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.
French 19th Century Art Nouveau Hall Tree
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary French 19th century vanity or hall tree that could serve many functions around the home to anchor an entryway, hall or dressing room in need of a statement piece of ...
Marble
19th Century French Bamboo Octagonal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century French bamboo side table with octagonal top. The top is lovely and is banded in bamboo molding, following down to bamboo angled supports and splayed legs. The legs are...
Bamboo
Sculptural Jugend desk by N. Boman OY Finland, Swedish Royal Supplier in 1927.
By Boman OY
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare sculptural Jugend desk by N. Boman Turku Finland, made early 1900s. The tables legs are y-shapes in a art nouveau manner. The desk has two shelves in each corner. Desk top / ...
Wood, Oak
Art Nouveau Pedestal Plant Stand, Hand-Carved Beech & Marble, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Nouveau pedestal or plant stand. Striking French design from the 1900s. Original hand-carved patinated beech frame with original white marble top. The marble...
Marble
French Art Nouveau Mahogany & Leather Partners Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Essentially two people would comfortably use this remarkable French 19th century mahogany partner’s desk, that is they are willing to share such a magnificent design. A wonderful anc...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Gilt Console Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French Art Nouveau giltwood console table circa 1900, a sculptural piece of furniture that expresses the artistry of the period when every aspect of interior design was an opportunit...
Marble
Italian Round Iron Carrara Marble Center or Garden Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An opulent round Carrara marble top dining, garden, or center table constructed with a thick circular marble slab over a black iron pedestal base. The weathered Carrara marble top di...
Carrara Marble, Iron
Elegant round Art Nouveau table, Thonet Vienna
By Thonet
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Elegant round Art Nouveau table from the renowned Thonet company, painted black. The table can be easily extended and expanded into an oval table with two additional panels. Conditi...
Brass
1900s Art Nouveau Lacquered Wood Sicilian Round Coffee Table
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This enchanting early 1900s Sicilian Art Nouveau coffee table is a masterpiece of Stile Liberty design, capturing the fluid, organic poetry of the era. Crafted from lacquered wood, t...
Wood, Lacquer
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
19th Century French Bamboo Side Table with Octagonal Top
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tortoise bamboo side table from France with an octagonal shaped top. This table is darling! The top has bamboo molded edges, surrounding a seagrass top, and supported ...
Bamboo, Rush
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
French Iron Base Dining Table & Painted Wood Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Allow yourself to become lost in the expressive Art Nouveau details on this vintage French dining table featuring a large, cast iron base topped with a (French gray) painted wood sur...
Iron
Art Nouveau Oak Pedestal Side Table, Early 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant early 20th century Art Nouveau side table crafted in solid oak with a beautifully sculptural pedestal base. The table features a circular top supported by swan forms charact...
Hardwood, Oak
Dining Walnut Table with Central Extension Art Déco Period, circa 1930 France
Located in Labrit, Landes
Dining table Art Deco, made circa 1930. The extension were made recently by our cabinet maker using the walnut wood of another table. The finishing of the top and the belt of the ta...
Walnut
Original Gambling Table in the Style of Adolf Loos 1910 with Brass Chip-Bowls
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
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
French Bistro Table by Delpeche Freres, Marble Top, Cast Iron Base, circa 1900
Located in Chappaqua, NY
French Bistro Table by Delpeche Freres, Marble top, Cast Iron Base, circa 1900. Ornate molded cast iron base with rectangular marble top. Weathered red paint on base. Makers mark st...
Marble, Iron
Trio of Gueridon bamboo 1930s squares Italiali Art Noeuveau
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Trio of Art Nouveau stacking side tables made of Italian Bamboo, the medium measures height cm.63, width cm.32 depth cm.30, small height cm.57 width cm.24 depth cm.23.
Bamboo
Vintage Salterini Style Leaf Vine Scroll Wrought Iron Oval Patio Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Salterini Style Leaf & Vine Scrolling Wrought Iron Small Oval Garden Pati...
Wrought Iron
1900's American Art Nouveau Bird's-Eye Maple Dressing Table in the Liberty Taste
Located in Morristown, NJ
An exceptionally charming and uncommon Art Nouveau dressing table or washstand crafted in richly figured bird's-eye maple, embodying the graceful organic forms of the early twentieth...
Wood, Birdseye Maple
French Art Nouveau Side Table or Plant Table in Oak, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Round Art Nouveau / Art Deco Side Table or Plant Table, France 1920s. Solid and sturdy oak frame and table top. Good original condition with light signs of use consistent with age.
Oak
Vintage John Salterini Grapevine Wrought Iron Garden Patio Dining Set - 7 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Art Nouveau Grapevine Wrought Iron Garden Patio Dining Set attributed to John...
Wrought Iron
20th Century Art Nouveau Gaming Table/ Coffee Table, Brass Base, AT circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Outstanding early 20th century Art Nouveau mahogany gaming table/ coffee table out of Vienna/ Austria from the period around 1910. The round tabletop, covered by a protecting glass p...
Brass
$1,071Sale Price|20% Off
Oak Art Nouveau Pedestal Table or Plant Stand, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Nouveau pedestal table or plant stand. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak with original hand-carved elements. This wonderful Art Nouveau pedesta...
Oak
Antique French Art Nouveau Side Table “Lilly” signed by Louis Majorelle 1900
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This elegant Art Nouveau side table, signed by Louis Majorelle and made in France circa 1900, is a fine example of the period’s craftsmanship and organic design. The shaped top feat...
Walnut
Art Nouveau Émile Gallé "Sagittaire" Guéridon
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite two-tiered Japonist table by Émile Gallé features marquetry that juxtaposes a planar rendering of an arrowhead flower with a fully articulated botanical view of the pl...
Fruitwood, Rosewood
Antique Trestle Table from Italy, 19th
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This 19th century trestle table was crafted in Italy. It has a thick solid wood top and decoratively cut legs, supported firmly by a central crossbeam. It has been maintained so that...
Wood
19th Century French Tortoise Bamboo Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tortoise bamboo side table from France. The top and lower shelf are covered in original rush, surrounded by bamboo banded molding. The top is supported on splayed legs...
Bamboo, Rush
Rare Art Nouveau Jugendstil Single Drawer Writing Desk Cabriole Louis Majorelle
Located in Peoria, AZ
EXQUISITE! JUGENDSTIL SINGLE DRAWER WRITING DESK UNIQUE CABRIOLE LEGS OAK & VARIOUS WOODS MAGNIFICENT! (DIMENSIONS: Approximately 29" Tall By 18" Wide By 18" Deep) H...
Fruitwood, Oak
Art Nouveau Emile Gallé "Cherry Blossom" Table
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
This carved mahogany and marquetry table by Émile Gallé features a cherry blossom–shaped top, inlaid with blossoming boughs and a violin. The floral imagery draws on the Yoshino cher...
Fruitwood
$4,778Sale Price|28% Off
Art Nouveau Walnut Desk, Germany, Circa 1895, Elegant Polished Finish
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Art Nouveau Walnut Desk A very elegant desk from the Art Nouveau period, crafted around 1895. The piece is veneered in beautiful walnut on a solid pinewood corpus and shows the refin...
Walnut
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
$2,340Sale Price|40% Off
Maitland Smith Gilded Iron Faux Bois Tray Top Statement Tole Cocktail Table
By Alessandro for Baker Furniture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large 36" x 48" Hollywood Regency Tole cocktail/coffee table by Maitland Smith. The coffee table features a hefty Faux Boise iron base with beautiful faux carved wood details on the ...
Metal
Art Nouveau glass and walnut dining Room Table by Medea , Italy
By Medea 1905
Located in Miami, FL
Art Nouveau glass and walnut dining Room Table by Medea , Italy
Glass, Wood
Modern Cast Bronze Console Table from Costantini, Lychorinda
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Lychorinda Modern Cast Bronze Console Table from Costantini Measurements are 48" W x 20" D x 31.5" H The Lychorinda Console Table balances modern...
Bronze
Vintage Wrought Iron Meadowcraft Salterini Style 2 Tier Garden Patio Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Meadowcraft/Salterini Style 2 Tier Garden Patio Side...
Wrought Iron
French Art Nouveau Lady's Dressing or Vanity w. Cabinets & Large Tilting Mirror
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning, practical and all hand-crafted dressing table with full-size beveled mirror. This museum quality AND condition piece of Art Nouveau furniture is a work of art at the same ...
Marble, Bronze
French Elm Side Table Writing Table Turned Wood, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French antique elm side or writing table, circa 1900. Turned legs, one drawer. Good antique condition Shipping: P 53 / 81 / 72 cm 14.2 kg
Elm
19th Century Faux Bamboo Side Table from France
Located in High Point, NC
19th century bamboo side table from France. The top is banded with a molded edge, surrounding what appears to be the original rush surface. The top is supported on splayed legs, wh...
Bamboo, Rush, Wood
Oval Bistro Table in Iron with Carrara Marble Top, 20th Century
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Oval bistro table in iron with a Carrara marble top. Excellent condition. Additional information: Period: 20th century Style: Art Nouveau Condition...
Carrara Marble, Iron
Oval Art Nouveau Style Dining Table in Wood, 20th Century
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Oval Art Nouveau dining table that can accommodate three 50cm extensions, for a total extended length of 300cm. Currently unavailable (€300 custom-made in plain wood). Height under...
Wood
Pair of Spanish Hand-Forged Iron Drinks Tables with Hammered Tops
Located in Buchanan, NY
A striking pair of Spanish hand-forged iron drinks tables, recently crafted by skilled European artisans using traditional ironworking techniques. Hand-forged from solid iron, each t...
Iron
Vintage Salterini Leaf Vine Patio Garden Dining Set Glass Oval Table - 5 Pc Set
By Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Salterini Leaf & Vine Wrought Iron Patio Garden Dining Set - 5 Pc Set. Listing includes (2) armchairs, (2) side chairs, large oval glass top dining table, leaf and vine desig...
Wrought Iron
Otto Wagner Attributed, Thonet Jugendstil Coffee Table with Label
By Otto Wagner, Woka Lamps, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Beechwood, stained light-brown, brass fittings, Thonet label on the underside of the plate, refurbished, H. 75,7 cm, Dm. 69,8 cm. Literatur: Thonetkatalog, 1911/15, S. 151; vgl. Auss...
Brass
Art Nouveau Side Table made of Bamboo
Located in Hannover, DE
This stunning Art Nouveau side table made of bamboo is a real gem! It's a true rarity and a must-have for any collection. This table is absolutely stunning! It's lovingly crafted by ...
Bamboo, Raffia
Art Nouveau Faux Marble Painted Brass Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare and unusual signed dining table or display console featuring a hand-painted faux marble formica top painted by Roy Alderson. This table features a repurposed 19th century brass base from Harris and Sheldon...
Brass
Adolf Loos Elephant Trunk Table, Brass & Wood, Viennese Design, 1910
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
The famous Viennese architect and designer Adolf Loos was one of the pioneers of modern architecture. In particular, his hollistically designed residential projects, in which he drew up both the building and the interior furnishings, receive special art historical attention today. Loos first used this design, called the "elephant trunk table...
Brass
Art Nouveau pedestal by Johannes Jensen, Severin & Andreas Jensen Denmark C.1903
Located in Valby, 84
Tall square form pedestal in mahogany with lemon wood intarsia, the moulded top above a frieze inlaid with a continuous wreath of clover, the front face decorated with a central comp...
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century French Tortoise Bamboo Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tortoise bamboo side table from France with a lovely rattan pattern covered top and lower shelf. The table is supported on four legs, all with additional supports and b...
Bamboo
French Wrought Iron Bistro Table Or Garden Table
Located in Houston, TX
French Wrought Iron Bistro Table Or Garden Table. Offered is a charming beautifully patinated French forged wrought iron garden table in the manner of Arras Foundry. This versatile t...
Iron
19th Century French Bamboo Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century French bamboo table with wonderful Art Nouveau period style. The top has been restored with basketweave textile, and is supported on top of a wonderful frame with exce...
Bamboo, Paper
$1,670Sale Price|20% Off
French Art Nouveau Wood Side Table Writing Table Glass Top One Drawer, c 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French antique wood and glass side or writing table, circa 1920. Made in the art Nouveau period : the legs are typical of the lines of this artistic movement inspirated by nature. Th...
Metal
Art Nouveau Marquetry Corner Table
Located in Denton, TX
Art Nouveau table in carved walnut with floral and musical motive marquetry. We can not verify the signature but appears to be Galle.
Fruitwood, Satinwood, Walnut
Ring table, Gebrüder Thonet Wien GTV, Jugendstil, Adolf Loos, Vienna, Austria
By Adolf Loos, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Wien, AT
A table - pure extravagance. The design for this table comes from Adolf Loos and the execution was carried out by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Austria. This design object is pure Art Nou...
Beech, Mahogany
Vintage French Art Nouveau Style Black Wrought Iron Scrolling Dining Table Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Art Nouveau Style Black Heavy Wrought Iron Scrolling Stretcher Dining Table Base (No top). Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 28" H x 48" W x 32" D.
Wrought Iron
Monumental Art Nouveau Dining Table Attributed to Victor Horta from the Firehous
By Victor Horta
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson selected this table as the centerpiece Table for The Firehouse with the help of MoMA curator Peter Selz, who had curated the re-examination of Art Nouveau at MoMA in 1960 before moving to Berkeley and founded the Berkeley Art Museum. Also, a client of Dickinson's. Attributed to Victor Horta...
Brass
20th Century Art Nouveau Fledermaus Coffee Table by Josef Hoffmann, AT ca. 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, early 20th century Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" coffee table/ side table, designed around 1906 by none other than the famous Austrian architect and founder of the renowed "Wi...
Beech
Antoine BASTEL Art Nouveau Nesting Tables, Emile Galle
By Émile Gallé, A. Bastel
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Exceptional set of four Art Nouveau nesting tables crafted in noble woods with refined marquetry by the Lyon cabinetmaker Antoine Bastel, circa 1900. Bastel is known to have collabor...
Iron
Eugenio Quarti Liberty Desk Suite w/ Chair & Paperbasket, Italy, Early 20th c.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
A rare complete writing desk suite by Eugenio Quarti, a leading figure of Milan’s Liberty style in the early 20th century. The slant-front secrétaire, matching side chair and wasteba...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Period Iron Planter or Jardiniere, circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This turn of the twentieth century French Art Nouveau period iron planter or jardiniere features a large 23 inch diameter scrolled basket with a removable metal tray platform to supp...
Metal, Iron