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 Merklen Brothers Carved Walnut Library Table Desk NY 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A fabulous antique American Aesthetic Movement carved walnut library table or desk, by Merklen Brothers, New York, circa 1890. Merklen Brothers of New York Gilded Age furniture...
Brass
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
$3,467Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Aesthetic Period Davenport, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Aesthetic Period Davenport. An English, walnut and bird's eye maple writing desk, dating to the Victorian era, circa 1880. A delightful example, with exquisite cr...
Birdseye Maple, 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
19Th. Century Octagon Tiger Bamboo & Lacquer Side Table, C1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrived in my shop, This 19Th. Century Octagon Tiger Bamboo & Lacquer Side Table, C1880 This is perfect example of the Victorian and Napoleon II period from the 19Th. century, i...
Bamboo, Lacquer
Solid Oak 19th Century Pub Table
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional solid oak pub style dining table, in very good, clean and ready to use condition. This example exhibits late Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Aesthetic Movement elements, ...
Oak
Jas Shoolbred Attri, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal shaped centre table
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred Attri, An Aesthetic Movement Octagonal Shaped Centre Table with lower shelf and turned cross stretchers below.
Oak
$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
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
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
Antique Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Aesthetic Movement example of a charming writing desk fashioned with elaborate galleries and simulated bamboo accents, including root feet. The desk with a single drawer with ...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Aesthetic Movement ebonized side table with hand painted floral tile to the Top
Located in London, GB
Aesthetic movement style floral tile-top ebonised side table. The tile has a fine crack running through it.
Porcelain, Beech
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
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
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
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
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Style Scorched Bamboo Plant Stand or Side Table
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Striking vintage bamboo plant stand featuring beautiful scorched bamboo patterning and decorative Brighton Pavilion–style fretwork. The architectural open frame design showcases eleg...
Bamboo
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Style Rattan, Metal and Canvas Side Tables
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Pair of aesthetic movement style rattan, metal and canvas side tables, late 20th century. With an inset canvas top with rattan borders, a frieze drawer, a lower shelf, supported on l...
Metal
Original Michel Mangematin coffee table
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Michel MANGEMATIN (Né en 1928) Table basse circulaire, circa 1962, piétement tripode en bronze doré formé de trois lames souples s'entrecroisant, chacune des lames, s'amincissant à l...
Bronze
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
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
Victorian Glass Ball and Claw Black Ebonized Oak Table, circa 1870s
Located in Hastings, GB
Victorian glass ball and claw ebonised table C'1870's Beautiful ebonised side table with turned bobbin legs. There are 4 brass eagle claws holding ...
Oak
$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
Oak Table Or Desk - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century farmhouse table in oak and chestnut from France. Very beautiful table with two drawers in the belt that can be used as a dining room table or desk. Very beautif...
Oak
Classic Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann of Austria Fledermaus Lamp / End Table
Located in Buffalo, NY
This is a Secessionist 'Fledermaus' Table, initially designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann of Austria in 1905. This example dates to the 1960s / 70s . primarily constructed of dark...
Brass
$2,792Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Bamboo and Rattan Side Table with Greek Key Apron and Fretwork
Located in Houston, TX
A beautifully composed 19th century bamboo and rattan table, exemplifying the refined yet relaxed elegance of the Aesthetic Movement's fascination with Asian-inspired design. The ta...
Bamboo, Rattan
Pierre Renart Wave desk ziricote wood
Located in Paris, FR
The Wave desk by Pierre Renart is a singular demonstration of wood virtuosity combined with contemporary design. Inspired by the movemnts of the ocean, the light ribbon creates a pow...
Ziricote
An Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Gilt Octagonal Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Hewetson & Thexton, in the style of Bruce Talbert. An Aesthetic Movement walnut and gilt octagonal centre table with ring and spiral turned legs terminating in turned finials, united...
Walnut
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Red Mahogany Pedestal or Plant Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Victorian Aesthetic Movement Red Mahogany Pedestal or Plant Stand. Nice Ribbed base. 35 1/2" tall. Perfect for sculpture or plant. Re-finished at some point and has some age appropri...
Mahogany
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
Bronze Elephant Head Console Table (Base Only)
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century bronze elephant console table. This listing is for the base only and is shown with glass as inspiration. Dimensions are for base only.
Bronze
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
Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut eight leg centre table
By Henry William Batley, Gillows of Lancaster & London
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
Large Gateleg Table In Oak
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely oak table called Gateleg Very beautiful table which has a very beautiful turned base Beautiful top with a thickness of 3cm the table can be used as a dining room table, as ...
Oak
$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
Madelaine Castaing coffee table
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table basse en acajou par Madeleine Castaing. Madeleine Castaing, de son nom de naissance Marie Madeleine Marcelle Magistry, est une antiquaire et décoratrice française qui a rév...
Mahogany
Tall English Table or Plant Stand of Brass from the Aesthetic Movement
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome tall English round-top table or plant stand of brass from the Aesthetic Movement period, circa 1890, featuring an ornately designed openwork circular surface atop a slende...
Brass, Metal
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT STYLE TiLED TOP CHESSBOARD CHESS TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning antique Victorian Mahogany games table with Chessboard Tiled top and stamped to the base with ...
Hardwood
Gillows attr. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Gillows of Lancaster attributed. An Aesthetic Movement tilt top dining table with floral inlays to the oval top walnut. Stamped mark under the top 8198
Walnut
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century French Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Pine Square Coffee Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love this family friendly coffee table! From mountain to beach, it is a versatile option! This is a mid-century knotty pine faux bamboo coffee table. It is French and unmarked. It ...
Pine
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
Heals attributed. An Anglo-Japanese Aesthetic Movement three tier ebonized stand
By Heal's
Located in London, GB
Heals attributed. An Anglo-Japanese Aesthetic Movement three tier ebonized stand with fretwork decoration to the top and a raised and turned gallery to each of the lower tiers, with ...
Wood
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
English Aesthetic Movement Macassar Ebony Petite Low Table or Stand, circa 1875
By Edward William Godwin, Collinson & Lock
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A C R O T E R I O N is pleased to offer this fine circa 1875 English Aesthetic Movement low table or stand of diminutive two-tier étagère form attributed to famed architect-designer ...
Macassar, Ivory
19th-century English Dresser Base Or Console Table
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A charming little 19th-century English desser base or console table in chestnut A very beautiful small piece featuring two drawers in the frieze The table has a beautiful one-piece t...
Chestnut
Bevan. Marsh Jones & Cribb. An Aesthetic Movement walnut ebonized card table
By Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan, made by Marsh Jones and Cribb. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut ebonized card table with fold over top retaining the original red baize on turned legs united by a double w...
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
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
Dr Christopher Dresser An ebonized and gilded pedestal torchère
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement ebonized and gilded pedestal torchère in the style of Dr C Dresser. The circular top has a Greek key pattern band, the main octagonal column has incised and gil...
Walnut
19th C. Burled Walnut Oval Table In Aesthetic Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With a book matched burled top, inlaid scrolled decorated banding, and a burled apron. Raised on four turned supports with a turned finial. Mounted on four carved leafy scrolled oak ...
Glass, Satinwood, Walnut, Burl
Howard & Sons London Leather Topped Faux Bamboo Writing Table, circa 1875
Located in Kinderhook, NY
English circa 1875 Aesthetic Movement writing table or desk by London cabinetmakers Howard & Sons having original green leather top; the oval form case with single drawer and origina...
Brass
19th Century Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Side Table with Octagonal Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th century Aesthetic Movement bamboo lamp table featuring an octagonal woven top supported by a geometric bamboo frame. The naturally mottled bamboo displays the rich tonal varia...
Bamboo, Cane
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
A Pair of Vienna Secession Oval Two-tier Side Tables by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
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
Jas Shoolbred attri. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal walnut side table
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred attributed An octagonal Walnut centre table with central shelf, carved circular details to the legs, united by lower cross stretchers.
Walnut
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
Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Table Designed as Two Fitted Together
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
A pair of good quality Aesthetic movement come Arts & Crafts solid oak dining tables with wonderful quarter sawn tiger grain throughout the oak on square legs with chamfered edges. T...
Oak
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
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
Stephen Webb, by Collinson and Lock. Aesthetic Movement octagonal centre table
Located in London, GB
Stephen Webb, made by Collinson and Lock. An Aesthetic Movement octagonal centre table with floral inlay to the top and shaped aprons below, with eight turned uprights uniting a spid...
Walnut
$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
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