Art Deco furniture is characterized by its celebration of modern life. More than its emphasis on natural wood grains and focus on traditional craftsmanship, vintage Art Deco dining chairs, tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture — which typically refers to pieces produced during the 1920s and 1930s — is an ode to the glamour of the “Roaring Twenties.”
ORIGINS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN
ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE ART DECO FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Few design styles are as universally recognized and appreciated as Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship.
Widely known designers associated with the Art Deco style include Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Eileen Gray, Maurice Dufrêne, Paul Follot and Jules Leleu.
The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. “Art Deco design” is often used broadly, to describe the work of creators in associated or ancillary styles. This is particularly true of American Art Deco, which is also called Streamline Moderne or Machine Age design. (Streamline Moderne, sometimes known as Art Moderne, was a phenomenon largely of the 1930s, post–Art Nouveau.)
Art Deco textile designers employed dazzling floral motifs and vivid colors, and while Art Deco furniture makers respected the dark woods and modern metals with which they worked, they frequently incorporated decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides as well as veneers in their seating, case pieces, living room sets and bedroom furniture.
From mother-of-pearl inlaid vitrines to chrome aviator chairs, bold and inventive works in the Art Deco style include chaise longues (also known as chaise lounges) and curved armchairs. Today, the style is still favored by interior designers looking to infuse a home with an air of luxury and sophistication.
The vintage Art Deco furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes dressers, coffee tables, decorative objects and more.
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Internalite 'Exit' Illuminated Sign. C.1920
Located in London, GB
Quality illuminated glass and brass directional sign made in England. c.1920. Brass frame housing the internal illuminations above polished plate glass etched with 'EXIT'. Made in E...
Brass
Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass Ladies & Gents Toilet Illuminated Sign, C.1920
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of illuminated glass toilet signs made in England by Burnham & Co, Deptford. c.1920 These original Art Deco-era signs feature solid brass frames with their origina...
Brass
Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1920's can "Drugs" Sign /Arrow, LIGHT UP milk glass letters, double sided,, Pre-dates NEON,, Truly amazing sign,, Salvaged from an old Pharmacist,, apparently hung outside (late...
Metal, Cut Steel
Vintage Art Deco Enamel Sign, Elks Club B.P.O.E., Two-Sided, 30-Inch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elks club enamel two sided sign, incredibly vibrant colors with minimal chipping to edges very clean example of a great graphic image. Much harder to find is this 30" round model!
Enamel
$1,395Sale Price|44% Off
Art Deco Chrome & Glass Skyscraper Directory Sign
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1940's chrome frame building directory sign with beveled glass double panels. This came from the famous Boston (North End) restaurant 'Joe Tecce's' which closed in 2010 after...
Chrome, Steel, Aluminum
Antique Restaurant Menu Chalk Board, circa 1920's
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Antique Restaurant Menu Chalk Board, circa 1920's. Charming hand-painted frame surrounds a lined chalk board. Reminiscent of French Bistro signs.
Wood
French Art Deco Vintage Glass Hairdressing Salon Advertising Sign c.1930s Barber
Located in Bristol, GB
VINTAGE HAIRDRESSER’S ADVERTISING SIGN ‘JAQUES COIFFEUR HOMMES FILLETTES’ Reflective ribbed silver mirror encapsulated by black-backed glass reveals a reflective, eye-catching font ...
Steel
Antique 1910- 1920s Brass Bank Sign "LEGAL HOLIDAY" complete set, interchangable
Located in Buffalo, NY
1910 -1920s brass bank sign "Legal Holiday -Today Election Day -No Business Transacted" attached to original oak board. Complete set with 15 interchangeable...
Metal, Brass
$1,700Sale Price / set|50% Off
Giant Art Deco Brass Fountain Pen and Mechanical Pencil Display Models
By Wahl Eversharp Co
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Oversized retail advertising presentation brass fountain pen and mechanical pencil display signs from the early 1920s when they would have been featured within a wood and glass display cabinet at the pen counter of a stationary store. Originally the fountain pen would have been marked on its side "Wahl Pen...
Brass
Art Deco/ Modernist style "Arrow Shirts" Light Up Can Sign / store display
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco/ Modernist style "Arrow Shirts" Light Up Can Sign / store display.. Amazing vintage sign,, great size , color,,
Aluminum
Set of Antique Industrial Art Deco Brass 'Internalite' Illuminated Signs. C.1920
Located in London, GB
Quality pair of illuminated glass and brass directional signs made in England. c.1920. Brass frame housing the internal illuminations above polished plate glass etched with 'LADIES'...
Brass
$217Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Brass Inlaid Dentist Entranceway Wall Sign Plaque. c.1920
Located in London, GB
A beautiful brass wall plaque used for a dentist surgery. c.1920 Wonderful patination and depth of colour built up to the surface from oxidation from years of exposure to the elem...
Brass
$1,350Sale Price|25% Off
"Health Chiropractic, " Rare Art Deco Metal Trade Sign for Chiropractor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This classic example of trade signage featuring a nude male angel figure with outspread wings was cast in aluminium and painted a shade of off-white. It has...
Aluminum
Eat or Tea Large Scale 1950s American Porcelain Enameled Steel Letters Sign
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Superb large scale American 1950s porcelain enameled metal letters, over 24" high, originally used as exterior signage from Chicago. EAT or TEA or ETA or ATE, 3 individual heavy gauges pressed and folded cold-rolled steel letters...
Metal
Italian Pirelli Wrought Iron Advertising Trade Sign 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
Absolutely incredible advertising sign for an Italian garage, blacksmith made in forged and ornate wrought Iron. This sign was removed from a garage in Turin, Italy where it had hung since 1920, advertising the variety of services the garage carried out, as well as Pirelli tyres. The sign is wonderfully weather beaten, with losses to the paint and sections of the advertising text. Overall the sign is in superb structural condition, with a couple of small fissures, which are barely noticeable. A truly exceptional piece of antique signage...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Figural Coca-Cola Cooler Directional Arrow Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1940s; mfd. by Kay Displays, Inc. for The Coca-Cola Company - Atlanta, GA Painted tin and metal advertising sign featuring a dimensional Coca-Cola cooler at center, framed within...
Metal
Art Deco Box Neon "ETCHISON HATS" Wonderful Red Neon, The Neon Shop, LIMA OHIO
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco Box Neon sign advertizing Etchison Hats,c.1930's,, wonderful red neon, made by The Neon Shop.Lima Ohio.. Great graphics..retains original black metal housing.. curved deco...
Metal
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful and intruiging advertising statue for Christian Dior. This would have been used on a shop counter or to draw attention in a shop window. It has some minor user traces...
Plaster
Splendid Louis Midavaine Screen, 1888-1978
By Louis Midavaine
Located in Renens, CH
Splendid Louis Midavaine screen, circa 1925, with 3 articulated leaves in lacquered wood and lacquered wood decorated with a Bengal tiger leaping from an overturned coconut tree. The...
Wood
1930s Copper Double-Sided English Outdoor Advertising Sign
Located in Surrey, BC
An electric, double-sided outdoor sign promoting the English clothing manufacturer, Chilprufe Agents (operating between 1920 and 1950). The company’s logo has been reverse painted on...
Copper
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful and intriguing advertising statue for Christian Dior. This would have been used on a shop counter or to draw attention in a shop windo...
Plaster
$606Sale Price|20% Off
Large Enamel Sign Hunter Cigarettes Advertising Plate Retro
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful large enamel sign, advertising sign for Hunter Virginia cigarettes, an American cigarette brand, cool retro advertising, reissue of a vintage enamel sign from around the 19...
Metal, Enamel
Antique American Art Deco Early Frigidaire Metal Advertising Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce, likely one-of-a-kind, antique American Frigidaire enameled metal advertising sign, early 20th century, period Art Deco styling, the sign reads: "See Arkadelphia Hardware Co...
Metal, Enamel
Illuminating Advertising Sign
Located in London, England
Early 20th century illuminated advertising sign. On original chain with brass surround re-wired. Containing a 1970s Carl Zero film poster. Circa 1930.
Brass
1920s “TOURISTS” Cast Metal Sign Glass Cat Eye Reflectors Boarding House Sign
Located in Lancaster, PA
A vibrant early highway-era relic, this original 1920s "TOURISTS" sign is cast in heavy metal with bold silver lettering inset with original glass cat-eye reflectors, all mounted to the original red painted backer. Made by J.F. Bingham of Nashua, New Hampshire, these directional signs guided travelers to lodging and camps in the early days of motor tourism. Each reflector still shines brightly under direct light, while the paint has aged beautifully with surface patina and wear. A rare survivor with undeniable character—perfect for cabin, garage, or collection display. 🧾 Item Details: • Material: Cast metal, paint, glass reflectors • Dimensions: 36" × 10" • Era: 1920's • Manufacturer: J.F. Bingham, Nashua, NH 📌 Condition: Excellent display condition with all reflectors intact. Original paint with scattered surface wear and minimal scuffs. Sign shows minimal areas of light edge wear. Structurally sound with no cracks or breaks. 📍 Collector’s Note: Bingham-made reflector signs...
Metal
Vintage French Christian Dior Advertising Statue, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful and intruiging advertising statue for Christian Dior. This would have been used on a shop counter or to draw attention in a shop windo...
Plaster
Art Deco Shop Advertising Board circa 1930s
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Shop Advertising Board circa 1930s Plywood Board With Silhouette Lady upper body Ribbon Necklace With Hinged Easel Back Advertising AERTE Blouses, Original Paint
Plywood
Art Deco era Gas Station Advertising Sign Atlantic Oil
Located in Ferndale, MI
Art Deco themed gas station advertising sign for Atlantic Oil (two sided).
Steel
Advertising Mirror “Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” Baker or Cafe
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
“Crawford’s Delightful Biscuits” baker/cafe advertising mirror This is a good piece the bevelled mirror is set in a 2” wide oak frame, in the centre in large letters...
Mirror
Three Dimensional Double-Sided Wooden Hovis Tea Shop Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Three dimensional double-sided wooden hovis tea shop sign A great piece of social history, this sign is in wood it has been made with applied large letters...