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.
Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau "Ombellifères" Settee and Side Chairs
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau carved wood "Ombellifères" suite, consisting of two armchairs and a settee, by Louis Majorelle. The suite is hand carved with capitals of Berce des Prés (Hogweed...
Walnut
Louis Majorelle Mahogany & Blue Patterned Upholstered Settee
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut frame Settee with slightly flaired arms and shaped back upholstered in a lightly patterned gray-blue fabric with matching upholstered pillow. (LOUIS MAJOREL...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Art Nouveau Giltwood settee by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Montreal, QC
Art Nouveau Giltwood settee by Louis Majorelle with japonesque organic carving Similar furniture pictured in Majorelle: Master of Art Nouveau by Alastair Duncan, p.179, fig. 46.
Wood
$15,763
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$2,672
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 24.41 in
LOUIS XVI FRENCH CARVED GiLTWOOD DOUBLE CANED BERGERE SETTEE SOFA WINDOW SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional sublime Louis XVI French Carved Giltwood and double Caned Bergère Window seat or Settee P...
Rattan, Giltwood
$3,506
H 41 in W 51.5 in D 29 in
19th-C. French Louis XVI Style Carved Giltwood Settee With Down Cushion
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is such a lovely piece! It is a 19th century French Louis XVI style carved giltwood settee in vintage upholstery. The frame shows some non-offensive chippiness. The upholstery i...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Down
Superb French 1780s era Walnut Upholstered Louis XV Settee Canape
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Enhance your living space with this Superb French 1780s era Walnut Upholstered Louis XV Settee Canape, a stunning antique piece that embodies timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Dat...
Walnut
French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Settee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive French sofa settee featuring a carved mahogany frame crafted in the Louis XVI taste. The settee has a molded frame with gracefully curved arms and a flat back crest. The ...
Fabric, Hardwood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 60 in D 26 in
Antique Classical Continental Carved Mahogany Upholstered Settee, C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Classical Continental Carved Mahogany Upholstered Settee, C1920 Measures- 35.5'' H x 60'' W x 26'' D; SH: 19.5'' A Continental mahogany settee from circa 1920, featuring eleg...
Upholstery, Mahogany
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
$15,000
H 45 in W 60 in D 32 in
English Mahogany Camel Back Settee Upholstered in White Muslin, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany camel back settee with flanking scrolled brass tacked arms, removable cushion, carved floral knees, and terminating on trifod splayed feet. Settee is upholstered in ...
Brass
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.5 in W 53.5 in D 33 in
Fine Quality Giltwood Aubusson Upholstered French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI style settee is a masterpiece of elegance, refinement, and craftsmanship. Featuring a finely carved giltwood frame, the settee is adorned with delicat...
Beech
Louis XV Curved Settee
Located in Greenwich, CT
A curved Louis XV settee, upholstered throughout including on the reverse, the back with foliate carving over molded frame, having scroll carved arms, standing on cabriole legs endin...
Beech
Art Nouveau Settee by Gustav Siegel for J.J. Kohn, 1899
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning, rare settee Model No. 715 designed by Gustav Siegel in 1899 and produced by the renowned Viennese furniture manufacturer Jacob & Josef K...
Brass
French Louis XV Upholstered Settee
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV style (19th century) white painted and gold decorated settee with carved trim and back crest.
Upholstery, Wood
Majorelle French Art Nouveau "Fougères" Armchair
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau Salon Suite by Louis Majorelle in the "Fougères" (fern) motif. The suite consists of two armchairs, two side chairs and a...
Louis Majorelle French Art Nouveau "Auberpines" Salon Suite
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau salon suite, consisting of a settee and two armchairs, in the "Aubépines" (hawthorn) pattern, by Louis Majorelle. These pi...