French metalworker Edgar Brandt refused to settle into a single way of doing things and he constantly experimented with different techniques, mediums and styles. From his earliest dive into Art Nouveau to his transition to Art Deco, Brandt brought his craft to bear on pieces ranging from architectural elements, such as doors, to furnishings like console tables and wall sconces — each object rich with thoughtful detail.
When he was 13, Brandt was enrolled by his parents in the prestigious École Nationale Professionnelle de Vierzon boarding and trade school. The school placed him in the ironworking program, where he learned traditional forging methods. He served two years in the military after graduating and subsequently opened a small shop to practice his craft.
In his cozy atelier in Paris, Brandt designed small metal objects like crosses, rings and pendants. He methodically created each piece and slowly worked his way up to larger projects. Inspired by the Art Nouveau furnishings of Louis Majorelle, fashioned from wood and wrought iron, Brandt added furniture design to his skillset.
In 1914, the French military called on Brandt to serve in World War I. During this time, he designed weapons and shell casings that were widely copied and used in both world wars.
After peace temporarily took shape in Europe, Brandt worked tirelessly to design and produce a wide variety of metal pieces. Every year, he showed his work at the Salon d’Automne. In 1919, he expanded his enterprise by building a new workshop, where he employed 100-plus workers. International demand for his work prompted Brandt to expand further and open a factory in the Parisian suburb of Chatillon-sous-Bagneux. There, he had more than 3,000 employees.
In 1936, the French government nationalized his company, and they began to produce armaments under Brandt's name. The onset of World War II led Brandt and his family to flee to Switzerland, where they stayed until the fighting was over. When he finally returned to France, Brandt didn’t reopen his studio. He chose, instead, to work on small-scale projects until his death in 1960.
Brandt received many high-profile commissions and participated in several important collaborations. He co-created some of France's most notable monuments, including the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe — completed in 1921. He received the title Knight of the Legion of Honor and the Medal of Honor for Applied Art from the French Society of Artists.
On 1stDibs, find antique Edgar Brandt lighting, tables and decorative objects.
Edgar Brandt Element Decorative Wrought Iron Snake Art Deco
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Edgar Brandt Serpent art deco. in wrought iron. Remarkable work of hammering of the wrought iron for this decorative snake dating from the years ...
Wrought Iron
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau bronze paper knife, circa 1905. Decorated with mistletoe, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 14.5 cm Width: 3.2 cm Thickness: 0.3 cm Weight: 35 grams Ed...
Bronze
Edgar Brandt Art Deco Inkwell
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Deco inkwell, circa 1920. Portor marble base surrounded by a wrought iron frieze decorated with leaves. Stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Height: 7.5 cm Width: 13.5 cm Le...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau letter opener, circa 1905, in bronze. Decorated with ginkgo biloba leaves, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 20 cm Width: 3.3 cm Thickness: 1 cm Weight...
Bronze
Edgar Brandt Paper Press
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Deco wrought iron paperweight "Die" by Edgar Brandt, circa 1920. In very good condition. Height: 8.2 cm Width: 5.8 cm Length: 9.6 cm Weight: 1.2 kg Edgar Brandt was born in Par...
Wrought Iron
$12,500
Edgar Brandt Serpent Tray
By Edgar Brandt
Located in New York, NY
The form of this exquisite Edgar Brandt serpent tray was inspired by East Asian Bronze mirrors. In East Asian culture, mirrors were one of the mos...
Bronze
Edgar Brandt (1880-1960) Bronze Writing Case
By Edgar Brandt
Located in London, GB
A decorative bronze writing case by legendary French Art Deco metal worker Edgar Brandt (1880-1960). Constructed of bronze and signed with a serial number verso. The case can be ...
Bronze
$7,800Sale Price / set|60% Off
Pair French Art Deco Wrought Iron Candle Sticks by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Long Island City, NY
Summer Sale...! A stunning pair of French Art Deco hand forged wrought iron Candle Sticks by Edgar Brandt in great condition. Distinctively ...
Wrought Iron
Art Déco French Polished Silvered Bronze Balancing Dice Paperweight by E. Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in North Miami, FL
Art Déco fench polished silvered bronze balancing dice paperweight by Edgar Brandt By: Edgar Brandt Material: copper, bronze, silver, metal Technique: cast, molded, silvered, polish...
Bronze, Metal, Silver, Copper
$12,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Art Deco Rooster Book Squeezer by Edgar Brandt, France, Circa 1927
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of book presses with a rooster design, made of iron, made by Edgar Brandt (1880 - 1960). Signed E, BRANDT Reproduced in the books, Joan Kahr, Edgar Brandt: Art Deco Ironwork, N...
Iron
Horse Head Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible antique piece ...
Brass, Bronze
$2,900
H 10 in W 12 in D 0.01 in
Box with Historical Photos of JFK Kennedy, Roosevelt, Adenauer German Press
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a collection of historical press photographs in an original box. They show several American presidents. Many are by John F kennedy, one by Roosevelt, one with Grover Clevelan...
Paper
Porcelain Tray Animal Cat, 1990s
By Lynn Chase Designs
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful '90s 'Amazonian Jaguar' cat porcelain rectangular serving tray, Art Deco style, by designer Lynn Chase, 1994, late-20th century. A porcelain tray, with animal print desig...
Gold
$396
H 2.37 in W 10.63 in D 5.52 in
Art Deco Inkwell with Original Inkwell Glass, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Art Deco inkwell with original inkwell glass vienna around 1920s. Original inkwell glass. Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
French Art Deco Inkwell, Palisander & Pewter, Circa 1930s
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.
Crystal, Pewter
Art Deco Sterling Silver Inkwell by John & William Deakin
By John & William Deakin
Located in San Diego, CA
Art Deco sterling silver inkwell by John & William Deakin of Chester, England, circa 1921. The inkwell has a single back hinge to open the lid and a saucer cap as well as the origina...
Sterling Silver
$314
H 7.09 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Modern Silver Paper Weight & Paper Cutter by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Silver Paper Weight & Paper Cutter by Christofle
Silver
$6,500
H 14.25 in W 12 in D 7.25 in
"Conquest of Spain, " Extraordinary, Monumental Bronze Inkwell, Art Deco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
More of an indictment of the Spanish conquest of North America than a celebration, this quite extraordinary, large bronze inkwell depicts a Conquistador, holding sword and whip, seat...
Bronze
Cream Shagreen Tray by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The melting tray comes in two sizes and two color variants. This listing is for the medium size in cream shagreen...
Brass
Brown Leather Tray
Located in Westwood, NJ
With Tobacco brown leather, this leather tray is fraught with detail: the topstitching of each leather panel, the narrow leather straps that hold the stainless steel handles in place...
Metal
Bronze Tray by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
By Just Andersen
Located in Værløse, DK
Bronze tray designed by Just Andersen in the 1920s. * Square tray in solid bronze with conch chased motifs in the corners * Designer: Just Andersen * Model: Bx5 * Period: 1925 * Con...
Bronze
Vintage Carved Decorative Wood Element on Black Steel Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage carved decorative wood element on black steel metal base. In my organic, contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern aesthetic. This piece is a part of Brendan Bass’s one-o...
Wood
Sold
H 1 in W 14 in D 10.5 in
Edgar Brandt Art Nouveau Bronze Ormolu Tray Relief Decoration, France, c. 1930
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Edgar Brandt Art Nouveau Bronze Ormolu Tray, Naturalist Low Relief Decoration, France, signed: ‘Edgar Brandt’ W: 14 D: 10.5 in.
Bronze, Ormolu
Art Deco Wrought Iron Mistletoe Paperweight by Edgar Brandt 1921
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco wrought iron Mistletoe paperweight by Edgar Brandt. In French this model is called Boule de Gui. Wrought iron with chromed finish. France 1921. We have a pair available, s...
Iron
Edgar Brandt Paperweight Die
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Iron paperweight circa 1920 on a bronze base stamped E. Brandt Length: 6,5 cm Width: base 6,5cm Height: 7 cm Weight: 736 G Edgar Brandt was born in Paris in 1880 and studied at th...
Bronze, Iron
Sold
H 8.67 in W 8.67 in D 2.76 in
Brandt, Art Deco Dove Lamp Sconce, Chiseled Wrought Iron, Alabaster, Animal Bird
By Edgar Brandt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Art Deco dove lamp or sconce in wrought iron and alabaster by Edgar Brandt (more about the artist below). Animal sculpture Art Deco lamp (or wall lamp) ...
Alabaster, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 8.67 in W 8.67 in D 2.76 in
Brandt, Art Deco Dolphin Whale Lamp or Sconce, Chiseled Wrought Iron, Alabaster
By Edgar Brandt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Art Deco Whale lamp or Sconce in wrought iron and Alabaster by Edgar Brandt (more about the artist below). Animal sculpture Art Deco lamp or wall lamp deco...
Alabaster, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 8.67 in W 8.67 in D 2.76 in
Brandt, Art Deco Butterfly, Flower Lamp, Sconce, Chiseled Wrought Iron Alabaster
By Edgar Brandt
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Art Deco butterfly lamp or sconce in wrought iron and alabaster by Edgar Brandt (you can read more about the artist below). Animal sculpture and Art Deco lamp (or wall lamp) decorated with a butterfly in hammered and chiseled wrought iron. A contemporary alabaster box placed at the back, designed, and produced by Christian Caudron, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2015* in his Parisian workshop, softly diffuses the light of an LED lighting. A perfect decorative object to admire while listening to Puccini's "Un bel dì vedremo", the sublime and marvelous aria from one of his favorite operas Madame Butterfly. The Art Deco sculpture and lamp in hammered and chiseled wrought iron are from the Art Deco period. This very fine work, be it the animals or the frames too, the finesse of execution and the detailed chasing, testify to an exceptional mastery of ironwork, beautiful craftsmanship worthy of the best ironworkers of the XXth Century such as Raymond Subes, Gilbert Poillerat or Paul Kiss. Other animals are available: dove, horse, peacock, rabbit, snake and whale. About Edgar Brandt Edgar Brandt was a French metalworker and designer who was active during the Art Deco period. He was born in 1880 in Paris, and he trained as a metalworker before opening his own workshop in 1902. He quickly gained a reputation for his exceptional metalworking skills, and he became one of the leading figures of the Art Deco movement. Brandt's work was characterized by its innovative use of materials, including wrought iron, bronze, and glass, as well as its striking Art Deco style. He was particularly known for his use of intricate, organic forms inspired by nature, as well as his use of bold, geometric shapes. In 1925 Brandt participated in the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes organized by the French Ministry of Commerce and Industry to showcase the best of French...
Alabaster, Wrought Iron
Edgar Brandt Element Decorative Wrought Iron Snake Art Deco
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art deco serpent in hammered wrought iron stamped Edgar Brandt. In very good shape. Weight : 2,2 Kg You can contact me for a shipping quote. Edgar Brandt was born in Paris in 1880 a...
Wrought Iron
Art Deco Wrought Iron Mistletoe Paperweight by Edgar Brandt 1921
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco wrought iron Mistletoe paperweight by Edgar Brandt. In French this model is called Boule de Gui. Wrought iron with chromed finish. France 1921. We have a pair available...
Iron
Art Deco Pelican Ash or Desk Tray by Edgar Brandt, circa 1925
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Beirut, LB
An Art Deco pelican ash or desk tray in wrought and cast iron by Edgar Brandt. This model is illustrated on page 165 in the book Edgar Brandt “Edgar Bran...
Iron
Paperweight Dice Sculpture by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wrought iron paperweight in shape of dice on square base with gunmetal patina. Heavy bronze. Edgar Brandt circa 1930's - Famous French metal worker.
Wrought Iron
Art Deco Pelican Tray by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Edgar Brandt patinated iron ashtray/coin tray taking the form of a pelican, mouth open wide, holding a bowl. Made in France, circa 1925. Signature: "E. Brandt" on base.
Wrought Iron
Edgar Brandt Art Deco Inkwell
By Edgar Brandt
Located in New York, NY
An Edgar Brandt Art Deco inkwell. Wrought iron and glass. Original glass inkwells present, one with a slight chip on the rim.
Iron