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.
Large Arts & Crafts Brass & Oak Gustave Serrurier-Bovy Style Wall Clock, ca 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and stylish clock, in good working order. If you are looking for an exceptionally designed clock from the Arts & Crafts era then this rare wall clock could be yours to o...
Brass
Table clock Opening lost hinge Swiss clock 8-day Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table clock with rounded vertical sides in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, in Art Nouveau style from the early 1900s. Hand-engraved e...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
A Large Italian Carved Figural Long Case Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Large Italian Fruitwood Carved Figural Long Case Clock. In the Italian Rococo style, Hand Carved "Liberty Style" with a female holding flowers and surrounded by 3 Cherub/Angels. A ...
Fruitwood
Art Nouveau Conifer Clock by Joself Kratina
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Czech artist Josef Kratina lived in Paris for several years and was a student of Auguste Rodin. He lived in New York from around 1907 onwards. Note: We highly recommend shipping thr...
Brass
$7,437Sale Price|50% Off
Antique French Auguste Moreau Gilt Bronze Mantel Garniture Clock Candelabra
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Antique French Art Nouveau Auguste Moreau garniture clock set. Made of bronze with gilt accents featuring a peasant woman and child carrying a shieth of wheat flanked by large candelabra urns...
Bronze
New Haven Clock Co. Art Nouveau Style Table Clock
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Art Nouveau Style Table Clock. It depicts a small balloon shape clock mounted in copper color metal. A standing young nymph is adorning the front of the case while holding its face. The white enamel round dial of the clock has Arabic numbers and is also decorated with a garland of roses and leaves around the center. The gold color metal hours and minutes hands are made of scrolls of leaves. At the bottom of the dial face is hallmarked New Haven Clock...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Wall Clock, 1900s
Located in Praha, CZ
Art Nouveau wall clock with a charming, resonant chime. Made in Austria in 1900s. The clock's mechanism was cleaned and adjusted by a professional clockmaker. Paint is slightly worn ...
Brass
English Art Nouveau Silver Pocket Watch and Stand by Henry Greaves Ltd
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING White Metal Pocket Watch With Sterling Silver Mounted Stand From our Silver collection, we are pleased to offer this Silver Mounted Pocket Watch Stand wit...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Adolf Loos Vienna Modernism Wall Clock by Junghans, Germany, 1920s
By Adolf Loos, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimalist wall clock, dating back to around 1920, designed by Adolf Loos (1870–1933), manufactured by Junghans Germany. This clock stands out with its unmistakable octag...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Sheet Metal
Gustave Serrurier-bovy (1858-1910) "moulin Clock" -1905
Located in Bilzen, BE
Gustave Serrurier-Bovy (1858-1910) Moulin Mahogany, brass, painted glass paste numbers Creation date: 1905 H 59 CM XL 34 CM Original movement, running Bibliography: - Françoise Bi...
Brass, Iron
Art Nouveau Serpentine Stone Pendulum Clock by Albin Müller
By Albin Muller
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Executed by Sächsische Serpentin-Stein-Gesellschaft, Zöblitz. Literature: exhibition catalogue Dresden 1906, p. 266; DKD vol 18, 1906, ill. page 646; DK issue 10 (1906/07), ill. pag...
Stone, Metal
$7,000Sale Price / set|30% Off
Antique Bronze Hirondelle Blessee Alfred Foretay Garniture Mantel Clock & Urns
By Alfred Jean Foretay
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique three piece set garniture clock made of bronze with green marble bases and gilt feet. Mantel clock features the sculpture Hirondelle Blessee by Alfred Jean Foretay above a gilt framed, white porcelain clock...
Marble, Bronze
French Art Nouveau Sculpture Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
French Art Nouveau sculpture with a clock decorated with a pair of women rejoicing in the season's harvest. In great condition. Sold as is...
Marble, Pewter
Art Nouveau Celtic Creature Repoussé Box by Alfred Daguet
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...
Brass, Steel
$14,468
Jugendstil longcase clock
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil longcase clock in very good original condition, working.
Brass
Jeweled Art Nouveau Repoussé Clock by Alfred Daguet, with Original Mechanisim
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Alfred Louis Achille DAGUET (1875 - 1942) was a metalsmith active in Paris during the first part of the 20th century. His metalwork created prior to the outbreak of World War I, note...
Brass, Copper
Aristede De Ranieri Signed Art Nouveau Sculptural Mantel or Table Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Thia antique mantel or table clock was made by the well known Italian born sculptor Archimede de Ranieri, who did much of his work in France and made this in approximately 1900 in th...
Metal
Antique Monkey Barber Animated Brass-Cased Novelty Clock
Located in Forney, TX
A most amusing late 19th / early 20th century animated novelty clock, depicting monkey barber giving a haircut with disastrous results. Art Nouveau period, brass-cased, gimbal suppo...
Brass
Art Nouveau Wall Clock with Ceramic Dial, Softwood Case, circa 1900
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Art Nouveau wall clock dates to the early 20th century, circa 1905, and is a fine example of restrained Jugendstil design. The clock features a ceramic dial with clearly legible...
Ceramic, Softwood
Art Nouveau Table Clock by Christian Ferdinand Morawe, Gustav Becker Clockwork
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Nouveau table clock, Gustav Becker clockwork, designed by Christian Ferdinand Morawe This exquisite table clock comes from the Art Nouveau era and is characterized by its artis...
Mahogany
The Linke Grand Regulator World's Fair Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Grand Regulator World's Fair Clock François Linke Circa 1900 Widely regarded as the greatest sculptural clock ever created, this monumental régulateur by François Linke was conceived as a statement for the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition, a moment when the world’s finest artisans competed on an international stage. Linke, the most celebrated ébéniste of the Belle Époque, was awarded the prestigious gold medal for his display, which critics described as “the biggest event in the history of furnishing art in the year 1900.” Designed in collaboration with the sculptor Léon Messagé, the clock exemplifies Linke’s ambition to elevate furniture and timepieces to the realm of fine art. The clock represents over a decade of design and craftsmanship. Only six examples of this model were ever completed due to the extraordinary labor and cost involved. Building just one had a production cost of 22,966 francs, the equivalent of approximately eight years' wages for the average French worker in 1900. The clock is illustrated on the spine of Christopher Payne’s definitive monograph on Linke. Mahdi Al-Tajir, one of the world’s most important collectors, later acquired the present model. Another is located at Whitehall, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. It was acquired by Rockefeller’s partner, Henry Flagler...
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 1920s Public Iron Wall Clock With Hand-Painted Dial, Industrial Style
Located in Vienna, AT
An antique 14.5 inches diameter wall clock from the 1920s, manufactured by clockmaker Franz Klameth, Vienna, Austria. Clocks like these were originally used in public offices, a fact...
Metal, Iron
Chinese Market Champleve Enamel Carriage Clock by L. Vrard & Co
Located in Newark, England
Extremely Rare French Champleve Carriage Clock for the Chinese Market From our Carriage Clock collection we are delighted to offer this extre...
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Silver Carriage Clock By William Comyns London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine Art Nouveau silver carriage clock made in 1902 by William Comyns. The doomed shaped case has a 4.5 cm enamelled dial with Roman numbers and black steel hands, 8-day sprin...
Silver
Isamu Noguchi Hawkeye "Measured Time" Clock and Kitchen Timer
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
The “Measured Time” clocks have appeared previously on the market without attribution, identified only by the clockface “Hawkeye” label or the Stev...
Metal
French Art Nouveau Majolica Floral Dresser Mantel Clock and Garniture Set
By Esdeve, Sarreguemines
Located in Miami Beach, FL
The beautiful set by Esdeve - Sarreguemines features a lovely pink French Majolica dresser mantel clock and a matching pair of pink floral garniture vases. It features an Art Nouveau...
Majolica
French Art Nouveau Grandfather Clock
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau bronze dore grandfather clock with marble & onyx pedestal top and base. *Not working
Marble, Onyx, Ormolu
Jugendstil mantel clock by Junghans Darmstadt
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil mantel clock by Junghans Darmstadt. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
$4,795Sale Price|20% Off
Lenzkirch Mantel Clock, Art Nouveau Jugendstil
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Lenzkirch Art Nouveau Jugendstil mantle clock This German clock features stylized accents heavily influenced by the Art Nouveau and Jugendstil era. I...
Unique Art Nouveau L'ecole Nancy Style Carved Wall Clock Thermometer & Barometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century, good size Art Nouveau wall clock. This antique weather station hand carved and stunning Art Nouveau clock has a beautiful...
Glass, Wood
Art Nouveau Dandelion Repoussé Box by Alfred Daguet
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...
Brass, Steel
French Art Nouveau Clock and Vase Set by R. Ragu
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Tall 6 1/8” tall by 8.75” wide by 2” deep Clock on marble base. Hand engraved pewter over pearlized celluloid. Vases hand engraved pewter over fro...
Pewter
Large Nymph Clock in Regula & Bronze Patina Marble by A. De Raudery, 1890s
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Large Nymph Clock in Regula and Bronze Patina Marble by A. De Raudery, France, 1890s Vintage Design A. de RAUDERY - 19th-20th century French school. Pendulum or living room clock...
Brass, Bronze
Antique French Gilded Bronze Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Victoria, BC
French clockmakers were renowned for their craftsmanship during the 19th century. An antique framed hanging Cartel wall clock made of gilded bronze. The hours are shown as Roman nu...
Bronze, Enamel
Léon Jallot, Oak Grandfather Clock, France, 1910
By Léon Jallot
Located in New York, NY
An magnificent clock with a floral motif dating from the early 20th century, and created by master ebeniste Le´on Jallot. For an illustration of a similar model, see: Duncan, Alasta...
Oak
$770Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau france travel clocks messing
Located in Berlin, DE
Travel alarm clock in a high-quality brass case With facet-cut enamelled glass and hand-painted dial the clockwork has to be taken over by the buyer himself and made to run
Brass
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Arts & Crafts Successionist Mantle Clock - Stickley era - W7025
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an antique Arts & Crafts Secessionist Mantle Clock c. 1899. In art history, secession refers to a historic break between a group of avant-garde artists and conservative Europ...
Bronze, Iron
Adolf Loos Jugendstil Mantelpiece-Clock Solid Brass Facetted Glass, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Mantelpiece clock, often used by Adolf Loos in houses he designed. Casted brass-frame on four Rhomboid legs, strengthened edges leading to octagonal side frames, facettet glasses, cl...
Brass
Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Large French Art Nouveau Mantel Clock and Garniture This impressive clock set features a woman and child holding a floral branch with a bird perched above. A striking centrepiece...
Marble, Brass, Spelter, Ormolu
$5,637Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Terracotta Clock And Light With Muses, Goldscheider, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This Art Nouveau terracotta sculpture clock and lamp was created around 1887 by the renowned Friedrich Goldscheider manufactory in Vienna. The piece portrays an allegorical scene of...
Metal, Enamel
Art Nouveau Ceramic Mantel Clock
By Maple & Co.
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Nouveau mantel clock in a ceramic case with a white ground decorated with flowers in shades of blue with beaded decoration to the outside of the case, standing on a ribbed outswept arch with rectangular centre. Gilded bezel opening to an enamel dial with Arabic numerals and original gilded hands signed ‘Maple & Co Ltd, Paris’ Eight day French movement also signed ‘Maple & Co Ltd, Paris’. c.1900 Watchmakers and clockmakers of the world, by Brian Loomes...
Ceramic
Paul Frey Miniature 18-Karat Gold and Jade Clock
By Paul Frey
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exceptionally rare objet d'art, this opulent and incredibly rare French miniature clock is crafted of solid 18-karat gold and jade. Crafted by Parisian jeweler Paul Frey and retailed by Gompers, this handcrafted masterpiece is exemplary of the Art Nouveau aesthetic, boasting exquisite gold mounts hand-cast with unmistakable Gothic elements, including gargoyles and grotesque figures, accentuated by intricate foliate motifs. The resplendent, rich green jade column provides the perfect contrast; gracefully twisting in an elegant display of beauty and craftsmanship. The vast majority of such luxurious objects were composed of gilt bronze, making 18K gold specimen...
Jade, Bronze
Art Nouveau Mahogany and Silver Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Nouveau Mahogany and Silver Mantel Clock A rare Art Nouveau mantel clock housed in a waisted mahogany case with applied silver front and stand...
Mahogany
$2,109Sale Price / set|30% Off
French Art Nouveau Clock Set 'Poésie' 'Ch Ruchot' by Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
An antique French bronzed spelter clock set with its pair of matching gilt candelabra / garniture. The finely cast figurine of a lady holding a manuscript is entitled Poésie and ...
Marble, Spelter
$493Sale Price|49% Off
Antique Royal Dux Porcelain Figure Of An Alpine Mountain Skier Figure Clock
By Royal Dux
Located in New Orleans, LA
A rare and unusual antique Royal Dux figure of an Alpine mountain skier, having a Clock mounted in the top. Lovely rendering of colors and textures that simply delights the eye when ...
Metal, Brass
Superb Arts and Crafts Nutwood and Brass Pendulum / Table Clock or Desk Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and stylish clock, in good working order. If you are looking for an exceptionally designed clock from the Arts & Crafts era then this rare mantel clock could be yours to enjoy soon. You will rarely find a table clock...
Metal, Brass
Rosenthal Jugendstil Porcelain Clock with the Goddess Diana (Artemis) the Hunter
By Rosenthal, Karl Himmelstoss
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Jugendstil porcelain clock. By Rosenthal. In blanc de chine porcelain with gilt accents throughout and a gold washed clock face. Perched atop the clock is the Godde...
Porcelain
Small jugendstil mantel clock by Junghans Darmstadt
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Small jugendstil mantel clock by Junghans Darmstadt in excellent original condition.
Tin
Art Nouveau Clock Set by Francesco Flora 1890 Antique Three Piece French Mantel
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous Art Nouveau clock set from the 1890s by Italian artist Francesco Flora made in Paris France. Francesco Flora is known for making gorgeous fe...
Spelter
Quality Antique Art Nouveau French L'AURORE mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality Antique Art Nouveau French L'AURORE mantle clock, having a beautiful lady in bronze holding a flower standing on a marble base, 8 day mantle clock striking on a bell with the...
Marble, Bronze
$2,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
Art Deco Pink Marble Set of Mantle, Desk or Chapel Clock with Bronze Details
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco pink marble mantle, desk or chapel clock with bronze details Beautiful design and perfectly working Art Deco clock with a chime. If...
Marble, Bronze
Erhard & Söhne Jugendstil Table Clock 1910 Austria
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful Art Nouveau Desk Clock .Manufactured by Erhard & Söhne in Austria 1910 Burl wood with Brass inlay . Superb craftsman work . The movement was worn out . So i sent it to a...
Burl
Bronze Mountain Lion with Tiffany & Co. Clock
By Giacomo Merculiano
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage majestic bronze animal sculpture & clock date from early 1900’s. The sculpture was created & signed by the artist, MERCULIANO. The stunning patinated dark green bronze s...
Marble, Bronze
Art Nouveau Mahogany French Balloon Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Art Nouveau mahogany Balloon clock with satinwood inlay and standing on brass ball feet. Enamel dial with Arabic numerals and original hands. Eig...
Mahogany
Wall clock in carved wood, Germany, 19th century.
Located in PARIS, FR
A wall clock or cartel, in carved wood, with scrolls and flowers, probably edelweiss, in the dial, the pendulum and the hands, all three in pewter. Very nice work, decorative, art n...
Wood
Vintage Mid-19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Enamel Boudoir Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
This late 19th century French boudoir clock is designed with an ornate gilt bronze scrolled frame. Within the frame of this vintage timepiece is a wonderful hand painted and signed e...
Bronze, Enamel
Vintage Art Nouveau Period Emmanuel Villains Porcelain Sculpture with Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage Art Nouveau sculpture with clock is designed in a hard paste white porcelain. A sensuous young scantily dressed female figure is positioned upon the ledge of the town well. A pensive face sets a somber mood. A clock is placed within the head of the tall fountain...
Porcelain
$5,637Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Terracotta Clock And Light With Muses, Goldscheider, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This Art Nouveau terracotta sculpture clock and lamp was created around 1887 by the renowned Friedrich Goldscheider manufactory in Vienna. The piece portrays an allegorical scene of...
Metal, Enamel
Stunning Maple & Co Paris Art Nouveau Hardwood Marquetry Inlaid Mantle Clock
By Maple & Co.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, circa 1890 Maple & Co Art Nouveau mahogany inlaid mantle clock A very good looking and decor...
Hardwood
A Rare 19th Century German Cast Iron Animated Dog Novelty Timepiece
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Rare 19th Century German Cast Iron Animated Dog Novelty Timepiece Circa 1880 Origin: Germany Height: 6" Width: 7" Depth: 3" En...