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.
Rare 1930s Art Deco Hammered Table Lamp by Andre Arbus and Raymond Subes, signed
By Raymond Subes, André Arbus
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare table lamp by two French design masters. This perfectly proportioned hammered metal table light is wonderfully refined in detail...
Metal
Art Deco Table Lamp, 1930s, Restored
Located in Praha, CZ
Restored: nickel polished, rewired Glass with small dent at a base, see photo, no effect on function, not visible when mounted. 1x40W, E25-E27 bulb US plug adapter included.
Nickel
$1,071Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 7.49 in D 14.97 in
Hammered Metal Art Deco Amsterdam School Table Lamp by Johan Verhey, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco Amsterdam School table lamp. Design by Johan Verhey Rotterdam. Striking Dutch design from the 1930s. Patinated hammered metal and mahogany stained wo...
Metal
$2,400 / set
H 15 in Dm 17.5 in
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
Fine Art Deco "Waterfall" Table Lamp Signed by Sabino, Paris, circa 1930s
By Marius-Ernest Sabino
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A beautiful and lovely nickeled bronze and glass table lamp by Sabino, France, Paris, circa 1930s. The amp is signed on the bottom and on the glass shade with "Sabino Paris...
Nickel, Bronze
$294Sale Price|57% Off
H 18.9 in W 6.3 in D 14.18 in
ART DECO table lamp Charlotte Perriand JUMO lamp rare work lamp, 1930s
By Maison Jumo
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Art Deco table lamp from JUMO - 1930s The table lamp was designed by the French designer Charlotte Perriand for JUMO. Charlotte Perriand for JUMO. This model is a rare version (from...
Metal, Chrome, Aluminum
$4,424 / set
H 12.6 in W 16.93 in D 9.85 in
2 ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL Wrought Iron WALL LAMPS by RAYMOND SUBES, France 1930
By Edgar Brandt, Raymond Subes, Gilbert Poillerat
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful pair of, Art Deco, Modernist, Neo-Classical, sophisticated and luxurious wall lamps, sconces, appliques, iconic "Subes" wrought iron structures lacquered celadon and dark...
Wrought Iron
1930s Art Deco Table Lamp by Electrolier
By Electrolier Manufacturing Co., Raymond Loewy, Rembrandt Lamp Company, Gilbert Rohde
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Rare bold , art deco , machine age , streamline chrome table lamp by Electrolier , North America . Solid well made construction. Nice deep chrome finish from the 30s Contain...
Metal, Chrome
Art Deco Table Lamp, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of metal, colored glass - Re-polished - Fully functional - Very good, original condition.
Metal
Rare French Art Deco Glazed Ceramic Bronze Table Lamp, 1930s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A rare handcrafted ceramic large table lamp, France 1930-1939. Hand-painted and glazed in vibrant colors, original iivory color silk shade with light blue fringes. One light socket f...
Bronze
Art Deco Design Table Lamp, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of glass, metal Re-polished New electricity Fully functional 1x E27 or E26 socket Patina Original condition.
Metal
$15,597Sale Price|40% Off
H 28 in Dm 42 in
1930s Art Déco Chandelier Maison Veronese Attributed to André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This translucent blown glass chandelier with 6 sconces dates from the late 1930s and early 1940s. It was produced by the Veronese house and Attributed to André Arbus. Morano glass...
Crystal
$2,619
H 15.75 in W 17.52 in D 5.91 in
Art Deco Table Lamp or Desk Light 'No 71' by André Mounique for Jumo 1930s
By Andre Mounique, Maison Jumo
Located in München, BY
Elegant Art Deco table lamp or desk light 'No 71' in blue-gray and silver color. Lamp shade rotating. Designed by André Mounique for Jumo, France, 1930s. A total of 5 lamps in two c...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass, Chrome