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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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Style: Art Nouveau
Wrought Iron and Stone Garden Patio Stand with Pebble Stone Top
Located in New York, NY
Interesting wrought iron stand with inset pebble stone top. The three leg base shows distinct Art Nouveau influence.
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone, Wrought Iron

Art Nouveau Style Bronze Finish Copper Figural Fountain Element
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A bronze finish copper fountain element with high relief figural decoration in a watery environment. A partly draped mermaid with long flowing hair and swirling drapery, reaches back to a large dolphin...
Category

20th Century Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Copper

19th Century Faux Bois Strawberry Planter
Located in High Point, NC
19th century French terracotta faux-bois strawberry pot.          
Category

19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

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

Contemporary Faux Bois Table
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Faux Bois was at its height during the Art Nouveau era in France between the 19th and 20th century. Now reimagined for a contemporary audience, this hand sculpted table features clas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cement

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

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

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

Art Nouveau Aged Brass Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of tapering brass Art Nouveau andirons ending with scrolled feet, circa 1930s.
Category

20th Century American Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Hand Forged Metal & Wood Garden Bench rustic Seat Furniture Antiques Dealer LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Large 19th century Art Nouveau hand forged metal and wood slats garden bench. This rustic antique beauty is a nice piece indeed a beautiful garden...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

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

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

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

Set of Four 19th Century Art Nouveau Period Hand Painted French Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of four 19th century Art Nouveau period hand painted French doors are ideal for finishing out a room, whether one needs actual doors, or wishes to create an interesting visual ef...
Category

1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

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

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

Cast Iron and Wood Garden Furniture Set, England, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cast iron and wood garden furniture set. Art Nouveau style, England, late 19th century. Large armchair dimensions: 127 cm width, 63 cm depth, 83 cm height. Individual armchairs...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Brass Arts & Crafts Jardinière by Henry Loveridge
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Brass Arts & Crafts jardinière by Henry Loveridge A superb design and a heavy quality piece, in very good condition, stamped underneath “Henry Loveridge & Co” The planter, (or it may have originally been a coal helmet...
Category

1880s Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Pair of Enamel Ceramic Planters, Art Nouveau Period, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of enamel ceramic planters, Art Nouveau period, Germany, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 wooden double front door with patina in Art Nouveau style. Carved wood and cast iron typical from this period. The original patina of t...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Japanese Art Nouveau Bronze Urn
Located in New York, NY
Japanese late Meiji period Art Nouveau large bronze urn. The piece showcases secessionist elements of a voluptuous nature and was likely used as an architectural element. Handmade in...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Art Nouveau Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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