French architect, sculptor and designer André Arbus was destined to become one of the 20th century’s finest furniture makers. According to him, the craft was in his blood. “I come from an old family of cabinetmakers,” he once said. “From father to son for a very long time. In other words, I was born in a cabinet-making workshop.”
Born in Toulouse in 1903, Arbus spent his childhood working in his father’s business which sold reproductions of 18th century French furniture. He later studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse under sculptor Henry Parayre.
After graduating, Arbus returned to work with his father as the business’s artistic director. When his father retired, Arbus transformed the company from selling furniture reproductions to one that produced his own formidable designs, including cocktail tables, sofa tables and floor lamps that merged neoclassicism with Art Deco and featured alluring modernist characteristics.
In 1925, Arbus exhibited at several shows, including the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, Salon d’Automne, the Gallery L’Epoque and won a medal at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, which brought the Art Deco style to the global stage.
Arbus moved to Paris in 1932, won the prestigious Premier Prix Blumenthal in 1934 and opened his own gallery in 1935. His sconces, chandeliers and dining room tables attracted a steady clientele of some of Paris’s wealthiest. Arbus exhibited at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York and, throughout the 1940s, received numerous notable commissions. The French government gave many of his pieces as gifts to visiting foreign heads of state. He furnished several luxury ocean liners, collaborated with Maison Veronese on a line of lighting fixtures and was tasked to build a jewel cabinet for Princess Elizabeth.
In 1946, Arbus participated in the refurbishment of the Élysée Palace and the Château de Rambouillet with fellow French architects and designers Louis Süe and Jean-Charles Moreux.
Arbus focused on sculpture throughout the 1950s until he died in 1969, drawing inspiration from eminent sculptors such as Vadim Androusov and Sylva Bernt. Today, Arbus’s works can be found in museums around the world.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage André Arbus lighting, tables and seating.
Andre Arbus Style Art Deco 1940s 4 Light Chandelier Bronze Brass Metal Arrow
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Superb Andre Arbus style 4-light chandelier Art Deco Period circa 1940. Two patinas in brass and gun metal. US rewired and in working condition 4 bulbs, 75 watts max each. Sold with ...
Brass, Bronze
André Arbus, Chandelier, 1940
By André Arbus
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
André Arbus 1940 Measures: 63 x 50 x 50 cms chandelier lacquered metal, brass, copper 950 Euros.
Metal
André Arbus, 1940 Ceiling Light, Veronese Editions
By André Arbus
Located in Mouscron, WHT
André Arbus, 1940 ceiling light, Veronese editions, Circa 1930-1940. Murano glass and crystal.
Crystal
H 14.18 in Dm 25.6 in
Patinated Iron, Glass & Parchment Ceiling Light by Bjerkås Armatur, Sweden 1940s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This awesome nautical inspired fixture was designed and manufactured in Sweden in the 1940s. The light features a wide circular frosted glass shade framed by ornate wrought iron ele...
Iron
H 37.41 in Dm 11.82 in
Art Deco White Albaster Chandelier, 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Antique alabaster hanging lamp in Art Deco style, circa 1940s. A single piece of alabaster, beautifully worked with shades and reflections of other colours when lit, suspended from t...
Alabaster
H 9 in W 3.5 in D 5.75 in
André Arbus style Nickel-Plated Hand Sconces Wall Lights French , Two Pairs
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Very nice pair of nickel-plated sconces by Arbus, with black and silver paper shades. 2 pairs available. Priced by pair. Diameter of the back plate: 3.1/4 inches. Perfect working ...
Metal, Nickel
H 9.5 in W 3.5 in D 5 in
Pair of Andre Arbus Sconces, 2 Pairs Available, Priced by Pair
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Superb pair of sconces in the style of Andre Arbus figuring a nickel-plated hand with a opaline shade fitted with brass stars. Measure: back plate: 3.5 inches diameter.
Brass, Nickel
H 13 in W 4 in D 6 in
Andre Arbus Pair of Bronze Sconces , 4 Pairs Available, Priced by Pair
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of French sconces figuring hands holding a torche André Arbus style. Coming from an hotel in Paris 4 pairs available, Priced by pair. US rewired and in working condition. One li...
Brass
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Peter Church style six-light chandelier, 1940s
By Pietro Chiesa
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Pietro Chiesa style six-light chandelier, Made in Italy, 1940s. Very rare six-light chandelier in the style of Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte of the 1940s. Made of six round brass tu...
Metal, Brass
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Stone Table Lamps, style Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and Rare Pair of French Midcentury Modern Craftsman stone lamps in the style of Andre Arbus. The lamps are for table or floor and are created in a modern neoclassical voluted...
Cast Stone, Sandstone
H 14.75 in W 11 in D 7 in
André Arbus Bronze & Black Hand Two-Arm Sconce Wall Light Neoclassical, Pair
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of André Arbus French bronze neoclassical black hand sconce with two arms, wall light with black & gold paper shades. Priced by pair. US rewiring and each takes 2...
Brass, Bronze
H 28.35 in Dm 23.63 in
Art Deco 4-Arm Chandelier in Glass & Brass, Sweden, 1940s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Odense, DK
This exquisite 4-arm chandelier embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of 1940s Swedish Art Deco design. Featuring softly curved arms in finely aged brass, each supports a delicatel...
Brass
H 16.15 in W 7.49 in D 5.52 in
1960's Brass and Murano sconces by André Arbus for Veronèse
By André Arbus
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Pair of 1960's Murano glass and brass sconces by André Arbus for Veronèse
Brass
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Sconces Attributed to André Arbus and Veronese
By André Arbus
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very elegant pair of sconces made in brass and Murano glass Designed late 40's or 50's.
Brass
H 33.86 in Dm 29.53 in
A Danish Modern Art Deco Chandelier, Glass & Brass, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A truly beautiful Art Deco chandelier made in brass and glass. Crafted in Denmark during the mid-20th century, this chandelier is a true testament to the marriage of craftsmanship a...
Brass