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 Settee, Leather, Steel, France, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Stamford, CT
Jacques Adnet, French Mid-Century Modern, Rare Settee, Leather, Steel, Upholstery, France, 1950s A unique settee designeda and produced by Jacques Adnet (1900-1984) in France c. 195...
Steel
$7,200Sale Price|40% Off
H 35.75 in W 47.5 in D 23 in
Maison Jansen Rare Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk, France, 1950s, Signed
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen rare signed Directoire-style silver-leaf settee with antiqued finish and black raw silk upholstery, France, 1950s. Exceptionally elegant and beautifully proportioned, t...
Silk, Wood
$58,000
H 27 in W 56.5 in D 24 in
Ib Kofod-Larsen "Elizabeth" Settee, Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1950s
By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in High Point, NC
A black leather and rosewood settee, designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by Christensen & Larsen, Denmark, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 14.63" Arm Height (inches): 22.5" All ...
Leather, Rosewood
$7,950
H 36.62 in W 79.93 in D 42.52 in
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Settee with Connecting Table, France 1950s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare oak settee is a delightful piece even if measured against the other seating models in the repertoire of the French designer duo, Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron. This...
Fabric, Oak
$19,900Sale Price|28% Off
H 32 in W 48 in D 30 in
Rare Settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Refinished and Reupholstered, Italy 1950s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptionally rare and coveted settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, circa 1950s, with reupholstered white bouclé fabric cushions, refinished elm frames with incredible wood grain, sig...
Bouclé, Elm
Jacques Adnet Daybed, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional leather and oak daybed by Jacques Adnet. The entire frame is wrapped in dark green leather with signature Adnet contrast stitching and brass hardware. Cane style paneling on all sides. Only the two crossbars underneath the bed are not wrapped in leather. Extremely collectible and rare bed...
Brass, Steel
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...
Mohair, Wood
$32,950
H 30.52 in W 51.58 in D 24.22 in
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
Vintage French Burnt Bamboo Tete a Tete Settee, 1950s, 36\" Height
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage French burnt bamboo tete a tete or conversation settee. Add your cushion of choice.
Bamboo
Jacques Adnet Leather Daybed, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional leather and oak daybed attributed to Jacques Adnet. The entire frame is wrapped in dark green leather with signature Adnet contrast stitching and brass hardware. Cane sty...
Brass, Steel
$4,200
H 36 in W 57 in D 34 in
French Modernist Iron / Leather Two-Seat Sling Seating, After Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning French modernist iron / leather two-seat sling garden seating with center table. Stunning design, sculpture, reminiscent of amazing designs by Jacques Adnet. Light moss gree...
Iron
Italian Designer, Settee, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric settee or sofa designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Dimensions (inches): 32.75"H x 45.75"W x 31"D Seat Height (inch...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Designer, Settee, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded bamboo, rattan and floral-printed fabric sofa, settee or loveseat designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches):...
Bamboo, Rattan