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
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.
1920 English Huntley & Palmers Chinoiserie Jar on Stand Biscuit Tin Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1920 Huntley & Palmers Chinoiserie Jar on Stand Biscuit Tin Box. Faux craquelure glazed "jar" decorated with phoenix birds, rising sun, & flowering bamboo. Great handles & borders. B...
Metal, Tin
Art Nouveau Casket by Niels Dam Ravn, 1930s, Denmark
By N. Dam Ravn
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau brass casket designed by Niels Dam Ravn in the 1930s. * Curvilinear bronze casket with floral motifs and fitted wooden interior box * Designer: Niels Dam Ravn * Manufact...
Brass
Diskometal Vessel by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau diskometal casket made by Just Andersen in the 1920s. * Diskometal casket / jewellery box with floral knop and inner in wood. Original cigarette box. * Designer: Just A...
Metal
French Art Nouveau Wood Box Openwork Panels, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
Little wood box with openwork panels, made circa 1900 in the Art Nouveau period. A little piece of wood is missing on the back side. A. M. initial are on the top. Good antique condit...
Wood
Circa 1907-1909 English Huntley & Palmer's "Iron Chest" Biscuit Tin Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1907-1909 Huntley & Palmers "Iron Chest" Biscuit Tin Box, English. Very collectible. 17th century Armada Chest form with hinged top with two "seals" - one of the Royal Coat of ...
Metal, Tin
Cigarette Case light blue cabochon sapphire and hand-engraved finishing Salimben
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Handbag cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver with black fire enamel. Opening with spring button. Size cm. 6.3 x 9.7 x 1.5. Weight gr. 215. Created in Art Deco style for Cartie...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Art Nouveau Round Trinket Box, Metal & Paint, France, 1930s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming round jewelry or trinket metal vanity box reflecting the glamour and style of the Art Deco movement and the Roaring Twenties. Originally designed to hold loose face powder o...
Metal
Art Nouveau Pewter Box by Just Andersen, 1910s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau Pewter Box designed by Just Andersen in the late 1910s. * Round hammered pewter box with lid with flower knop and floral chasings * Designer: Just Andersen * Manufactur...
Pewter
Vintage bronze mounted porcelain box hand painted butterflies and floral decor
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Porcelain bronze mounted box, Art Nouveau style Made of hand-painted crackled, glazed high quality bronze mounted porcelain. Signed on the bottom. An all over polychrome floral deco...
Porcelain
Vintage Marble Trinket Box Hand-cut with Flowers in Relief
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A fine and skillfully crafted stone trinket fashioned from slaps of natural solid marble. The lid is cut in relief with a delicate flower in green, brown and earthy natural color ton...
Marble
Pill Box oval horse's head miniature Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, and a miniature horse's head hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni. With raised beaded decoration. Vie...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pill Box fired Enamel two colors on Guilloché Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Portapasticche ottagonale in argento 925/100 placcato oro con smalti traslucidi a fuoco su guillochè anche su tutti i fianchi e con rigo sul coperchio. Stile Art Nouveau Inglese prim...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Vintage Ladys Ormolu Bronze Dore German Jewelery Box Casket Art Nouveau
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A beautiful quality Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Jewelry Casket, made in Germany in c. 1900, firmly attributed to renowned maker Erhard & Sohne. The highly elaborate ormolu metal case...
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Art Nouveau Pewter Matchbox by Just Andersen, 1920s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau pewter matchbox made by Just Andersen in the 1920s. * Pewter matchbox with floral knop and original inner cardboard box (matches not included) * Designer: Just Andersen ...
Pewter
Snuff Box races miniature fire-enameled guilloche and engraved drawing Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with black fired enamel inserted in a hand engraved drawing and with fired enamelled miniature, hand painted by the p...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Erhard & Sohne Art Nouveau Jugendstil Arts and Crafts Jewelry Box Casket c. 1905
Located in London, GB
A beautiful art nouveau casket made by Erhard and Sohne in Germany in c. 1905. The casket is exquisitely executed with foliate detailing, made in th...
Brass
Art Nouveau Pewter Box by Just Andersen, 1910s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Art Nouveau Pewter Box designed by Just Andersen in the late 1910s. * Round hammered pewter box with lid with flower knop and floral chasings * Designer: Just Andersen * Manufactur...
Pewter
Albert Chezal Art Nouveau Pewter Box with Lilac Decor, France circa 1910
By Etaind'art
Located in Atlanta, GA
Albert Chezal designed this stunning Art Nouveau, distinctly illustrated, dinanderie-pewter-covered box, handcrafted in France's Etains d'Art workshop around 1910. The large, hand-wr...
Metal, Pewter
Pill Box translucent enamels on guilloché all sides Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal pill box in gold-plated 925/100 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloché also on all sides and with a line on the lid. English Art Nouveau style, early 1...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Art Nouveau Lidded Oak Box with hand carved sinuous floral theme, circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality, hand made hardwood lidded box with a fine quality hand carved bird, together with floral themes, which we date to the late 19th C / early 20th C Art Nouveau p...
Hardwood, Oak
Pill Box Octagonal translucent enamels on guilloché Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal pill box in gold-plated 925/100 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloché also on all sides and with a two-tone circle on the lid. English Art Nouveau sty...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pill Box slightly rounded sides enamels on guilloché Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square pill box with 2 slightly rounded sides, in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloché. Dimensions: 4.3 x 4.5 x 2 cm. Weight: 95 g. Design...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Rectangular white enamel table box with a hand-painted bouquet of flowers by Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large rectangular table box in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloché and a fine miniature of a bouquet of flowers hand-painted by the paint...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Pattern Hankerchief Box
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage early 20th century Tiffany Studios, New York “handkerchief” box is designed in caramel color favrile art glass with a pine needle pattern...
Brass
Antique French Art Nouveau Carved Wooden Box with Cherry Decor ca. 1900
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite Art Nouveau wooden box features a beautifully carved cherry motif on its lid, capturing the organic elegance typical of the early 20th century. The intricate relief wo...
Wood
Louis Wain Cat Themed Edwardian Pill Box / Snuff Box by LS Mayer, Germany, 1900s
By Louis Wain
Located in London, GB
A fantastic and highly collectible Edwardian Art Nouveau cat-themed pill box or snuff box featuring an enchanting brass plaque of a cat with original green glass eyes, made in German...
Brass, Nickel
Wonderful Antique English Sterling Silver Pot Pourri Box by Walker & Hall - 1911
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful and most unusual Pot Pourri box made from solid English sterling silver fully hallmarked for Sheffield 1911 together with the makers mark for the top notch silversmith, W...
Sterling Silver
Norwegian Art Nouveau Lidded Box with Amber Cabochons, Norway, ca. 1900.
Located in Valby, 84
Norwegian Art Nouveau Pewter and Silver Lidded Box Set with Amber Cabochons, Norway, ca. 1900 Of rectangular form raised on four compressed bun feet, the hinged lid centred with a l...
Silver, Pewter
Art Nouveau Sea Battle Repoussé Box with Moonstones by Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Daguet’s beautifully patinated box is a rich textural and colorful tour de force. The top of Daguet’s box is striking for its bird’s-eye-view of a crab clutching a viper eel. Using r...
Copper, Steel
Antique Chip Carved Wooden Box with Geometric Floral Design, 19th Century
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique chip-carved wooden box, from the late 19th century, features intricate geometric and floral patterns on its surface. The hand-carved details showcase a symmetrical arran...
Wood
Cathrine Horsbøl (1872-1947) Art Nouveau Box in Mahogany, Denmark C.1910.
Located in Valby, 84
Jewelry Box by Cathrine Horsbøll, Denmark, ca. 1910 Jewelry box of oval form in richly figured mahogany, the lid centred with a marquetry medallion of elm root and walnut framing a ...
Brass
René Lalique Rogers Crystal Powder Box
By René Lalique
Located in Franklin Park, IL
René Lalique Rogers Crystal Powder Box This powder box measures: 5.5 wide x 5.5 deep x 2 high Excellent Condition. We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as mu...
Crystal
Pair of Jugendstil Hammered Brass Lidded Boxes, Germany, ca. 1910
Located in Valby, 84
Pair of Jugendstil Hammered Brass Lidded Boxes, Germany, ca. 1910 Of square form in hand-hammered patinated brass, each box with a close-fitting flat lid, the front face decorated wi...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box by Legras Glassworks
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Trinket or Jewelry Box by Legras Glassworks, France A beautiful hand-crafted and richly decorated French Art Nouveau enameled glass trinket or jewelry box, attributed to Legras Glassworks. The piece features delicately applied enamel in soft, natural tones typical of the Art Nouveau movement, highlighting its elegant floral and organic motifs. Finely detailed and highly decorative, this lidded box exemplifies the refined craftsmanship for which Legras was renowned. Perfect for holding small treasures or displayed simply as a work of art. Dimensions: 4" Diameter × 3 1/4" High A wonderful collectible French Art Nouveau glass box—an ideal decorative accent or thoughtful gift. Legras Art Glass...
Glass, Art Glass
Antique Blackinton & Co. Art Nouveau Smokers Repousse Sterling Silver Matchsafe
By R. Blackinton & Co., Whiting Manufacturing Company, Tiffany & Co., Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique signed silver Art Nouveau cigarette & cigar themed matchsafe. By R. Blackinton & Co. In sterling silver. With repousse depictions to both sides of the faces and he...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Box, Hand Painted, France Circa 1920
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is in wood. It is Hand painted, in black and green, color. It has been made in France circa 1920.
Wood
Art Noveade German Silver Jewelry Box 800
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Art Noveade 800 German Silver Jewelry Box A Box with an intricate pattern engraved on its surface. The pattern consists of swirls and floral ...
Silver
Oval pillbox in sterling silver with a fine enamelled miniature of a dog's head
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a fine miniature of a dog's head in fire-enamel, hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni. Dimensions: 4.5 x 5.5 x 1.4 cm...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pill Box Round, domed in Silver Sterling Enamel on a guilloche pattern Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Gold-Plated Sterling Silver and Enamel Pill Box with Floral Miniature by Romano Buccioni, Salimbeni, Florence, 1980 Exquisite shaped pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plate...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique WMF Jugend Style Stamp or Pill Box in Pewter
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A 4 compartment container for stamps or pills. Distinct jugend - art nouveau styling. Made by WMF in Germany circa 1910-20. Raw undisturbed patina - un-polished. Measurements: 10x4...
Pewter
Vintage Cast Metal Chalice with Cobalt Glass Art Nouveau
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and unique chalice holder with lid. This piece is incredibly full of detail while maintaining a simple aesthetic. The holder builds up from the base into a frame with four ...
Metal
Halcyon Days Fine Enamel British Pillbox National History Museum of Los Angeles
By Halcyon Days
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning little porcelain box by Halcyon Days Enamels. The inside lid is inscribed "National History Museum of Los Angeles County 1913-1988." The bottom o...
Porcelain
Antique Dresser or Jewelry Box with Enamel Portrait and Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique dresser or jewelry box is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in France in approximately 1890 in the period Art Nouveau style. The oval shaped box has a very well e...
Bronze, Enamel
René Lalique (1860-1945) « Panier de Roses » Box 1919
By René Lalique
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Lalique (1860-1945) « Panier de Roses » Box 1919 Two parts oval glass with a frosted basket of roses motif lid covering the clear bottom of the R. Lalique Box. White and blue ...
Glass
Art Nouveau Celtic Hound Casket Repoussé Box by Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...
Enamel, Steel, Brass
French Post Office Mailbox - Cast Iron - Delachanal Model - Late 19th Century
Located in BARSAC, FR
Public mailbox of the French Post Office Model in molded cast iron manufactured by Delachanal in Paris - Late 19th Century Good general condition - presented in its original conditi...
Iron
20th century sterling silver handbag-shaped box
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
20th century sterling silver handbag-shaped box Beautiful decorative silver box, with a central design of a rose and a frame of bows on both sides. Sealed Measures: Height: 7.5 centi...
Sterling Silver
Antique Bohemian Crystal Box with Engraved and Gilt Floral Motifs by Moser
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This stunning antique Bohemian crystal box is attributed to Ludwig Moser, the renowned glassmaker from Karlsbad, celebrated for his exquisite designs and unmatched craftsmanship. The...
Crystal
Pill Box Rectangular Sterling Silver Art Nouveau with floral miniature Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This is a rectangular, gold-plated sterling silver pill box, exquisitely decorated with translucent enamels over a guilloché (engine-turned) pattern and featuring a hand-painted flor...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century Bohemian Moser Enameled Amber Art Glass Jewel Casket
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning antique Bohemian enameled art glass hinged lid jewelry casket - table box by renowned luxury glass maker Moser. Exquisitely hand-made in Bohemia (present day Czech Republic) in the late 19th century, artistic Art Nouveau period opulence, featuring very fine quality hand-blown polished...
Brass
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
Excellent Huge Wooden Box, Casket, circa 1900, Jugendstil, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Huge wonderfully decorated wooden box, an original of the Jugendstil era, made in Austria. This casket is an impressive example of the craftsmanship of the period around 1900. Only ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Cosmic Repoussé Box by Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Alfred Louis Achille DAGUET (1875 - 1942) was a metalsmith active in Paris during the first part of the 20th century. His metalwork created prior to the outbreak of World War I, note...
Copper
Art Nouveau Casket by Niels Dam Ravn, 1920s, Denmark
By N. Dam Ravn
Located in Værløse, DK
Sizeable Art Noveau Brass Casket made by Niels Dam Ravn in the later 1920s. * Lidded brass casket with a viking. Inner wood box. Signed NDR lower right on the lid. * Designer: Niels...
Brass
Pill Box round handpainted horse's head miniature Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, and a miniature horse's head hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni. With raised beaded decoration. V...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Gabriel Argy-Rousseau, Covered Box “Roses or Buttercups”, Designed in 1921
Located in Bochum, NRW
Gabriel Argy-Rousseau, a covered box “roses or buttercups”, designed in 1921. Pâte-de-verre made of clear glass and coloured glass (opaque yellow, red, green and violet) with stylise...
Art Glass
Stationery Carriage Companion with Pocket Watch and Mirror by Asprey of London
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING The Stationery Box finished in moroccan red leather with a slanted lid features two hooks to the rear originally for mounting on a carriage. A rare example i...
Metal
Art Nouveau Moser Glass Dresser Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
An elegant and rare Art Nouveau Glass Dresser Box by Moser, Austria. Realized in the early years of 1900, with gold inlays. Very good condition.
Gold
Lalique Crystal ‘Duncan’ Square Trinket Box
By René Lalique
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Lalique Crystal, a square shaped covered box in the ‘Duncan’ pattern, France, circa 1980s. The Duncan Line by René Lalique was designed in 1931. The pattern was inspired by th...
Crystal
French Art Nouveau Porcelain Egg Box w. Gilt Bronze Ormolu Mounting
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite French Art Nouveau porcelain egg box, dating to around 1900, showcases the opulent elegance of the era. The piece features a delicatel...
Porcelain
1901 Germany, Erhard & Söhne, Brass Inlaid Rosewood Twine Caddy with Scissors
Located in Morristown, NJ
Circa 1901, Erhard & Söhne, Germany, a Jugendstil/Art Nouveau brass and rosewood string box, decorated in the round with children playing tug-of-war. The lid is beautifully decorated...
Metal, Brass