For collectors, Daum is a name in the first rank of the French makers of art glass, along with those of Émile Gallé and René Lalique. Led in its early decades by the brothers Auguste (1853–1909) and Antonin Daum (1864–1931), the company, based in the city of Nancy, established its reputation in the Art Nouveau period, and later successfully adopted the Art Deco style.
In 1878, lawyer Jean Daum took over the ownership of a glassworks as payment for a debt and installed his sons as proprietors. Initially, Daum made glass for everyday purposes such as windows, watches and tableware, but the success that Gallé enjoyed at the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris — the international showcase for which the Eiffel Tower was built — inspired the Daum brothers to begin making art-glass pieces. They produced popular works of cameo glass, a decorative technique in which an outer layer of glass is acid-etched or carved off to reveal the layer below, but Daum became best known for vessels and sculptures in pâte de verre — a painstaking method in which finely ground colored glass is mixed with a binder, placed in a mold and then fired in a kiln.
Though early Daum glass was never signed by individual artists, the firm employed some of the masters of the naturalistic, asymmetrical Art Nouveau style, including Jacques Grüber, Henri Bergé and Amalric Walter (whose first name is frequently misspelled). Daum also collaborated with furniture and metalware designer Louis Majorelle, who created wrought-iron and brass mounts for vases and table lamps. In the 1960s, Daum commissioned fine artists, most notably Salvador Dalí and sculptor César Baldaccini, to design glass pieces. As you see from the works offered on 1stDibs, Daum has been home to an astonishingly rich roster of creative spirits and is today a state-owned enterprise making pâte de verre figurines.
Desk Daum Nancy in parchment (leather), Liberty or Art Nouveau, Jugendstil
By Daum, Louis Majorelle
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Louis Majorelle was a French cabinetmaker and decorator: Following his father's death in 1879, he returned to Nancy to manage the family workshop. Initially, he produced furniture ...
Bronze
Bronze Desk with Black or Brown Leather Wrapped Top
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Ballard, CA
A hand-sculpted and forged bronze desk with brown or black leather wrapped top and drawer, fastened by bronze nails. Custom sizes, finishes and glass top available. Interior of drawe...
Bronze
$6,049 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss
By Renats Kotlevs
Located in Riga, LV
Refined elegance and classic design characterize the Kanttari Writing Desk. The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful writing desk is handmade with soft to touch black ...
Brass
Art Deco Leather Desk, Light Grey
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Art Deco style shagreen embossed leather desk in a light grey. With gilded highlight trim, three frieze drawers with modern round pulls, and raised on square tapered legs. ...
Leather
Art Deco Style Leather Top Desk
By Global Views
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three drawer desk or writing table crafted in mahogany with a white leather top over a sleek elegant form with art deco influence, finished all around with a convex mirror on the bac...
Leather, Mahogany
Art Deco Boomerang Desk Circa 1940
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Exceptional modernist desk from the Art Deco period. This superb piece of furniture is reminiscent of the desk made by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Janneret with its curved top and ...
Ash
Modern Shagreen Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern shagreen embossed leather-wrapped desk with a brass tone iron-framed base. Three drawers with marbleized paper-lined interiors and with brass ...
Metal
Art Deco Leather Desk, Dark Grey
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Art Deco style shagreen embossed leather desk in a dark antiqued grey. With gilded highlight trim, three frieze drawers with modern round pulls, and raised on square tapered...
Leather
$2,290Sale Price|22% Off
H 39.75 in W 21 in D 19 in
Antique English Inlaid Rosewood Child's or Ladies Diminutive Writing Desk
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare antique English inlaid rosewood child's or ladies writing desk with lift-up sloped lid with handsome gilt and tooled leather writing surface; fitted interior. The ink bottles ap...
Rosewood
$4,839
H 27.96 in W 50.4 in D 23.23 in
Art Nouveau / Jugendstil Desk, Carved Wood, Germany, Circa 1910
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Features: Style: Art Nouveau / Jugendstil Material: Carved wood Origin: Germany, circa 1910 Sculptures: Elegant floral carvings Functionality: A large drawer and two niches / booksh...
Brass, Bronze
$9,880 / item
H 30 in W 71 in D 34.75 in
Medium Dark Walnut Architect Adjustable Desk with Black or Brown Leather Insets
Located in Ballard, CA
The Iconic Jean Pierre desk named after the famous actor Jean Pierre Aumont is an handcrafted desk in solid walnut with black or brown leather insets,...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Modern Metal Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern Metal Leather top desk, featuring a digitally carved, traditional woven cane design. The carved metal desk boasts mesmerizing textural layers. ...
Metal
Modern Industrial Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern industrial leather desk with a solid hammered metal base. It has three drawers accented with cast brass campaign drawer pulls. Dimensions...
Metal