One of the most elegant and innovative 20th-century French furniture designers, Jacques Adnet created a simple, unadorned signature style that is both trim and vigorous. He began his career in the heyday of the Art Deco era, and in the 1950s, in association with Hermès, created chairs, lamps, desks and other pieces that employed slender metal frames clad in stitched saddle leather. With such furnishings, Adnet brought a fashion sensibility to design and decor that had not been seen since the 1920s prime of the great Paris couturier-decorator Paul Poiret.
Adnet was born in a provincial town in Burgundy, where he studied design before moving, along with his twin brother, Jean, to Paris to study at the École des Arts Décoratifs. After their graduation in the early 1920s, the brothers were hired to work in the decorative-arts atelier of the department store Galeries Lafayette, under the direction of Maurice Dufrêne, an Art Deco master who developed a singularly robust and opulent style. Both Adnets showed their work at the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes — the design fair from which the term Art Deco is derived.
In 1928, Jacques Adnet took charge of the struggling La Compagnie des Arts Français, a decorative-arts firm founded by Louis Süe and André Mare that created modern furnishings that bore traces of 18th-century styling. Adnet immediately took the company in a different direction. He developed a simple lithe and lean look that incorporated industrial materials such as metal and glass, along with exotic woods and finishes such as parchment and sharkskin.
Adnet’s furniture begs to be described in terms of personalities: charming faux-bamboo side tables, suave chrome lighting and urbane club chairs. His most noted pieces, which feature sleek metal frames wrapped in Hermès leather, have a character all their own — smooth, elegant and self-assured, they inhabit a room with the same wit and grace as Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve.
Find vintage Jacques Adnet furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Jacques Adnet Rare Leather and Bronze Horseshoe Wall Clock, France, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Jacques Adnet rare horseshoe wall clock covered in original black saddle-stiched leather suspended by brass hanging ring with hands and numbers in bronz...
Brass
Horloge en cuir noir et laiton par Jacques Adnet 1950's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Horloge en cuir noir et laiton par Jacques Adnet 1950's Jacques Adnet (1900–1984) est une figure majeure du design français, issu de l’Art déco, réputé pour ses meubles et accessoir...
Brass
Round Clock and Barometer in Black Leather by Jacques Adnet, France, 1950
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
In 1950, the designer Jacques Adnet developed a collection of furniture and accessories in stitched leather. This clock and this barometer come from this collection. They are round, ...
Brass
Jacques Adnet Magazine Rack
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome magazine rack by Jacques Adnet. Made of iron and brass. Excellent vintage condition. Star detail on both sides and closed fist on top. Great piece!
Brass, Iron
$10,207 / set
H 35.44 in W 14.97 in D 4.73 in
Rare Neoclassical Style French Giltwood Clock and Barometer Set
Located in London, GB
Rare neoclassical style French giltwood clock and barometer set French, 19th century Measures: Height 90cm, width 38cm, depth 12cm This du...
Enamel
$16,280 / set
H 20.48 in W 12.6 in D 5.52 in
French Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer by Charpentier
By Charpentier et Cie
Located in London, GB
Designed in the French Rococo style, this clock and barometer set have been beautifully ornamented with scrolling foliate gilt bronze forms. The two are diamond shaped, with symmetri...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
1950's Stitched Leather Vide Poche by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's stitched leather vide poche by Jacques Adnet Chromed metal, Burgundy leather and glass Great condition.
Metal
Black Industrial Factory Wall Clock from IBM, 1950s
By IBM
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was manufactured by IBM in the United States in the 1950s. It features a black metal frame, an iron dial,an aluminum hands, and a clear glass cover. The clock has bee...
Iron
Black Industrial Factory Wall Clock from International, 1950s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by International in Germany during the 1950s. It features a black metal frame, iron dial, aluminium hands and a clear glass cover. The piece has been con...
Iron
Jacques Adnet Catch All
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Simple Adnet Catch all in black leather, nickel hardware and equestrian buckle.
Leather
Jacques Adnet Ashtray in Leather & Glass, France 1950's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Cast glass vide poche with original leather brown trim.
Leather, Art Glass
$992
H 7.49 in W 7.88 in D 2.76 in
French Handstitched Brown Leather Clock, Jacques Adnet Attributed, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Den Haag, NL
French handstitched brown leather clock, Jacques Adnet attributed, 1950s.
Brass
$510
H 30.32 in W 5.32 in D 2.76 in
Midcentury Wall Clock in the Form of a Wristwatch in Leather and Brass, Germany
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Midcentury wall clock in the form of a wristwatch in leather and brass, Germany Made in Germany by Meister Anker. Electric, battery operated clock.
Metal, Brass
Black Industrial Factory Wall Clock from Siemens, 1950s
By Siemens
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Siemens in Germany during the 1950s. It features a black metal frame, a metal dial and a clear glass cover. The piece has been converted into a batter...
Iron
Jacques Adnet Brass and Leather Side Table / Catchall, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning red leather side table / catchall by French designer Jacques Adnet. Iron frame wrapped in a beautiful red leather with glass catchall on top. A large ring with three brass ...
Brass, Iron
Lapis Lazuli Table Clock and Barometer
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
The body of this fine table clock and barometer is veneered in lapis lazuli and supported by a hinged arm to the reverse. The clock and barometer d...
Lapis Lazuli
Round Modernist Blue Mosaic Wall Clock "Europa, " Germany, 1950s
By Europa Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
A mid-century round wall clock featuring a brass frame, elegant brass hands and indices, and a stylish blue mosaic clock face. Manufactured in the 1950s by Europa, Germany, this cloc...
Stone, Marble, Brass, Metal
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.75 in W 8 in D 3 in
Vintage Bucherer Rosewood & Brass Desk Mantle Clock w/Barometer Made in France
By Bucherer
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful elegant high end Bucherer desk/mantle clock with barometer. Made in France and dates form the 1970's. Wonderful design and form. The wood has a red color to it and appears ...
Acrylic, Lucite