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.
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
$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
$2,011 / 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
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
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, 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
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
$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
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
$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
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
Armchair and its side table by André Sornay, circa 1965
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Armchair and side table by Lyon-based cabinetmaker and designer André Sornay, a visionary innovator known for his patented assembly systems. The solid pine structure is expertly ass...
Fabric, Wood
$23,668 / 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
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
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
$3,500
H 32 in W 23.5 in D 27.5 in
Sornay Attr. Art Deco Rosewood Lounge Chairs, France 1930s-1940s, Mid-Century
By Andre Sornay
Located in New York, NY
Sornay attributed deco Animal print rosewood lounge chairs, France, 1930s-1940s Mid-Century. Incredible rosewood chairs with beautiful Patina throughout. Modernist square arms and t...
Cowhide, Rosewood
Chiavarina Chairs, 1960s, Set of 6
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
6 Highbacked chairs by Paolo Buffa 1950s.
Velvet, Cherry
$2,012 / set
H 36.23 in W 22.45 in D 24.41 in
Franco Albini Pair of Rattan and Bamboo Armchairs, Italy, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous pair of mid-century armchairs entirely made of bamboo, curved rattan and hand-woven wicker. These charming organic modern chairs were produced in Italy during the 1960s and ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$63,000 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 22.44 in
Joseph Andre Motte Set of 12 Model 771 Chair, France 1950's
By Joseph-André Motte
Located in New York, NY
Twelve chairs model 771 by Joseph Andre Motte for Steiner, upholstery over maple on black enameled steel base. Only one chair finished in bouclé for display. Set is COM.
Steel
$1,150
H 30.71 in W 25.2 in D 21.66 in
André Cordemeyer Desk Chair for Gispen, Green Wool, Netherlands, 1960s
By A.R. Cordemeijer, Gispen
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant Dutch mid-century desk chair designed by André Cordemeyer for Gispen, distinguished by its sculptural profile, generous proportions, and beautifully understated construction....
Aluminum, Steel
$691Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 27.17 in D 27.56 in
Wicker Shell Armchair on Metal Base French, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French chair made in wicker in the 20th mid-century on a black painted base. Good condition with few gaps Shipping: 69 / 70 / 72 cm 5.4 kg.
Iron
$2,650
H 30.13 in W 21.75 in D 16.25 in
French Art Deco Cerused Oak Desk Chair Attributed to Andre Sornay
By Jules Leleu, Andre Sornay, Francisque Chaleyssin, Charles Dudouyt, Jacques Adnet
Located in Houston, TX
French Art Deco Cerused Oak Desk Chair Attributed To Andre Sornay. Handsome French Art Deco cerused or limed oak desk chair attributed to Andre Sornay. This stunning desk chair or of...
Leather, Oak
French Reconstruction Armchair, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
One of a kind French Reconstruction Armchair, 1940, post-war modernist design. Structure in solid oak. Condition report : the chair show si...
Cane, Mahogany
Pair of French Oak Armchairs, France, 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This refined pair of French armchairs from the 1950s showcases the understated elegance of mid-century design. Crafted from solid oak, the chairs feature beautifully sculpted armrest...
Straw, Oak
French Modern André Arbus Style Lounge Chair
By Jules Leleu, Maison Dominique, Milo Baughman, Maurice Dufrêne, André Arbus
Located in Houston, TX
French modern André Arbus style lounge chair. This shapely French midcentury lounge chair is French design at its best. Large and comfortable with ta...
Fabric, Wood
$6,623 / set
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 21.66 in
Pair of Norman Cherner Pretzel Armchairs, Plycraft, USA, 1960s
By Norman Cherner
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of original Norman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft, USA in the 1960s. Bentwood frames. With makers label on one chair. Good vintage condition. Fast shippin...
Wood
$3,250 / set
H 33.47 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Eight Swedish Dining Chairs in Oregon Pine with Twisted Seagrass Seats, 1940s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Carl Malmsten, Goran Malmvall
Located in Dronten, NL
There is a quiet poetry to Swedish country furniture—a restraint that never sacrifices warmth, a simplicity that reveals the hand of the maker. This exceptional set of eight dining c...
Seagrass, Pine
Sold
H 35.44 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Set of six French chairs by Andre' Sornay with white leather seats
By Andre Sornay
Located in Milano, IT
This elegant set of six French chairs attributed to André Sornay is a striking example of the designer's rigorous and architectural approach to furniture design during the 1940s, a p...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Chair by André Sornay, Solid Wood, France, 1960
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Simplicity and elegance for these chairs by the Lyon cabinetmaker and designer André Sornay. Solid pine uprights assemble by threaded rods, a system patented by Sornay himself, crea...
Wood
Pair of Armchairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
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
Pair of Armchairs by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of André Sornay armchairs with brass nail details and leather upholstery.
Oak
Pair of Chairs by André Sornay, Lyon France
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of chairs designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chairs...
Wood
Chair by André Sornay, Lyon France
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A chair designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chair featur...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Chair by André Sornay, Solid Mahogany, 1955
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A chair designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chair featur...
Wood
Chair by André Sornay, Lyon France
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A chair designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chair featur...
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Lounge Chairs by André Sornay, France, 1950
By Andre Sornay
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Mid-Century Lounge Chairs by André Sornay, France, 1950 Introducing a visually striking pair of vintage lounge chairs designed by the esteemed French furniture designer Andr...
Upholstery, Beech
Chair by André Sornay, Lyon France
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A chair designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chair featur...
Wood
Pair of Chairs by André Sornay, Lyon France
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of chairs designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chair...
Wood
Pair of Chairs by André Sornay, Lyon France
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of chairs designed by André Sornay, a renowned cabinetmaker from Lyon, showcasing the designer's ingenuity as a pioneer of kit furniture in the late 1950s. These elegant chairs...
Wood