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.
$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
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
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
$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
An Armchair 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
$1,623 / set
Pair of chairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
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
$5,411 / set
Pair of Andre Sornay Seats, circa 1950
By Andre Sornay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Andre Sornay seats, circa 1950 (original fabric in perfct condition).
Wood
Set of French Chairs by André Sornay, 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Set of French Chairs by André Sornay, 1950s Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Yellow Design Period: 1950 to 1959 Year: 1950 Country of Manufacture: France Identifying M...
Wood
$22,847 / set
H 37.01 in W 30.71 in D 35.44 in
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
$5,395Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 37.75 in W 21.75 in D 18.25 in
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs, 4 Side-Chairs & 2 Arm-Chairs
By John Widdicomb
Located in Huntington, NY
A Set of 6 John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, 4 side-chairs & 2 arm-chairs Measure: Seat height 17.5.
Naugahyde, Walnut
$3,500 / item
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
$5,194 / set
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 20.28 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Beech Six Gio Ponti Style Dining Chairs, 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage six dining chairs or chairs from beech in the style of Gio Ponti 1960s Italy. A wonderful set of six dining chairs in stained dark brown color with newly ...
Fabric, Beech
Set of 6 French 1950s Beech Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of 6 midcentury compass style beech chairs.
Beech, Faux Leather
1960s Upholstered Armchairs by F. Jirák for Tatra, a Pair
By Frantisek Jirak
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of upholstered armchairs by Czech furniture manufacturer Tatra. Attributed to designer František Jirák who is known for his striking case pieces and wall units, and for playful compact furniture...
Fabric, Bentwood
$780 / item
H 33.86 in W 16.93 in D 20.87 in
12 French 1960s Beech and Naugahyde "Pégase" Chairs by Baumann
By Baumann France, Pierre Guariche
Located in Long Island City, NY
12 French midcentury beech and naugahyde dining chairs attributed to Pierre Guariche, model Pégase, edited by Baumann. Price is per chair.
Naugahyde, Beech
1960s Vintage Armchairs by Jiri Jiroutek, Pair
By Jiri Jiroutek
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of armchairs produced in the former Czechoslovakia, with the design attributed to Jiri Jiroutek. This 1960s design is re-upholstered in an updated beige upholstery; the neutra...
Hardwood, Fabric
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
Oswald Haerdtl Beech Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Thonet, Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Almelo, NL
Oswald Haerdtl set of four chairs, the 1950s A rare set of four chairs was designed by the Austrian designer Oswald Haerdtl and produced by Ton (Thonet) in the former Czechoslova...
Ash, Beech, Bentwood
$16,304 / set
H 32.29 in W 22.05 in D 20.87 in
Set of Six “Fumay” Dining Armchairs by Guillerme et Chambron, France, 1960s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
'Fumay' chairs designed in 1965 by the world-famous French duo, Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron. This solid oak “Fumay” dinning armchairs are considered as a reference among furniture from the 1950s to the 1970s. This dining armchairs perfectly explains why, through proportions, unique concepts and the quality of woodworking at the highest level, the French duo created timeless furniture. These chairs show beautiful lines, from Guillerme and Chambron's signature tapered legs to the armrests, which are carved from light oak with the utmost care. This armchair model is made with attention to detail and extremely comfortable. This version of the 'Fumay' model with armrests is distinguished by interesting curves and the highest craftmanship, characteristic of the Guillerme & Chambron duo. The genius of the project lies in the details and uniqueness of the structure, such as stretchers between the legs placed at different heights in the front and on the sides. The elegant look is complemented by upholstered seats made of a premium light linen and wool blend fabric, which perfectly matches the color of oiled oak. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs are newly refinished and reupholstered in premium light fabric, a blend of wool and linen. At the customer's special request, AMS Gallery...
Fabric, Wood
$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
Set of Four Chairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare set of four 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...
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 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
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
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 chairs...
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
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, b...
Wood
Set of Four Chairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare set of four 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...
Wood
Set of Six Chairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare set of six 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 ...
Wood
Set of Six Chairs by André Sornay, France 1960s
By Andre Sornay
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare set of six 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 ...
Wood