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 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
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
$81,900
H 33.08 in W 30.12 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
This chaise lounge is one of the designs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The traditional chaise is a lounge chair characterized by...
Iron
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
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Preview, Directional, Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$5,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.5 in W 38.75 in D 83 in
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Daybeds, c. 1940, X-Form
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional pair of vintage French bamboo and rattan daybeds featuring a distinctive X-form base, dating to circa 1940. These sculptural lounge pieces embody the relaxed elegance ...
Bamboo
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
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
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
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
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
Midcentury Modern Lounge Chair, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant Swedish Modern lounge chair with cool distinct lines and curves. Upholstered with a pale mint velvet 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
Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Chaise Lounge
Located in New York, NY
A lovely chaise lounge crafted in the late 19th century. The design comes out of the Aesthetic Movement which began in the 1860s in England. Ebonized wood with gilt embellishment is ...
Ultrasuede, Burl, Mahogany
$240,000
H 27 in W 63 in D 22.5 in
Charlotte Perriand, Chaise longue basculante, B306 Lounge Chair, France, 1930s
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in New York, NY
This iconic model designed by the young Charlotte Perriand, together with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, was manufactured by Thonet-France from 1930 to 1937 and sold under the re...
Copper, Steel
French Painted and Carved Louis XV-Style Daybed, C. 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Louis XV-style daybed, or lit de repos, circa 1940, featuring a beautifully carved and painted wood frame upholstered in leather. The graceful, flowing silhouette and scroll...
Leather, Wood, Paint
$2,042
H 37.41 in W 27.56 in D 63 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Brown Leather Chaise Lounge Chair by Tord Björklund
By Tord Bjorklund
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The "Skye" chaise lounge chair designed by Tord Björklund. It features a steel frame with soft brown leather after full professional renovation. Produced in Sweden in the 1980s/late ...
Steel
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