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.
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-C. Victorian Era Aesthetic Movement Burnt Bamboo Side Table Faux Bois Paper
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Victorian Era English burnt bamboo side table. Both tiers have been papered in a tree motif wall paper that is in keeping with the Aesthetic Movement period. It is in very ...
Bamboo, Paper
Aesthetic Walnut Chart Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular when open and folds with brass hinges and fittings and stays closed with a latch. Simple turned legs with stretcher.
Walnut
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
Pair of Howard & Sons Rosewood Revolving Bookstand Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with shaped square tops over book compartments and spindle dividers and conforming lower section. Supported on four saber legs with casters. One signed Howard and Son , London.
Brass
American Aesthetic Mahogany and Inlaid Table
Located in Essex, MA
With a beautifully figured octagonal top inlaid with shell and volutes. With a conforming frieze raised on circular tapered legs joined by a lower shelf with spindle gallery. Ending ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Pair of Aesthetic Movement mahogany occasional tables
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Good pair of Aesthetic Movement mahogany occasional tables dating to around 1880, the tables have crisply ring turned legs and are in good useable condition.
Mahogany
$2,880Sale Price|41% Off
Chinese Rustic "Root" Table
Located in San Marino, CA
19th century Chinese rustic root table, made from natural tree timbers. Sturdy and appealing country styling is obvious in this table from the Qing period,...
Wood
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
Gillows of Lancaster Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burr Walnut Occasional Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare, fully restored, super quality Gillows of Lancaster & London Amboyna wood & burr walnut eboni...
Walnut
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
Venetian Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer Tole Iron & Marble Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Venetian Style Charles Pollock for William Switzer tole iron & marble table Priced each! Additional information: Materials: Iron, Marble, Tole Color: Green Brand: William Swi...
Iron
A. & H. Lejambre style American Aesthetic Movement Ebonized / inlay side table
Located in Buffalo, NY
A. & H. Lejambre style American Aesthetic Movement Ebonized ,inlay side table / pedistal / stand. Constructed of square sections mixed woods throughout. Very well executed,,
Wood
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
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
$568Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Aesthetic Movement square Turned Leg style table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Aesthetic Movement square turned leg table. It has 3 tiers, the upper one being of nicely crafted fretwork. The edges are scrolled. H-29 L-24 W- 24
Wood, Walnut
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Movement Carved Oak Elm & Marble Occasional Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very decorative, hand made in England, circa 1860 Victorian Aesthetic movement, Elm & Oak with thick marble top, large side table or small occ...
Marble
Aesthetic Movement ebonised table with parquetry top
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Aesthetic Movement ebonised table with decorative parquetry top in contrasting woods. This table dates to around 1880 the maker is unknown but it is good quality, it could possibly ...
Mahogany
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Octagon Side Table, Burnt Bamboo, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Burnt bamboo octagon shaped Brighton Pavillion side table with glass top.
Bamboo
$937
H 29.53 in Dm 41.74 in
Antique Dining Table Made In Mahogany With Inlaid Wood & Leather From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique dining table in mahogany with inlaid wood and leather, from the 1920s.
Leather, Mahogany
Tomlinson American 1960s Walnut Coffee Table
By Tomlinson
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful 1960s cocktail table with a cerused limed wood base and a polished burl match-booked walnut top. Original label.
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
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
Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Original Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima. About George Nakashima: George Katsutoshi Nakashima was an American woodworker, architect, an...
Walnut
Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Inlaid Games Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully crafted and handsome Hepplewhite style flip-games table. A serpentine from mahogany games table with checked sting inlaid top edges. The apron with large oval burled in...
Mahogany
$3,981
H 34.85 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Fine Extra Large Antique Sheraton Hardwood & Satinwood Revolving Bookcase Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, extra large, antique Sheraton Revival Mahogany & Satinwood revolving bookcase table A v...
Satinwood, Hardwood
Neo-Classical Style Inlaid Mahogany Side Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of striking mid-century bench-made side tables. They have a beautiful finish with unique carved legs. I particularly like the platform that has four gilded circular fe...
Mahogany
$13,950
H 30.5 in W 46 in D 134 in
Bench Made Reprod. Inlaid Flame Mahogany Sheraton Style Three Leaf Dining Table
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Fabulous quality domestically bench made satinwood inlaid and book-matched flame or crotch mahogany Sheraton style two pedestal, three leaf, cut-corner or scalloped edge dining table...
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
$2,024
H 35.44 in W 19.1 in D 19.1 in
Circa 1900 Edwardian Hardwood Revolving Bookcase Sheraton Inlaid Book Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1900 hardwood revolving bookcase with Sheraton inlay to the top. An exceptionally well made and highly decorative library bookcase or book table. This is a very versatile piece of furniture that would look amazing in any setting. This is one of the only examples I have ever seen in Rosewood We have cleaned waxed and polished the piece, it has some normal age and use related patina marks here and there, nothing you wouldn't expect from 120+ year old bookcase...
Hardwood
$1,734
H 27.56 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Aesthetic Movement 2 Tier Side Table After A Design By E W Godwin
Located in Petworth, GB
Aesthetic Movement 2 side table in ebonised beech. Square top with under tier shelf, turned legs with ring incised detailing with connecting turned and angled struts. After a desi...
Beech
Sold
H 29.75 in W 16 in D 16 in
Aesthetic Polished & Patinated Brass Table Patinated, Attributed Charles Parker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Aesthetic Movement Brass Table/Pedestal with Dual Patinated Alligator Tops, Attributed to Charles Parker, circa 1880 This rare and visually striking Aesthetic Movement brass table/p...
Brass
Howard & Sons Aesthetic Movement Rosewood Table
Located in Essex, MA
With an octagonal top supported on six turned legs with lower shelf. Terminating on turned legs and acorn shaped feet. Label of Howard & Son, London under top. Howard & Sons received...
Rosewood
English Aesthetic Red Lacquered Table
Located in Essex, MA
Attributed to James Schoolbred. Octagonal top and turned legs. Lower shelf and X stretcher. Casters.
Wood
Antique French Root Bamboo & Grasscloth Rectangular Table, C.1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this great large Antique French Root Bamboo & Grasscloth Rectangular Table, C.1890. The Root bamboo structure is all original with a great patina. The grasscloth has recent...
Bamboo
Aesthetic Movement Woven Bamboo Occasional Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Aesthetic Movement Woven Bamboo Occasional Table, on four legs conjoined by an undertier. Provenance: From a Chelsea estate.
Bamboo
English Bamboo Round Occasional Table from the Aesthetic Movement
Located in Austin, TX
A fine collector's quality English bamboo round occasional or side table from the Aesthetic Movement period, c.1870-1910, featuring a circular top with bamboo fretwork surrounding a ...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Sold
H 32 in W 19 in D 13 in
English Bamboo Table Stand or Cabinet Etagere from the Aesthetic Movement
Located in Austin, TX
A fine collector's quality English bamboo table stand or etagere shelf cabinet from the Aesthetic Movement period, circa 1870-1910, featuring a rectangular canted top with Japan lacq...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Sold
H 19.5 in W 12.5 in D 13 in
English Bamboo Table or Stool with Tile Seat from the Aesthetic Movement Era
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo table or stool from the Aesthetic Movement period of the late 19th century, featuring a handsome patinated finish and square seat of bamboo with inset blue and white ceramic tile...
Ceramic, Pottery, Bamboo, Wood
E W Godwin Side Table, circa 1870
Located in Sherborne, GB
A delicate and slender ebony and parcel gilt E W Godwin style Aesthetic movement side table. This attractive table is in the Egyptian furniture desi...
Beech, Ebony
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Bedside Tables, circa 1890
Located in London, GB
Pair of Aesthetic movement bedside tables, circa 1890. The tops finished in figured sycamore veneer. Each with a mirrored back. Dimensions: 81 x 3...
Sycamore
Syrian Octagonal Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
Syrian octagonal table, 19th Century An octagonal Moorish table, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ebony set in geometric patterns. Late 19th C...
Fruitwood
19thc Masonic Triangular Carved Oak Table Altar
Located in Savannah, GA
Part of the Masonic emblem is the triangle shape compass which represents the measurement of the ability to undertake actions within certain constraints. This very unusual solid golden oak tri-corner Masonic Lodge table...
Oak