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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

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 Ships From: Europe
Style: Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau Antique Style Fire Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large English Art Nouveau style fire gate. At over 160 years old, this Victorian cast iron fire basket has stood the test of time. Constructed from wrought and cast iron, the tall...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Metal

Big Richly Glazed Hand Thrown Ceramic Handled Planter Jardinière on a Column
Located in Antwerp, BE
Belgium, an attractive and large ceramic Art Nouveau one of a kind hand thrown and richly glazed pot vessel on a stand. Thick and creamily glazed i...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Large Victorian Art Nouveau Bronze Front Door Letter Box with Door Knocker
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Art Nouveau bronze front door letter box with door knocker. A good piece with a natural patina, the letter box has a new closing spr...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Unusual Shaped Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Firebasket
Located in London, GB
A most unusual and beautifully shaped late 19th century wrought iron firebasket. The cast base with rings and egg and dart detailing. Shaped legs and front bars which scrolls and bal...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Wrought Iron Foliage Planter in White and Green Rusty Patina
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching handcrafted iron plant stand / jardinière for three pots with foliage accents. France, 1920-1930s. This beautiful plant rack has a design full...
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Art Nouveau Foldable Firescreen with Painting
Located in Weiningen, CH
Art Nouveau foldable firescreen with painting.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Vallauris, Pedestal and Its Art Nouveau Ceramic Flowerpot, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pedestal and its Art Nouveau ceramic flowerpot, Vallauris, attribued to Jerome Massier, circa 1900.   
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Art Nouveau Firegrate of Scrolled Form
Located in London, GB
An attractive Art Nouveau firegrate with scrolled legs and uprights, shaped bars to basket and decorative cast back. Late 19th / early 20th century. Could be polished for a small add...
Category

19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Period Art Nouveau Coal Scuttle, Antique Victorian Fireside Bin, circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a period Art Nouveau coal scuttle, an antique Victorian fireside bin in iron dating to circa 1900. Bronzed finish over iron bowl Impressive high relief pressed lid over v...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of Art Nouveau Pedestals in Reconstituted Stone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Art Nouveau pedestals in reconstituted stone.
Category

1930s European Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

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 superb Art Nouveau decoration work...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Italian Early 20th Century Foldable Colored Wicker Fire Screen
Located in Milan, IT
Italian early 20th century colored wicker wall mirror. Backed in pewter sheets.   
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Pewter

Jerome Massier, Pedestal and Its Art Nouveau Ceramic Flowerpot, Vallauris, 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jerome Massier, pedestal and its Art Nouveau ceramic flowerpot, Vallauris, circa 1900 signed.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Wooden Double Front Door in Art Nouveau Style, Spain
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 need...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Art Nouveau Brass and Copper Coal Bucket
Located in London, GB
Exceptional Art Nouveau brass with copper coal bucket with ribbon on top.
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper

Jerome Massier, Very Large Ceramic Vase Art Nouveau, Vallauris, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jerome Massier, very large ceramic vase Art Nouveau, Vallauris, circa 1900.
Category

1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Very Rare Eiffel Tower Cast Iron Andirons, French, circa 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very rare Eiffel Tower andirons are made of cast iron and wrought iron. This is a French. Work, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Iron

Art Nouveau Walnut Flower Stands / Pedestals
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A set of two Art Nouveau flower stands in solid walnut. The flower stands also have a shelf at the bottom. On two sides of the stands there ar...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Walnut

Large Arts Nouveau Victorian Brass Fender
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Arts Nouveau Victorian brass fender This is a good large Victorian beaten brass fender it has Art Nouveau decoration worked in the brass The fender is in good condition i...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Small Victorian Pierced Brass Fender
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Small Victorian pierced brass fender This is a Victorian pierced brass fender, it stand on small feet at the front which tilts the fender so that any spilt ash etc. Will roll back...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Delphin Massier Art Nouveau Majolica Figural Egret Planter, Vallauris
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Delphin Massier Art Nouveau Majolica figural egret planter, Vallauris, circa 1900.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Majolica

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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