Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
ART NOUVEAU STYLE
In its sinuous lines and flamboyant curves inspired by the natural world, antique Art Nouveau furniture reflects a desire for freedom from the stuffy social and artistic strictures of the Victorian era. The Art Nouveau movement developed in the decorative arts in France and Britain in the early 1880s and quickly became a dominant aesthetic style in Western Europe and the United States.
ORIGINS OF ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the late 19th century
- Popularity of this modernizing style declined in the early 20th century
- Originated in France and Britain but variants materialized elsewhere
- Informed by Rococo, Pre-Raphaelite art, Japanese art (and Japonisme), Arts and Crafts; influenced modernism, Bauhaus
CHARACTERISTICS OF ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGN
- Sinuous, organic and flowing lines
- Forms that mimic flowers and plant life
- Decorative inlays and ornate carvings of natural-world motifs such as insects and animals
- Use of hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and rosewood
ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Art Nouveau — which spanned furniture, architecture, jewelry and graphic design — can be easily identified by its lush, flowing forms suggested by flowers and plants, as well as the lissome tendrils of sea life. Although Art Deco and Art Nouveau were both in the forefront of turn-of-the-20th-century design, they are very different styles — Art Deco is marked by bold, geometric shapes while Art Nouveau incorporates dreamlike, floral motifs. The latter’s signature motif is the "whiplash" curve — a deep, narrow, dynamic parabola that appears as an element in everything from chair arms to cabinetry and mirror frames.
The visual vocabulary of Art Nouveau was particularly influenced by the soft colors and abstract images of nature seen in Japanese art prints, which arrived in large numbers in the West after open trade was forced upon Japan in the 1860s. Impressionist artists were moved by the artistic tradition of Japanese woodblock printmaking, and Japonisme — a term used to describe the appetite for Japanese art and culture in Europe at the time — greatly informed Art Nouveau.
The Art Nouveau style quickly reached a wide audience in Europe via advertising posters, book covers, illustrations and other work by such artists as Aubrey Beardsley, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alphonse Mucha. While all Art Nouveau designs share common formal elements, different countries and regions produced their own variants.
In Scotland, the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh developed a singular, restrained look based on scale rather than ornament; a style best known from his narrow chairs with exceedingly tall backs, designed for Glasgow tea rooms. Meanwhile in France, Hector Guimard — whose iconic 1896 entry arches for the Paris Metro are still in use — and Louis Majorelle produced chairs, desks, bed frames and cabinets with sweeping lines and rich veneers.
The Art Nouveau movement was known as Jugendstil ("Youth Style") in Germany, and in Austria the designers of the Vienna Secession group — notably Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann and Joseph Maria Olbrich — produced a relatively austere iteration of the Art Nouveau style, which mixed curving and geometric elements.
Art Nouveau revitalized all of the applied arts. Ceramists such as Ernest Chaplet and Edmond Lachenal created new forms covered in novel and rediscovered glazes that produced thick, foam-like finishes. Bold vases, bowls and lighting designs in acid-etched and marquetry cameo glass by Émile Gallé and the Daum Freres appeared in France, while in New York the glass workshop-cum-laboratory of Louis Comfort Tiffany — the core of what eventually became a multimedia decorative-arts manufactory called Tiffany Studios — brought out buoyant pieces in opalescent favrile glass.
Jewelry design was revolutionized, as settings, for the first time, were emphasized as much as, or more than, gemstones. A favorite Art Nouveau jewelry motif was insects (think of Tiffany, in his famed Dragonflies glass lampshade).
Like a mayfly, Art Nouveau was short-lived. The sensuous, languorous style fell out of favor early in the 20th century, deemed perhaps too light and insubstantial for European tastes in the aftermath of World War I. But as the designs on 1stDibs demonstrate, Art Nouveau retains its power to fascinate and seduce.
There are ways to tastefully integrate a touch of Art Nouveau into even the most modern interior — browse an extraordinary collection of original antique Art Nouveau furniture on 1stDibs, which includes decorative objects, seating, tables, garden elements and more.
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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Art Nouveau
Antique Wrought Iron Decorative Transom
Located in Redding, CT
Antique wrought iron decorative Transom or window guard. Lovely half moon shape with detailed scroll work.
Some restoration done to piece. See photos. Perfect ornamentation for above...
Category
19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Vallauris, Art Nouveau Pedestal in Ceramic, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau pedestal in ceramic, Vallauris, attributed to Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Large Bronze Pair of Push and Pull Door Handles Art Nouveau with Water Nymphes
Located in London, GB
Art Nouveau push and pull door handles in the shape of two water nymphs, originally from spa in the Alps.
Original large handles express the water nymphs carrying water jugs on thei...
Category
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Fire Screen Decorated with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Nouveau fire screen in black enamelled steel with mother-of-pearl decoration. Enamelled cast iron legs.
Measures cm: H 121, W 62, D 23.
Category
1890s Italian Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel, Iron
Austrian Majolica Cradle Jardinière with Flowers, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica cradle jardinière with flowers, circa 1900.
Art Nouveau.
Decorated with iris, flowers wheels.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Austrian Art Nouveau Forged Iron Flower Stand
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful Art Nouveau stand in rusted forged iron. Spectacular workmanship of great artisan quality. Fully decorated with flowers, curls and swirls made of forged iron. Iron has a be...
Category
1910s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Art Nouveau Planter Porcelain Cachepot Hand Painted Winter Landscape German 1910
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Nice Art Nouveau cachepot, hand painted with a winter landscape. Beautiful decoration piece, nice addition to your living area, Patio, Yard or just to display in every room. It measu...
Category
1910s German Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Tin
Pair of Belgian Faux Bois Planters
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
As part of the Art Nouveau movement, faux bois was the height of sophistication and expertly crafted throughout Europe. These unique faux bois planters is a one of a kind set. Incred...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cast Stone
Belgian Faux Bois Mailbox
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
As part of the Art Nouveau movement, faux bois was the height of sophistication and expertly crafted throughout Europe. This unique faux bois mailbox is a one of a kind sculpture. In...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cast Stone
Art Nouveau Pink Velvet Wall Panel
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau stripped wall panel with pink velvet inset backing and carved floral filigree design.
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Art Nouveau Mahogany Perdonium Coal Scuttle Box or Cabinet, circa 1910
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality Art Nouveau mahogany and brass perdonium coal scuttle, box or cabinet, circa 1910.
This is a lovely item, that is full of charm and character.
This is a heavy quali...
Category
1910s Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Pine Wood Spiral Staircase
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
Early 20th century Art Nouveau Spanish period pine wood spiral staircase.
It has been partly restored. One can appreciate the new and the old parts on the photos . We can unify the...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Pine
Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Jardiniere, circa 1900
Located in Spencertown, NY
The rectangular planter with stylized flowers repeated on all four sides. Probably French or Belgian. Wear to gilding.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
2 Window Doors/Panels with Carved Birds Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
2 beautiful window doors with carved birds gilded solid wood.
You can also use them as panels.
Category
Late 20th Century German Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
English Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, Early 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, NL
Early 20th century English Art Nouveau fireplace tool set made of polished steel with polished copper. The fire irons are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper, Steel
19th Century Wooden Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century double front door with patina in Art Nouveau style from Catalonien, Spain.
Carved wood from this period.
The door is framed and work...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Pair of Hammered and Wrought Iron Snails Andirons in the Style of Schenck
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This exceptional pair of andirons is made of a hammered wrought iron. This beautiful work represents "Snails" with their simple faces and their shells are symbolized by a very fine w...
Category
1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large 19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Terracotta Urn
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Italian terracotta urn/vase decorated with a grape vine design. Urn comes off the base.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta
1900s French Art Nouveau Bronze Fire Tong Sculpture by Henri Louis Levasseur
By Henri Louis Levasseur
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A figural art nouveau solid cast bronze fire tong sculpture with a handle in the form of a woman's profile with flowing hair. Marked "H.L."
Category
19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
English Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket
Located in Amerongen, NL
English Art Nouveau fire grate made of cast iron and wrought iron.
The condition is good.
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Wooden Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century double wooden front door with patina in Art Nouveau style from Catalonien, Spain.
Carved wood typical from this period.
The door is f...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Majolica Chesnut Jardinière Onnaing
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
19th century Majolica chesnut handled jardinière signed Onnaing.
This jardinière is inspired by the Art Nouveau and the Naturalism movement of the end of 19th century.
Category
1880s French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
19th Century Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style, Spain
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century double front door in Art Nouveau style.
The door is framed and working but needs some restoration as some parts are damaged.
The original pat...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Liberty Glass Door with Oak Frame
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Liberty glass door with oak frame, coming from an Italian villa, adaptable to a portal or to divide rooms.
Category
1920s European Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
Late 19th Century French Antique Fireplace Surround in Marble Stone
Located in Beervelde, BE
This 19th century fireplace mantel (fireplace) is from the Burgundy region near Clos Vougeot in France. It has very rich and exquisite carving making it quite distinctive. A fine Art...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
French Art Nouveau Walnut Fireplace Mantel
Located in New York, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut fireplace mantel with bronze floral trim and scroll carved sides.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Walnut
Wooden Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century double wooden front door with patina in Art Nouveau style from Catalonien, Spain.
Carved wood typical from this period.
The door is f...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Majolica Art Nouveau Jardinière on a Pedestal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vallauris Art Nouveau jardinière attributed to Massier.
Category
20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Wooden Double Door Portal in Art Nouveau Style, Spain
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century wooden double door portal in Art Nouveau style from Catalonien, Spain.
Each door has 2 lateral pivots to be embedded in the stone.
The original patina of this Portal a...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Art Nouveau 1910 Armchair Light Brown Bamboo Emilio Paoli Firenze
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Art Nouveau 1910 liberty armchair light brown bamboo in original patina for an original.
Elegant, unique of its kind and very rare, the supporting stru...
Category
1910s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo
Wooden Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century double wooden front door with patina in Art Nouveau style from Catalonian, Spain.
Carved wood typical from this period.
The door is f...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Wooden Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
19th century double front door with patina in Art Nouveau style from Catalonien, Spain.
Carved wood and cast iron typical from this period.
The door is framed and working but needs...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Era Fine Quality Carved Gilt Chandelier Light Fixture
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful and all handcrafted chandelier from the turn of the century.
This good quality and practical size, hundred years old pendant has six perfectly and evenly carved arms. Thi...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Large Michael Powolny Viennese Art Nouveau Secession Flower Pot, Austria, 1920s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and big Art Nouveau pottery flower pot with green/turquoise/black glaze. Designed by the Vienna Secession artist Michael Powolny in the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Large Victorian Art Nouveau Brass Fender
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Art Nouveau brass fender.
This is a beautifully designed Victorian brass fender it has Art Nouveau decoration worked in br...
Category
1880s Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Art Nouveau Ceramic Pedestal and Its Planter, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau ceramic pedestal and its planter, circa 1900.
Swan and plants design.
Category
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Large English Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate, Fire Grate
Located in Amerongen, NL
Beautifully forged English Art Nouveau fireplace basket or fire basket. The fireplace grate is made of wrought iron.
This product has to be shipped as freight due to its size and/or...
Category
20th Century English Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Attractive Bronze Figure of a Young Gypsy Maiden
Located in London, GB
A 20th century bronze of a beautiful young gypsy maiden with a tambourine after the model by Claudius Marioton (1844-1919). The name Marioton and the number 126 are inscribed on the ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Exquisite English Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate, Fire Grate
Located in Amerongen, NL
English Art Nouveau fireplace grate made of cast iron, wrought iron and polished brass. The total width of the front of the fireplace grate is 35 inch (89 cm).
This product has to b...
Category
20th Century English Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
Large Dutch Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate, Fire Grate
Located in Amerongen, NL
Beautifully forged Dutch Art Nouveau fireplace basket or fire basket. The fireplace grate is made of wrought iron and cast iron.
This product has to be shipped as freight due to its...
Category
20th Century Dutch Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Stained Glass Tryptich of Maidens in a Woodland Setting
Located in London, GB
'Gather Ye the Rosebuds'
A 20th century Art Nouveau style stained glass tryptich of maidens in a woodland setting. The enameled logo at the back of one of the panels states 'Glashaus 88', they were a Glasgow company of stained glass makers and restorers who were commissioned to make the panels in 1988 for The Princes Casino in Glasgow.
With restorations. Signed and dated 1988.
The figures in the central panel are very similar to those depicted in a window designed in 1902 by Ernest Archibald Taylor...
Category
Late 20th Century Scottish Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stained Glass
Art Nouveau Fireplace Tool Set and Rests
Located in Amerongen, NL
Late 19th or early 20th century English Art Nouveau fireplace toolset. Polished steel and brass fire tools with tool set cast iron and polished brass rests. The condition is good
...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
Exceptional English Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools
Located in Amerongen, NL
English Art Nouveau fireplace tool set, companion set made of polished steel and polished brass. Early 20th century. The condition is good.
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Steel
Art Nouveau Ceramic Caryatid in the Style of Massier, circa 1900 Monogrammed D
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau ceramic caryatid, circa 1900. Monogrammed "D".
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
French Art Nouveau Walnut Bookshelf Archway
Located in New York, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut narrow 3 section bookcase/archway with 6 shelves and carved floral trim.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Walnut
Secessionist Fire Screen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A fine and stylish mirrored secessionist fire screen crafted in brass raised on arched perpendicular legs, having a scrolled pediment and a flawless sun bu...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Polychromed Repoussé Copper Pedestal and Planter, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very unusual and pretty plant stand (pedestal and cache-pot). The wood structure is sheathed in fine sheet copper, which has been decorated with a motif of repoussé birds and flowers...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
Set of Seven Art Nouveau Iron Chairs with Flower Seats, France, circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and elegant set of seven high-backed iron chairs with unusual, curving, flower-shaped seats fitted with newly-made button-tufted cushions, in outdoor fabric. The structure is pa...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Large Iron Floral and Leaf Design Store Display, Italy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large iron floral and leaf design store display. Recently salvaged from downtown buffalo New York department store.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Bigot French Art Nouveau Ceramic Planter
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau earthenware window box/planter by Alexander Bigot for the architect Cintrat, featuring an organic pattern that repeats itself around the base. Circa 1898.
(M...
Category
19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Earthenware
French Art Nouveau Statuary Marble Mantelpiece
Located in London, GB
A refined French Art Nouveau white Statuary marble fireplace. The shaped frieze with delicately carved rose and foliage to centre and ends, the jambs with full length tapered panels....
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Pair of Art Nouveau Iron Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Art Nouveau iron andirons with foliate finials over a fluted design. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
GENTIL & BOURDET " Model K ", blue stoneware mantel with lions heads
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Made by Gentil & Bourdet in the early 20th century, this mantel is decorated in blue stoneware. The decoration is a striking example of the Napoleon III style in its Neo-Gothic and N...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stoneware
20th Century Terracotta Couple of Vases
By Impruneta
Located in Badia Polesine, RO
Material: Terracotta
Dimensions: diameter 50 cm, height 70 cm
Condition: Good condition, with some minor restorations due to the passage of time
Origin: Impruneta - Italy
Descrip...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta
Art Nouveau Carved Oak Mantel with Applique
Located in New York, NY
Carved oak Art Nouveau chimney mantel with ornate applique. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
Art Nouveau building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Art Nouveau building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Art Nouveau building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Belgium pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Antoni Gaudí, OTHR, BD Art Editions , and Gilliot. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $160,819 while the average work can sell for $2,126.
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