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 Leather, Wood and Twine Shelf, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural shelf by French modernist designer, Jacques Adnet. A simple yet elegant design with a thick wooden shelf held together by a metal frame. Le...
Metal
Jacques Adnet Leather Notepad/ Pencil Holder
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Jacques Adnet attributed wall hanging notepad holder with built in pencil. Notepad can slide into leather sling to write down grocery list /or notes.
Leather
1950's Stitched leather barometer by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
A Rare French Midcentury Modern hand stitche dbarometer by Jacques Adnet, circa 1955. Adnet had a rare talent for creating works that had used exquisite form and lines with rich mat...
Metal
Unusual Jacques Adnet Coat Hanger
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Montreal, QC
Unusual stitched beige leather coat hanger by Jacques Adnet in the form of three horse shoe hooks.
Metal
1950's Stitched leather barometer by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather barometer by Jacques Adnet Rare modèle We don't know if it works perfectly
Bronze
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality mahogany banjo barometer, having a quality mahogany barometer with carved scrolls, round silvered engraved dial with the original hands, a brass bezel and t...
Brass
Amma Floating Wall Console, Maple Wood, Italian, Circa 1950s
By Amma
Located in London, GB
This elegant Floating Wall Console by Amma, Italy, circa 1950s, is a refined example of Italian mid-century modern design. Crafted in beautifully grained maple wood, the console feat...
Maple
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Louis XVI Giltwood Barometer
Located in Essex, MA
By Toricelli. With carved ribbon and bow above an oval dial painted in creme and grisaille with glass cover in a conforming frame.
Metal
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Cherry
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Maple
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$1,500
H 10.25 in W 17.63 in D 7.63 in
French Baroque Style Parcel-Gilt Carved Wood Wall Bracket, Sconce, or Shelf
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A large last half of the 19th century French Baroque style stained, painted, and parcel-gilt wall bracket of unusual bisected cornice form having stained chestnut shelf above compoun...
Wood, Giltwood
Set Of Two Secession Brass Curtain Holder 1890s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Secession Brass Curtain Holder Austria 1890s
Brass
Geraldo De Barros, Shelf, Wood, Brazil, 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in High Point, NC
A small wall shelf or wall-mounted console table designed by Geraldo De Barros and produced by Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches)...
Wood
Wall shelf by Hans J. Wegner for Ry Møbler, Denmark, 1950s
By Ry Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Wall-mounted shelf designed by Hans J. Wegner and produced by Ry Møbler. A small and comparatively uncommon model, executed in solid wood with shaped side panels and a horizontal b...
Oak
$280
H 5.63 in W 13.75 in D 2.75 in
Gilt Metal Tole Rose Flower Key Hanger Wall Decoration, Italy Vintage, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful gilt metal key hanger wall decoration. Made in Italy, about 1950s. Made of gilded metal. In very good used condition. Very charming piece. Nice addition to your room or e...
Metal
Art Deco French Iznik Platter Bowl Jean Jacques Lachenal
By Jean-Jacques Lachenal
Located in Austin, TX
Art Deco French Iznik Platter Bowl Jean Jacques Lachenal. Floral pattern ,red tulips and blue flowers. Geometrical border. Diameter / 9.8 inches H / 1.8 inches. Jean-Jacques Lachen...
Ceramic, Faience, Pottery
Jacques Adnet French Leather Wall Hooks - 2 available
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jacques Adnet French leather wall hooks France, circa 1940s Rich cognac toned saddle leather wall hooks with signature contrast stitching Fitted with aged brass hooks Patina from ag...
Brass
Jacques Adnet Hand-Stitched Black Leather Coat Hook Hanger Rack
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant leather coat hanger hooks by French designer Jacques Adnet (1901-1984) from the 1950s. Two-arm coat rack with Adnet's signature black contras...
Metal
Adnet Leather Hook
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome leather coat hook by Jacques Adnet. Great patina to green leather with signature Adnet contrast stitching. Great vintage condition.
Leather
Jacques Adnet Leather Wall Hook
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful equestrian saddle leather coat rack by Jacques Adnet Great patina to leather.
Leather
Jacques Adnet Leather Wall Hook
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful equestrian saddle leather coat rack by Jacques Adnet Great patina to leather - Two available - Priced separately.
Leather
Jacques Adnet Leather Wall Hook
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful equestrian and hunting set of three hooks on leather panel. Saddle leather with brass.
Leather
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
Jacques Adnet Style Coat Rack
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic coatrack in the style of Jacques Adnet with 7 leather hooks on woven seagrass with leather framed trim and brass detail.
Leather, Fabric
Jacques Adnet Leather Wall Hook
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful equestrian and hunting set of three hooks on leather panel.
Jacques Adnet Leather Set of Three Wall Hooks
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful equestrian and hunting set of three hooks on leather panel. Another very similar style available, if two needed.
Leather
Jacques Adnet Leather and Brass Coat Rack
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rich red leather wrapped brass coat rack with signature Adnet leather and contrast stitching.
Leather
Pair of Jacques Adnet Leather Wine Holders or Hooks
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful pair of brown leather Jacques Adnet wine holders or coat hooks. Four horse shoe shaped hooks have great stitch detailing and patina. Wine bottle fits snug. Priced as a pair.
Leather