In its sinuous lines and flamboyant curves inspired by the natural world, antique Art Nouveau furniture reflects a desire for freedom from the stuffy social and artistic strictures of the Victorian era. The Art Nouveau movement developed in the decorative arts in France and Britain in the early 1880s and quickly became a dominant aesthetic style in Western Europe and the United States.
ORIGINS OF ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGN
ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Art Nouveau — which spanned furniture, architecture, jewelry and graphic design — can be easily identified by its lush, flowing forms suggested by flowers and plants, as well as the lissome tendrils of sea life. Although Art Deco and Art Nouveau were both in the forefront of turn-of-the-20th-century design, they are very different styles — Art Deco is marked by bold, geometric shapes while Art Nouveau incorporates dreamlike, floral motifs. The latter’s signature motif is the "whiplash" curve — a deep, narrow, dynamic parabola that appears as an element in everything from chair arms to cabinetry and mirror frames.
The visual vocabulary of Art Nouveau was particularly influenced by the soft colors and abstract images of nature seen in Japanese art prints, which arrived in large numbers in the West after open trade was forced upon Japan in the 1860s. Impressionist artists were moved by the artistic tradition of Japanese woodblock printmaking, and Japonisme — a term used to describe the appetite for Japanese art and culture in Europe at the time — greatly informed Art Nouveau.
The Art Nouveau style quickly reached a wide audience in Europe via advertising posters, book covers, illustrations and other work by such artists as Aubrey Beardsley, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alphonse Mucha. While all Art Nouveau designs share common formal elements, different countries and regions produced their own variants.
In Scotland, the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh developed a singular, restrained look based on scale rather than ornament; a style best known from his narrow chairs with exceedingly tall backs, designed for Glasgow tea rooms. Meanwhile in France, Hector Guimard — whose iconic 1896 entry arches for the Paris Metro are still in use — and Louis Majorelle produced chairs, desks, bed frames and cabinets with sweeping lines and rich veneers.
The Art Nouveau movement was known as Jugendstil ("Youth Style") in Germany, and in Austria the designers of the Vienna Secession group — notably Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann and Joseph Maria Olbrich — produced a relatively austere iteration of the Art Nouveau style, which mixed curving and geometric elements.
Art Nouveau revitalized all of the applied arts. Ceramists such as Ernest Chaplet and Edmond Lachenal created new forms covered in novel and rediscovered glazes that produced thick, foam-like finishes. Bold vases, bowls and lighting designs in acid-etched and marquetry cameo glass by Émile Gallé and the Daum Freres appeared in France, while in New York the glass workshop-cum-laboratory of Louis Comfort Tiffany — the core of what eventually became a multimedia decorative-arts manufactory called Tiffany Studios — brought out buoyant pieces in opalescent favrile glass.
Jewelry design was revolutionized, as settings, for the first time, were emphasized as much as, or more than, gemstones. A favorite Art Nouveau jewelry motif was insects (think of Tiffany, in his famed Dragonflies glass lampshade).
Like a mayfly, Art Nouveau was short-lived. The sensuous, languorous style fell out of favor early in the 20th century, deemed perhaps too light and insubstantial for European tastes in the aftermath of World War I. But as the designs on 1stDibs demonstrate, Art Nouveau retains its power to fascinate and seduce.
There are ways to tastefully integrate a touch of Art Nouveau into even the most modern interior — browse an extraordinary collection of original antique Art Nouveau furniture on 1stDibs, which includes decorative objects, seating, tables, garden elements and more.
Several Antique Relief Tiles from Le Glaive, 1920s
By Le Glaive
Located in Rijssen, NL
Large amount of exceptional antique wall tiles, Le Glaive, Europe, Belgium. Beautiful color and quality with the images of purple flowers and ochre and green details. The dimensions...
Ceramic
Aqua Turquoise Majolica Turtle Vase Clement Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Aqua Turquoise Majolica Turtle vase Pique Fleur Clement Massier, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
Pair of Art Noveau Style Cast Iron Garden & Patio Benches
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of cast iron benches in the Art Noveau Style, high quality iron castings perfectly fitted to each other and freshly hand painted with Rustoleum hunter green gloss. Ver...
Iron
Steuben Verre de Soie Glass Fan Vase, Corning, New York 1925
Located in Milan, IT
Steuben Verre de Soie Glass Fan Vase, Corning, New York, c. 1925, ruffle-edged bowl set on a clear stem and round base, unmarked
Glass
Mid Century Bentwood Dining or Bistro Chairs in Thonet Style, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
A beautiful set of bentwood dining chairs in the style of Thonet. The chairs were made in Italy in the 80s. All 4 in very good vintage condition.
Cane, Bentwood
French Holophane Clear Glass Vintage Pendant Lights
By Holophane
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Holophane lampshade van Holophane. Brass bulb holder with glass shade. 2 meter / 80" black cotton wire. Weight: 1.00 kg / 2.2 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been mad...
Brass
Art Nouveau Sculpture Table Lamp Lever de l’Aurore by J. Causse, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
An Art Nouveau table lamp by Julien Caussé, featuring the sculpture Lever de l'Aurore (The Awakening of Dawn), with two floral glass shades radiating from elegant arms. Crafted in p...
Metal, Spelter
Original of the time Josef Hoffmann Kohn#926 Fledermaus Ensemble 1904
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
This extrem modern design from 1904 still convinces today. Totally restored, new upholstery, no final fabric. measures: Bench h 72cm, w 123cm, d 52cm Chairs h72cm, w 56cm, d 52cm Ta...
Bentwood
Pair of French Art Nouveau / Art Deco Nightstands oak and marble, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Elegant pair of Art Nouveau/Art Deco bedside tables, side tables, or chests of drawers, France, 1930s. Oak cabinets with 3 drawers each and spectacular marble tops. Hand-carved woode...
Marble
Patinated Brass Art Nouveau Lantern with Etched Glass, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Art Nouveau lantern. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Patinated brass frame with original etched glass. Rewired with one socket for E27 light bulb. In very good co...
Brass
Italian Art Nouveau Revival Gilt Metal and Opaline Glass Rod Chandelier, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
An elegant Italian chandelier from the 1960s, executed in the Art Nouveau Revival style and distinguished by its richly detailed gilt metal frame and cascading tiers of opaline glass...
Brass
Set of 8 French Art Nouveau dining chairs with leather seats, late 19th c.
Located in View Park, CA
A set of eight highly-carved Art Nouveau dining chairs, France late 19th century or early 20th. Featuring chocolate-brown leather seats with brass tacking. Carved backs, legs, feet. ...
Brass
Austro-Hungarian Jugendstil Crystal Glass N Brass Parlor Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Viennese parlor chandelier. On the bottom we can mount a diffuser on request, to cover the visibility of the bulbs Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional...
Crystal, Brass
Swedish Midcentury Apprentice's Exam Cabinet by Carl-Axel Acking, 1963
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking rosewood cabinet by Carl-Axel Acking with sleek lines and beautiful woodgrain. Made as an apprentice’s exam with beautiful execution.
Rosewood
Vintage Iron Savonarola Style Italian Leather Sling Chair Set
By Curule
Located in Bensalem, PA
Please look at pictures and video for overall detail and condition. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Metal, Wrought Iron
Early 20th-Century Art Nouveau Cut Crystal Vases, Attributed to Moser, Pair
By Moser
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of early 20th-century cut-crystal vases attributed to Moser. A violet-to-amethyst gradient, wheel-cut floral decoration and faceted hexagonal bases give the pair a precise, jewe...
Crystal, Silver
Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Cabinet for Mimi Marlow 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
For the private saloon of the then famous soubrette Mimi Marlow, who was also performing in the legendary "Fledermaus Cabaret," which was designed by Josef Hoffmann and executed by t...
Oak
Gabriel Argy-Rousseau Pâte de Verre "Anemones de Bois" Night Light
Located in New York, NY
Argy-Rousseau's near-unique ability to gracefully soften the starkness of Art Deco design without ever sacrificing the strength of the design is on full display in this remarkable, p...
Glass
1960s Drexel Et Cetera Furniture Collection Gilded Lily Cigarette Table
By Drexel
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Art Nouveau and Arthur Court inspired cast aluminum side table, with an aged gilt finish. Base is comprised of three flowering lilies with int...
Aluminum
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp / Flush Pende, Re Edit
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- lamp from the showrooms of the Wiener Werkstaette used by Hoffmann in several variations. Hammered originally. Works-number M115, pattern-book of the Wiener Werkstaette: WWM...
Crystal, Brass
Hector Guimard, Garden bench, a rare example retaining its original wooden seat.
Located in London, GB
Hector Guimard, Cast iron garden bench. A rare example retaining its original Art Nouveau wooden seat. It is important to note that the original wooden seat and back show complete pu...
Iron
Art Deco Ceiling Lamp, Scailmont Belgium Glass Shade, 1930s
By Scailmont
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau ceiling lamp Photography fails to capture the simple elegant illumination provided by this lamp. Fitting messing pendant ceiling light with screw fixing to hold a stylish Belgian Art Deco lampshade...
Art Glass
Art Nouveau Bronze Andirons - a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of art nouveau period bronze andirons. Large C-scrolls are each adorned with a five-pointed flower and blades of grass at the base. Dimensions per andiron.
Bronze, Iron
Antique Bohemian Faceted Flower Bouquet Art Glass Paperweight, c. 1900
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A large, striking antique Bohemian art glass paperweight, dating to circa 1900. The substantial clear glass body is cut with multiple geometric facets, creating a vivid kaleidoscopi...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
WMF Art Nouveau Silver-Plated Figural Sleigh Sauce Boat with Cherub, circa 1905
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A charming and highly decorative German Art Nouveau silver-plated figural sauce or gravy boat by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), circa 1905, modeled as an elaborate sleigh ...
Silver Plate
Rare Art Nouveau "Vase w/Oriental Dragon" by Eduard Stellmacher for RStK Amphora
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Earthenware
Art Nouveau Amalric Walter and Henri Bergé pâte-de-verre Insect Covered Box
By Henri Bergé and Amalric Walter
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Trois Capricornes du Chêne covered box was designed by Amalric Walter and Henri Bergé for La Marquise de Sévigné, the celebrated French luxury chocolatier founded in 1...
Glass
French Art Nouveau Ceramic Planter or Vase circa 1910
Located in Miami, FL
Art Nouveau Ceramic Planter or Vase circa 1910 Spectacular jardinière or centerpiece with relief flowers and leaves on the two sides
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Swedish Chaise Lounge
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Early 20th Century Swedish Chaise Lounge. Turned Beech wood legs.
Velvet, Beech
Art Nouveau Style Mahogany Sideboard with Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
This circa 1910 Art Nouveau style marble-topped mahogany sideboard was found in France. The cabinet has four front legs and two back legs. Sideboard is topped with a pale beige marbl...
Marble
1960s Art Nouveau Revival Figural Vanity Mirror with Leather Easel Back
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking 1960s tabletop vanity mirror in the French Art Nouveau revival style. The sculptural frame features an elegant female figure surrounded by flowing botanical forms and rais...
Metal
Art Nouveau Wall Mirror in Giltwood, Hand-Carved, Spain, 1930s Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Art Nouveau Rectangular Mirror with Foliage Frame, Wood, Gold Leaf Outstanding finely carved wood Art Nouveau mirror. Spain, 1930s Carved wood and gold leaf gilding. The frame has f...
Gold Leaf
Rarity! Pair of vases, flamingo & heron, ceramic Massier Valoris, 1915 France
By Valoris, Jean Baptiste Massier
Located in Wien, AT
An outstanding pair of vases by Jean Massier, France's most renowned Art Nouveau ceramic artist. Modeled after nature, the vases take the form of reeds—featuring a distinctive uppe...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Oak Apothecary Wall Cabinet, Germany circa 1900
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Charming Art Nouveau oak wall cabinet from Germany around 1900. This small apothecary style cabinet features a finely crafted solid oak corpus with a warm, natural patina and a frame...
Oak, Spruce
Original of the time Jugendstil table
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil. Early 20 century, solid cherrywood body, decorative brass parts, H 74cm, D 72cm, restored
Oak
1920 English Huntley & Palmers Chinoiserie Jar on Stand Biscuit Tin Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1920 Huntley & Palmers Chinoiserie Jar on Stand Biscuit Tin Box. Faux craquelure glazed "jar" decorated with phoenix birds, rising sun, & flowering bamboo. Great handles & borders. B...
Metal, Tin
Pair Art Nouveau Bronze Relief Wall Plaques
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of fine Art Nouveau / Jugendstyl gilt bronze relief wall plaques, with wonderful details, mounted in walnut frames. The reliefs depict Diana, ...
Bronze
Bing & Gröndahl "Seagull" Porcelain Tureen with Seahorse Handles (Model 5/512)
By Pietro Krohn, Fanny Garde, Bing & Grøndahl
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Vintage Bing & Gröndahl "Seagull" Porcelain Tureen with Seahorse Handles (Model 5/512) Designed by Fanny Garde (decoration, 1895) and sculpted by Pietro Krohn, the iconic Seagul...
Porcelain
Finnish Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet in Quartersawn Oak & Brass, Early 20th Century
Located in Helsinki, FI
A small Finnish Art Nouveau side / wall cabinet in gorgeous quartersawn oak wood and brass details. The cabinet has legs so it can be placed on the...
Brass
Early Diskometal Bowl designed by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Early Diskometal Bowl designed by Just Andersen in the 1920s. * Boat-shaped diskometal bowl * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: D145 * Year: 1926-1929 * Condition: Good vintage con...
Bronze
Antique French Walnut Double Caned & Hand Carved
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous French Art Noveau walnut with double caning, front and back, hand carved settee. Sweeping lines with cabriolet legs, all hand carved stained and lacquered. In excellent anti...
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
Le Verre Francais Art Nouveau Artistic Glass Vase by Charles Schneider, 1924
By Le Verre Francais, Charles Schneider
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Le Verre Français, France ca. 1924 Cameo glass egg cup decorated with stylized flowers. Engraved signature. This vase is very rare both for its color and...
Glass
Art Nouveau Vase By Karl Ens Volkstedt, Jugendstil, Circa 1896
By Karl Ens
Located in Lisbon, PT
An amazing Jugendstil Style amphora from Rudolstadt, Thuringia hailing from the Triebner Ens Manufacture and the artist Karl Ens Volkstedt. A vase decorated with a iris flower form...
Faience
Adolf Loos: cloakroom bar
By Adolf Loos
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Wall coat rack with 3 hooks made of brass and solid oak, designed by Adolf Loos. The wardrobe was made around 1910. Nice old patina
Brass
Vintage Floor Lamp with Art Nouveau Embroidered Lampshade, 1960s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Charming vintage brass floor lamp, featuring an elegant cream-colored pleated fabric shade with embroidered details and decorative fringing. The refined design of the stem, with a he...
Brass
Jugendstil Pendant, circa 1910
Located in Wien, Au
Jugendstil pendant, circa 1910 Polished and stove enamelled Glass sticks replaced (new).
Brass
Wong Lee Art Nouveau Style Vase With Floral Motif and Bronze Handles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning Art Nouveau vase featuring intricate floral motifs painted on a teal background. The vase is adorned with gold accents and is supported by ornate bronze handles and base, ...
Bronze
XL Luna Josef Hoffmann 100cm fabric chandelier
Located in Vienna, AT
Bigger version of the Josef Hoffmann fixture for the Steckelborg apartement, Villa Knips and for the Berta Zuckerkandl mansion.Custom size from ...
Brass
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Ambra Vase, Murano Glass "Sommerso" by Salviati
By Salviati
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A characteristic Art Nouveau ambra vase, Murano Glass "Sommerso" by Salviati. Measures cm: Height 38, diameter 22.
Murano Glass
Old Bronze Art Nouveau Guimard's Lamp and Pâte de Verre
Located in Rebais, FR
Old bronze Art Nouveau Guimard's lamp and Pâte de Verre.
Bronze
Art Nouveau WMF Maiden Mirror, circa 1906, Germany
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Art Nouveau WMF Mirror, circa 1906, Germany, silver plated, pattern number 108a. Original beveled glass mirror and wood back, the frame decorated with openwork foliage and a reclinin...
Silver Plate
Jugendstil Centerpiece with Original Glass
Located in Wien, Au
Jugendstil centerpiece with original glass. Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Lalique Crystal Capucines Centerpiece Bowl
By Lalique
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Lalique Crystal Capucines Bowl. It depicts a clear and frosted heavy bowl shaped as a flower made of six Nasturtium’s leaves so that is the reason that is called Nastartium...
Crystal
Delphin MASSIER Majolica Three Wild Roses Flower Vase, Vallauris, Late 19th C.
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Majolica Vase Three Eglantines (Wild Roses) by Delphin Massier, Vallauris, France Late 19th Century Earthenware A stunning French Majolica vase featuring three beautifully modeled e...
Ceramic
French Bronze Marble Patisserie Pastry Shelf Display Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome early 20th century French Art Nouveau period bistro tabletop Patisserie Pastry Shelf Display Stand, baker's rack, or étagère in patinated bronze, glass and marble. The Par...
Marble, Bronze
French Art Nouveau Green Vaseline Glass Pendant Light with Brass Chain, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Art Nouveau green vaseline glass pendant light with an ornate brass chain, circa 1920. An elegant French Art Nouveau pendant light, circa 1920, features a handblown vaseline g...
Brass
Tulipe Tulip by Boulenger French 950 Sterling Silver Flatware Service Set 135 pc
Located in Big Bend, WI
Tulipe is an exceptionally refined Art Nouveau pattern produced by Charles Boulenger & Cie. Featuring graceful flowing tulip blossoms, floral, and foliate motifs, this elegant design...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Enamelled Faience Vase, Baluster Form, Longwy Region, France, 1910s
By Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy, Boch Freres Keramis
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Art Nouveau enamelled faience vase, produced in France around 1910 and likely originating from the Longwy region, is executed in a tall baluster form and decorated in heavy enam...
Enamel
Sculptural Colonial Chaise Longue in Wood and Webbing Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Colonial Chaise Longue in Wood and Hand Woven Cane Webbing Early 20th Century An elegant Dutch Colonial chaise longue in solid teak and hand woven webbing. Dutch East Ind...
Wood, Teak, Webbing
French Wrought Iron Bistro Table Or Garden Table
Located in Houston, TX
French Wrought Iron Bistro Table Or Garden Table. Offered is a charming beautifully patinated French forged wrought iron garden table in the manner of Arras Foundry. This versatile t...
Iron