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.
1950's Stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet Shelves covered with rattan style leather France
Metal
$118,151 / set
Rare bibliothèque Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare bibliothèque composée d'un meuble bas à caisson cubique en chêne entièrement gainé de cuir noir à piqure sellier. Ils présentent des plateaux rectangulaires en bois mélaminé noi...
Brass
Jacques Adnet, Four-door Macassar & Glass Bookcase, France, c. 1945
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
With a career spanning many of 20th century's formative aesthetic movements, Adnet cuts a distinctive figure in the history of design. He strove to create beautiful pieces, which wer...
Brass
1950's Stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Black stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet Good condition Stains on brown shelves could be hidden by wax if wished Lamp is movable and can be removed France High to t...
Metal
1950's Stitched leather bookcase and desk by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather and bamboo bookcase By Jacques adnet Great condition This is a very rare piece Can be easily dismounted for shipping
Metal
Rare Bibliothèque Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in PARIS, FR
Bibliothèque à structure en laiton doré imitant le bambou enserrant des étagères superposées entièrement gainées de cuir noir. Jacques Adnet, est un architecte décorateur et designe...
Brass
Rare Bibliothèque Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in PARIS, FR
Bibliothèque à structure en laiton doré imitant le bambou enserrant des étagères superposées entièrement gainées de cuir noir. Jacques Adnet, est un architecte décorateur et designe...
Brass
Jacques Adnet Bookcase, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning A-Frame bookcase by French designer Jacques Adnet. Frame is made of black iron with brass caps. The 5 shelves of this piece are each made of thick ply oak with the edges wra...
Brass, Iron
1950's Stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
A Rare French Midcentury Modern hand stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet, circa 1955. Adnet had a rare talent for creating works that had used exquisite form and lines with r...
Metal
1950's Stitched leather book case by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's stitched leather book case with slate shelves France
Slate, Metal
Rare Bibliothèque Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in PARIS, FR
Bibliothèque à structure en laiton doré imitant le bambou enserrant des étagères superposées entièrement gainées de cuir noir. Jacques Adnet, est un architecte décorateur et designe...
Brass
1950's Stitched Leather Book Case by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's little book case designed by Jacques Adnet Stitched leather, metal and ceramic.
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Art Deco Rotating Bookshelf Bibliotheque
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Art Deco style rotating library, bookshelf, bibliotheque, constructed of solid wood, probably walnut, walnut veneers. The piece features interior cubbies which have adjus...
Wood
$8,800
H 88.5 in W 101 in D 21.25 in
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Fruitwood Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand important 19th century fruitwood bibliotheque library bookcase purported to be from 18th century Schloss Leopoldskron Palace in Salzburg, Austria. The large bookcase is constru...
Brass
$20,000 / set
H 96.25 in W 96 in D 22.5 in
Pair of Country French Pine Library Bookcases Beveled Glass Doors
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing pair of matching country French bibliotheque library bookcases or display cabinets featuring beveled glass windows and doors. Constructed from mostly pine with a whitewash pa...
Iron
$3,110
H 75.6 in W 73.63 in D 17.72 in
STUNNING GEORGIAN STYLE BREAKFRONT FOUR DOOR DISPLAY CABiNET BOOKCASE
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Georgian-Style Breakfront Display Cabinet Bookcase. This elegant piece features a prominent breakfront desig...
Hardwood
$59,895 / set
H 34 in W 36 in D 18 in
Pair French Hand Stitched Leather & Brass Faux Bamboo Commodes by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important Pair of French Midcentury Modern Neoclassical hand stitched leather and brass faux bamboo cabinets, dressers, commodes or chest of drawers by Jacques Adnet, circ...
Brass
Sinfonier after Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in MADRID, ES
Chest of 7 drawers after Jacques Adnet, solid mahogany structure covered with parchment. France, 1960s.
Wood, Parchment Paper, Mahogany
$2,557
H 51.58 in W 94.49 in D 17.33 in
French Art Deco Macassar Ebony Library Bookcase by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
ART DECO BOOKCASE BY LOUIS MAJORELLE A very large open library bookcase produced in Macassar Ebony with two lockable doors in the centre having the original key, the bookcase was des...
Macassar
Jacques Adnet Leather and Oak Desk, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Art Deco era desk by French Art Deco Modernist designer Jacques Adnet. Iron frame with 4 posts, inverted u-shaped bases and brass support ...
Brass, Iron
19th Century French Pine Library Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 19th century country French library bibliotheque bookcase cabinet constructed from pine. The large case features a country French aes...
Brass
Jacques Adnet Chest of Drawers, France 1950's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Olive green Chest of drawers with faux bamboo leather wrapped legs, recessed brass campaign handles.
Brass
Jacques Adnet Cerused Desk Drawers & Steel Knob, France, c. 1950
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jacques Adnet (1900-1984) Cerused Oak Double Side Desk With Drawers & Steel Knobs, France, 1950 H: 29.5 D: 28 W: 55.25 in.
Oak
$24,500
H 99.25 in W 109 in D 19.5 in
Louis Philippe Bibliotheque, Hand-Crafted Walnut, Glass Doors, France
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This large Louis Philippe bibliotheque is a magnificent way to display or store any precious decor items in your home or office. Unlocking the four glass front doors reveals a single...
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Nice bookcase by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Large bibliothèque ou secrétaire murale et modulable par Jacques Adnet en Skai, métal et laiton.
Metal, Brass
Jacques Adnet side table bookshelves
By Jacques Adnet
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare side table or magazine rack by Jacques Adnet circa 1950 in oak and Leather
Leather, Oak
Jacques Adnet French Modernist Leather Wrapped Shelves
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Incredible black leather two tiered shelf by Jacques Adnet with signature saddle stitched faux bamboo legs, original glass and bronze hardware detailing. This would make an excellent bar. bookcase, nigh stand, side table, bathroom towel shelf...
Bronze
Jacques Adnet Bookcase
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning bookcase by Jacques Adnet, circa 1930s Classic original black leather with contrast stitching and brass hardware. Measures: W 26 1/2” D 11” H 43 1/2”.
Leather
Stitched Leather Book Shelves by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Description : 1950's Stitched leather and pear wood bookcase by Jacques Adnet Great condition France A Rare French Midcentury Modern hand stitched leather and pear wood bookcase b...
Leather, Pearwood
Stitched Leather Bookcase by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Stitched leather bookcase by Jacques Adnet France 1950s.
Oak
Stitched leather Bookrack by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Stitched leather bookrack by Jacques Adnet Oak and leather.
Leather, Oak
Jacques Adnet Bookcase
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Original Jacques Adnet wall-mounted bookshelf covered with black skai and partially covered with light brown saddle leather and large leather pocket detail. Great age and patina thro...
Metal
Stiched Leather and Oak Book Case Rack by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Montreal, QC
Stiched leather and oak book case rack by Jacques Adnet.
Oak
Jacques Adnet Bibliothèque
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning bookcase by Jacques Adnet, circa 1930s Large in scale with original caramel leather and contrasting stitching.
Leather
Sold
H 38 in W 47.05 in D 8.27 in
Jacques Adnet, Lacquered Metal and Elm Bookcase, Compagnie Des Arts Français 195
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Rare bookcase in black lacquered metal with three shelves in solid elm by Jacques Adnet for the Compagnie des Arts Français, 1950. The two lower shelves are assembled in a V-shape to...
Metal
Jacques Adnet Wall Shelf
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Handsome wall shelf and book holder by Jacques Adnet. Black leather and white contrast stitching with brass hardware. Nice age and patina to leather.
Leather