Style note — Aesthetic style was very popular in the 1870s and 1880s. The homewares in Aesthetic fashion were elegantly designed and useful; the decoration had to be aesthetic, which meant elegant, tasteful and not garish. Design elements were inspired by the imports of ceramics, lacquer furniture and fabrics from the Far East, especially Japan.

Facts of Lavish What's a tantalus? It's a lockable storage device for several decanters — was used to keep drinks visible on display but safe out of the reach of servants and children. That's tantalizing!