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.
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
$2,995
H 46.5 in W 45.25 in D 11.25 in
Antique Art Deco Carved Walnut Bookcase or Display Cabinet, Circa 1920s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Gilbert Rohde USA, Circa 1920s Walnut, with beautiful book-matched burled walnut top, and mullioned glass ...
Glass, Walnut, Burl
Oak Art Deco Modernist Open Bookcase, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco Modernist open bookcase. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak and original oak veneered base with original macassar ebony veneer. In very goo...
Macassar, Oak
$2,250
H 30 in W 36 in D 14 in
Donald Deskey Art Deco Bookcase circa 1930s Refinished In Your Choice of Color
By Donald Deskey
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Art Deco Bookcase, designed by Donald Deskey by The Company of Mastercraftsmen, American, circa 1930s. The price noted includes refinishing in your choice of color. This ...
Wood
$27,000
H 73.43 in W 58.47 in D 18.12 in
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
$1,994
H 61.42 in W 35.83 in D 11.42 in
ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920'S ENGLISH OAK ART DECO CARVED BOOKCASE CABiNET
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London A handsome Vintage Yew Wood Filing Cabinet, combining practical storage with classic British elegance. Crafted in richly figured yew wood, the cabinet showcas...
Oak
$2,995
H 51.25 in W 36.5 in D 14.5 in
Antique English Art Deco Carved Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet, Circa 1930s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique English Art Deco bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Gilbert Rohde England, Circa 1930s Oak, with mullioned glass front doors. Interior shelves are rem...
Glass, Oak
$2,995
H 48.25 in W 36 in D 10.25 in
Antique English Art Deco Carved Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet, Circa 1920s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique English Art Deco bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Gilbert Rohde England, Circa 1920s Oak, with mullioned glass front doors and glass sides. Cabinet ...
Glass, Oak
$14,709
H 55.91 in W 53.15 in D 15.75 in
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
Art Deco Modernist Four-Door Bookcase, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco Modernist four-door bookcase. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak base with original solid macassar ebony knobs on the four doors and four d...
Glass, Macassar, Oak
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
$44,500
H 72.84 in W 108.08 in D 17.72 in
André Sornay Rare Geometric Bookcase with Sliding-Doors in Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
André Sornay, library bookcase, ash, mahogany, lacquered wood, France, 1950s/1960s This rare bookcase is exemplary of his later work and showcases his innovative use of the patented...
Wood, Ash, Mahogany
$3,995
H 70.75 in W 34 in D 19.5 in
Stickley Brothers Antique Art Deco Maple Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1920
By Stickley Brothers
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period breakfront bookcase cabinet or dining cabinet By Stickley Brothers USA, CIrca 1920s Gorgeous carved maple, with mullioned glass front doors. Int...
Walnut, Pine
André Sornay Rare Bookcase with Sliding-Doors
By Andre Sornay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
André Sornay, library bookcase, mahogany, lacquered wood, France, 1950s/1960s This rare bookcase is exemplary of his later work and showcases his innovative use of the patented tige...
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
André Sornay Pair of Storage Cabinet, circa 1930
By Andre Sornay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Andre´ Sornay pair of storage cabinets, circa 1930. Restored. "Certificate of Authenticity" from Thierry Roche, French expert for Andre´ Sornay.
Brass
André Sornay Console-Bookcase, circa 1930
By Andre Sornay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Beautiful console-bookcase in rosewood by André Sornay. Inlay of brass nails, circa 1930. Stamped. Restored. Certificate of authenticity from Thierry Roche, French expert for And...
Brass