The Dutch-born Jean-Henri Jansen (1854–1928) was only in his mid-20s when he set up his Parisian design business in 1880. By the time he died, Maison Jansen had become the world’s first international decorating firm. Today, it is still regarded as one of the most notable firms and period furniture manufacturers in history, with its vintage floor lamps, tables, dressers and other furnishings remaining in demand.
Maison Jansen initially came to international prominence in 1883 when the young Jean-Henri Jansen traveled to Amsterdam to participate in the International Colonial Exposition, an event that featured presentations by 28 different nations and was attended by over a million visitors. There he exhibited as part of the French pavilion and won the silver medal. This led to two prominent new clients: King William III of the Netherlands and King Alfonso XII of Spain.
Next was King Leopold II of Belgium for the interiors of the Château du Laeken, as well as commissions for Egypt’s King Farouk and Great Britain’s King Edward VII. Thanks to his participation in global expositions and fairs, Jansen expanded the renown of the firm so that its studios would reign in such major cities as London, New York, Buenos Aires, Cairo and many more.
Jansen was not only sought after for his taste but also for his custom period-inspired pieces. For example, in the Count and Countess de Revilla de Camargo’s Havana mansion, Jansen designed Louis XV–style furniture crafted from Cuban mahogany, enhancing Maison Jansen’s reputation as an expert maker. His custom furniture business was so successful that by 1900 he had opened his own atelier and employed around 700 artisans.
In the 1960s, the firm, then led by Stéphane Boudin, worked with Jacqueline Kennedy on the refurbishment of rooms in the White House, including such spaces as the Queens’ Sitting Room, which featured bright blue fabric and neoclassical details. In the 1970s, legendary French actor Alain Delon brought his sense of style to bear on the world of furniture design, when he created a series of pieces for Maison Jansen.
Maison Jansen continued to produce furniture designs through the 20th century, responding to shifting tastes from Art Nouveau to Modern Regency. The atelier and studio officially closed its doors in 1989.
Find authentic Maison Jansen sofas, lighting and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
$7,200Sale Price|40% Off
Maison Jansen Rare Silver Leaf Settee in Black Raw Silk, France, 1950s, Signed
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Maison Jansen rare signed Directoire-style silver-leaf settee with antiqued finish and black raw silk upholstery, France, 1950s. Exceptionally elegant and beautifully proportioned, t...
Silk, Wood
Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant Danish settee or loveseat from circa 1950s by Master Furniture Maker, Frits Henningsen Solid and sturdy small piece with a strong presence and charming demeanor. Coil springs...
Wool, Beech
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
$3,750
H 32.5 in W 57 in D 27.5 in
Danish 1950s Settee with Wooden Armrest by Orla Mølgaard Amber Colored Frame
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s settee raised on a amber colored beech frame and legs. Attributed to Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. We love how the armrests continue into the front l...
Wool, Beech
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
$19,900Sale Price|28% Off
H 32 in W 48 in D 30 in
Rare Settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Refinished and Reupholstered, Italy 1950s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptionally rare and coveted settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, circa 1950s, with reupholstered white bouclé fabric cushions, refinished elm frames with incredible wood grain, sig...
Bouclé, Elm
$10,900Sale Price|22% Off
H 28 in W 54 in D 28 in
PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This highly collected early production original of the PK-31 loveseat sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen has beautifully aged black leather and patinated steel. Designed...
Steel
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Pagoda Loveseat, Bamboo & Rattan, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Brighton Pavillion Pagoda style loveseat with beautiful fretwork back and sides. Very fine detail. A beautiful and special piece. Use as is or ad...
Bamboo, Rattan
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Diminutive Painted Settee in Tan Leather
Located in Essex, MA
19th Century French Louis XVI Parcel-Gilt & Painted Marquise Settee with Leather Upholstery & Nailhead Trim. 19th-century, diminutive-size Italian painted classical settee covered in...
Wood
$5,895
H 38 in W 55.5 in D 33.25 in
Fine Paint Decorated Gilt Over Red Bole Green Silk Maison Jansen Attr. Settee
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
**Maison Jansen (Attributed) French Directoire Style Painted and Gilt Settee, Circa 1920s** This exquisite **paint-decorated and gilt-accented French Directoire style settee** is attributed to the legendary Parisian design house **Maison Jansen**, founded in 1880 by Jean-Henri Jansen. Elegantly proportioned, the piece features a beautifully carved beechwood frame with subtle **gilded detailing**, fluted legs, and neoclassical motifs emblematic of the Directoire period. The frame is finished in a refined cream paint with warm gilt highlights and red accents, while the upholstery—**luxurious pale green and ivory striped silk**—evokes timeless sophistication. The settee’s straight lines, scroll arm supports, and finely carved floral rosettes perfectly capture the **neoclassical symmetry and understated grandeur** that define both Directoire design and the Maison Jansen aesthetic. Renowned for blending classical elegance with modern refinement, **Maison Jansen** created interiors for the world’s elite, including **Elsie de Wolfe, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House**. This remarkable settee embodies the grace, quality, and artistry for which **Maison Jansen** became synonymous, making it a statement piece for any collector or connoisseur of fine French furniture. Cushion may be goose down filled. Split in upholstery can be repaired by an upholsterer. Measures 55.5 wide x 38 tall x 33.25 deep x seat height of 21 tall **Keywords:** Maison Jansen settee, French Directoire furniture...
Silk, Walnut, Giltwood
Sold
H 35.5 in W 54 in D 32 in
Important Maison Jansen Loveseat Reupholstered in Pink Bouclé, c. 1930s, Signed
By Maison Jansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eat your hearts out Jansen collectors, this Maison Jansen loveseat is signed underneath with 'Jansen/ Industria Argentina' stenciled fabric signifying this important upholstered sett...
Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 35.5 in W 54 in D 32 in
Important Pair of Maison Jansen Loveseats in Pink Bouclé, c. 1930s, Signed
By Maison Jansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eat your hearts out Jansen collectors, this pair of Maison Jansen loveseats are signed underneath with 'Jansen/ Industria Argentina' stenciled fabric signifying this important pair o...
Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 91 in L 31 in
Signed Maison Jansen French Louis XVI Carved Velvet Sofa Couch Goose Feathers
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare and extremely refined and sophisticated Louis XVI style sofa fitted with goose down filled pillows and a fantastic sand colored velvet or chenille upholstery. This sof...
Walnut
Pair of Maison Jansen Louis XVI Style Marquis
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
A beautiful pair of Maison Jansen Louis XVI style marquis. This pair is beautifully upholstered with a wonderfully soft rust with cream accented fabric. The wide seat and arched seat...
A Maison Jansen Settee Loveseat Louis XVI Style
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
A Louis XVI Style Loveseat / Settee by Maison Jansen. This very oddly shaped Canape having wildly turned in side arms leading to a raised seat on carved legs. The frame Swedish distr...
Pair Jansen Style French Caned Love Seats
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
Stunning, Maison Jansen style love seats. Caned back, black lacquered and gold frame with a lovely upholstered tasseled fabric.
Wood, Upholstery
Pair Distressed Painted Benches by Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of French Louis XVI style distress-painted benches, circa 1940s, distress painted and elegantly carved frame, cushioned seat upholstered in woven fabric. By Jansen.
Wood, Fabric