Imaginative, bold and full of poetic details, the work of Carlo Bugatti pushed the boundaries of the Art Nouveau style. The Italian furniture designer and decorative artist’s celebrated chairs, tables and other pieces are representative of a range of influences that include European Gothic, Moorish traditions and classical Japanese art. Bugatti’s appetite for experimentation with new forms and materials has fueled the imaginations of designers everywhere.
Bugatti was born in 1856 in Milan. The son of successful interior decorator, sculptor and architect Giovanni Bugatti, Carlo set out to follow in his father’s footsteps, studying architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and working as a cabinetmaker. He moved to Paris in 1875 to continue his studies in design at the prestigious Academie des Beaux-Arts. By the early 1880s, Bugatti had moved back to Milan to continue his career in furniture design.
Antique Bugatti seating, center tables and other large furnishings are visually striking in their level of ornamentation. These works feature hand-carved motifs and were frequently inlaid with luxury materials such as mother-of-pearl, ebony and brass — his distinctive Throne chair (ca. 1900), for example, featured pierced copper and vellum. Detailed themes rooted in nature, stencils and geometric patterns adorn his venturesome decorative screens and handcrafted mahogany and walnut chairs and tables.
In 1888, the designer displayed his work publicly for the first time, showcasing pieces at the Industrial Arts Exhibition in Milan and later at the Italian Exhibition in London. His flamboyant furniture led to his becoming an overnight success among members of the aristocracy, who flooded him with commissions to design custom furniture for their homes. In 1904, Bugatti and his family moved to France, where designed furniture for department stores such as Maison Dufayel and Le Bon Marché. His two sons also pursued work in design — Rembrandt Bugatti became a noted sculptor while Ettore gained renown as a leading automobile designer and manufacturer.
Although his furniture became increasingly subdued in appearance over the years — and he would eventually begin to design serveware and jewelry — Bugatti garnered acclaim throughout his career. He received an award at the 1900 Paris Exposition and exhibited interiors and a furniture collection at the inaugural International Exposition of Modern Decorative Arts in Turin, Italy, in 1902. Today, Bugatti’s work remains on permanent display at the Musée de la Chartreuse in Molsheim, France.
Find antique Carlo Bugatti seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Carlo Bugatti Parchment Mirror
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Carlo Bugatti Parchment Mirror with Shelf. Italy, circa 1890. Mahogany, ebonized woods, brass, pewter, and parchment foliage motifs.
Brass, Pewter
Rare and Important Orientalist Console Table & Mirror by Carlo Bugatti
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare and important Orientalist console table and mirror by Carlo Bugatti (Italian,1856-1940). This elegant Moorish design is made of intricately carved and ebonized walnut inlaid with pewter, bone and copper, partially covered with parchment. The upper part featuring an arched mirror plate flanked by a pair of turned metal decorated columns surmounted by a gallery top inset with bone and carved finials.The lower part of the console table is beautifully fitted with three hanging tassels that extend over a vellum panel illustrated with a scene of ibises over pewter inlaid calligraphy designs.Carlo Bugatti was a famous designer active at the turn of the century. His pieces are rare and highly prized. He was the father of Rembrandt Bugatti who was a renowned sculptor, his work is also highly valuable and very rare since he died at 32. Ettore Bugatti...
Wood
Late 19th Century Large Full Length Key Hole Mirror by Carlo Bugatti
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Shrewsbury, GB
Many of Carlo Bugatti's superior pieces were commissioned by a number of the Royal Houses of Europe, some of the Great Estates of America and Europe and some of the most successful families from around the world. including such amazing one of a kind example such as this important and rare majestic Carlo Bugatti Keyhole Mirror...
Copper
$18,500 / item
Rare Parchment and Copper Mirror by Carlo Bugatti
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare parchment and copper embossed mirror by Carlo Bugatti. inlaid with pewter brass and walnut.
Parchment Paper
$4,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 71 in W 47.25 in D 17.25 in
Faux Stone Console Table and Mirror by Michael Taylor
By Michael Taylor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
O spectacular faux stone console table and wall mirror design by Michael Taylor. The table and mirror are constructed of fiberglass made to look lik...
Mirror, Fiberglass
Elegant Parchment Mirror by R & Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Parchment Mirror by R & Y Augousti, French, circa 1990s. Beautiful handmade mirror executed in parchment or goatskin. Retains R & Y Augousti brass tag on back. Retains warm o...
Wood, Mirror, Parchment Paper
$1,598Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 32.68 in W 35.44 in D 12.41 in
Postmodern Ivory Lacquered Walnut Wall Mirror and Console Table, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This set features a walnut frame, with ivory lacquered parts. They might show slight traces of use since they are vintage, such as their original patina, but t...
Mirror, Walnut
Embossed Copper Mirror by Angelo Bragalini
By Angelo Bragalini
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning copper embossed and engraved frame on mirrored frame. Bologna, Italy, 1950s.
Copper
Scrolled Fan Terracotta Overdoor from Late 19th Century, England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Terra-cotta overdoor with a scrolled fan relief from late 19th-century England. The piece has a wonderful aged patina that gives it a classical, yet rustic character. A unique archit...
Terracotta
Late 19th-Century Italian Gilt Fragment Architectural Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Italian Gilded Wood Rococo Fragment or Sculpture. Beautiful Rococo design constructed in gilt as well as silver leaf wood and ornamented intricate scroll motifs throughout. Thi...
Silver Leaf
$22,000 / set
H 107 in W 34 in D 4 in
Pair of English Gothic Architectural Giltwood Mirrors ~9 feet tall
Located in Hanover, MA
Truly extraordinary pair of English 19th century Gothic Revival architectural mirrors, nearly 9 feet tall. In the manner of Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (aka God's Architect). I bought these for myself to use in my London flat...
Gesso, Wood, Mirror
$1,800Sale Price|60% Off
H 32.5 in Dm 30 in
Rare Important Spectacular Large Ornate Carved Wooden French Flower Mirror
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are Offering is A Rare Important Spectacular Estate Large Carved Wooden French Flower Mirror. Mirror is Carved with Exquisite and Elaborate Ornate Flower Detail...
Crystal
Chic Circles in a Square Parchment Mirror
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Round mirror in a large-scale, square frame in dark brown goatskin parchment with a recessing ripple pattern, designed by Venfield. This floor model is in excellent condition and cur...
Goatskin, Mirror
$3,315Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 23.63 in W 27.17 in D 8.27 in
Mid Century Murano Glass Console Table and Mirror
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This is a rare mid-century Venetian console table and mirror made in beautiful Murano glass which is hand engraved. Decorated with handmade flowers and bows covered by 24 carat gold ...
Murano Glass, Wood
$2,178 / item
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Modern Wall Mirror Lake 3 with Burned Steel Base and Copper Tint Mirror by Noom
By NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
"Lakes" is a nature-inspired collection of sculptural mirrors designed by French designers Maryna Dague and Nathan Baraness. The collection takes its name from the shorelines of lakes and aerial views of their sinuous shapes, represented in the design. The designers have emphasized the contrast between the fluid shapes of the glass and the straight lines of the mirrors' supports, made of slabs of wood, brass, oxidized copper, marble, onyx, and other attractive materials. The collection features five designs, including a floor mirror. Brand: NOOM Designers: Maryna Dague ; Nathan Baraness Type of mirrors: Optiwhite, black tint mirror, copper tint mirror Materials for base: Veneered wood, Madrona wood veneer, Burned steel, Stainless steel / Hand brushed stainless steel, Brushed brass, Brushed copper, Oxidized copper, Black marble Alanya, Travertino Chiaro Classic, White marble Statuario, Green marble Verde...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainle...
Pair of Lacquered Parchment Modernist Mirrors
Located in New York, NY
Pair of lacquered parchment modernist mirrors. Lacquered goatskin with inner brass detail surrounding the mirror.
Goatskin
Wall Mirror By Carlo Bugatti (1856-1940), Circa 1900
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in London, GB
Carlo Bugatti (1856–1940), Milan, Italy, circa 1900. Walnut and stained maple wood frame with pewter inlays. The mirror has been restored with an aged mirror plate and filled histor...
Walnut
20th Century, Carlo Bugatti Wooden Wall Mirror 1900
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Turin, Turin
Many of Carlo Bugatti's superior pieces have been commissioned by some of the Royal Houses of Europe, by some of the great estates of America and Europe, and by some of the most succ...
Metal, Copper
Carlo Bugatti corner shelves with hidden mirror 1900
By Carlo Bugatti
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Carlo Bugatti corner shelve with hidden mirror and a door in the base of the furniture. Made with walnut and marquetry of pewter . Silk and small copper ...
Metal, Copper, Pewter