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.
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
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
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
Tall Art Deco cabinet – France 1930
Located in Girona, Girona
Tall Art Deco cabinet in solid mahogany and burr mahogany with 4 doors opening to 2 storage compartments, patinated nickel-plated metal handles. French polish. France circa 1930.
Metal, Nickel
$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
$3,850
H 42 in W 40 in D 17 in
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Paldao Cabinet Refinished Drop Front Secretary Bookcase
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Art Deco Cabinet, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, American, circa 1930s. This piece is currently being refinished and will look wonderful when completed. Thi...
Metal
French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Andre Arbus Sloping mahogany secreter with two drawers and a drop-leaf door. Sycamore maple interior with six small drawers and a central niche lined with parchment; gilt bronze knob...
Brass
$6,975Sale Price|31% Off
H 90.5 in W 66.5 in D 24.75 in
Antique 18th Century Carved French Oak Armoire
Located in Round Top, TX
Attractive carvings of vines, leaves and flowers embellish this armoire giving it a romantic touch. Crafted in the late 18th century France, this oak armoire has beautifully carved ...
Oak
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
Reconstruction Oak Armoire by René Gabriel, France, 1950s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Attributed to René Gabriel, two-door armoire, solid natural oak, France, 1950s. Solid natural oak with a light, open grain. Two full-height hinged doors, each panelled with horizont...
Oak
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 104.34 in W 59.06 in D 26.38 in
A Fine French Louis XV period Walnut Bordelais Armoire
Located in Rome, IT
A Fine French Louis XV period, carved, solid walnut , Bordelais Armoire that opens with two beautifully paneled doors.
Wood
1930s Fabulous Art Deco Ebonized Tall Cabinet Dry Bar in Oak
By André Arbus
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a fabulous art deco ebonized cabinet in oak wood. It can be used as dry bar or tall cabinet. French influence André Arbus. Unmarked. USA circa the 1940s Dim...
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Bar Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible Art Deco bar cabinet from France, 1930s. Beautiful walnut with bookmatched pattern. Lift-top lid with drop front panel supported by interior brass stays. Lower cabinet and...
Metal, Brass
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