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.
Dramatic 5x7 Black Floral Wool Rug in Red, Pink and Cream, Botanical Art Nouveau
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic, romantic, and unapologetically expressive, this 5x7 hand-knotted floral wool area rug transforms traditional botanical ornamentation into a captivating study of color, move...
Wool
8x10 Hand-Knotted Wool & Silk Rug, Green Pink Abstract Floral Art Nouveau Design
Located in New York, NY
This 8x10 hand-knotted wool and silk rug features a striking abstract floral design in soft coral, olive green, cream, and warm neutral tones. Flowing botanical forms, intricate orga...
Wool, Silk
Hand-Knotted Art Nouveau Wool Rug, Red, Pink, and Blue, 6' x 9'
Located in New York, NY
Part of the Orley Shabahang Music Collection, this stunning hand-knotted rug in shades of red, pink, and blue measures 5'10" x 8'10" and is crafted from the finest wool with a meticu...
Wool
4x6 Hand-Knotted Wool Floral Art Nouveau Area Rug, Pink, Blue, Cream, and Red
Located in New York, NY
This 4x6 hand-knotted wool area rug pairs an expressive floral design with bold geometric structure. Oversized blossoms and winding botanical vines move across a warm cream field, la...
Wool
$21,000Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Art Nouveau Turkish Sivas Rug
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Absolutely stunning antique Art Nouveau room-sized Turkish Sivas rug. Produced from luminous hand knotted wool with an incredibly soft pile. The rug features an organic design of scr...
Wool
Art Nouveau Carpet, Hand-Knotted, Gray, Pink, and Cream Wool, 8' x 10'
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Synergy, an exceptional hand-knotted carpet from the renowned Orley Shabahang Galaxy series. Crafted from 100% organic, handspun wool and dyed using natural vegetable pig...
Wool
$454Sale Price|30% Off
W 25.6 in L 46.46 in
Oriental Carpet, Wool Small Rug Cream Ziegler Style Inspired Living room Rugs
Located in Wembley, GB
Luxury Afghan Ziegler Sultanabad Rug – Handmade Oriental Wool Carpet – Ivory Floral Area Rug – Hand-Knotted Traditional Living Room Rug Bring timeless elegance to your home with this...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
Red Tibetan Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Floral Design, 9' x 12', New
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful modern Tibetan hand knotted wool rug with a red field. This Tibetan rug has accents of brown in a gorgeous all-over French Botanical Floral design. This rug measures 9' ...
Wool
Antique Heriz Wool Rug, Hand-Knotted, Red Field, Blue Accents, 1920
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful vintage Heriz wool rug with a red field and blue accents with an all-over medallion design. Measures: 9'2" x 11'6".
Wool
1920s Pink Antique Chinese Art Deco Hand Knotted Rug 7' x 9'
Located in New York, NY
Antique circa 1920 Chinese Art Deco hand-knotted wool rug, 7' x 9' (84 x 108 in), in pink tones. Condition: good, wear consistent with age and use. A striking antique rose-pink Chin...
Wool
$457Sale Price|20% Off
W 41 in L 62 in
3'5"x5'2" Red Hand Knotted Afghan Khamyab Tribal Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Scarlet Red, Hand Knotted, Afghan Khamyab with Tribal Design, Vegetable Dyes, Soft and Shiny Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tra...
Wool
Vintage Persian Style Wool Rug Soft Pinks and Browns
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Lovely vintage rug, colors are faded pinks, creams, browns, with tassel ends. Tassels are worn and some longer than others. Subtle markings shown in the photos, area of the rug where...
Wool
$450,000
W 310 in L 504 in
Antique Laristan Herati Wool 26x42 Red, Ivory, Taupe & Olive Handmade Area Rug
Located in Houston, TX
Condition: Antique Origin: Laristan, India (today Lahore, Pakistan) Design: Herati Circa: 1910s Actual size: 25'10"x 42' Thickness: 3/8" Color: Red, Light Blue, Tan, Ivory, Sla...
Wool
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
W 125 in L 173 in
Vintage Indo-Tabriz Hand Knotted Floral Medallion Wool Area Rug Carpet 10' x 14'
Located in Dayton, OH
Indo-Tabriz area rugs are hand-knotted rugs with traditional designs and rich color palettes. They are known for their quality, durability, and diverse patterns. This stunning carpet...
Wool
$11,500
W 118 in L 169 in
The Gilded Reverie: An Antique Turkish Sivas Masterpiece of Botanical Splendor
Located in Dallas, TX
51847 Antique Turkish Sivas Rug, 09'10 x 14'01. The Gilded Reverie: An Antique Turkish Sivas Masterpiece of Botanical Splendor. An evocative testament to the artistic heritage of Ana...
Wool
$2,239Sale Price|20% Off
W 87 in L 135 in
1940's Distressed Turkish Sivas Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
50869 Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug, 07'03 x 11'03. Steeped in history and woven with masterful artistry, this hand-knotted wool distressed vintage Turkish Sivas rug is a visi...
Wool
100% Wool Hand-knotted Ivory Floral Tabriz Inspired Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Truly one of a kind and extremely high quality Tabriz Inspired rug featuring a breathtakingly decorative design and a masterful coloration. 100% Fine natural wool pile. Brand new. Me...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Wool Sultanabad Rug, Purple Floral, 10'3\" x 13'11\"
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful modern Sultanabad hand knotted wool rug with a purple field. This Sultanabad rug has a multi-color accent in a gorgeous all-over Classic floral medallion design. This ru...
Wool
Modern Wool Hand-Woven Teal and Pink Floral Tabriz-Inspired Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A superb quality Tabriz-inspired rug made in China. This beautiful rug features an extremely fine weave and a masterful color combination. 100% natural wool pile. Brand new.
Wool
$6,214
W 97.25 in L 136.62 in
Large Tiger Rug Hand Knotted Djoharian Collection 8 x 11 ft Tibetan Design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Large Tiger Rug Hand Knotted Djoharian Collection 8 x 11 ft Tibetan Design An Art Deco style tiger rug for dining room, living room, bedroom or office.. Size: 8.1 x 11.3 ft /247 x ...
Wool
Antique Pink Turkish Sivas Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
71257 Antique Pink Turkish Sivas Rug, 13’06 x 22’00. A rare and resplendent treasure of Anatolian artistry, this hand-knotted wool antique pink Turkish Sivas rug is a majestic example of refined elegance at scale—an extraordinary textile that transcends mere function and enters the realm of cultural prestige. Woven in the heart of Turkey’s historic Sivas weaving ateliers, its oversize proportions were once reserved for the grand salons and ceremonial halls of nobility, and today offer an exclusive opportunity to transform large spaces into bespoke havens of cultivated luxury. Its field, rendered in a softly faded rose-pink hue, evokes a romantic, timeworn splendor—an aesthetic of noble restraint and feminine strength. From this poetic ground unfurls a floral symphony: a radiant central medallion, blooming with lotus-like palmettes and framed by arabesque vines, anchors the composition in quiet power. Delicate tendrils and botanical tracery dance across the sumptuous field in rhythmic balance, whispering of nature's eternal elegance and the human desire to mirror its order in art. Surrounding this exquisite work of art is a regal navy border, filled with floral cartouches and intricate scrollwork that lends definition and contrast, like an architectural frame elevating a priceless painting. The interplay of subdued blush, ivory, and deep indigo echoes the palette of a fading Ottoman court, offering an experience that feels at once grounded and ethereal—a cherished heirloom born of the earth yet imbued with transcendent grace. This antique Sivas rug is more than an object of beauty; it is a symbol of legacy and mindful living. By preserving an exceptional piece of textile heritage created entirely by hand, one supports a lineage of craftsmanship that values patience, artistry, and the natural world. Ideal for a collector, designer, or curator of experience, this singular masterpiece offers not only aesthetic grandeur but a rarefied narrative of cultural stewardship and timeless sophistication—the kind of authenticity that cannot be replicated. Rendered in a variegated shades of blush pink, deep navy blue, creamy ivory, and gentle baby blue with other accent colors. Abrash. Hand-knotted wool. Made in Turkey. Measures: 13’06 x 22’00. Hotel Lobby Size Carpet 14 x 22 Rug...
Wool
Abstract Persian Rug with Art Nouveau-Inspired Curves in Blue and Cream, 4' x 6'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Titled "Adrift", this abstract Persian rug with Art Nouveau-inspired curves in blue and cream, measuring 4' x 6', captures a serene interplay of form and color. Its fluid design, rem...
Wool
Art Nouveau Wool and Silk Persian Rug, Coral, Red, Purple, Brown, and Blue, 2x3
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Art Nouveau wool and silk Persian rug showcases a vibrant and sophisticated blend of coral, red, purple, brown, and blue hues. The design draws inspiration from the fluid, organ...
Wool, Silk
Art Nouveau-Inspired Blue, Cream, Brown, Pink, and Red Wool Persian Rug, 3' x 5'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Art Nouveau-inspired blue, cream, brown, pink, and red wool Persian rug, sized 3' x 5', features a beautiful fusion of intricate design and rich color. The abstract pattern flow...
Wool
Antique Persian Sarouk Art Nouveau Rug
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous early 20th-century antique Persian sarouk rug featuring botanical art nouveau period decorative arts influence. The field is embellished with beautifully styled vases bursti...
Cotton, Wool
1920's Turkish Sivas Carpet with Art Nouveau Style
Located in Dallas, TX
50381 Antique Turkish Sivas Rug, 08'03 x 10'09. This exquisite hand-knotted wool antique Turkish Sivas rug is a masterful blend of artistry, history, and elegance, embodying the rich...
Wool
Semi Antique Persian Art Nouveau Tabriz Rug
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mesmerizing semi-antique Persian hand-knotted wool Tabriz rug made in the decorative art nouveau taste. The rug features natural foliate designs with s...
Cotton, Wool
Vintage Pakistani Traditional Area Rug with Arts & Crafts William Morris Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77250 Vintage Pakistani Traditional Area Rug with Arts & Crafts William Morris Style 10'00 x 13'09. The architectural elements of naturalistic forms combined with Arts and Crafts sty...
Wool
A Rare Antique Israeli Bezalel Rug
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Rare and Highly Collectible Antique Israeli Bezalel Rug, Country Of Origin: Israel, Circa Date: First Quarter Of The 20th Century
Wool
Vintage Persian Bijar Kashan Floral Vase Design Rug with Art Nouveau Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75995, vintage Persian Bijar Kashan floral vase design rug with Art Nouveau style. With an array of florals, birds, arabesque vines, and poly-chromatic millefleur pattern, this hand ...
Wool
Vintage Persian Isfahan Rug with Shah Abba Design and Arabesque Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76901 Vintage Persian Isfahan Rug with Shah Abba Design and Federal Style. Rich colors with beguiling ambiance, this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Isfaha...
Wool
Late 19th Century Antique Persian Kermanshah Rug with Art Nouveau Style
Located in Dallas, TX
The harmony of the jewel-toned color palette combined with its impressive all-over pattern and intricate medallion, this antique Kermanshah masterpiece captures a breathtaking majest...
Wool
Late 19th Century Antique Persian Kermanshah Area Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
72920 Late 19th Century Antique Persian Kermanshah Area Rug 07'11 x 10'05. This late 19th century Kermanshah rug features a grand scale center medallion with complementary spandrels ...
Wool
Large Antique Turkish Sivas Rug
Located in New York, NY
Antique Sivas Carpet, Origin: Turkey, Circa 1900 -- Vibrant colors and rich, intricate details bring this rug to life. The skillful use of contrasting blue and red primary colors al...
Wool
Beautiful Antique Persian Bidjar Rug
Located in New York, NY
Antique Bidjar Rugs Bidjar is a town in Persian Kurdistan located in north-west Persia. The Bidjar name is also used to describe the antique rugs that were produced in the many villa...
Wool
Antique Persian Senneh Melayer Rug
Located in Evanston, IL
An Absolutely beautiful antique hand woven Persian rug with unusual repeated swan birds. The colors are muted and highly stylized flora...
Wool