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.
Original Josef Hoffmann Dressing Table from 1905 by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Woka Lamps, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
An extraordinary modern furniture from the best period of his works. He made trendsetting Industrial designs for the bentwood-industrie. This dressing-table is from the "Fledermaus" ...
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Majolica Blackberries Four Piates Rörstrand Sweden 1910
By Rörstrand
Located in Uppsala , SE
Art Nouveau Majolica set Rörstrand Sweden Majolica is a type of earthenware covered with an opaque white glaze, and then painted with decorative stains and oxides before firing. This...
Ceramic
Cast Bronze Pendant, Sepia Finish, Flor de Bronce Collection
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the layered significance of the calla lily in Mexican culture, this collection blends the bold heft of cast bronze with sculpted, flowing curves that echo the flower’s fo...
Bronze
$875Sale Price|26% Off
Art Nouveau Chair, Walnut Wood, Restored Upholstery, Germany, 1900
Located in Hannover, DE
An Art Nouveau chair whose shape and design perfectly reflect this art period. Finely crafted walnut wood covered with a dark, fine glaze. This chair has been artfully restored and r...
Wood, Nutwood
Tiffany Style Bronze Twelve-Light Floor Lamp with Charles Lotton Art Glass Shade
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Exceptional Tiffany style bronze twelve-light floor lamp featuring hand-blown art glass shades by renowned American glass artist Charles Lotton. This magnificent floor lamp is inspir...
Bronze
Italian Pair of Rooster Figures 20th Century Art Nouveau Animalier Sculptures
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of antique Italian rooster sculptures, hand-made in Italy in the early 20th century, in the Art Nouveau period, inspired to the Animalier style, ...
Bronze
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
925 Sterling Silver & Natural Pink Opal Art Nouveau Cherry Blossom Wine Set
By Konforti
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
“Cherry Blossom Paradise” is an extraordinary sculptural wine and centerpiece set, handcrafted in 925 sterling silver with 24K gold vermeil, 24K gold gilding, hand-carved pink opal b...
Opal, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Vermeil, Gold Plate
Louis Majorelle "Pies et raisins" Buffet
Located in New York, NY
Louis Majorelle’s "Pies et raisins" buffet transforms the dining room into a celebration of abundance, using nature as both its subject and its material. Its principal marquetry pane...
Ormolu
Daum Nancy Miniature Vase, Gilt Cameo Glass, Art Nouveau, Circa 1895
By Daum
Located in Bochum, NRW
A miniature french gilt and enameled green cameo glass vase, signed in gilt "Daum Nancy" and with cross of Lorraine. Molded with flowers and leafage and with the phrase "A tout sei...
Glass
Original Gambling Table in the Style of Adolf Loos 1910 with Brass Chip-Bowls
By Adolf Loos, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Beechwood stained, round brass-base, chased with Hammer-finish, four collumnar table-legs, on four corners extendible chips-bowls in brass - compare haberfeld table, knize tables.
Brass
Alphonse Mucha's Documents Decoratifs (Complete in Four Portfolios)
Located in New York, NY
Suite of 72 lithographic plates on wove paper, many in color, plus expository pages (title page, half-title page, preface) and four covers. Published in Paris in 1902 by Librairie Ce...
Paper
Antique French T&V Limoges Porcelain Painted Pitcher For Pitkin & Brooks Chicago
By T&V Limoges, Tressemanes & Vogt
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful large antique French export hand-painted Limoges porcelain pitcher (would also make a wonderful vase) with gilt handle and accent...
Porcelain
Gallé Style Table Lamp Art Nouveau Purple Glass, France
Located in Rijssen, NL
This exquisite Art Nouveau lamp the style of Gallé table lamp is a real eye catcher. Made in the 60es our 70es. The table lamp is made of purple colored glass with eagles on it. Nic...
Glass
Aqua Turquoise Majolica Turtle Clement Massier, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Aqua Turquoise Majolica Turtle Clement Massier, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
Rare Viennese Alabaster & Lithophane Mosaic Pendant, c. 1900
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptionally rare and highly artistic pendant light, handcrafted during the early years of the 20th century and most likely originating from a distinguished Viennese workshop. Pi...
Alabaster, Brass, Iron, Lead
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Liberty Night Stands Bedside Tables Walnut Glass Top
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern design, pair of bedside tables with double front door, black glass top and beautiful wood veneer burl decors on the sides an...
Brass
Ironmongers Shop Counter Drawers Circa 1910s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Ironmongers Shop Counter Drawers Circa 1910s - Solid pine and Larch with original cast iron handles - Decorative carved sides and front - 30 large drawers - The top has been given ...
Iron
$19,916Sale Price|30% Off
Huge Candelabrum Crystal Antique Chandelier Ceiling Lustre Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant Antique Crystal Candelabrum Chandelier - A Marvel of Art Nouveau Craftsmanship Introducing a truly exceptional candelabrum chandelier that captures the essence of the Art No...
Crystal, Wire, Brass
$573Sale Price|20% Off
German Scharzwald Art Nouveau Stoneware Centerpiece Hunt Scenes, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
Stoneware pot center piece depicting different scenes of a hunt party. Made in Marzy & REmy manufacture in West Germany. You can see deer and does on one part and a hunting scene wit...
Stoneware
Art Nouveau / Arts and Crafts Table Lamp, Possibly German, Early 1900s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and atmospheric table lamp from the early 1900s, possibly of German origin, combining Art Nouveau decorative details with the strong geometry of Arts and Crafts design. T...
Brass
Exceptional hemisphere Art Nouveau Sideboard by Maurice Dufrene, France 1911
Located in Meulebeke, BE
An exceptional walnut sideboard designed by Maurice Dufrène in France, circa 1911, bridging the lyrical elegance of Art Nouveau with the emerging linearity of Art Deco. The piece fea...
Marble, Bronze
$20,485Sale Price|25% Off
Huge Candelabrum Crystal Antique Chandelier Classic traditional Massive Wide
Located in Berlin, DE
Huge candelabrum crystal antique chandelier ceiling lustre Art Nouveau Measures: Total height 140 cm, height without chain 110 cm, diameter 110 cm. Weight (approximately): 35 kg. Number of lights: 30-light bulb sockets: E14 material: Brass, cut glass, crystal, New electricity! New cable! Restored and rewired. tested. Ready to hang. Total length variable. Old chandelier with love and professionally restored in Berlin. electrical wiring works in the US. Re-wired and ready to hang not one missing Cabling completely renewed. Crystal, hand-knotted The chandelier is sent in a specially made wooden box so that safe transport is guaranteed. So worldwide shipping is no problem. they will for everyone the chandelier is wired in such a way that it works worldwide without any modification. in USA the chandelier works. ready to connect. before shipping the chandelier will be cleaned. missing crystals added. just cleaned and complete. will be sent. You are buying from a specialty chandelier store. with years of experience and heart for chandeliers Huge Candelabrum Crystal Antique Chandelier Classic...
Crystal, Wire, Brass
Schneider Et Olié Lampe double Art Nouveau
Located in NANTES, FR
double art nouveau lamp, circa 1915 Wrought iron foot with floral decoration, stamped Olié. Glass paste tulips signed Schneider. Electrified and in perfect condition. Height: 55cm W...
Wrought Iron
Art Nouveau Style White Alabaster & Bronze Three-Light Chandelier Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent condition and rare design, 3-light chandelier. If you appreciate the elegant designs from the Art Nouveau era, then this midcentury made, 1970s alabaster, bronze and brass...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Antique Metal Dog Sculpture, St. Bernard or Mastiff, Art Nouveau 1930s
Located in Warrenton, OR
Antique Metal Dog Sculpture, St. Bernard or Mastiff, Art Nouveau 1930s (estimated). This very handsome guardian breed or working dog breed feels to ...
Metal
Impressive size Tiffany style stained glass chandelier, 1990s
Located in ECHT, NL
Impressive round Tiffany style chandelier. The frame is made from steel and consists of two halves that bolt together. The frame houses 48 stained glass plates with floral decor. T...
Metal
$1,638Sale Price|20% Off
German Art Nouveau Portable Sewing Machine 1890 GRITZNER Germany
Located in Palermo, Sicily
German Art Nouveau Portable Sewing Machine 1890 GRITZNER Germany
Metal
Art Nouveau Etched Champagne Coupes in the Style of Peter Behrens - Set of 5
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 5 art nouveau coupe champagne glasses in the style of Peter Behrens. Each has a muted olive stem that varies in thickness. Clear glass bowls with an etched grape leaf design.
Glass
French Art Nouveau Conservatory Table in Wrought Iron and Solid Oak, Circa 1900
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative French café or conservatory table dating from around 1900. The table features an elegant wrought iron base with flowing organic lines and sculptural details inspired by n...
Wrought Iron
Majolica Violet Cache Pot Delphin Massier circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Purple flower Violet Cache Pot signed Delphin Massier Circa 1890.
Ceramic
$409Sale Price|47% Off
1940s Hand-Carved Organic Midcentury Wooden Table Lamp
Located in Copenhagen, DK
1940s lacquered solid wooden table lamp with swirling organic hand-carved relief decorations around the heavy body. Smooth slender neck with wide tiered architectural top. Original b...
Wood
Emerald Green Art Nouveau Vase by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1920s
By Ingrid Atterberg, Allan Ebeling, Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Harald Östergren
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique emerald green art nouveau vase by Upsala Ekeby. Soft shaped shiny green and black organically glazed ceramic vase with two handles. Stamped and numbered under base. Beautif...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Stunning Exceptional Starburst Sunburst Gilded Wood Convex Mirror, Germany 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous starburst sunburst mirror. Made of gilded wood. Stunning exceptional Leaf design. It measures approximate: 26.5" in diameter, mirror itself is approximate 9.5" in diameter...
Mirror, Giltwood
Rare Soliflore French Art Nouveau Cameo Glass Vase, Berries Decor by Emile Galle
By Émile Gallé
Located in Bochum, NRW
Delicate soliflore vase with berries and leaves decor. Multi-layered glass, with a decor intricately cleared with acid through vivid crimson red against a deep yellow glass ground. T...
Glass
Large palace size French Gilt Bronze Mounted Sevres Style Vase -- 53 Inch Height
Located in New York, NY
Very large antique (late 19th century) French porcelain vase in the Sevres style, 53 inches tall, with gilt bronze mounts and hand-painted Watteauesque cartouches in the 18th century...
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Clichy Yellow Reeded Glass Pendant Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French “Clichy” yellow coloured reeded glass pendant lamp 2 meter black cotton flex E14 bulb holder Weight : 0.40 kg / 0.9 lb E14 bulb holder. Priced per individual item. All lamp...
Brass
Art Nouveau Majolica Barboutine Two Plates Birds Swallow Early 20th Century
Located in Uppsala , SE
A charming set of two majolica plates featuring two swallow birds in flight on each plate. The glaze palette is a soft, pale blue with warm brown trim—an airy, pastoral colorway tha...
Ceramic
Antoni Gaudi Original Decorative Ceramic Spanish Tile of Casa Vicens, circa 1940
By Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Original ceramic tile by Antoni Gaudi, inspired by the marigold and dianthus motifs on the decorative ceramic tiles he designed for the facade of Casa Vicens, which constitute some o...
Ceramic
Antique Art Nouveau Slag Glass Table Lamp in the Manner of Handel, Circa 1920s
By Handel Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Art Nouveau period table lamp with gorgeous six-panel curved caramel slag glass shade In the manner of Handel USA, Circa 1920s Measures: 17"W x 17"D x 23"H....
Metal
Émile Gallé (1846-1904) — Late 19th-Century Cristallerie Scent Bottle circa 1895
By Émile Gallé
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Émile Gallé (1846-1904) Late 19th-Century Cristallerie Scent Bottle with Allegorical Figures Circa 1885-1890 A rare and exquisite late 19th-century French Art Nouveau / Historicist...
Art Glass
Vintage Small Wooden Florentine Gilt Tray, Italy 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing Smal Italian Florentine tray. Manufactured in Florence, Italy. Hand-painted in gold and brown shades. Wooden tray is in a good condit...
Wood
Pair of Wrought Iron Screens with Floral Patterns, early 20th Century, European
Located in London, GB
A set of two very attractive wrought iron screens depicting flowers and stylised leaves. European, early years of the twentieth century, possibly German or Czech in art nouveau or ea...
Wrought Iron
Lot of Two Silver Sacred Heart Ex Voto with Cherub Angel, Antique European 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Lot of two Handmade Religious Ex-Voto A striking and delicately crafted religious Ex-Voto, sourced from an estate sale in Parma, Italy. The piece appears to be made from t...
Silver Plate, Sheet Metal
A large and magnificent Italian Art Nouveau chandelier made of wrought iron
Located in Milano, IT
Large Italian Art Nouveau Chandelier, circa the 1920s–1930s A magnificent and highly decorative large Italian Art Nouveau chandelier, dating from approximately the 1920s–1930s, dist...
Iron
$537Sale Price|20% Off
Large Joseph Maria Olbrich Candleholder, Kayserzinn Reproduction, 1980s Design
By Eduard Hueck, Kayserzinn 1
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This impressive candleholder is a striking reproduction of a design by the renowned Austrian architect and designer Joseph Maria Olbrich, produced by Kayserzinn in the 1980s. Crafted...
Pewter
Pair of Danish Carved Lounge Chairs in Green Velvet, 1920s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Pair of Danish Carved Lounge Chairs in Green Velvet, 1920s. A rare set of gorgeous antique armchairs in a rich dark green velour. Jacquard woven seat with floral motifs. Wide scallo...
Velvet, Oak
$9,560Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Art Nouveau Jugendstil Bronze and Ceramic Vases Otto Eckman Style, 1900s
By Otto Eckmann
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of beautiful ceramic vases in shades of emerald blue to dark green, production from the early 1900s, in Art Nouveau or Jugendstil style in the shape of water lilies with bronze ...
Bronze
Daum Nancy Art Nouveau Glass Bonbonnière "Violets" circa 1900-1910
By Daum
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Daum Nancy bonbonnière "Violets" circa 1900-1910 Daum Nancy French Art Nouveau Cameo and Enameled Glass Violet Covered Box / Bonbonnière Circa 1900 An exquisite and highly collectib...
Art Glass
Original Adolf Loos Thebes Stool Manufacturer Friedricht Otto Schmidt
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Wohnung Dr. Otto und Auguste Stoessl, Wien XIII, Auhofstr. 235, um 1900-02 Wohnung Haberfeld Manufacturer Friedricht Otto Schmidt Lit.: Rukschcio, Schachel, Adolf Loos, S. 32 und 7...
Beech
Gallé Style Table Lamp Mushroom Yellow Red Flowers, France
Located in Rijssen, NL
This exquisite Art Nouveau style Gallé table lamp is a real eye catcher. Made in France, in the style of the Art Nouveau movement 1970. The table lamp, shaped as a mushroom, is mad...
Glass
$1,062Sale Price|40% Off
Rare Domed Wiener Werkstaette Vienna Art Nouveau Enameled Advertising Sign
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare, domed, black and white enameled Art Nouveau advertising sign for Wiener Werkstätte, founded by Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Fritz ...
Metal, Enamel, Iron
French Art Nouveau Bronze Five-Light Chandelier, Tangerine Glass Shades
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful French Art Nouveau bronze chandelier dating from the 1920s, featuring five elegantly curved arms richly decorated with floral and foliate ornamentation. The chandelier is f...
Bronze
Pair of Art Nouveau Decorative Panels with Purple and Yellow Irises, Circa 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Pair of painted decorative panels depicting purple irises on one and yellow irises on the other, within shaped reserves on a cream ground. Canvases laid down, presented in moulded pi...
Canvas, Wood
$2,412Sale Price|20% Off
French Art Nouveau Floral Foliage Table Lamp in Bronze
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful cast bronze floral design Art Nouveau table lamp, France, 1930s. This exquisite table lamp features two flowers standing on a plant, one of them holds the light bulb. This ...
Bronze
Louis Majorelle “Chicorée” Complete Art Nouveau Dining Room Set, France, 1900
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
An exceptionally rare and complete Louis Majorelle “Chicorée” dining room suite, created in Nancy, France, circa 1900. This remarkable ensemble is a superb example of French Art Nouv...
Bronze
$1,365 / set
Muller Frères Pair of Art Nouveau Wall Sconces
Located in NANTES, FR
Pair of Art Nouveau wall sconces, circa 1910. Gilt brass mount, pâte de verre shades signed Muller Frères Luneville. Wired, E14 socket. Small screw-in bulbs. In perfect condition. ...
Brass
LALIQUE - 'Muguet' - Frosted & Clear Crystal Plate - France - Late 20th Century
By Lalique
Located in Chatham, ON
LALIQUE - 'Muguet' (Lily of the Valley) - Vintage Art Deco style luxury crystal plate - featuring a striking frosted finish to the molded flowers from th...
Crystal
Tiffany Studios New York "Chinese Geometric" Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A Tiffany Studios New York glass and bronze "Chinese Geometric" table lamp, featuring a mottled orange, yellow, and green leaded glass shade atop an intricately sculpted patinated br...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Favrile Glass Bud Vase Tiffany Studios, New York, Circa 1920
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exquisite early 20th-century Tiffany Studios Favrile glass bud vase, created by Tiffany Studios circa 1920 and showcasing the remarkable iridescent qualities and organic forms tha...
Art Glass