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.
Fine French 1950s Mahogany Armoire by Andre Arbus and Vadim Androusov
By André Arbus, Vadim Androusov
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Mid-Century Mahogany two door armoire by Andre Arbus (1903-1969) adorned with bronze decorations by Vadim Androusov (1895-1975); Diane Chasseresse and Apollon on doors,...
Bronze
French Art Deco Cabinet in Amboyna by Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Art Deco Cabinet by André Arbus An exceptional quality cabinet produced by André Arbus in in France in the early 1930’s, it has two bevelled glass doors at the top and blind locka...
Oak, Amboyna
French Art Deco Mahogany Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus and Vadim Androusssov
By André Arbus
Located in Montreal, QC
Frenh Art Deco period mahogany cabinet secretary by André Arbus and Vadim Androussov decorated with a bronze patinated bronze cartouche of a female figure. France: circa 1940 Provena...
Mahogany
Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
By André Arbus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco cabinet with vitrine. Rosewood with beveled glass sliding doors and bronze mounts, circa 1938.
Rosewood
Art Dèco Italian Walnut Vitrines or Bar Display Cabinet, 1925
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Art Dèco vitrines or display cabinet, Italian production of the 1920s, in walnut and walnut briar, screen-printed glass with grinding around. The showcase has been restored and polis...
Crystal
French Limed Oak Armoire
Located in Antwerp, BE
Limed oak two door armoire. Height 210 cm. Width 127 cm. Depth 64 cm.
Glass, Wood, Oak
$3,300Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.75 in W 45.25 in D 18.5 in
Mastercraft Brass Illuminated Demilune Vitrine Cabinet, 1970s, Signed
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible brass demilune display cabinet, produced by Mastercraft in the 1970s, features a mirrored and illuminated interior, exquisite textured top, a pair of glass doors and ...
Brass
$8,269Sale Price|30% Off
H 63.39 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
Art Deco Cabinet, Macassar, Mahogany, Nickel, Lacquer, France circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Original, fully restored Art Deco Bar-Cabinet in lacquered Macassar Veneer, with Mahogany interior and Nickel fittings from France circa 1930. Beautiful book-matched Macassar ebony...
Nickel
French Art Deco Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A handsome French Art Deco shelving unit. Five rosewood veneer cupboards topped with a chrome framed hessian trim glass shelving cabinet. The centre...
Wood
French Art Deco Rosewood Cabinet
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
An excellent quality French cabinet, produced in the 1920’s with crisp carving to the center between the doors, solid oak with solid oak liners, both doors are lockable with one key ...
Rosewood
$1,600Sale Price|36% Off
H 92 in W 46 in D 19.5 in
French Neoclassical Style Tall Mirrored Cabinet/Armoire
Located in Southampton, NY
French neoclassical style tall mirrored cabinet/armoire Beautiful reproduction, originally with legs, legs were cut off. Selling as is. Parcel-...
Mahogany
French Art Deco Cabinet in Rosewood Palissander
By Maxime Old
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional quality piece of furniture in rosewood, (Palissandre) Art Deco period, standing on a base ending by four rectangular feet each one encased in a nickel plated metal parts. Two thick metal rings on each front doors. This piece is an authentic antique furniture...
Rosewood
$8,678Sale Price|55% Off
H 63.39 in W 51.19 in D 14.18 in
Breathtaking Cabinet or Bar Attributed to Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful clear lines and an amazing combination of wood, goatskin and glass.
Goatskin
$90,407 / set
H 79.14 in W 35.44 in D 16.54 in
André Arbus pair of celadon green lacquered wardrobes gilt brass 1930
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, IDF
This unique pair of André Arbus wardrobes is sure to add an element of French neoclassicism chic to any room. It was designed by André Arbus in the late 1930s. Made out of solid oak wood, each wardrobe is decorated with André Arbus celadon green lacquer signature. The orientalist mirror frame is covered with gold leaf. The large bronze rope handle is also gilt, as well as the frieze. All the details are a wonderful example of the French neoclassicism of André Arbus. Each wardrobe features inside three oak wood shelves, with one drawer. The large central and side mirrors make these wardrobes suitable as bedroom or dressing armoires...
Brass
Armoire, Bleached Oak, France, circa 1940
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Armoire, Bleached Oak, France, circa 1940 Echoing the Sculptural Language of French Provincial Modernism Sculptural in stance and restrained in detail, this tall French cabinet fro...
Oak
French Armoire in Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Armoire in Oak and Brass, Late 19th Century Rooted in the provincial elegance of the Belle Époque This tall oak armoire, dating from the end of the 19th century, embodies the...
Oak
Very Rare Parchment Covered Cabinet by André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Montreal, QC
This cabinet was commissioned for the Minister de L’Agriculture of France in 1936 by fellow ministers Léon Blum Vincent Auriol and others at the occasion of the birth of his child. T...
Parchment Paper
French Maison Arbus Oak and shagreen panelled Sideboard
By André Arbus
Located in Sherborne, GB
A stunning oak sideboard with diamond patterned parquetry on its central door. Inside is a shelf and two small drawers, and double doors clad with shagreen panels...
Shagreen, Oak
Cabinet by André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, FR
Bronzework depicting Medusa by Androusov.
André Arbus Bar/Cabinet
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, FR
Neoclassical bar with a very chic structure in mahogany