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 (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
$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
$840Sale Price|40% Off
H 3.5 in W 6 in D 3.5 in
Edgar Brandt Style Hand Forged Iron Snake or Serpent Sculpture, Austria, 1920s
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Vienna, AT
A wrought iron Art Nouveau era model of a snake / serpent. High-quality craftsmanship, handmade of forged iron by a Viennese metalworker in the 1920s. A decorative object, which would look great in your shelf, but also suitable as a paperweight, a jewelry ring holder...
Iron, Wrought Iron
1930s French Art Deco Spelter Owl & Book Form Scholar’s Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1930s French Art Deco style silvered spelter desk inkwell with wise owl motif. It has the original porcelain insert. The architectural form depicting wonderfully detailed r...
Spelter
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.52 in W 7.49 in D 2.76 in
Art Deco Cubist Rare 'Comet' Car Mascot by Becquerel, French, circa 1920-1925
By André Vincent Becquerel
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very Rare Hood Ornament - Car Mascot. Silvered bronze, mounted on Italian portoro marble display base, a beautifully presented example. Very nice Automobilia piece. Perfect paperweig...
Marble, Bronze
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 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 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
$19,500 / set
H 19.5 in W 14 in D 8 in
Pair French Art Deco Wrought Iron Candle Sticks by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Long Island City, NY
A stunning pair of French Art Deco hand forged wrought iron Candle Sticks by Edgar Brandt in great condition. Distinctively designed with e...
Wrought Iron
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 3.75 in D 3 in
Art Deco Silver Plate Tennis Racket Bookends, France, Circa 1940
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of bookends, cast in silver-plated metal and designed as a tribute to the game of tennis. Each bookend takes the form of an arched, tombstone-shaped upright plate, against whi...
Silver Plate
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
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
$5,000
H 7.49 in W 7.49 in D 3.55 in
Art Deco Lion, Car Mascot, Automobilia, Jacques Cartier, France, circa 1925
By Jacques Cartier
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Lion, Car Mascot, Automobilia, Jacques Cartier, France, circa 1925. This sculpture of the leaping lion by Jacques Cartier is a magnificent embodiment of Art Deco dynamism a...
Marble, Bronze
Art Deco Inkwell Vienna, circa 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Art Deco inkwell Vienna, circa 1920s Original condition.
Metal, Nickel
$414Sale Price|48% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 11.42 in
19th Century English Brass Inkwell & Writing Desk Set, c.1880
Located in Worcester, GB
19th Century English Brass Inkwell & Writing Desk Set, c.1880 A charming Victorian-era brass inkwell and writing desk set from c.1880, offering both functionality and decorative app...
Brass
Art Deco Brass Desk or Table Lamp by Stiffel, circa 1970s
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Art Deco style brass desk or table lamp, circa 1970s. Lamp has a beautiful, graduated design, a detail reminiscent during the Art Deco period of the 1930s...
Brass
$3,400
H 25.2 in W 7.88 in D 11.82 in
Wrought Iron Snake Shaped Vide-Poche in style Edgar Brandt - France 1930's
By Edgar Brandt
Located in New York, NY
Rare "Pied Fumeur" to be used as vide-poche. Made of hammered "Martelé" wrought iron in the shape of a snake. Graphic art deco piece. This piece will ship from France and can be ret...
Wrought Iron
Edgar Brandt French Art Deco Obus Chromed Steel Paperweight
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Description: “Obus” an Art Deco chromed steel paperweight. Artist: Edgar Brandt (1880-1960). Signature: Stamped E. Brandt. Style: Art Deco. Date: 1930. Material: Chromed s...
Steel