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Art Nouveau Shell with Handle by Albert Koehler
Art Nouveau Shell with Handle by Albert Koehler

Art Nouveau Shell with Handle by Albert Koehler

By AK & Cie

Located in Vienna, AT

Brass silvered with engraved thistle on the bottom made by Albert Koehler, circa 1900 in Vienna. Signed AK & Cie in the handle. Excellent restored.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Brass

Art Nouveau Shell Pattern Stoneware Vase by Auguste Delaherche
Art Nouveau Shell Pattern Stoneware Vase by Auguste Delaherche

Art Nouveau Shell Pattern Stoneware Vase by Auguste Delaherche

By Auguste Delaherche

Located in Palm Beach, FL

science of experimentation in ceramic ware into an art form. Coming from a long tradition of potters in

Category

Antique 1880s French Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Stoneware

Large Art Nouveau Hand Carved Tortoise Shell Pendant, circa 1890, Paris
Large Art Nouveau Hand Carved Tortoise Shell Pendant, circa 1890, Paris

Large Art Nouveau Hand Carved Tortoise Shell Pendant, circa 1890, Paris

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Large Art Nouveau hand-carved orchid tortoiseshell pendant - the detail is exquisite. Tiny pins

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Art Nouveau Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Shell

Lovely Antique Grotto Shell Souvenir du Croisir Inkwell Art Nouveau
Lovely Antique Grotto Shell Souvenir du Croisir Inkwell Art Nouveau

Lovely Antique Grotto Shell Souvenir du Croisir Inkwell Art Nouveau

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This exquisite antique inkwell is a stunning example of Art Nouveau design, shaped like a grotto

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Art Nouveau Ceramic Bohemian Vase Two Female Figures Royal Dux Shell Centerpiece
Art Nouveau Ceramic Bohemian Vase Two Female Figures Royal Dux Shell Centerpiece

Art Nouveau Ceramic Bohemian Vase Two Female Figures Royal Dux Shell Centerpiece

By Royal Dux

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Art Nouveau ceramic bowl female figures embracing a seashell that rests stylized foliage. May be

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Original Female Nude on a Shell with Putti, Art Nouveau 1890, s Signed
Original Female Nude on a Shell with Putti, Art Nouveau 1890, s Signed

Original Female Nude on a Shell with Putti, Art Nouveau 1890, s Signed

Located in Los Angeles, CA

,s . From a private collector of Art Nouveau Sculptures . Very well taken care of, rare to find this

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Spelter

Pair of Austrian Art Nouveau Period Kohn Bentwood Bistro Chairs, Shell Motif
Pair of Austrian Art Nouveau Period Kohn Bentwood Bistro Chairs, Shell Motif

Pair of Austrian Art Nouveau Period Kohn Bentwood Bistro Chairs, Shell Motif

By Jacob & Josef Kohn

Located in Fayetteville, AR

Designed by Jacob and Josef Kohn, these Art Nouveau period bentwood bistro chairs feature pressed

Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Deco Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Faux Tortoise Shell Peineta with Blue Rhinestones, Spain, 1950s
Faux Tortoise Shell Peineta with Blue Rhinestones, Spain, 1950s

Faux Tortoise Shell Peineta with Blue Rhinestones, Spain, 1950s

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a faux tortoise shell peineta with six forks. This hair ornament, a large fan shaped

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Vanity Items

14 Karat Gold Art Nouveau Lady Face Shell Diamond and Ring
14 Karat Gold Art Nouveau Lady Face Shell Diamond and Ring

14 Karat Gold Art Nouveau Lady Face Shell Diamond and Ring

Located in New York, NY

14K Gold art nouveau lady face shell diamond ring Diamond weight: 0.5 Size: 7.25 Face length

Category

Early 20th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Tall Pastel Pink Art Deco Shell Motif Ceramic Table Lamp
Vintage Tall Pastel Pink Art Deco Shell Motif Ceramic Table Lamp

Vintage Tall Pastel Pink Art Deco Shell Motif Ceramic Table Lamp

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

millennial style home. It is tall and demands attention! It features an art nouveau or art deco style texture

Category

20th Century American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Ceramic

Secessionist Bronze Mermaid Shell Lamp by Gustav Gurschner
Secessionist Bronze Mermaid Shell Lamp by Gustav Gurschner

Secessionist Bronze Mermaid Shell Lamp by Gustav Gurschner

By Gustave Gurschner

Located in Palm Beach, FL

regards to his stylistic development. He embraced Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil, as it was known in Austria

Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Wire

Early 1900 Cameo Shell Lamp Greek Mythology Table Lamp
Early 1900 Cameo Shell Lamp Greek Mythology Table Lamp

Early 1900 Cameo Shell Lamp Greek Mythology Table Lamp

Located in Brescia, IT

Cameo Shell Lamp Early 1900 Italy "Three Graces" engraved Metal Base with three sphinxes Perfect

Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Set of 6 Silver & Tortoise Shell Place Card Holders Original Box, Ryrie Jewelers
Set of 6 Silver & Tortoise Shell Place Card Holders Original Box, Ryrie Jewelers

Set of 6 Silver & Tortoise Shell Place Card Holders Original Box, Ryrie Jewelers

By E.S. Barnsley & Co. Ltd.

Located in valatie, NY

been a respected name in antiques for over 35 years with a large collection of period furniture, art

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Crystals Jelly Belly White Shell Frost Earrings
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Crystals Jelly Belly White Shell Frost Earrings

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Crystals Jelly Belly White Shell Frost Earrings

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s White Jelly Belly Shell Frost Crystals Elegant Clip On Earrings, Gold

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Gold Plate

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Matte Frost White Shell Crystals Cabochon Necklace
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Matte Frost White Shell Crystals Cabochon Necklace

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Matte Frost White Shell Crystals Cabochon Necklace

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Symmetric Matte Frost White Shell Cabochon Shining Crystals

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Textured Massive Vivid Shell Large Clip Earrings
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Textured Massive Vivid Shell Large Clip Earrings

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Textured Massive Vivid Shell Large Clip Earrings

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in Wokingham, England

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Large Textured Vivid Shell Chunky Statement Modernist Clip

Category

Vintage 1980s French Art Nouveau Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Gold Plate

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Earrings
Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Earrings

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Earrings

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Unisex Huge Large Swirl Shell Conch Leaf Chunky Statement Chunky

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold Plate

Coconut  shell and Sterling Silver Ewer / Pitcher
Coconut  shell and Sterling Silver Ewer / Pitcher

Coconut shell and Sterling Silver Ewer / Pitcher

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Nice very elegant pitcher in a traditional luxury piece . marked 0.925 . posibbly made in the UK .Other countries marked Sterling as 0.925 like Mexico in the early Mid 20th Century a...

Category

Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pitchers

Materials

Sterling Silver

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900

By Saint-Clément

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with a flower.  

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900

By Saint-Clément

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with a flower.  

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Christian Dior 1980 Vintage Shell Fan Crystal Omega Wide Ribbed Chunky Necklace
Christian Dior 1980 Vintage Shell Fan Crystal Omega Wide Ribbed Chunky Necklace

Christian Dior 1980 Vintage Shell Fan Crystal Omega Wide Ribbed Chunky Necklace

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Unisex Large Shell Fan Crystals Wide Ribbed Omega Chunky Pendant

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Shell Petal Crystal Black Enamel Pendant Necklace
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Shell Petal Crystal Black Enamel Pendant Necklace

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Shell Petal Crystal Black Enamel Pendant Necklace

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Shell Petal Crystal Black Enamel Pendant Modernist Necklace

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel

Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossens Huge Jelly Belly Orange Shell Cuff Bangle
Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossens Huge Jelly Belly Orange Shell Cuff Bangle

Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossens Huge Jelly Belly Orange Shell Cuff Bangle

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossen Vintage Unisex Huge Massive Large Jelly Belly Orange Shell Conch

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Gold Plate

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Earrings
Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Earrings

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Earrings

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior 1980s Vintage Unisex Massive Huge Shell Conch Swirl Glow Matte Comma Fire Statement

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Hoop Earrings

Materials

Gold Plate

Christian Dior 1980s Orange Coral Reef Shell Torch Pearl Crystals Cuff Bracelet
Christian Dior 1980s Orange Coral Reef Shell Torch Pearl Crystals Cuff Bracelet

Christian Dior 1980s Orange Coral Reef Shell Torch Pearl Crystals Cuff Bracelet

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior 1980s Asymmetric Fluorescent Orange Coral Reef Shell Torch White Pearl Crystals

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Gold Plate

Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Turtle Mounted Shell Shaped Pin Dish
Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Turtle Mounted Shell Shaped Pin Dish

Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Turtle Mounted Shell Shaped Pin Dish

By Royal Worcester

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A delightful Art Nouveau Royal Worcester shell shaped porcelain pin dish mounted with a freshwater

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossen Huge Cabochon Jelly Belly Orange Shell 2 Set
Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossen Huge Cabochon Jelly Belly Orange Shell 2 Set

Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossen Huge Cabochon Jelly Belly Orange Shell 2 Set

By Christian Dior

Located in Wokingham, England

Christian Dior 1987 Robert Goossen Vintage Unisex Huge Massive Large Jelly Belly Orange Shell Conch

Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Gold Plate

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900 1
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900 1

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900 1

By Saint-Clément

Located in Austin, TX

Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with a flower.  

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

19th Century Shell Table Lamp with Flexible Neck
19th Century Shell Table Lamp with Flexible Neck

19th Century Shell Table Lamp with Flexible Neck

Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH

19th century shell table lamp with flexible neck.

Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Nickel

Snails & Shell Vase Attributed to Mihaly Nagy for Zsolnay
Snails & Shell Vase Attributed to Mihaly Nagy for Zsolnay

Snails & Shell Vase Attributed to Mihaly Nagy for Zsolnay

By Zsolnay, Mihály Kapás Nagy

Located in Palm Beach, FL

of economic prosperity and political stability in Hungary, the firm hired many Art Nouveau and

Category

Antique Early 1900s Hungarian Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage King’s Pattern Soup Ladle Shell Motif, Silver Plate, England
Vintage King’s Pattern Soup Ladle Shell Motif, Silver Plate, England

Vintage King’s Pattern Soup Ladle Shell Motif, Silver Plate, England

By Wilcox Silver Plate Co.

Located in Nuernberg, DE

, shells and foliate scrolls. The pattern is more traditional in style and is widely recognized as one of

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Tableware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Artisan Shell Cameo Diamond Drop Motif Earrings In 18K Gold & Silver
Artisan Shell Cameo Diamond Drop Motif Earrings In 18K Gold & Silver

Artisan Shell Cameo Diamond Drop Motif Earrings In 18K Gold & Silver

By Artisan NYC

Located in New York, NY

These drop earrings feature hand-carved 59.05ct shell cameos framed by 7.71ct of glittering

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Rometti Ceramiche Umbria 'Italy' Set of 4 Shell-Shaped Ceramic Ashtrays
Rometti Ceramiche Umbria 'Italy' Set of 4 Shell-Shaped Ceramic Ashtrays

Rometti Ceramiche Umbria 'Italy' Set of 4 Shell-Shaped Ceramic Ashtrays

By Rometti Ceramics 1

Located in Prato, Tuscany

of four fine ceramic ashtrays in the shape of a shell; they were hand-molded, then fired in the kiln

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Ashtrays

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Dionysus Carved Shell Cameo pendant brooch solid Gilt Silver/11.4gr
Antique Dionysus Carved Shell Cameo pendant brooch solid Gilt Silver/11.4gr

Antique Dionysus Carved Shell Cameo pendant brooch solid Gilt Silver/11.4gr

Located in SE

German natural Seed pearls and Diamond pendant made in ca. early 1900s. Vague hallmarks on the back side, metal was tested to be solid 14K Yellow Gold The pendant is 33 mm from the...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold-filled, Silver

Shell Cameo Pendant with Diamonds and Emeralds Made In 18k Gold & Silver
Shell Cameo Pendant with Diamonds and Emeralds Made In 18k Gold & Silver

Shell Cameo Pendant with Diamonds and Emeralds Made In 18k Gold & Silver

By Artisan NYC

Located in New York, NY

This pretty and attractive shell cameo pendant with diamonds and emeralds can be the best gift for

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

Tortoiseshell and Silver Jewellery Box William Comyns
Tortoiseshell and Silver Jewellery Box William Comyns

Tortoiseshell and Silver Jewellery Box William Comyns

By William Comyns

Located in Northampton, GB

William Comyns is hallmarked Sterling, Silver, London by William Comyns dated to the late Art Nouveau

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Silver

Tortoiseshell and Silver Stationery Box William Comyns
Tortoiseshell and Silver Stationery Box William Comyns

Tortoiseshell and Silver Stationery Box William Comyns

By William Comyns

Located in Northampton, GB

, Silver, London by William Comyns dated to the Art Nouveau period 1905. William Comyns were a London

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Desk Sets

Materials

Silver

Early 20th Century Pittsburgh Olive Leaf Table Lamp
Early 20th Century Pittsburgh Olive Leaf Table Lamp

Early 20th Century Pittsburgh Olive Leaf Table Lamp

Located in Fort Collins, CO

Exceptional early American art nouveau Pittsburgh table lamp, featuring olive leaves in the bronzed

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Rare Asprey London Sterling Silver 1917 Jewelry Box Charles & Richard Comyns
Rare Asprey London Sterling Silver 1917 Jewelry Box Charles & Richard Comyns

Rare Asprey London Sterling Silver 1917 Jewelry Box Charles & Richard Comyns

By Charles & George Asprey, Asprey International Limited, Asprey & Garrard Limited

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Asprey London 1917 solid sterling silver Jewellery box with a faux tortoiseshell top made by the amazing Charles and Richard...

Category

Vintage 1910s English Art Nouveau Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Tortoise Mother of Pearl Veneer Table Lamp, Original Finial
Antique Tortoise Mother of Pearl Veneer Table Lamp, Original Finial

Antique Tortoise Mother of Pearl Veneer Table Lamp, Original Finial

Located in Lomita, CA

example of the end of the art nouveau and start of the art deco period with its curved elliptical design

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Alka Kunst Bavaria Oval Ivory White Golden Decorative Porcelain Bowl, 1960s
Alka Kunst Bavaria Oval Ivory White Golden Decorative Porcelain Bowl, 1960s

Alka Kunst Bavaria Oval Ivory White Golden Decorative Porcelain Bowl, 1960s

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Cream white porcelain bowl with bronze golden art nouveau lines and shell shaped decorations. Oval

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Oyster Wallpaper

Oyster Wallpaper

$174 / item

Oyster Wallpaper

By Anna Hayman

Located in Ringmer, GB

Our Art Nouveau inspired shell design wallpaper. On a metallic coated smooth high-quality base

Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Wallpaper

Materials

Paper

Frie Onnaing French Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Asparagus & Shell Plate
Frie Onnaing French Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Asparagus & Shell Plate

Frie Onnaing French Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Asparagus & Shell Plate

By Onnaing

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A French Barbotine majolica Asparagus plate in the Art Nouveau style, Frie Onnaing, circa 1890-1910

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Dinner Plates

Materials

Earthenware

Art Nouveau Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch Pendant
Art Nouveau Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch Pendant

Art Nouveau Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch Pendant

Located in St. Louis Park, MN

, just a lovely piece. Very striking and certainly a conversation starter. This is an Art Nouveau 14k

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

Biarritz Art Nouveau Brooch, Brooch Shell Enamel, City of Biarritz
Biarritz Art Nouveau Brooch, Brooch Shell Enamel, City of Biarritz

Biarritz Art Nouveau Brooch, Brooch Shell Enamel, City of Biarritz

Located in PARIS, FR

Biarritz Art Nouveau brooch in yellow gold, 18 karat. The brooch takes the form of a shell (a

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Enamel

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Art Nouveau Shell For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal art nouveau shell for your home. An art nouveau shell — often made from metal, shell and bronze — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the art nouveau shell you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An art nouveau shell, designed in the Art Nouveau or Art Deco style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made art nouveau shell over the years, but those crafted by Tiffany Studios, Loetz Glass and Royal Copenhagen are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Art Nouveau Shell?

Prices for an art nouveau shell can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $184 and can go as high as $27,500, while the average can fetch as much as $1,290.

A Close Look at Art-nouveau Furniture

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

  • Sinuous, organic and flowing lines
  • Forms that mimic flowers and plant life
  • Decorative inlays and ornate carvings of natural-world motifs such as insects and animals 
  • Use of hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and rosewood

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.

Questions About Art Nouveau Shell
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    Art Nouveau ended primarily due to world events. When World War I broke out in 1914, artistic production was largely halted in order to free up materials for manufacturing equipment for the war effort. By the time the 1919 Treaty of Versailles brought about the end of the war, interest in Art Nouveau had waned. Designers and artists became interested in new forms and styles, such as Art Deco. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Art Nouveau furniture, decorative objects, jewelry and art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

    Art Nouveau furniture was a style of furniture that emerged at the end of the 19th century and was characterized by its complex curved lines. The curved details in the furniture were typically carved by hand and finished with lacquer. The unmistakable gloss that is associated with Art Nouveau comes from the thick coat of varnish applied to the furniture as the final step of the production process.

  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Art Nouveau was influenced by a few things. The soft colors and abstract images of nature seen in Japanese woodblock prints, which arrived in large numbers in the West after open trade was forced upon Japan in the 1860s, were a major source of inspiration. Also, Pre-Raphaelite art and the Arts and Crafts and Rococo styles had an influence on Art Nouveau designers. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Art Nouveau furniture and decorative objects.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    Art Nouveau jewelry generally featured three main themes: flora, fauna and women. The Art Nouveau movement lasted 15 years and it reached its pinnacle in the year 1900. Art Nouveau jewelers used every “canvas” imaginable, looking beyond brooches and necklaces to belt buckles, fans, tiaras, dog collars (a type of choker necklace), pocket watches, corsages and hair combs. Multicolored gems and enamel could complete this vision better than diamonds. Enameling is most often associated with Art Nouveau jewelry, specifically plique-à-jour. Known as backless enamel, plique-à-jour allows light to come through the rear of the enamel because there is no metal backing. It creates an effect of translucence and lightness. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Art Nouveau jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    Art Nouveau originated in France and Great Britain, but variants materialized elsewhere. The visual vocabulary of Art Nouveau was particularly influenced by the soft colors and abstract images of nature as portrayed 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 other modes of art and design in the East Asian country. 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 versions. Explore a selection of Art Nouveau furniture, jewelry and art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

    The main difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco is that the former is detailed and ornate, and the latter is sharp and geometrical. When the movement started at the end of the 19th century, Art Nouveau was heavily influenced by nature and the curved lines of flowers. Art Deco, which became popular in the beginning of the 20th century, was inspired by the geometric abstraction of cubism.

  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify Art Nouveau furniture, first try to locate a maker's mark on the piece. You can then use it to research the maker with the help of information published in trusted online resources. Some makers, such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Louis Majorelle and Émile Gallé, are well-known for their Art Nouveau furnishings. If you determine that a maker identified with Art Nouveau produced your piece, it likely reflects the movement's characteristics, especially if it was made during the late 19th or early 20th centuries. You can also look for common features of Art Nouveau furniture, such as sinuous, organic and flowing lines; forms that mimic flowers and plant life; decorative inlays and ornate carvings of natural-world motifs such as insects and animals and the use of hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and rosewood. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can aid you with the identification process. Shop a diverse assortment of Art Nouveau furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    No one person created the Art Nouveau movement. However, the term debuted in an 1884 article in the L'Art Moderne journal, describing the work of a collective of artists known as Les XX. As a result, some people credit the group and its founding members, James Ensor and Théo van Rysselberghe, as helping to define the movement. However, Art Nouveau was heavily informed by work that came before, including Rococo design, Pre-Raphaelite art, Japanese art and the Arts and Crafts movement. Beyond Les XX, a number of creators helped to propel the movement. Among them were Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Louis Majorelle, Émile Gallé, Antoni Gaudí and Tiffany Studios. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Art Nouveau furniture and decorative objects.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

    The Art Nouveau design movement used such materials as cast iron and steel, ceramic and glass. This style of architecture, design, art and jewelry was characterized by its use of long, sinuous lines that are reflected in nature.

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, some stained glass is Art Nouveau. It was during this period that Louis Comfort Tiffany produced his famed stained glass windows and decorative objects. However, the tradition of producing stained glass traces all the way back to the Gothic period. You'll find a selection of stained glass on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Alphonse Mucha was a Czech painter who is one of the originators of the Art Nouveau style. His style of painting and design rose in popularity in 1895 and he produced many works, including illustrations, posters and jewelry designs. Find a variety of Alphonso Mucha art and prints on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To identify Art Nouveau jewelry, first consider its overall shape and themes. Flora, fauna and female figures were the three main themes in Art Nouveau jewelry. Winged creatures, such as insects and birds, were also popular subjects. Next, examine the materials and techniques. Art Nouveau jewelers distinguished themselves from their predecessors through the use of their unorthodox materials and methods. Prior to the 20th century, artisans working with jewelry prioritized precious metals and diamonds. This was not true for Art Nouveau creators. Enameling is most often associated with Art Nouveau jewelry, specifically plique-à-jour. Known as backless enamel, plique-à-jour allows light to come through the rear of the enamel because there is no metal backing. It creates an effect of translucence and lightness. Art Nouveau jewelers also favored pearls, particularly baroque pearls, for their large size and irregular shape. However, opal was the most popular stone, and Art Nouveau jewelry was primarily set in yellow gold. If you need more help identifying your jewelry, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Art Nouveau jewelry.