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.
Pair of Jacques Adnet Saddle Leather and Wrought Iron Armchairs Circa 1940s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of steel framed armchairs by Jacques Adnet, ca. late 1940s. These are covered in their original saddle tanned and stitched leather and subtly accented with bronze pommels and f...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Jacques Adnet French Vintage Mid-century Office Chair, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
This 1950s sculptural armchair by Jacques Adnet showcases his distinctive blend of modernist geometry and refined French craftsmanship. Recently restored in a soft yellow golden velv...
Metal
$18,000 / set
Jacques Adnet Club Armchairs, France, 1936, Set of 2
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Jacques Adnet Club Armchairs, wool, France, 1936, set of two Designed in 1936 by Jacques Adnet, this model embodies a refined idea of comfort — one that speaks in quiet tones. Its ...
Wool
Jacques Adnet Parchment & Lacquer Recliners, France 1930's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of Jacques Adnet recliners in dark purple lacquer with parchment-covered arms, upholstered in Pierre Frey mohair Documented in the monograph on the designer, this pa...
Mohair, Lacquer, Parchment Paper
$46,426 / set
Pair of armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet, Compagnie Des Arts Français
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of armchairs with armrests covered in saddle stitched leather by Jacques Adnet, Compagnie des Arts Français. Pair of low armchairs with armrests covered in black saddle stitched...
Brass
Set of 12 Saddle Stitched Red Leather Chairs by Jacques Adnet, France
By Jacques Adnet, Compagnie Des Arts Français
Located in Uccle, BE
About this set of 12 chairs by Jacques Adnet A rare set of 12 red leather saddle stitch chairs. Composed of 10 chairs and 2 armchairs with steel armrest...
Brass
Jacques Adnet Set of Four chairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant set of four Jacques Adnet chairs covered with leather hand stitched piqué-sellier.
Leather
1950's Stitched leather armchair by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather armchair designed by Jacques Adnet Documented
Leather
Rare Desk and Armchair by Jacques Adnet, Stitched Leather and Skaï, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
These desk and armchair by Jacques Adnet are quite rare with its marine type handles. Thea are completely covered with a mix of leather and skaï (faux leather) which is saddle-stitch...
Metal, Brass
$4,760 / set
Pair of neoclassical Jacques Adnet armchairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Pair of neoclassical wood and fabric Jacques Adnet armchairs
Fabric, Wood
$9,000 / item
Jacques Adnet Floating Back Armchairs, France 1950's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Jacques Adnet Armchairs with floating backs, freshly upholstered in made-to-order Pierre Frey embroidered fabric. Price Per Chair Four are available in this upholstery.
Upholstery
Jacques Adnet Black Vinyl & Brass Armchairs, France 1950's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
President armchairs by Jacques Adnet, in their original Vinyl on brass legs. Sold in pairs.
Brass
1950's Stitched leather " desk" or " bridge" chair by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather " desk " chair by Jacques Adnet France Great original condition
Brass
SEt of two bridge armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice pair of 1950's Stitched leather bridge chairs by Jacques Adnet Possibility of a second pair to make a set of four
Brass
1950's Stitched leather armchair by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's stitched leather armchair by Jacques Adnet Made for transatlantic and air France company Bi-color of brown leather Great condition
Leather
1950s Stitched Leather UNESCO Armchair by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
A Rare French Midcentury Modern hand stitched leather armchair by Jacques Adnet for UNESCO , circa 1955. Adnet had a rare talent for creating works that had used exquisite form and ...
Leather
1950's Stitched Leather and Rattan Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather and rattan pair of armchairs Good condition some part of the rattan have been replaced see pictures color is quiet...
Leather, Rattan
Pair of 1950's Stitched Leather Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Description1950's Stitched leather armchairs by Jacques Adnet Great condition France A Rare French Midcentury Modern hand stitched leather armchairs by Jacques Adnet, circa 1955. Adn...
Leather
Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie et rare fauteuil corbeille par Jacques Ad’et en skai blanc et piétement terminé de sabots en laiton.
Brass
1950's Stitched leather armchair by Jacques Asnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather armchair by Jacques Adnet Could be nice to match with a writing table or abed room
Leather
$21,000 / set
Jacques Adnet Pair of Black Armchairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Fortie Art Deco pair of armchairs by Jacques Adnet in black French polish with bronze mounts. 21.5” wide x 19” deep x 35” high. These chairs are unrestored in the photographs....
Wood
Jacques Adnet Set of Six Rosewood Armchairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Modernist Art Deco set of six armchairs by Jacques Adnet in rosewood, circa 1935. 24” wide x 26” deep x 30” high. Restored, refinished. Need new upholstery. JACQUES ADNET ...
Rosewood
Jacques Adnet Club Armchair, France, 1936
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Jacques Adnet Club Armchair, wool, France, 1936 Designed in 1936 by Jacques Adnet, this model embodies a refined idea of comfort — one that speaks in quiet tones. Its proportions a...
Wool
$9,110
Jacques Adnet chairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant set of four Jacques Adnet chairs covered with leather hand stitched piqué-sellier.
Leather
1950's Stitched leather armchair by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice armchair covered with stitched leather on black metal base Nice vintage condition Could be a great match with a desk or in a bed room Bi-color Blac...
Metal
1950's Stitched leather desk armchair by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather desk armchair by Jacques Adnet Seat high : 4" cm Armrest : 67 cm
Leather
1950's Stitched Leather Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Rare pair of stitched leather armchairs. Designed by Jacques Adnet. France. 1950's. Price given for one pair. Possibility of a second pair.
Leather, Oak
$40,879 / set
Pair of Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of armchairs with black iron structure and brass details Red Stiched original leather and black stripes Jacques Adnet, circa 1950 Great condition.
Brass, Iron
Pair of Stitched Leather Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Pair of stitched leather armchairs by Jacques Adnet From a set of 6, 1 other pairs are black 1 other pair in clear brown, France.
Brass
Pair of Stitched Leather Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Pair of stitched leather armchairs by Jacques Adnet From a set of six 1 pair in black 1 pair in burgundy.
Brass
Pair of Stitched Leather Armchairs by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Pair of stitched leather armchairs by Jacques Adnet From a set of 6 others pairs are burgundy and clear brown, 1950s, France.
Brass