Although he is among the least known of the like-minded French Art Deco furniture designers of his era, André Sornay introduced innovative fabrication techniques and a unique decorative style to his modernist seating, case pieces and other creations.
Sornay was born in Lyon in 1902, and graduated from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon in 1918. His career as a furniture designer began in 1919 when he was appointed head of his family’s furniture company after his father’s death.
In the early 1920s — inspired by the Bauhaus and De Stijl as well as his friends and fellow French avant-garde designers Francis Jourdain and Pierre Chareau — Sornay shifted the company’s focus from manufacturing period reproductions to creating contemporary designs.
Sornay’s work fused tradition with modernism. He preferred to work with metals, exotic woods such as mahogany and rosewood, rubber and Duco lacquer for a range of cabinets, desks, chairs and mirrors. Sornay’s pieces featured sleek brass drawer pulls and sharply geometric lines, and the distinctive mode that he worked in was known throughout Lyon as “Le Style Sornay.”
Sornay was also recognized for his inventive design methods that were not only decorative but functional. In 1932, he patented the cloudage technique — studding the perimeter of veneered furniture panels with uniform brass nails. Sornay integrated this technique into his wardrobes, side tables and the armchairs he designed, which were frequently defined by clean lines and sharp angles. In the early 1950s, he also patented a technique called the “Tigette,” which allowed for quick and easy assembly or disassembly of modular furniture — a forerunner to IKEA’s flat-packed furniture.
While Sornay isn’t as well known as other European modernists like Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, he attracted modest attention at exhibitions of the day, such as the 1923 Salon d’Automne and the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, the design fair that brought the Art Deco style to the world. He was awarded the bronze medal at Paris’s Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in 1937.
In the late 1950s, Sornay ceded control of his furniture design company to his children, remaining as an advisor until production ceased in 1999. He died the following year.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage André Sornay case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and tables.
French Modernist Sideboard by André Sornay, Cloutage Technique, 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A refined French modernist sideboard designed by Andre Sornay in Lyon, France, circa 1950s. Crafted using Sornay’s signature cloutage technique, the cabinet reveals delicate nail-he...
Wood
Mahogany bed by André Sornay, France circa 1960
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Mahogany bed designed by André Sornay around 1960, produced using the patented Tigette assembly system that characterizes the Lyon workshop's production during the mid twentieth cen...
Wood
Mahogany and Beige Panel Wardrobe by André Sornay, France, 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
This elegant wardrobe was designed in France during the 1960s by celebrated Lyon cabinetmaker André Sornay , one of the leading figures of French modernist furniture. The piece exemp...
Mahogany
$32,984Sale Price / set|20% Off
Extendable Dining Table and Set of 8 Walnut & Leather Chairs by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
An exceptional André Sornay dining ensemble from the 1930s: an extendable walnut table paired with eight matching chairs, meticulously restored and reupholstered in soft camel leathe...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
André Sornay (1902–2000) Pair of chests of drawers
By Andre Sornay
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
André Sornay (1902–2000) Pair of chests of drawers Beechwood and laminate 3 drawers Dimensions: W 104 × D 54 × H 75 cm Date: circa 1965 A beautiful pair of chests of drawers attribu...
Wood
$12,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Andre Sornay bridge chairs stained Oregon pine, ebonised wood
By Andre Sornay
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Pair of bridge chairs stained Oregon pine on the back side , lacquer olive green color wood, brass nail-heads and fabric upholstery, each underside stamped 'BREVETE SORNAY/FRANCE ETR...
Wood
André Sornay Mid-Century Highboy Dresser, Mahogany, Circa 1955
By Andre Sornay
Located in Queens, NY
"French Mid-Century highboy dresser / chest finished in mahogany veneer, containing 5 drawers, the topmost shallow, the lower four with faceted fronts containing sage green leather i...
Leather
André Sornay, Armchair, Wood, Leather, France, 1940s
By Andre Sornay
Located in High Point, NC
A red leather and wood armchair designed and produced by André Sornay, France, 1940s. Heavy wear on arm rests with natural dry cracking. Moderate wear to fabric (residue buildup an...
Leather, Wood
$2,002 / set
Pair of Armchairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of armchairs by designer André Sornay. The latter, originally from Lyon, is the inventor of various patented assembly systems including the so-called "tigette" system. The seat...
Wood, Fabric
Andre Sornay Modernist Wardrobe Stamped and Documented circa 1940
By Andre Sornay
Located in CA, CA
This exceptionally proportioned Modernist wardrobe by André Sornay shows why his stature as one of the most important designers of the Art Dec...
Wood
$4,000 / set
Beech chairs by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Vintage dining chair by French designer André Sornay. It is manufactured with a design that is assembled by tightening bolts from one side. Manufacturer is his own workshop, Sornay M...
Beech
André Sornay Sideboard, Vintage Wood Credenza, Functional Design, 1950
By Andre Sornay
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Really scarce sideboard by André Sornay with amazing construction and many details. Very functionnal
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Armchair by André Sornay, Wood, France, Circa 1960
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Simplicity and elegance for these armchairs by the Lyon cabinetmaker and designer André Sornay. Solid pine uprights assemble by threaded rods, a system patented by Sornay himself, c...
Wood
Andre Sornay Oregon Pine, Glass and Copper Bar Cart, France, 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Andre Sornay bar cart in darkened Oregon pine on steel and rubber casters, each tray has an inset glass piece protecting the wood for use. The sides have a discreet line of e...
Copper, Steel
Pair of André Sornay Armchairs in Sapele Mahogany and Bouclé, France, 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of armchairs was designed by André Sornay and produced by his workshop in Lyon in the early 1950s. High, angled backrest in sapele mahogany with upholstered cushions. ...
Fabric, Bouclé, Chenille, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Pine Andre Sornay armchair, France, 1950's
By Andre Sornay
Located in Austin, TX
Pine armchair by Andre Sornay, French designer known for his sublime simplicity. France, 1950's.
Pine
Desk and chair by André Sornay, Sornay Meubles Lyon 1955
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare desk and chair set in blue lacquered ash designed by André Sornay, cabinetmaker and designer from Lyon, circa 1955. Produced by Sornay Meubles in Lyon, this ensemble epitomizes...
Wood
Scarce and big Andre Sornay sideboard
By Andre Sornay
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très jolie enfilade par André Sornay en acajou et placage de palmier. Les trois portes sont coulissantes. Ce meuble est profondément interessant dans l’oeuvre de Sornay car il peut...
Brass
Kitchen table and chairs set by André Sornay, Lyon 1955
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare kitchen set composed of a table and four chairs by André Sornay, cabinetmaker and designer from Lyon, made around 1955. Each piece features a tubular black-lacquered metal str...
Metal
1940s Oregon Pine Coat Rack with Pegs by André Sornay French Art Deco Modernist
By Andre Sornay
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
1940s Wall coat rack by French designer André Sornay. Structure in solid Oregon wood and veneer highlighted by a system of brass nails perfectly aligned underlining the sober and pur...
Brass
rare André Sornay sideboard in Oregon pine and studded 40s art deco modernist
By Andre Sornay
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Sideboard of the Lyon designer André Sornay dating from the 40s. Structure in veneered and solid Oregon pine, stained on the bottom of the base in black. The sideboard is composed of...
Brass
Rare André Sornay French Wardrobes Armoires Art Deco Modernist 40s - F613
By Andre Sornay
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Armoire, bookcase from the 50's by the french designer André Sornay. Structure in solid mahogany and veneer highlighted by a system of brass nails perfectly aligned around the furniture (see photos). The large sliding door opens on a series of solid wood shelves...
Brass, Copper
Wardrobe by André Sornay, beech and lacquer, France, 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FR
Designed in France during the 1960s by the celebrated Lyon cabinetmaker André Sornay, this wardrobe exemplifies the designer's pioneering vision of modern furniture. Combining archit...
Beech
Large André Sornay chest of drawers in limed oak from the 1940s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large chest of drawers from the 1940s by French designer André Sornay. Solid oak and veneered structure with a limed finish. The piece is highlighted by a system of perfectly aligned...
Oak
Rare Modernist Stool by Andre Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cowhide upholstered stool by Andre Sornay. Made in France circa 1930s. Literature: Thierry Roche, André Sornay 1902-2000, Paris, 2002
Metal
Andre Sornay Wood Umbrella Stand
By Andre Sornay
Located in New York, NY
Andre Sornay (1902-2000). Umbrella and cane stand. Wood, bronze tray. France, 1930s. Dimensions 18.5 x 9.5 x 23 H. Reference: Thierry Roche, p...
Wood
Signed Andre Sornay Chest in Ribbon Mahogany and Brass
By Andre Sornay
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent commode is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally polished and completely installation ready. An...
Brass
Laminate Wood Table By Andre Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Long Island City, NY
Laminate wood table by Andre Sornay.
Wood
$12,000
Vintage Art Deco Desk Chair
By Andre Sornay
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Art Deco Desk Chair By Andre Sornáy Lacquered Zebra Wood and Ebony with Teal Leather Upholstery France, Circa 1930 34”W x 22”D x 23”H
Leather, Ebony, Zebra Wood
French Art Deco / Early Modern Cerused Oak Console by Andre Sornay, circa 1930
By Andre Sornay
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Deco sleek, narrow profile double level console by Andre Sornay, France, circa 1930 in a faint green cerused oak. This is a sober, elegant, French Modern statement. The ...
Oak
André Sornay Bookcase Art Deco, circa 1935
By Andre Sornay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
André Sornay bookcase, circa 1935, satin varnich, with inclusion of brass nails. André Sornay (1902-2000) French creator from Lyon, who owes his celebrity to his modernist vision of...
Wood
André SORNAY (1902-2000), varnished plywood chest of drawers
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
André Sornay (1902-2000) was a French furniture designer who transformed his family's business after taking over in 1919. Influenced by Bauhaus and De Stijl, he created modern, funct...
Brass
Chairs by André Sornay, Set of 2, circa 1960
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of chairs by the cabinetmaker and designer from Lyon André Sornay. Solid pine uprights assembled by threaded rods, a system patented by Sornay himself, with anthracite grey lac...
Wood
André Sornay Cabinet, Circa 1960, France
By Andre Sornay
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: André Sornay Cabinet, Circa 1960, France. This piece is a sapele wood and Isorel sideboard designed by the renowned French modernist André Sornay around 1960 . André Sor...
Formica, Sapele Wood
1930s French Buffet by André Sornay, Wood and Marble, Art Deco Style
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
An elegant collectible buffet from the 1930s, designed by french designer André Sornay, crafted with meticulous attention to quality, featuring a sturdy wooden frame, complemented by...
Marble, Brass
$23,547 / set
Set of Six Chairs by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of six chairs by the Lyonnais designer André Sornay, made with rosewood veneer.
Rosewood
Set of Six André Sornay Solid Beech Slatted Chairs, 1960 Lyon Mid-Century Modern
By Andre Sornay
Located in IT
This set of six solid beech wood slatted chairs, designed by André Sornay circa 1960, epitomizes the elegance of Mid-Century Modern style. Crafted in L...
Beech
Pair of Andre Sornay Armchairs, circa 1960, France
By Andre Sornay
Located in Girona, Spain
Pair of Andre Sornay armchairs. This armchair will warm up your interior with the color of its wood, a perfect piece for a chalet-type interior...
Pine
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Grenoble, FR
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s model made for Sonacotra fireplaces and available in several versions. Very good condition of the top, scratches from use on the base
Formica, Wood