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.
Monumental Art Nouveau table lamp by Paul Aichele, goddess Athena, Germany 1910s
Located in Forserum, SE
A large and highly impressive Art Nouveau table or floor lamp by the German sculptor Paul Aichele (1859–1920), produced in the 1910s. Crafted in finely cast bronze, the piece is cent...
Bronze
Harald Notini Hammered Copper Table Lamp, Model 6834, Böhlmarks, Sweden, 1920s
By Harald Notini, Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptional table lamp was designed by Harald Notini in the mid 1920s and produced by Arvid Böhlmark’s Lampfabrik in Sweden. The lamp is model 6834 and is pictured in Böhlmark’s...
Copper
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Arts Nouveau Stained Slag Glass Parlor Lamp 25"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian era Aesthetic Movement / Art Nouveau style table lamp. Mushroom shaped lamp crafted of swirling blue, white, and purple slag glass framed...
Slag Glass
French Black Enamel Brass Table Desk Lights
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French dark grey enamel and brass desk light. 2,5 meter black cotton flex, plug and switch Available with UK / US plug Weight: 2.50 kg / 5.5 lb Priced per individual item. All lam...
Brass, Enamel
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Table Lamp Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Grooved casted column, copy of a signed and marked lamp, offered on an auction - see detail - compare to WW-Archive at the MAK - Object 3014, Inventnory# 119-23-1 Most components ac...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Brass & Frosted Glass Table Desk Light
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French frosted glass, brass desk light / table lamp 2,5 meter black cotton wire, plug and switch Available with UK / US plug Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made su...
Brass
Gabriel Argy-Rousseau Pâte de Verre "Fleurs des Dunes" Night Light
Located in New York, NY
Argy-Rousseau's near-unique ability to gracefully soften the starkness of Art Deco design without ever sacrificing the strength of the design is on full display in this remarkable, p...
Wrought Iron
Art Nouveau Bronze Lamp by Villanis, w/Art Glass Shade by Daum Nancy, ca. 1900
Located in Petaluma, CA
This fabulous art nouveau lamp has the distinction of combining a noted sculptor in bronze as well as an important glass maker. The female figure in a graceful pose was done by Eman...
Bronze
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Silk & Brass Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Desk lamp, originally manufactured at the historical Wiener Werkstätte and archived at the WW-pattern-books with the # S 142 - all in all, just eight lamps were manufactured at the W...
Brass
Daum Table Lamp Bronze Multicolor Floral Glass, France
By Daum
Located in Rijssen, NL
This exquisite Art Nouveau table lamp with multicolor flowers is a real eye catcher. Made by Daum in Nancy, France. A stunning table lamp, a classic design, inspired by organic and ...
Glass
Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstaette, Silk Shade Brass Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming table-lamp by Hoffmann, with a silk shade. Custom-made adjustments of color and finish are possible. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette Atelier, now c...
Brass
Fratelli Toso Murrine Glass Table Lamp, Art Nouveau, Italy, 1900
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Table Lamp / Night-Light by Fratelli Toso, Venice, Italy, c. 1900. Rare in this size, this exquisite table lamp, or night-light, is a stunning example of Venetian craftsmanship by th...
Bronze
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Brass & Silk Desk Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A Josef Hoffmann table lamp with a fabric-shade - different Colors are available Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstätte Atelier, now custom-made production at the Woka Lamp...
Brass
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 working order Excellent Condiction
Metal
Adolf Loos Vienna Secessionist, Jugendstil Brass Table Lamp, Re edition
By Adolf Loos, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Table light with opaline glass shade, designed for Villa Steiner Several finishes are available Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-...
Brass
Adolf Loos Brass Opaline Glass, Table Lamp Jugendstil, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Table light with opaline glass shade, designed for Villa Steiner Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list and label our fixtures. ...
Brass
Dynamic Bradley and Hubbard Five Arm Table Lamp w/5 Original Shades ca. 1915
Located in Petaluma, CA
Dynamic is the first word that comes to mind when you light up this unique lamp. The handsome metal base with a bronze patina has 5 arms extending to hold the glass. The base is sign...
Metal
Josef Hoffmann & Josef Frank & Wiener Werkstaette Ball Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Josef Frank, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
1920 designed Josef Hoffmann chased brass lamp base, different finishes available. Hand sewn Lamp Shade with a Josef Frank fabric, different patterns available. Sample book of the Wi...
Brass
$7,560Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Art Nouveau Large Bronze Sculptural Floor/ Table Lamp by Gustave Gurshner
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Monumental 19thc Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Figural Floor/ Table Lamp. Featuring original Tiffany style tiled Art Glass Shade. Signed by Artist Gustave Gurschner. Large and heavy Sc...
Bronze
Pâte de verre Table Lamp Mushroom Orange Glass, France
Located in Rijssen, NL
This exquisite table lamp is a real eye catcher. Made in France. A stunning mushroom lamp made of pâte de verre, a classic design in the style of Art Nouveau. The lamp is inspired b...
Glass
Koloman Moser/Wiener Werkstätte Brass Table Lamp, Re Edition
By Koloman Moser, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful variation of a table lamp from the very early period of the Wiener Werkstätte Most components according to the UL regulations, with an additional charge we will UL-list ...
Brass
Pair Portuguese Art Nouveau Brass Table Lamps Etched Shades Floral Motifs c1900
Located in Lisboa, PT
This pair of Portuguese Art Nouveau brass table lamps, produced circa 1900–1920, reflects the refined decorative metalwork characteristic of early 20th-century Portuguese craftsmansh...
Brass
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
Tiffany Studios Turtle Back Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Tiffany Studios Turtle Back Table lamp
Bronze
Exquisite Tiffany Studios Bronze & Leaded Glass "Feather" Table Lamp, Circa 1915
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This superb Tiffany Studios table lamp, dating to circa 1915, represents the height of American decorative artistry in the early twentieth century. With its refined conical leaded gl...
Cast Stone, Bronze
Austro-Hungarian Floral Jugendstil Brass & Opal Glass Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
An excellent example of floral Jugendstil. Hand formed sand casted brass-parts, hand blown opaline-glass. Can be fixed on a table as well Most components according to the UL regulat...
Brass
Antique Art Nouveau Slag Glass Table Lamp in the Manner of Handel, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts period table lamp with wreaths and urns and gorgeous eight-panel caramel slag glass shade In the manner of Handel USA, Circa 191...
Iron
Tiffany Studios Twelve Light Lily Lamp, A marriage of Antique & Contemporary Ele
Located in Bronx, NY
A beautiful combination of Antique & Contemporary Art Nouveau style lighting
Bronze
Art Nouveau French Table Lamp "Tiffany Style", 1930s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A beautiful Tiffany style table lamp, French production from the 1930s, Art Nouveau period. The base is in cast brass and base in black marble, the lampshade in colored glass and cry...
Brass
Adolf Loos "Knize" Taylorshop Pentagon-Dodekaeder Table/Floor Lamp Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Pentagondodekaeder, a ball made our of pentagons. Originally designed by Adolf Loos for the Knize Talyor-shops, in 2009 converted by Christiane Buessgen to a table or floor lamp. Mea...
Brass
$340Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Bronze Floral Table Lamp
Located in Søborg, DK
An Antique floral bronze table lamp. Richly decorate with a floral design. With its original brass and porcelain bulb holder with an on/off switch and brass lampshade holder. R...
Bronze
French 1910s Art Nouveau Brass Table Desk Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Art Nouveau Brass table desk lamp with brass shade and wooden base. ca. 1920 Natural aged with small cracks in edge shade 2,5 meter black cotton flex with plug and switch in bulb h...
Brass
Austrian Designer, Table Lamp, Brass, Wood, Fabric, Austria, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, wood and fabric table lamp designed and produced in Vienna, Austria, c. 1930s. Dimensions of Lamp with Shade (inches): 32.75“ H x 13.125” Diameter Bulb Specifications: E-2...
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York "Seven-light Lily” Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
This Tiffany Studios New York glass and bronze "Seven Light Lily" table lamp, features seven golden iridescent Favrile glass "Lily" shades on individual gilt bronze stems extending u...
Bronze
"Triflower" Josef Hoffmann&Wiener Werkstaette Silk&Brass Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A very charming table lamp with fabric-shades in any colour. Base diameter 20cm (7.9"). Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werksta¨tte Atelier, now custom-made production at the W...
Brass
Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom Table lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom Leaded Glass and Bronze Table Lamp, The patinated bronze base with with Acorn design in wonderful condition...
Bronze
$713Sale Price|45% Off
Art Nouveau Table Lamp with Original Cut-Glass, circa 1908
Located in Wien, AT
Art Nouveau table lamp with original cut-glass, circa 1908 polished and stove enameled.
Brass
French Art Nouveau Brass Piano Lamp, Paris 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Art nouveau Brass piano lamp. Paris 1920s 2,5 meter black cotton flex, plug and switch in base B15 – bulb holder Available with UK / US plug B15 bulb holder. Priced per individua...
Brass
2 small jugendstil table lamps with fabric shades vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
2 small jugendstil table lamps with fabric shades vienna around 1908 Polished and stove enameled The fabric shades are replaced ( new )
Brass
Pair of French Art Deco Lamps in Wrought Iron with Glass Shades
Located in Verviers, BE
A wonderful pair of French lamps. The stands are handmade in wrought iron with black finish patina and hammered with floral pattern. The metalwork is of excellent quality. They are c...
Wrought Iron
Pair of French Art Nouveau Brass and Floral Shaped Glass Table Lamps
Located in Barntrup, DE
Set of two elegant Art Nouveau-style table lamps. Made from brass with a flower-shaped glass shade. Adjustable height, each with one socket for E27 (E26) size light bulb. France, 193...
Brass
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Art Nouveau Tiffany Style Brown & Green Stained Glass Table Lamp, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
Art Nouveau Tiffany Style Brown & Green Stained Glass Table Lamp, a Pair : This captivating pair of Art Nouveau Tiffany-style table lamps is a masterful tribute to the elegance and craftsmanship of the early 20th century. The stained glass dome...
Bronze
Petite Galle Cameo Glass Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful Galle cameo glass table lamp with shade depicting a lakeside forest with mountains in the distance, and standard featuring lovely pink...
Art Glass
$690Sale Price / set|47% Off
Pair of Art Nouveau Lamps by Denbac, France, C1910
By Denbac
Located in Trensacq, FR
Art Nouveau lamps by Denbac France C1910 A pair of beautiful Art Nouveau lamps from Denbac, France c1910. Flamed sandstone urns shaped lamp bases with distinguishing drip glazed dec...
Sandstone, Brass
Émile Gallé Clematis Table Lamp, Cameo Glass, Art Nouveau, 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in CABA, AR
Exquisite Émile Gallé “Clematis” Table Lamp, ca. 1900 An extraordinary example of French Art Nouveau glass artistry, this Clematis table lamp by Émile ...
Glass
$645Sale Price|43% Off
Early 20C American Dedham Style Sang de Boeuf Pottery & Gilt Bronze Table Lamp
By Chelsea Keramic Art Works
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a GORGEOUS AND EXTREMELY RARE Lamp of small to medium proportions. In the shape of a Lidded Chinese Ginger Jar/Urn, heavily influenced by Chinese design with gilt bronze mounts and base in the Chinese style. CLASSIC Oxblood or ‘Sange de Boeuf’ Pottery. Very nice table lamp. IMPRESSIVE and VERY DECORATIVE ! From circa 1920 and we believe American made, probably by the Hugh C..Robertson for Dedham Pottery...
Bronze, Ormolu
FRATELLI TOSO 1900 Art-Nouveau Millefiori Murrines Table Lamp With Shade
Located in Miami, FL
An art-nouveau millefiori lamp designed by Fratelli Toso. This is a beautiful and colorful table lamp created in Venice Italy by the Fratelli Toso com...
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Tiffany Studios Desk Lamp , Gilt Brass Bell-Shaped Shade, Model 424
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A rare and finely executed early 20th century desk lamp produced by Tiffany Studios in the United States, circa 1910. This lamp represents a significant example of Tiffany Studios’ m...
Brass, Bronze
Tiffany Studios Acorn Table Lamp
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage genuine Tiffany Studios table lamp is circa the early 1900’s. Featured is a beautiful tranditionally designed shade with a geometric pattern accented by a acorn motif. Shade displays a wonderful veriety of green colors that range from dark to light tones creating a shade with stylish appearance that could enhance any desk. The acorn motif prominetly presents itself positioned in the bend that sorounds the shade. The shade itself nests comfortably atop a patinated bronze art nouveau lamp base...
Art Glass
Early 20th Century Slag Glass Table Lamp
Located in Denton, TX
Intricate metal work with foliage detail and blue Slag glass panels. There are three settings for the lamp, you can light just the stem light or just the reading light or you can hav...
Metal
Pair of Art Nouveau Style Table Lamps Pink Glass and Brass, France
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a pair of table lamps in the Art Nouveau style, likely from the early 20th century. The design features a brass or bronze base with a floral, lily-like motif. The lampshade...
Opaline Glass
American Art Nouveau Tiffany Style Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
American Art Nouveau Tiffany style lamp featuring a stained glass shade with a floral design having an ornate metal base and two bulb sockets with pull chains
Glass
Hotel Astoria Vienna Jugendstil Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
The glamourous hotel Astoria at the Kaerntner-Strasse in Vienna has been renovated in the late 1970s. All the lamps have been recreated by WOKA and Stefan Passini according to old ph...
Brass
Art Nouveau Table Lamp, Poppy Decor, Black Terracotta, "L. Hjort" Denmark, 1920
Located in Odense, DK
Amazing Art Nouveau earthenware / terracotta table lamp with flower / poppy decorations made in Denmark at "L. Hjorth Terracottafabrik". The lamp is in original vintage condition wit...
Earthenware, Terracotta
Francois Raoul Larche Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Loie Fuller Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Raoul François Larche Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Table Lamp Possibly the most coveted lamp on the planet by discerning collectors. Loïe Fuller Table Lamp, circa 1900 Siot-Decauville Fou...
Bronze
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Unique Art Glass & Metal Company Leaded Glass Peony Table Lamp C. 1915
By Tiffany Studios, Unique Art Glass Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique Art Glass & Metal Company (New York, active 1889-1917), circa 1915. This truly magnificent leaded glass table lamp which was produced during the tim...
Bronze
Old Bronze Art Nouveau Guimard's Lamp and Pâte de Verre
Located in Rebais, FR
Old bronze Art Nouveau Guimard's lamp and Pâte de Verre.
Bronze
Tiffany Studios by Paul Crist, Twisted Vine Lamp Base, USA Circa 1990s
By Paul Crist Studios, Tiffany Studios
Located in PARIS, FR
Absolutely stunning and rare Tiffany Studios twisted vine table lamp base reproduction by the famed Paul Crist for Crist Studios. Beautiful statuary size, exquisite details true to ...
Bronze
Antique Duffner & Kimberly Nasturtium Leaded Glass Table Lamp
Located in Toledo, OH
Duffner & Kimberly Nasturtium leaded glass table lamp with 17" shade designed with nasturtium flowers and leaves in vivid beautiful colors. 23" tall classic bronze base with Hubb...
Glass
Tiffany Studios Dogwood Floral Stained Glass Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Tiffany Studios Art Glass and Bronze Dogwood Table Lamp Dogwood Band table lamp New York, USA, c. 1910 Leaded glass, Patinated bronze Height: 21.5 Inches X 16 Inches Diameter (55 × 4...
Bronze