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.
Art Deco Andre Arbus Parchment Leather and Mirror Side Tables, France, 1930s
By André Arbus
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Lovely pair of sofa side tables. Wood covered with parchment leather. Original mirror on the top. Made in France, 1930s.
Brass
Art Deco Square Table by André Arbus, Lacquered Wood, France, 1940
By André Arbus
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Square table designed by Andre Arbus (1903-1996). Black gloss finish with golden bronze details. France, CIRCA 1940.
Wood
Art Deco Lyre Shaped Side Table by André Arbus, France, Circa 1930
By André Arbus
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art deco side table with a peculiar lyre shape. Designed by the french artist Andre Arbus (1903-1969). Walnut wood veneer and deatils, black gloss and metal details. France, CIRCA 1...
Metal
Antique Art Deco Design Side Table 1930s
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Decoratively shaped Art Deco side table from the 1930s with an elegant base. The table is made of solid oak with veneer on the lower shelf. The legs are made of coromandel wood and t...
Mahogany, Oak
French Modernist / Art Deco walnut occasional side table, circa 1930-50
Located in Bristol, GB
French Modernist Art Deco circular coffee or occasional table, c.1930-50 Made from veneered walnut with a rich warm tone showing wonderful grain. The round table top sits on a sculp...
Walnut
French Art Deco Side Table with Marble Top, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Deco side table. Striking French design from the 1930s. Solid oak with original colored marble top. The drawer has the original brass handle. This wonderful Art...
Marble, Brass
Andre Arbus and Gilbert Poillerat Small Table
By Gilbert Poillerat, André Arbus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Forties Art Deco petite drinks/coffee/cocktail table designed by Andre Arbus and executed by Gilbert Poillerat, circa 1945 in patinated iron with gilt details. This small gem ...
Iron
Art Deco Low Side Table, 1930's France
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Art Deco Low Round Side table. Made in France, 1930's period. Elm wood constructed small low round side table. Nice architectural minimalistic design that shows in the detail...
Elm
Swedish Side Table in Pine attributed to Bo Fjæstad, 1930s
Located in Karlstad, SE
Swedish Side Table in Solid Pine, Attributed to Bo Fjaestad, Sweden, 1930s Characterful Swedish side table from the 1930s, crafted entirely in solid pine and attributed to Bo Fjaest...
Pine
French Octagonal Art Deco Side Table, c. 1930s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
French Art Deco side table featuring a distinctive octagonal top and lower tier. The design is defined by its crisp geometry and restrained ornamentation, embodying the sophisticated...
Oak
$2,311
H 27.17 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Art Deco side table in wood and chess style veneered top, France ca. 1940
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1940 / side table / wood, veneer / Art Deco Elegant French vintage side table or gueridon in Art Deco style from the 1940s. This round side table features a chess board pat...
Wood
Art Deco Vintage Solid Walnut Circular Side Table, 1930s, France
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage circular organic side table from walnut, 1930s, France. An amazing side table from solid walnut circular like with three slightly curved feet and carved details. W...
Walnut
Andre Arbus Style Sun Glass Bronze Tripod Table Deco, Midcentury, France, 1950
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Andre Arbus style etched sun glass bronze tripod table Deco, midcentury, 1950, France This is a beautiful and rare etched glass tripod table. Would have been used as a center table. ...
Bronze
Art Deco Burl Wood Side Table by Jules Leleu, 1930s France
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art deco style burl wood table attributed to French designer, Jules Leleu. Round top supported by curved, tripod legs meeting at a central base. Circa 1930's France.
Burl
Pair Art Deco Side Table by Modernage Furniture Company, Circa 1930's
By Modernage Furniture Company
Located in Bernville, PA
This stunning Art Deco Machine Age table was retailed by The Modernage Furniture Company in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It features an elegant circular design that supports a rectangular...
Maple
André Arbus Pair of Sycamore Brass Neoclassical Gueridon Tables 1940s
By André Arbus
Located in Paris, IDF
This elegant André Arbus pair of gueridons is sure to add an element of French neoclassicism chic to any room. It was designed and produced by André Arbus in the late 1940s. With sha...
Brass
Neoclassical Guéridon by André Arbus
By Baker Furniture Company, André Arbus
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Accent table, of painted and parcel gilt iron, designed by André Arbus; having a round top of antiqued mirror, with a looped, pierced gallery, raised on a trio of feathered arrow leg...
Iron
Sold
H 27.1 in Dm 26 in
Circular Midcentury Sunburst Inlaid Gueridon Table, the André Arbus Collection
By André Arbus, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Circular Mid-Century Modern maple sunburst inlaid Gueridon table, by the André Arbus collection for baker.
Cherry, Maple
Pair of Ebonized Console Tables Designed by Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of ebonized beech console tables designed by Andre Arbus. Each leg terminating in d'ore bronze sabot. An example of this console was pro...
Bronze