890, brilliant bronze doré suppo...
Bronze
19th Century Gypsy Table, Occasional / Side Table, Tripod Legs, circa 1860-1870
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Antique gypsy table, occasional / side table. Tripod legs, circa 1860-1870 A beautiful mahogany tripod base with twisted fluted legs, with cent...
Mahogany
Fine Antique Rosewood Aesthetic Style Table by Edwards And Roberts/ London
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Edwards and Roberts produced furniture starting in 1845 in London, England. Their name became synonymous with expert craftsmanship, style and quality. This superb and rare Rosewood table bears a partial paper label identifying the esteemed furniture house attached to the underside. This fine Aesthetic Style table...
Rosewood
Bruce Talbert, Style of, Probably by Gillows, an Aesthetic Movement Side Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert style of, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster. A rare and unusual Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with parcel gilt incised details, an Onyx top and matching u...
Onyx
Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Inlaid Occasional/Side Table
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This table is primarily fashioned after the Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century (roughly 1870-1900). Defined by its simple geometric structure, the piece highlights quality c...
Wood
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
Bruce Talbert, Style of a Fine Aesthetic Movement Walnut Two-Tier Side Table
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert style of possibly made by Collier & Plunkett. A fine quality aesthetic movement walnut side table with chip carved 45 degree details to the under side of the top and v...
Walnut
$1,950
Octagonal Walnut Stand
Located in Greenwich, CT
Turn of the century Aesthetic octagonal table with splayed legs and small undershelf, showcasing clean geometry and understated craftsmanship, in nicely figured striated walnut. Thi...
Walnut
Jas Shoolbred, an Aesthetic Movement Side Table with Angular Turned Supports
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with a galleried lower shelf and angular turned supports.
Walnut
American Aesthetic Mahogany and Mother of Pearl Table by A&H Lejambre
Located in Essex, MA
Square top with brass edge and top decorated with two bands of brass stringing and inset mother of pearl and brass spider spinning a pewter web with copper center, a bee constructed of copper and mother of pearl approaches the web. Conforming lower shelf with pierced brass corners and stick spindle gallery, raised on circular ring turned tapered legs with curved brass feet. A rare museum quality piece.
Brass, Pewter
English Aesthetic Mahogany Table Attributed To Godwin
Located in Essex, MA
Square solid mahogany top over spindle sides supporting a conforming shelf. Circular ring turned legs joined by an X form stretcher with central ball turning.
Mahogany
$3,163
H 30.12 in W 17.13 in D 14.77 in
Fine French Antique Hardwood & Brass Etagere Three Tiered Side End Lamp Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, highly collectable circa 1880 French Mahogany and cast brass Etagere table. A truly stunning p...
Brass
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
French 19th Century Side Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century parquetry and marquetry side table. Having floral inlaid decoration to the top and under-tier. The top hinges open to reveal a compartmented interior...
Kingwood
Round Marble Top Tripod Brass Base Legs Occasional Butler Side Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern solid brass or bronze base occasional side table with carry handle attribute to Parzinger.
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Brass and Glass End or Side Tables
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Hollywood Regency Brass and Glass end tables with mirrored bottom shelves. Art deco 1980's post modern style. These...
Brass
$1,800
H 27.25 in W 24.88 in D 21 in
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Chinoiserie Bamboo Hand Painted Lacquer Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Chinoiserie Table A striking 19th century Aesthetic Movement bamboo Chinoiserie table, featuring hand-painted birds in flight and perched amon...
Bamboo, Wood, Paint
$1,150
H 27.5 in W 20.5 in D 14.75 in
Antique English Bamboo Table with Later ARTISAN Decoupage BUTTERFLY
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique English bamboo rectangular table. Newly restored in England with black paint overlaid with decoupage of butterflies and moths, all framed with a border.
Bamboo, Wood
$1,080Sale Price|40% Off
H 26 in W 20 in D 14 in
Restored Aesthetic Movement Tiger Tortoise Bamboo 3-Tier Pedestal Side Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian tiger bamboo pedestal side table with 3 tiers of hand-painted floral tops. The bamboo furniture from this era is usually associated with the Astetical Movement and fea...
Bamboo, Paint
Late 19th Century Octagonal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Very unusual late 19th century oak side table from England. The table is a great form. It has an octagonal top, which is beveled and carved around the edge, and is surrounding a ha...
Oak
19th Century French Marquetry Side Table
Located in Norwood, NJ
Elegant French side table dating to the late 19th century, crafted in richly grained wood with fine marquetry inlay throughout. The gently shaped top is centered by a detailed geomet...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Walnut, Ebony, Pearwood
$1,762Sale Price|25% Off
H 27.96 in W 29.34 in D 18.9 in
19th Century Spanish Side Table with Hand Carved Lyre Leg and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Spanish side table with hand carved lyre leg and iron stretcher. Exquiste antique hand carved lyre-leg walnut wood Fratino trestle table with iron stretchers in Baroque style. Spain, 1880s. This gorgeous Fratino table features a rectangular top with beautifully carved foliate details over a trestle base. Two turned lyre-shaped legs are connected one to another with wrought iron stretchers. It has a nice color and aged patina. Recently restored Interesting to be used as side table, desk table or console table. Elegant to be placed behind a sofa or between two armchairs as it can be seen by all sides. This Baroque Spanish table...
Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Side Table
Located in Round Top, TX
A charming mid-19th century side table from Northern Italy in painted wood. Fabulous finish and patina. A lovely shape with splayed legs, one drawer and centre shelf.
Wood
Sold
H 19.75 in W 9.25 in D 10.25 in
A Rare Pair of French Bronze Faux Bamboo Tables, in the manner of Maison Jansen.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This petite pair of two-tier tables combines timeless elegance with subtle Asian influence. Each features bronze faux-bamboo legs and lacquered wood tops with delicate scenes of bamb...
Bronze
English Aesthetic Movement Rosewood Table
Located in Essex, MA
Square top with inlaid satinwood banding and molded edge with turned legs joining a lower shelf , turned stretchers and turned tapered feet. Crown stamp under base.
Rosewood
Vintage French Natural Tortoiseshell Color Bamboo End Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this charming Antique French Natural Tortoiseshell Color Bamboo two tier End Table. Very good vintage condition, consistent with age and use.
Bamboo
Bamboo & rattan Side Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming three tier bamboo and rattan side table that dates to the early 20th century. We have designated its origin as English, but it could also be American. The table is...
Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 28 in W 25.5 in D 17.5 in
Antique French 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Lacquer Two Tier Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrive! This is wonderful example of a French Antique 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo & Lacquer side table from the Aesthetic Movement or Art-Nouveau period. This table has two ti...
Bamboo, Lacquer
Studio Crafted Claro Walnut End Table, 1970s
By Sam Maloof
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning, studio crafted end table constructed of solid Claro walnut, made by an unknown designer in the 1970s. The table features a large storage area, a small drawer and a pull out tray for a drink...
Walnut
Sold
H 24.5 in W 16.25 in D 12 in
Antique Aesthetic Foliate Carved Rosewood & Rouge Marble Side Table C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Aesthetic side stand offers rosewood construction with and inset rouge marble top, foliate carved skirt, lower shelf and raised on straight square legs, c1910 Measures - ...
Marble
Bronze Faux Bois End Table/Stand
Located in Pasadena, CA
This superb example of a unique faux bois end table or stand. The table is in overall very good patinated condition with no losses noted. The bronze casting of the three-twig legs is...
Iron
Small Oak Arts and Crafts Moorish Occasional Side Table by Liberty & Co.
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A lovely Liberty Art & Crafts Oak side table. No makers mark but almost certainly Liberty Co, hexagonal with six identical side panels with ogee arches on each side, on turned legs w...
Oak
Pair of Tables, Brass, Mahogany, Glass, Italy, 1960
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of tables in brass structure, mahogany marquetry with a glass top, Italian manufacture from the 70s. Very elegant tables.
Brass
Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Decoupage Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming early 20th century English Aesthetic Movement Side or Occasional Table. The table features a burnt bamboo frame supporting two tiers of beautifully shelves. The brick red base surface is decorated with vintage...
Bamboo, Paint
Sold
H 14.5 in W 20.75 in L 14.5 in
English Aesthetic Bamboo Side Table with Tooled Leather Top, 1875-1900
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Rectangular bamboo table on four splayed bamboo legs joined by a stretcher shelf. The top and shelf are English Oak fitted with blind tooled ...
Leather, Bamboo