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 Two Seater Sofas, Leather, Steel, France, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Stamford, CT
Jacques Adnet, French Mid-Century Modern, Pair of Two Seater Sofas or Settees, Leather, Steel, Upholstery, France, 1950s A unique pair of two seater sofas or settees designeda and p...
Brass
1970s Rare Mid Century Two-Seat Sofa, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Velvet fabric in good original condition - cleaned - high of seat 40 cm
Fabric
$1,149
H 29.53 in W 61.82 in D 31.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Two Seater Banana Sofa with Floral Fabric, 1950s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern banana shaped sofa with curved armrests, made by Danish cabinetmaker in the earl...
Fabric
1950s Italian 2-Seater Sofa , Restored
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered in Velvet fabric - Sturdy and stable
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
$4,800
H 31.5 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
Swedish Modern, Freestanding Two Seater Sofa / Bed in Pine & Lambswool, 1950s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Carl Malmsten
Located in Odense, DK
A gorgeous compact two-seater sofa from the 1950s, handcrafted by a Swedish carpenter featuring a solid pine frame with beautiful natural grain. This substantial, heavy piece is desi...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Pine
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
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Sofa by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian two seater sofa or settee with two pillows, designed and produced by ISA Bergamo, in good condition. The seat backrest of small divano, canapé ha...
Metal
$33,006
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
Swedish Modern Two-Seater Sofa in Light Fabric, 1950s
Located in Prague, New Town
Swedish Modern two-seater sofa, made by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the 1950s. Legs in stained wood, recently reupholstered in light fabric. The sofa features a refined, sculptural for...
Fabric, Wood
Two Seat Sofa in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, Europe, 1960s. This two-seat sofa is simplistic, yet stylish in its design. Due to the overall black color of the leatherette, the sofa radiates smoothness and underl...
Leather
$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
Granite Leather & Blackened Steel Two Seat Sofa
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Inheritance Two Seat Sofa by Stephen Kenn is as comfortable as it is unique. The design features an exposed construction composed of three elements - a steel frame, plush upholst...
Steel
Jacques Adnet Black Leather Chair, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning black leather chair by French designer Jacques Adnet. Black metal frame with its legs ending in brass ball feet. Brass balls adorn the top of the frame as well. Thick leathe...
Brass, Iron
Jacques Adnet Large Leather Sofa, 1945
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Encino, CA
Jacques Adnet (1901-1984). Spectacular and extremely rare sofa, France, circa 1945-1950. The base and arms are designed in solid mahogany with silvered brass sockets, reupholstered...
Brass
1950s Sofa in Stitched Leather by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Rare occasional sofa in stitched leather by Jacques Adnet.
Metal