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.
E. W. Godwin, attri. Aesthetic Movement Rosewood Two-Tier Side or Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
E. W. Godwin attributed, Small Aesthetic Movement Rosewood two-tier side or coffee table On turned and incised legs with angled supports uniting the legs to the lower shelf.
Rosewood
Aesthetic Movement side table with Jeddo pattern plate by Brown Westhead & Moore
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic Movement faux bamboo two tier ebonized side table, each tier inset with a Jeddo pattern plate made by Brown Westhead and Moore potteries featuring a Japanese fan with da...
Faux Bamboo
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
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
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
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
Gillows attri An Aesthetic Movement oblong ebonized & Gilded walnut centre table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Gillows attributed. An Aesthetic Movement oblong ebonized walnut center table with canted corners and incised gilded decoration throughout. The top with a molded edge and quadrant su...
Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Scissor Action Drop Leaf Side Table Made from Hungarian Ash
Located in London, GB
A Continental Aesthetic Movement scissor action drop leaf side table with a wild grain Hungarian Ash top. A secret drawer that has a button underneath to...
Ash
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
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
Jas Shoolbred and Co (attributed) An octagonal oak side table with central shelf
Located in London, GB
Jas Shoolbred attributed An octagonal oak side table with central shelf, carved circular details to the legs, united by lower cross stretchers.
Oak
Dr C. Dresser, Style of, Aesthetic Movement Carved, Gilded & Ebonized Side Table
Located in London, GB
Dr C. Dresser, in the style of. An Aesthetic Movement three-tier ebonized and incised parcel gilt oblong library or side table. With gilded line detail to the edge of the top, styli...
Walnut
$1,304Sale Price|20% Off
Aesthetic Movement Japanned Bamboo Side Table, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Aesthetic Movement, Japanned bamboo side table. Japanning or Japonisme. Rough hewn and torched bamboo frame with “Japanned” top and panels. Single lower shelf decorative table. The w...
Bamboo
$631Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Collectible Maple or Walnut Hand-Carved Table with Scalloped Rim
Located in Lomita, CA
The absolute attraction of this table is the intricate carving on the top, which includes a centerpiece portrait of a gentleman wearing a period hat, and his image is surrounded by h...
Maple, Walnut
Aesthetic Movement Side Table by C. Fischer Amsterdam, 1900s.
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Aesthetic Movement side table. Design by C. Fischer Amsterdam. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak base with original solid oak top. Marked with manu...
Oak
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
Antique Ebonised Aesthetic Movement Occasional Side Table with Red Baize
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A superbly presented 19th Century Victorian Aesthetic Movement Side Table, crafted in the manner of the renowned designer E.W. Godwin. This exquisite piece features an elegant ebonis...
Beech
Decorative Small Floral Painted Ebonised Victorian Stool
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A delightful small Victorian hand painted stool. Beautiful hand painted floral decoration, a great decorative piece. In good sound condition.
Wood, Paint
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
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
Aesthetic Movement Amboyna Burl Ebonised & Gilt Metal Side Table
Located in Norwich, England
An Aesthetic Movement period amboyna burl, ebonised and gilt metal side table. English. Circa 1870. The table having decorative veneered amboyna burl to the top and tier - the name ...
Giltwood, Burl, Amboyna
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
19th Century Oak side table attributed to Dr Christopher Dresser
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Rare 19th Century oak side table attributed to Dr Christopher Dresser, or his studio, for the cabinet maker Thomas Knight of Bath. The strecther arrange...
Oak
Unique Piece, Table, Palm Trunk, XXth
Located in Nice, FR
Realization of a table from a palm tree trunk. The legs of the table are carved in the mass. To obtain the hardness of the wood, it is soaked in salt water and then dried in the sun...
Palmwood
Aesthetic Movement table attributed to Collinson & Lock
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Aesthetic Movement pale soft wood occasional table with five finely turned legs attributed to Collinson & Lock circa 1880. This particular form of table is more usually found in rose...
Softwood
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
$14,900
French Repousse Silver Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A French rectangular table with repousse silver plaques and inlay. Primary woods is walnut with ebonized wood trim and pewter legs.
Pewter
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
Rare 19th Century Pair of Black Lacquered Aesthetic Movement Étagère Tables
Located in London, GB
A pair of black lacquered Étagères In the early aesthetic Manner The circular tables having lacquered surfaces with a striking sheen, highlig...
Wood