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
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 shelves by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather book case in clear brown leather Very good condition
Metal, 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 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
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
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 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
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
Adnet Style Saddle Stitched Leather Cantilevered Wall Console
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Hanover, MA
A wall console wrapped in saddle leather supported by two L shaped brackets with a top stitch detail in the manner of Jacques Adnet. One drawer with a piece of leather serving as the...
Leather
$1,722
H 70.87 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Teak Veneer Bookcase, Shelving System by Skaraborgs Möbelindustri, 1950s
By Bertil Fridhagen, Skaraborgs Möbelindustri Tibro
Located in Bochum, NRW
A refined example of Swedish mid‑century functionalism, this “Reform” shelving system by Skaraborgs Möbelindustri (Tibro) brings together clean architectural lines, warm materials, a...
Wood
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
$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
$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
$3,039
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
$4,200
H 84 in W 80.5 in D 19.5 in
French Late 19th Century Mahogany Three-Door Glass Bookcase with Original Glass
Located in Buchanan, NY
A handsome French late 19th to early 20th century mahogany bookcase of very good quality, featuring three glazed doors with their original glass and original working locks with keys....
Mahogany
$2,498
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
$68,000
H 29.93 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Jacques Adnet - A French 1950s Desk with Lamp by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet - A fine French Mid-Century rectangular desk and lamp, with a black lacquered metal base, pivoting leather covered drawer, saddle-stitched leather mail holder...
Metal
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
$30,400 / set
H 82.5 in W 36 in D 17.5 in
Antique French Provincial Bookcases with Glass Doors, Circa 1810-1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of French Provincial black bookcases or library cabinets made of hand crafted painted Sprucewood, in good condition. The upper part is composed with two glass display...
Metal
Teak bookcase by Bränntorps, 1950s–1960s
Located in Brescia, IT
Teak frame with adjustable shelves and tapered legs made of solid wood. Original tag present. Bränntorps production, 1950s–1960s. Manufactured by Bränntorps between the 1950s and 19...
Teak
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