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
Fine French 1950s Mahogany Armoire by Andre Arbus and Vadim Androusov
By Vadim Androusov, André Arbus
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 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
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
$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 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
$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 parquetry Cabinet Armoire by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large cabinet with parquetry design by Jules Leleu Paris, Model no. 4178. Designed in 1951 and this example is dated to 1953. Functioning as an Armoire for wardrobe, the cabinet fe...
Bronze
18th Century French Rustic Armoire
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Rustic Armoire in solid oak, France 18th century. This old cabinet was unearthed in a farm in the Pyrenees, it is an authentic piece of rustic furniture. Handcrafted in the 1700s, made from raw wooden...
Oak
$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 Art Deco Armoire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
French Art Deco armoire made of amboyna burl with marquetry and inlaid mother-of-pearl. Large rectangular mirrored center door and two large si...
Amboyna
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...
Brass, Metal
Early and Rare Armoire by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dated from 1950s, designed by Vladimir Kagan and manufactured by Kagan-Dreyfuss Inc, New York, this rarely seen model of armoire features an elegant bleached mahogany exterior with metal legs and an fitted interior with shelves and drawers. The simple form was punctuated by the use of a pair of oversized pulls...
Stainless Steel
$87,641 / 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
French Art Deco Cabinet in Oak and Brass Detailing
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, oak, brass, France, 1930s This French cabinet from the 1930s is crafted in oak, it features strong geometric lines and finely worked surfaces. The fluted panels framing the...
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