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
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
Art Deco Hammered Cast Brass Snake Form Serpentine Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Art Deco cast-brass snake sculpture (ca. 1930s, USA). Hammered details are faithfully representative of scales. Elegant objet d'art that sits flat on a surface and enhances any decor...
Brass
$3,800
H 77 in W 54 in D 1 in
Unusual Art Nouveau Style 3 Panel Decorative Wrought Iron Screen/Divider
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Art Nouveau style 3 panel iron screen / room divider, Highly decorated, wonderful patina and color pierced iron, lattice, tree motif, Superior qu...
Wrought Iron
$6,760
H 16.5 in W 81 in D 26.5 in
Large Wrought Iron Arts & Crafts Forged & Stylized Dragon Heads Snake Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and all handcrafted chandelier. This artistically designed and very well executed wrought iron chandelier is in excellent condition and it comes with stylized dragon heads and...
Wrought Iron
Decorative Faux Turtle Shell on Wrought Iron Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
A very sculptural resin tortoise (or turtle) shell, mounted on a tall black wrought iron stand. Hand-painted finish includes accents of copper and gold coloring. Shell measures: 28" ...
Resin
$1,400
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
18th Century, French Giltwood Decorative Element
Located in Sofia, BG
18th century handmade giltwood decorative element representing a basket surrounded by flowering branches. France, circa 1790.
Giltwood
$1,165
H 11.5 in W 12 in D 3.5 in
Art Deco Wrought Iron and Brass Wall-Mounted Magazine or Letter Rack by Carion
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, late Arts and Crafts or early Art Deco French made letter or postcard rack. If you are a collector of rare and highly decorative, well made anti...
Brass, Wrought Iron
American Art Deco Wrought Iron Sculpture of Nude Female, ca. 1920’s
Located in New York, NY
American Art Deco Nude Female Wrought Iron Sculpture ca. 1920’s DIMENSIONS Height: 13 inches Width: 4 inches Depth: 4 inches ABOUT Designed in...
Wrought Iron
$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 ex...
Wrought Iron
Edgar William Brandt Art Deco Wrought Iron Snake Desk Weight
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Art Deco wrought iron snake desk weight in the brutalist style by renowned ironworker and designer Edgar William Brandt (French, 1880 – 1960) and ...
Iron
Wrought Iron Decorative Well Head
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
A truly unique find, rich with character, this metal well head is a patina lovers’ dream. Fantastical and perfectly aged, this piece fuels the imagination wi...
Wrought 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
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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
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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 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
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
Sold
H 6.7 in W 6.11 in D 2.96 in
Pair of Art Deco Wrought Iron Pelican Bookends by Edgar Brandt 1924 France
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
A fine pair of Art Deco pelican bookends, cast and wrought iron, signed by Edgar Brandt, France 1924. There is an picture showing theses pelican book...
Wrought Iron
Edgar Brandt Art Deco Pair of Wrought Iron Rooster Bookends
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
French Art Deco pair of wrought iron rooster bookends by Edgar Brandt (1880-1960), France, circa 1925. These finely wrought iron bookends have four...
Iron
A Bronze Art Deco Cobra Pocket Watch Stand by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
A bronze cobra snake pocket watch stand by Edgar Brandt. Stamped E. Brandt. Style: Art deco. Date: 1920. Material: Bronze. Origin: France. Size: H. 19,5 cm x L. 18 cm...
Bronze
Rare Edgar Brandt Bronze Sculpture
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Encino, CA
Edgar Brandt Bronze dice paperweight. Good condition. Some tiny dents and scratches. Bronze has natural patina from slight oxidation. Base is signed. Height: 2.25", Width: 2.5...
Bronze
Pair of Art Deco Wrought Iron Cobra Bookends by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
A pair of Art Deco wrought iron cobra bookends by Edgar Brandt. Fedex shipping: $ 125
Wrought Iron
Art Deco Wrought Iron Ashtray with Polar Bear by Edgar Brandt
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Antwerp, BE
A wrought iron ashtray with polar bear. By Edgar Brandt. Stamped E. Brandt. 1926-1928. Origin: France. Size: H. 7 cm x L. 12.5 cm x W. 9 cm. H. 2.7 inch x L. 4.9 inch ...