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.
Victorian English Tiger Bamboo Chinoiserie Book Table with Folding Shelves
Located in Troy, MI
An octagonal bamboo table in a mottled tiger bamboo finish, the top lacquered in chinoiserie style with gilt birds and peonies on a dark ground. Four folding shelves, painted en suit...
Bamboo, Giltwood
E.W. Godwin, an Aesthetic Movement Walnut Octagonal Table with Crossed Stretcher
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin in the style of. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut octagonal centre or side table with arched apron below the top, he legs united by upper stretcher...
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Tiger Tortoise Bamboo Pedestal 2-Tier Side Drink Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian tiger bamboo side table with intricate embossed Paisley block pattern octagonal tabletop. The table features a tiger bamboo frame with a secondary bottom shelf, usuall...
Rattan
An Aesthetic Movement walnut two-tier side table with canted corners
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement walnut two-tier side table with canted corners on fine ring turned legs
Walnut
19th Century Victorian Aesthetic Movement Chinoiserie Bamboo Sewing Side Table
Located in Forney, TX
Add a touch of elegant sophistication, romantic warmth, and authentic antique character with this absolutely exquisite 150 year old Victorian era sewing stand work table (today it wo...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Diminutive American Aesthetic Movement Peacock Motif Pedestal of Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Diminutive American Aesthetic Movement peacock Motif pedestal of side table of hexagonal form with a stylized Greek key border, with penwork decorated cube-work center. Supported on...
Birch, Poplar, Satinwood
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 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
Liberty & Co., attri. An Aesthetic Movement Hexagonal Side Table
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co., attributed An Aesthetic Movement hexagonal side table with herringbone inlay to the edge of the top and a molded edge with shaped aprons below, standing on six legs un...
Walnut
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
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
$2,250
VM-Martini Table
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Beatiful and delicate Martini side table, hammered solid black metal oiled finished 8"dia x 26"H
Metal
Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut eight leg centre table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed, in the style of H W Batley. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal Mahogany eight leg centre table with shaped supports below the top and four ...
Mahogany
Marsh Jones and Cribb. A superb pair of side tables
Located in London, GB
A superb pair of side tables by Marsh Jones and Cribb with circular top and shaped aprons below and fabulous shaped legs united by a shaped lower shelf on little pad feet.
Mahogany
American Victorian Inlaid Wooden Plant Stand, Circular Top, 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian wooden plant stand / side table with circular top featuring a central inlaid medallion design, resting on a pedestal base with a ...
Wood
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Side Table with Turquoise Tile Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Aesthetic movement burnt bamboo tile top side table. The base is constructed from bamboo, with a porcelain tile inset into the top surface. The tile artwork depicts a sc...
Bamboo
Bruce Talbert An Aesthetic Movement Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement/Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box with carved lunettes, florets and incised turned details to the legs united with turnings ...
Oak
Gillows of Lancaster An Aesthetic Movement ebonized circular side table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement ebonized circular side table with carved sunflower floret to the top with three turned, carved and incised gilt decoration to the legs and t...
Walnut
Unusual 19th Century Oak Side Table with Book Storage Cupboard with Door
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
This former 19th Century Chicken/Bird cage would have once been used to protect poultry, now it presents as a characterful side table with handy ...
Oak
19th-C. French Pine Faux Bamboo Marble Top Stand / Pedestal / Side Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century French pine faux bamboo two tier marble top wash stand. This would make a lovely side table or pedestal as well. It a single drawer over single door. The ...
Marble
Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Tea Table
Located in Haywards Heath England, GB
Aesthetic Movement mahogany tea table with Japanese inspired detailing Side hand rails an stylised fretwork Circa 1875 Width 65cm. Depth 33.5cm. Height 73cm
Mahogany
Aesthetic Style Carved Hoof Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
One of a kind aesthetic style ebonized table with black marble top and turned spindled finial sphere base supported by four hand carved hooved legs.
Marble
Aesthetic Movement oak oblong side table with ring turned legs, and splayed feet
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement oak oblong side table with staggered ring turnings to the legs and stood on splayed-out feet united by a fine ring-turned centr...
Oak
English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Side Table W/ Shell Transferware Mosaic Top
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an English burnt bamboo side table with a mosaic top comprised of 19th century transwferware. It has a shell motif. The second shelf is grasscloth. It is in very good antique...
Pottery, Grasscloth, Bamboo
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized walnut two tier side table with a pierced gallery
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut ebonized two-tier side table with turned legs, the lower shelf with raised pierced circular details.
Walnut
$650Sale Price|31% Off
Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Side Table, UK, Late 19th Century
Located in Astoria, NY
Aesthetic Movement Mahogany Side Table, with square top above carved mask head aprons on pierced spindle curved legs conjoined by under tier. 34" H x 17.75" W x 17.75" D. Provenanc...
Mahogany
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Aesthetic Movement Tiger Maple Occasional Table English, 19th Century
Located in Lomita, CA
The beaded lunettes on this oval maple table are reminiscent of Moorish architecture; which the appraiser says was an influence of Aesthetic Movement furniture in England, which is w...
Maple
Aesthetic Movement Occasional Table, English, Circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Aesthetic Movement occasional table in the Anglo-Japanese taste, dating to the late 19th century, circa 1870–1890. This elegant example features a shaped, octagonal top fra...
Mahogany, Giltwood
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
Liberty & Co An Aesthetic Movement Walnut side table with a touch of Art Nouveau
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut side or occasional table with a square top and wavy Art Nouveau uprights on opposing sides flowing do...
Walnut
Collinson & Lock. Aesthetic Movement octogonal two tier table on ring turn legs.
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut octogonal two tier side table on splayed and fine ring turn legs, reminiscent of some of the legs Godwin chased around.
Walnut
A Pair of Vienna Secession Oval Two-tier Side Tables by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Vienna Secession oval two-tier side tables from the "Fledermaus" series designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956). Featuring the original Thonet label. Stained beechwood. Vien...
Beech
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 side table with sunflower & curved & straight side stretchers
Located in London, GB
A rare Aesthetic Movement walnut side table with two curved upper stretchers that unite to a central sunflower and a lower straight sided H stretcher that unites to the bottom of the...
Walnut
Early 20th century inlaid birch octagonal occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century inlaid birch octagonal occasional table circa 1910. Fine quality side table, that would also function well in the hall or as a lamp table. Inlaid and strung bord...
Birch, Elm
English Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Brass Hall Stick Stand James Shoolbred
Located in Norwich, England
A superb Aesthetic Movement walnut and brass mount hall stand attributed to James Shoolbred - London. Kite registration stamps - English Dated 1883. James Shoolbred & Co were a fir...
Brass
Early 20th Century Side Serving Drinks Tea Twig Table Smoked Glass Top Wood
Located in Tilburg, NL
Beautifully crafted occasional twig table related to the aesthetic movement in the late 19th century. Early 20th century, most probably English. Made out of twigs and finished wi...
Twig, Smoked Glass
Aesthetic Movement Walnut side table wot-not-stand with half triangle shelves.
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut tall side table wot-not-stand with a molded square top and a further full shelf below followed by staggered tri-angular shelves, from to bottom with fine...
Walnut
Collinson & Lock (attributed). A small Aesthetic Movement mahogany side table.
Located in London, GB
Collinson & Lock Attributed. A small Aesthetic Movement Mahogany side table with raised Japanese fretwork to the lower shelf.
Mahogany
English Arts & Crafts Wooden Carved Wood Side Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Great Arts & Craft period carved wood octagonal side table with Celtic style design. Bearing label under top: Bowman Brothers, Camden town, London , NW 1.
Wood
English William Birch for Liberty & Co Occasional Table
Located in Faversham, GB
A charming Aesthetic movement mahogany side table by British designer and furniture maker William Birch for Liberty & Co. The table displays a generous top raised on four turned sup...
Mahogany
Antique Aesthestic Movement Victorian Burnt Bamboo Tortoise Shell Side Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Aesthetic Movement plant stand/side table (ca. early 20th Century, USA). Composed of a burnt bamboo/faux-tortoise finish frame with two graduated cane surfaces. Very good, or...
Bamboo, Cane
Antique Aesthetic Movement Tortoiseshell Bamboo Three-Tier Table
Located in Trenton, NJ
An elegant antique three-tier bamboo occasional table featuring a mottled tortoiseshell-style bamboo frame and dark floral-decorated shelf panels, likely dating to the late 19th or e...
Bamboo
$1,076Sale Price|20% Off
French 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo Table With Red Tooled Leather Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this great looking French 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo two tier Table with Red Tooled Leather Top. The tortoiseshell effect is stunni...
Leather, Bamboo
A William Birch Aesthetic Movement Ebonised Occasional Table
Located in Faversham, GB
A 19th century Aesthetic Movement ebonised oak occasional table by British furniture designer William Birch. The square table has a generous top with a moulded edge, complemented b...
Oak
Antique Victorian Tortoiseshell Bamboo Pedestal Side Table, Circa 1900
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A wonderfully detailed antique Victorian bamboo pedestal table dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The tall, slender frame features richly figured tortoiseshell or scorche...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Late 19th Century Hand Painted Tiger Bamboo Side Table
Located in London, Lambeth
An wonderful Victorian Aesthetic Movement Chinoiserie lacquered magazine table (canterbury) . Late 19th century. 72cm high x 53cm wide x 37cm deep. Beautiful lacquered tabletop with ...
Bamboo
Remarkable Late 19th Century Bamboo & Leather Occasional Table
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
An elegant bamboo occasional table, octagonal top with applied bamboo border and tooled boarder decoration to the leather. Gracefully curved legs and intersecting stretchers. The bam...
Leather, Bamboo
An Aesthetic Movement side table with scroll supports stood on ring turned legs
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement side table with scroll supports stood on ring turned legs united by a turned cross stretcher with an object or plant pot stand to the centre.
Walnut
Pair of Geometric 19th Century Wood Occasional Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These ebonized wood tables or stools from the English Aesthetic Movement showcase spare, geometric designs adorned with traces of gilt. The craftsmanship emphasizes the movement's fa...
Wood
Antique Wine Cooler Side Table
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and unusual antique wine cooler table with a lift up lid, in solid birch. This was likely made in the 1920’s, it has an aesthetic influence in the design. It is dated on ...
Tin
Mid-Century Mahogany Inlaid w Instuments & Angels Tray Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic mahogany tray table with inlaid angels and a large central musical instrument. Banded frame around the edge of the tray. Cast brass handles, tray lifts off and fits back sn...
Brass
Anglo Indian Octagonal Centre Table
Located in Haywards Heath England, GB
Anglo Indian centre table with inset Indian brass zodiacal charger The central panel depicts the Hindu deity Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha The surrounding panels depict th...
Brass
Antique Black Forest Style Barley Twist Side Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Carved from walnut, this table was possibly made in Germany. It favors the work stemming from the Black Forest. The legs are carved in the barley twist style. The skirt is carved in ...
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
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with a marquetry octagonal top
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with a marquetry octagonal top decorated with conch shells and a central star detail in various fruit woods, with ebonized string and cheque...
Walnut
c. 1860 Swedish Travel or Lap Desk on Custom Made Side Table Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 travel or lap desk on custom made side table stand, Swedish. Marquetry panel top decoration of a sleigh pulled by one man, pushed by another. Marquetry leaves & flowers wi...
Walnut
An Aesthetic Movement rosewood two tier side table inlaid with floral decoration
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood two tier side table inlaid with floral decoration to the centres and parallel line inlay to edges of top and bottom shelf, stood on turned legs united ...
Rosewood
E W Godwin (style of). An Aesthetic Movement walnut octagonal table
Located in London, GB
E.W. Godwin in the style of.An Aesthetic Movement Walnut octagonal centre or side table with arched apron below the top, the legs united by upper stretchers and also united by a lowe...
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Walnut centre table with incised circular details to the legs
Located in London, GB
Collinson and Lock, attributed. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut centre table with incised circular details to the legs, united by double cross stretchers.
Walnut