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
André Arbus Sycamore Chaise Lounge, Champagne Satin, France, 1940s
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
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
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
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 Modern Curved Bench After André Arbus
By André Arbus, Jules Leleu, Dominique, Jean Prouvé
Located in Houston, TX
French Modern curved bench After André Arbus. This shapely vintage French bench has ebonized legs terminating in brass sabots. Currently upholstere...
Wood
French Louis XV Daybed, Walnut with Red Velvet, Circa 1880
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Daybed is nicely carved garnished with a red velvet fabric. Easy to place anywhere at home.
Walnut
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
$12,342 / item
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, DEDAR Bouclé, Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Mohair, Linen, Oak, Walnut
French Modern André Arbus Style Lounge Chair
By Jules Leleu, Maison Dominique, Maurice Dufrêne, André Arbus, Milo Baughman
Located in Houston, TX
French modern André Arbus style lounge chair. This shapely French midcentury lounge chair is French design at its best. Large and comfortable with ta...
Fabric, Wood
French Récamier Style Daybed, Circa 1920's
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Récamier style carved-wood daybed from the early 20th century. This antique backless sofa bench from France is flanked within two highly raised arm rests, of equal heights, ...
Fabric, Wood
$2,800
H 18.12 in W 74.02 in D 33.08 in
Art Deco Daybed, Reupholstered in Vintage Fabric, Danish Cabinetmaker, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Odense, DK
Rare Art Deco daybed / sofa, reupholstered in colorful vintage gobelin fabric from the 80s. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in 1940s. This beautiful vi...
Fabric, Oak
Antique French Gothic Oak Chaise Longue, Circa 1870
Located in Dallas, TX
In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not uncommon for skilled craftsmen to repurpose older wood carvings into their own furniture creations. A French menuisier utilized this technique (circa 1870), incorporating a previously carved chair back and arms into the construction of this Gothic style chaise lounge. Based on the faded Gothic motifs and age separations, the repurposed pieces were most likely carved in the 16th century. The Gothic period carvings seen on the top rail include a series of foliate groupings flanked by bulbous finials. Although the carvings have faded over the course of centuries, the finials might have been leaf cups, which were often seen during the Gothic period. The back rest has been adorned with arcading beneath an infilled niche that is flanked by a pair of linenfold carvings. A cream colored cushion has been affixed by small nails above an apron embellished with barb tracery and ogee brackets. The entire lounge is supported by six block legs, with the back four extending directly from the back and the arms. Relatively low to the ground, our French Gothic oak...
Textile, Oak
1960s French Rattan Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible vintage rattan daybed from France, 1960s. Long rattan frame with croisillon detail. Original rattan shows nice age and patina. Newly a...
Linen, Rattan
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