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.
André Arbus, Extra-wide Parchment-clad Daybed, France, circa 1940
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
This successful model of the great French designer André Arbus is comprised of an array of materials: parchment, lemon wood, and is finished with lacquer and bronze. The Mobilier Nat...
Wood, Upholstery, Parchment Paper
French Sycamore Champagne Satin Chaise
By André Arbus
Located in Queens, NY
French Mid-Century (1940s) sycamore chaise lounge with champagne satin upholstery and tufted shaped side and back (p. 90 "ANDRE ARBUS" by Yvonne Brunhammer) (authentication letter fr...
Sycamore, Satin
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
Dutch 'Backbone' Chaise Longue in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Chaise lounge, teak, aluminium and fabric, The Netherlands, 1990s. This exceptional Dutch chaise longue features a seating area crafted from teak...
Steel
Wooden daybed with dark blue fabric, France, circa 1955
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Solid wood daybed with a rectilinear frame and tapered legs, characteristic of French modernist furniture from the 1950s. The seat and cylindrical cushion are upholstered in dark bl...
Pine
Art Deco Daybed, circa 1930's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Fabric,Wood The Fabric shows signs of use Original condition.
Fabric, Wood
French Ebonized Daybed with Graceful Lines, circa 1930s
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
A French ebonized daybed newly upholstered in Belgian linen. Designed in the style of Andre Arbus.
Beech
French Louis Philippe Daybed in Figured Walnut, circa 1835
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite Louis Philippe daybed in beautiful figured walnut, of superior design and fine craftsmanship. France, circa 1835. In near perfect condition, this is one of the most extr...
Walnut
Colima Steel and Upholstery Chaise Lounge
By Capital Studio
Located in Mexico City, MX
The Chaise Longue Colima is a versatile piece as it provides transparency to space with its electrostatic painted steel structure. The twisted paper cord weave and upholstery add hum...
Steel
Hans Hartl "Soloform 5008" Chaise Lounge
By Hans Hartl, Eugen Schmidt
Located in Hanover, MA
Rare Soloform model 5008 chaise lounge designed by Hans Hartl (1899-1980) for Eugen Schmidt, Darmstadt, Germany, 1953. Measures: 72 1/2" W x 35 3/4" D x 30 1/4" H Known as the Shell Couch (Schalencouch) channel tufted white leather upholstered hardwood frame with elastic straps and foam on tubular chrome base. Very rare and beautiful Avant Garde freeform chaise longue produced in very few numbers. This is one of the few post WWII designs produced by Hartl and exemplifies the link between art and design during this progressive period. Hartl was a high profile architect, decorator and furniture designer during the late 1920s-1930s period whose works were published alongside those of greats such as Josef Hoffmann, Le Corbusier, Mendelsson, Pier Luigi Nervi...
Chrome
Spy 664 Beige Chaise Longue by Emilio Nanni
By Cristina Celestino, Billiani 1911
Located in Milan, IT
Nothing invites more to enjoy moments of pure relaxation than a refined, plush chaise longue. Perfect as an addition to luxe, residential decors, this exquisite design features a solid beech frame tinted in a vibrant curry hue sustaining the generously padded resting area...
Wood, Textile, Beech
Oriental Style Oak Daybed, France, circa 1910s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exotic and elegant daybed in the oriental taste, with an oak base engraved with geometric motifs and raised on bun feet, covered in a marled beige wool fabric, with a thin padded mat...
1940s French Art Deco Armchair in the Style of André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1940s French Art Deco armchair in the style of André Arbus.
Velvet, Walnut
1940s French Art Deco Armchair in the Style of André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1940s French Art Deco armchair in the style of André Arbus.
Faux Leather, Walnut
Exceptionnal and Unique Parmchment Daybed by André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Montreal, QC
André Arbus (1903-1969) Exceptionnal and unique curved daybed in parchment and upholstered in velvet with floral motives. Signed twice “André Arbus”, cir...
Parchment Paper