Louis-Jean-Sylvestre Majorelle, more commonly known as Louis Majorelle, was a French artist, metalworker and Art Nouveau designer celebrated for his bedroom furniture, cabinets, chairs and decorative objects.
In 1877, Majorelle moved to Paris from the town of Nancy where he began his studies in painting under Jean-François Millet at the École de Beaux Arts. Following the death of his father, a furniture designer, he returned to Nancy and took over the family workshop. Parisian architect Henri Sauvage designed Majorelle’s house in Nancy, Villa Majorelle, which featured stained glass by Jacques Gruber.
In order to increase productivity and reduce costs — as well as shift the family business’s focus from reproductions of 18th-century furniture such as Louis XV chairs to instead working in the era’s Art Nouveau style — Majorelle integrated modern techniques and processes at his atelier (these changes were in part inspired by innovative glassmaker Emile Gallé).
The workshop became known for Majorelle’s distinctive designs and the pronounced craftsmanship of its offerings. There were tables made from mahogany and ormolu that featured handsome bronze mounts and marquetry, table lamps that shared common ground with the prized designs associated with Tiffany Studios, and decorative pieces that Majorelle produced in partnership with Daum, a revered manufacturer of French art glass.
The work was very much characterized by the botanical motifs and curvaceous silhouettes of Art Nouveau design, and the business was successful. Majorelle produced a range of items during the early 1900s and was a participant in the 1900 Paris Exposition as well as the Exposition de l'Ecole de Nancy in 1903.
In 1916, a devastating fire broke out in Majorelle’s factory on the rue du Vieil-Aître in Nancy. It destroyed all of the company’s awards, sketches, molds, equipment and archives of Majorelle’s work. In 1917, destruction again shook his business when his shop on the rue Saint-Georges was bombed by German aircraft. The designer marched on — he relocated to Paris where he shared a workspace and created vases and other vessels in the Art Deco style before he moved back to Nancy. Majorelle designed the Nancy Pavilion at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925 with Alfred Lévy. He died in 1926.
Find antique Louis Majorelle cabinets, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
$9,500 / set
French Art Nouveau Chairs by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Bridgewater, CT
French Art Nouveau chairs by Louis Majorelle.
Wood
Louis Majorelle, Importante Armchair "Les Tomates"
By Louis Majorelle
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Louis Majorelle (1859-1926), rare high-backed armchair "Les Tomates," Made of ribbed, molded, and carved walnut, this armchair features a rich, plant-inspired decoration: ornate c...
Nutwood
Pair French Salon Chairs Art Nouveau Gilt Fauteuils
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Absolutely stunning pair of French gilt arm chairs Perfect salon chairs and in the art nouveau style with floral motifs and a flowing style to the aesthetic Very comfortable with wid...
Wood
Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty Chair, 1900, France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Chair Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty Material: Wood Country:France We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.If you have any questi...
Wood
Vintage Le Corbusier Armchair LC1 by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage LC1 chair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1928. Base in chromed tubular steel, pony skin upholstery. Marked/engraved on the frame: Cass...
Chrome
Vintage Le Corbusier Armchair LC1 by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage LC1 chair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1928. Base in black painted tubular steel, cognac color leather upholstery. Marked/engraved o...
Steel
Vintage Le Corbusier Armchair LC1 by Cassina
By Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage LC1 chair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1928. Base in chrome tubular steel, cognac color leather upholstery. Marked/engraved on the f...
Steel
Art Nouveau side chair Louis Majorelle anno 1900
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Art Nouveau Marquetry side Chair . Comes with Flower inlay . using all kinds of wood . twisted legs. New upholstery . Handmade . attributed to Louis Majorelle
Wood
Vintage Le Corbusier Armchair LC1 by Cassina
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage LC1 chair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, circa 1928. Base in chromed tubular steel, white leather upholstery. Marked/engraved on the frame: ...
Chrome
Louis Majorelle "Les Pins" Carved Mahogany Armchair
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
This hand-carved wooden armchair, named "Le Pins," embodies the Art Nouveau style of Louis Majorelle, featuring intricate carvings of pine needles and pinecones. Reflecting Majorelle...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Louis Majorelle pair of 'Wisteria" Armchairs
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
These “Wisteria” chairs by Louis Majorelle reinterpret the traditional Windsor form through the lens of French Art Nouveau craftsmanship. The backs feature exquisite marquetry panels...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
$18,000 / set
H 46 in W 24 in D 22 in
Set of Ten Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau Dining Chairs, Circa 1900
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of Ten Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau Mohair Covered Mahogany Dining Chairs, circa 1900, comprising: two armchairs and eight side chairs, unsigned. Armchairs: 46" H x 24" W x 22" D;...
Mohair, Mahogany
Louis Majorelle French Art Nouveau Walnut Bergére Arm Chair
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut bergere arm chair with carved floral trim and filigree back. (LOUIS MAJORELLE)
Walnut, Upholstery
A Pair of Louis XVI Style Armchairs
Located in Cirencester, GB
Circa 1900 this pair of antique armchairs have been painted over the gilt. This paint has then been rubbed back revealing the gilt in places. The seats and the more recent upholste...
Beech
French Art Nouveau 'Poppy' Chair by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Astoria, NY
An antique French Art Nouveau chair, designed and manufactured by Louis Majorelle, circa 1890-1910, in beautifully detailed hand-carved wood frame, with twisted uprights, terminating...
Textile, Wood
Louis Majorelle Pair of French Art Nouveau Armchairs
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Art Nouveau carved walnut wood armchairs in the manner of Louis Majorelle. Each chair is upholstered in green cotton velvet fabric.