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.
Antique Haviland for Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set for 24 Floral Spray Pattern
Located in New York, NY
This signed Haviland for Limoges porcelain dinner service, crafted in France circa 1900, showcases the exquisite Daisy Chain pattern, characterized by its delicate floral motif and t...
Porcelain
Haviland Limoges Porcelain Demitasse Cup & Saucer, Cobalt & Gold 1882-1891
By Félix Bracquemond, Haviland & Co.
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of antique demitasse or coffee cup and saucer features rare, unusual cup form with bamboo shaped handles; the set is decorated with stylized gold and white flowering branches on ...
Gold
Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee Cup And Saucer Demitasse Black And Gold 1940
By Rosenthal
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Rosenthal Porcelain Tea Cup or Coffee Cup And Saucer Demitasse Black And Gold Art Nouveau Venetian Style. Rare antique porcelain go...
Porcelain
Antique Charles Martin Limoges Porcelain Crescent Dishes Set, 1920
Located in Coral Gables, FL
An elegant set of three antique French porcelain dishes by Charles Martin of Limoges, each modeled in a graceful curved form traditionally described as crescent or cashew-shaped. Del...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Style Royal Vienna Porcelain Portrait Plate
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Art Nouveau Royal Vienna Porcelain Portrait Plate. It depicts a round porcelain plate hand painted royal and light blue in its background. At the center of the plate there...
Porcelain
Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Tomato Porcelain Tea Set, Germany, Circa 1900–192
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Exquisite antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria porcelain tea set modeled in the celebrated tomato form, one of the most collectible and recognizable naturalistic designs produced by the Ge...
Porcelain
Carlsbad Breakfast Porcelain Coffee Cup, 1910
Located in Praha, CZ
- in perfect original condition.
Porcelain
Capriccio, Boy on Ibex, Large Porcelain Group, Rosenthal Selb Germany, Ca. 1910
By Ferdinand Liebermann, Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
Admirable Art Nouveau Group of Figures by Rosenthal: Naked faun-like boy sitting on the back of an ibex, straining his upper body backwards and supporting himself with both arms on t...
Porcelain
Antique Wedgwood Daisy Makeig-Jones Fairyland Lustre Gilt Celestial Dragon Bowl
By Wedgwood, Daisy Makeig-Jones
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English lustreware porcelain bowl. By Wedgwood. Designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones. With a mottled blue exterior and mottled celadon interior. Decorated throughout wit...
Porcelain
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Limoges -Rosalie Warranted 22 K Gold Tableware Set, 30 Pieces
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless Limoges tableware set of 30 Pieces stamped Triumph, made in the USA Limoges Rosalie 1 T S 350-1 22 carat gold. Each piece is finely made of porcelain and hand painted in 2...
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Czech Royal Dux Bohemian Carved Porcelain Woman Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a woman's vanity or powder room with this vintage elegant ceramic Bohemian sculpture dish, crafted in the Czech Republic circa 1930. The Art Deco sculpture features a woman ...
Porcelain
Porcelain Faun with Nymphs by Walter Schott for Rosenthal, 1920
By Rosenthal
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Porcelain Faun with nymphs by Walter Schott for Rosenthal. Porcelain, white, glazed, polychromatic underglaze. Maker's mark. Laughing faun with crossed goat legs flanked by two nymp...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Flower Vase Limoges Porcelain and Silver by Joe Descomps
By Joe Descomps Cormier, Limoges
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Flower vase On one side it has a nude - Erotic lady drinking wine, and on the other a devil. Very nice quality enamel porcelain flower vase. It has silver rings on the neck and on th...
Porcelain
Royal Bayreuth Trompe-l’Oeil Porcelain Plate, 1900 - Tomato & Cabbage
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Exceptional hand-painted porcelain plate by Royal Bayreuth, Germany, modeled as a ripe tomato resting within textured cabbage leaves accented with delicate white blossoms. Executed i...
Porcelain
A Meissen Porcelain Model of a Polar Bear, by Jarl
Located in New York, NY
A Meissen Porcelain Model of a Polar Bear, by Jarl. A Meissen porcelain model of a polar bear by Jarl depicts the animal standing in a forward stride with its head turned slightly t...
Enamel
Art Nouveau Group 'Girl With Goat', by Erich Hoesel, Meissen Germany, ca 1905
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: Girl in a striped dress with polka dots and a white blouse holding a bouquet of flowers in both hands above her head and fending off a ...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Antique Porcelain Plate Hand Painted Gilded Floral
Located in Uppsala , SE
Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur KPM Berlin This is an antique porcelain plate crafted by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) Berlin, showcasing their iconic hand-painted naturalist...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Nude Decorated Lidded Porcelain Jar, Limoges, French, Circa 1905
By Limoges
Located in Incline Village, NV
Uniquely decorated porcelain Limoges jar with a wide winged span nude woman and a duck flying out of her hair, perhaps beckoning her to join in the flight. Her legs and feet end as one "a la mermaid". She is quite beautiful and is holding a bouquet of flowers in front of her. The same image appears on the other side. She is hand painted with brown hair, skin tones, with white and black detail to the "butterfly like" double wings. The duck is painted brown and black. Two gold leaf bands circumvents the vessel at the bottom and two thirds up. A blue band above the gold band at the base completes the hand painted decoration of the exterior. The interior of the jar is painted a light colored lime green. The underneath is clearly marked "P L Limoges...
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Gilt Scalloped Creamer/Milk Jug with Floral Decoration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain milk jug or creamer. By Meissen. Decorated with blue underglaze flowers with gilt stems and twigs on a white grou...
Porcelain
$3,004Sale Price / set|20% Off
Six Cups with Saucers, Theresienthal, Bohemia c. 1900
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exceedingly rare set of six cups with saucers, whose beauty captures both the eye and the imagination. The hand-blown opaline glass cups are shaped as delicate tulip blossoms, the...
Enamel
Antique Art Nouveau American Belleek CAC Lenox Silver Overlay Porcelain Vase
By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American Belleek silver overlay porcelain vase. By CAC (which becomes Lenox in 1906). Decorated with silver overlay throughout. T...
Silver
Art Nouveau Porcelain Vase Decorated with Two Handles in the Shape of Fish
Located in København, Copenhagen
Art Nouveau porcelain vase decorated with two handles in the shape of fish. Stamped Rorstrand, circa 1900. Measure: Height 28.5 cm.
Royal Doulton, England, a Pair of Narrow-Necked Art Nouveau Vases
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Doulton, England. A pair of narrow-necked Art Nouveau vases in hand painted porcelain, circa 1910. Measures: 28 x 12 cm. In very good condition. Sta...
Porcelain
Meissen Splendour Centerpiece With Cupids by Paul Helmig, Germany, Around 1885
By Paul Helmig, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
A special piece of porcelain from the late 19th century: A diamond-shaped earthen base rising on four sturdy rocaille elements, decorated with sculpted flowers and foliage, surrounde...
Porcelain
Antique Bavarian German Porcelain Gold Gilded Hand Painted Lobster Divided Dish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Bavarian German Porcelain Gold Gilded Hand Painted Lobster Divided Dish by Joseph Schachtel. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 4.5" H x 13.5" W x 10.25" D.
Porcelain
Large Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, After The Bath, By Robert Ockelmann, Ca 1900
By Robert Ockelmann, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely decorative, fully sculpted representation of a naked young beauty with her hair tied back, covering her nakedness after her bath with a softly draped cloth, which she holds...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Figure Group, Ice-Scaters, by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: A couple skating in elegant winter attire: the lady in a suit with a long skirt and jacket in white with stylised floral decoration in b...
Porcelain
Antique tray with Art Nouveau tile panel with Florale decoration, 1905s
Located in Verviers, BE
In very nice used condition, circa 1900. Beautiful Art Nouveau glazed porcelain tableau framed by Oak. Handles with brass details. A whole is in a beautiful state!. No cracks or ...
Porcelain, Oak
$1,712Sale Price / set|50% Off
Porcelain - Set of twelve Art Nouveau tea cups - Nippon
Located in Porto, PT
Porcelain - Set of twelve Art Nouveau tea cups - Nippon. Made of Japanese porcelain; early 20th century, marked 'Nippon'. In original case. Dimensions: (case) 12.5x65.5x45.5 cm.
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Group, Two Children With Dog, By Max Bochmann, Circa 1912
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent, rare Meissen children group: Kneeling girl with long braided hair in a long pink and white dress with elaborate embroidery, her left arm around the toddler standing next t...
Porcelain
Antique Nippon Hand Painted Porcelain Gold Gilt Swan & Lake Scene Cabinet Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Nippon Hand Painted Porcelain Gold Gilt Swan & Lake Scene Twin Handle Cabinet Plate. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 1.5" H x 11" W x 10.25" D.
Porcelain
$420Sale Price|30% Off
French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box by Legras Glassworks
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box by Legras Glassworks, France A beautiful hand-crafted and richly decorated French Art Nouveau enameled glass trinket or jewelry box, attributed to Legras Glassworks. The piece features delicately applied enamel in soft, natural tones typical of the Art Nouveau movement, highlighting its elegant floral and organic motifs. Finely detailed and highly decorative, this lidded box exemplifies the refined craftsmanship for which Legras was renowned. Perfect for holding small treasures or displayed simply as a work of art. Dimensions: 4" Diameter × 3 1/4" High A wonderful collectible French Art Nouveau glass box—an ideal decorative accent or thoughtful gift. Legras Art Glass...
Glass, Art Glass
Art Nouveau Figure Group, Dancing Couple, Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1912
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: A dancing couple in elegant casual wear: the lady in a long, fitted dress with a white skirt and black-and-green striped sleeves; on he...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Group, Hentschelkinder, Children Baking Sand Cakes, 1906
By Julius Konrad Hentschel, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
A very special group of children from the time the design was created: Girl in a long-sleeved dress of blue-violet fabric dotted with pink, her hair tied up, is crouching with her li...
Porcelain
Museum Quality Large Art Nouveau Meissen Vase, Centaur Dance, by Theodor Grust
Located in Vienna, AT
We are delighted to offer you an extraordinary piece of Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain art: This unique object is the first known example of an Art Nouveau vase by Theodor Grust to ap...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figure, 'Spring'- Striding Girl With Flowers, Augarten Vienna, 1924
By Augarten Porzellanmanufaktur
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate large Augarten Vienna Art Nouveau porcelain figurine: Young beauty walking barefoot with her hair artfully pinned up, wearing a close-fitting, loosely falling two-piece outf...
Porcelain
Late 19th century Art Nouveau Pair of Earthenware Tea Cups, 1900s
By Luneville
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful and rare pair of tea cups or breakfast cups in French porcelain from Luneville dating from the end of the 19th century in Art Nouveau style in good condition. Stamped on th...
Earthenware
Rosenthal Lidded Jar / Jewelry Box, Hand-Painted with Pink Flowers
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rosenthal lidded jar / jewelry box, hand-painted. Hand-painted with pink flowers. Year 1891-1906. In perfect condition. Measures: 14 x...
Art Nouveau Figurine, Ice-Scater, By Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, Ca 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figure: Skater in elegant winter attire: costume consisting of a long skirt and jacket in white with green checked hems, cuffs and collar, doub...
Porcelain
$1,807Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau White Porcelain Washbasin with Pilaster France
By Maison de l'Art Nouveau
Located in Valladolid, ES
Elegant and authentic Art Nouveau porcelain sink from 1930s France. Its delicate design is striking. It features a slender base decorated with plant motifs. The shaft rises like a fl...
Porcelain
$9,950Sale Price / set|20% Off
Magnificent Set of 12 Orchid Presentation Plates, Ornate and Elaborately Gilded
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
One of the prettiest sets of Antique English plates custom, from Royal Doulton. These feature their Classic shaped edge, raised gilding on the sh...
24k Gold
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
A Gorgeous Meissen Porcelain Model of an Elephant
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and finely modeled Meissen porcelain figure of an elephant, beautifully rendered in a lifelike walking pose with its trunk raised in a spirited trumpeting gesture. The mod...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figure 'Cupid Leading A Heart', By August Ringler, Ca 1895
By Meissen Porcelain, August Ringler
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Art Nouveau porcelain figurine by August Ringler: Naked winged cupid, loosely covered with a cloth fastened by an embroidered belt, looking down at a winged, flaming heart ...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figure 'Tied Up Cupid' by Paul Helmig, Germany Circa 1900
By Paul Helmig, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Art Nouveau porcelain figurine by Paul Helmig: Winged cupid boy with a suffering expression tied to a tree with a long garland of roses, an empty quiver at his feet. On hig...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figurine 'Temple Dedication' by Liebermann Rosenthal Selb Germany 1916
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Rosenthal figurine, only 200 versions in existence: A scantily clad Art Nouveau beauty, a belt around her hips with a long, softly falling shawl draping around her legs, a ...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Figure Group, Ice-Scaters, by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: A couple skating in elegant winter attire: the lady in a long white skirt with an ornate green embroidered border along the lower hem, a dark blue jacket with a black trim, a white cap and a long ermine scarf; the gentleman in a fine, sporty suit with a brown tartan...
Porcelain
Bing & Grøndahl, Art Nouveau porcelain place card holder. Ca 1900
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bing & Grøndahl, Art Nouveau porcelain place card holder. Design depicting a flower stem. Approximately from the 1900s. Marked. In perfect...
Porcelain
20th Century Big KPM Berlin Louis Tuaillon Sculpture Figure Amazoness on Horse
By Louis Tuaillon
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful figure of the famous Royal Porcelain Manufacture Berlin (KPM). Very naturalistic presented from high quality porcelain. Very decorative and noble. A timeless piece of jewel...
Porcelain
Large Art Nouveau Figurine, Pierrette, by Martin Wiegand, Meissen Germany, 1910
By Martin Wiegand, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figurine: Red-haired girl sitting on the ground with big hat with brim turned up in front, dressed in green bodice with gold hem, wide sk...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figure, Faun With Crocodile, By Rosenthal Selb, Germany, Circa 1923
Located in Vienna, AT
Admirable Art Nouveau Figurine by Rosenthal: Frightened faun standing on a broken piece of ruins with Egyptian inscriptions, holding a pan flute in his right hand, at his feet a croc...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Figure Group 'Tobogganers', by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1912
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant sledging couple: the lady in a long purple skirt, white jumper and white bonnet, a long green patterned scarf around her neck, high warm gaiters over her heeled shoes, the ge...
Porcelain
Bing & Grondahl / B&G, a Pair of Early Art Nouveau Table Card Holders
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bing & Grondahl / B&G. A pair of early Art Nouveau table card holders in porcelain with flowers. Early 20th century. Measures: 5 x 4.2 cm. In very ...
Porcelain
Large Allegorical Group, The Disarming Of Cupid, E. Andresen, Meissen, Ca. 1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Very delicate Meissen porcelain group of the late 19th century: Three beautiful young women with artfully pinned-up hair and wrapped in loose cloths grouped on a high towering rock, ...
Porcelain
Rare Royal Copenhagen Art Nouveau Lidded Bowl with Swans No. 23/10
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rare Royal Copenhagen Art Nouveau lidded bowl with swans No. 23/10. Measures 17 cm. x 14 cm. x 6 cm. In perfect condition. 1st. factory quality.
Haviland Limoges Set of 4 Porcelain Cups & Saucers, Cobalt & Gold 1882-1891
By Félix Bracquemond, Haviland & Co.
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 4 antique cups and saucers features rare, unusual cups with bamboo shaped handles; the set is decorated with stylized gold and white flowering branches on deep cobalt blue bac...
Gold
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, Hentschelkind, Girl With Doll's Pram, Circa 1905
By Meissen Porcelain, Julius Konrad Hentschel
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Nouveau Meissen porcelain figure from the time the model was created: The girl in a white dress and with a purple bow in her long hair bends over the wicker doll's pram and place...
Porcelain
Antique La Seynie P & P Limoges 5 Piece Vanity Tray Set
By Limoges
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Antique La Seynie P & P Limoges 5 Piece Vanity Tray Set. The large tray is signed G. Dodge on the upper right side. The smaller tray bears the man...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Figure “Child on the Pillow”, Modeled by Konrad Hentschel
Located in New York, NY
Meissen Porcelain Figure “Child on the Pillow”, Modeled by Konrad Hentschel (1872-1907) This Meissen porcelain figure depicts a seated infant resting on a soft, white cushion. The c...
Enamel
Art Nouveau Group 'Capture Of A Nymph', by Paul Helmig, Meissen Germany, Ca 1902
By Paul Helmig, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite large and rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: Triton adorned with water lily wreath on his head, half man, half fish with scaled legs leaning against a high wave and ...
Porcelain
Hortense Mattice Gordon, Hand Painted Ceramic Cabinet Bowl, Canada, C. 1910
By Hortense Mattice Gordon
Located in Chatham, ON
Hortense Mattice Gordon R.C.A. (Canadian 1887-1961) - Fine and rare antique ceramic cabinet bowl - hand painted in the Art Nouveau style on an imported blank - featuring a display of...
Porcelain