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.
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
Antique Vintage Ladys Ormolu Bronze Dore German Jewelery Box Casket Art Nouveau
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A beautiful quality Art Nouveau Gilt Metal Jewelry Casket, made in Germany in c. 1900, firmly attributed to renowned maker Erhard & Sohne. The highly elaborate gilt metal case is...
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
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
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 fired Enamel two colors on Guilloché Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Renato 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
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
Large rectangular table box in sterling silver with fine enamelled miniature
By Salimbeni, Renato 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
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
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
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
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
Round Favor Box with Lid in 925/1000 Sterling Silver Green Enamel Art Nouveau St
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round favor box with lid in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and hand-painted miniature of a bouquet of flowers in Art Nouveau style. B...
Crystal, 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Blackinton & Co. Art Nouveau Smokers Repousse Sterling Silver Matchsafe
By Tiffany & Co., R. Blackinton & Co., Gorham Manufacturing Company, Whiting 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
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
Art Nouveau Scorpion Fish 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...
Enamel, Steel
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
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
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
Just Andersen. Two pewter matchbox holders. Denmark, c. 1930.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Just Andersen. Two pewter matchbox holders, model 260 and 78. Denmark, c. 1930. Dimensions: H. 3.5 cm. L. 10 cm. D. 6 cm. Cast pewter, rectangular form with open sides and an oval re...
Pewter
Art Nouveau Basilisk 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...
Brass, Enamel, Steel
Art Nouveau Carved Wooden Box
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau wood oblong shaped box with etched floral design.
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
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
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
Art Nouveau Stork Pair Repoussé Box by Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Monogrammed A.D. 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...
Steel, Brass
Art Nouveau Cold Creatures 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...
Brass, Steel
Lalique Crystal Jewelry Box with Female Figure Art Nouveau Style French
By Lalique
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial French crystal and brass box with female figure by luxury design Maison, Lalique, in the Art Nouveau style, circa mid...
Crystal, Brass
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
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
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
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 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
Egg style Faberge Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché and hand-paint...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Table Box hand-engraved wood grain with Coral Salimbeni.
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table Box wood style and Coral is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Table Box wood style and Coral has transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain. Table Box wood style a...
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
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
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
1900 Rosewood Box Art Nouveau by Erhard & Soehne
Located in Marseille, FR
Box rosewood and brass inlay cover Art Nouveau by Erhard and Soehne, circa 1900.
Copper
$6,483Sale Price|30% Off
René Lalique (1860-1945) « Boite Ronde Grande Muguet » Mint Green 1921
By René Lalique
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Lalique (1860-1945), Mint Opalescent Glass « Boite Ronde Grande Muguet » 1921 Mint green tinted molded-pressed opalescent glass box decorated with Lily of the Valley Extremel...
Art Glass
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
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
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
Rectangular pillbox in sterling silver with enamelled miniature of sailing boat
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pill box with 2 slightly rounded sides, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a hand-painted miniature with fired enamels of a sailing boat by the painter Romano B...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Art Nouveau Alpaca Matchstick Case, Vintage Austria, Monogram J.P.
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Art Nouveau matchstick holder case by an Austrian manufacturer. Silver plated alpaca. with makers mark, year around 1910s or older. With J.P. monogram. Some minor dings and...
Silver Plate
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Silverplate Art Noveau Jewelry Cache
Located in Malibu, CA
Art Nouveau jewelry cache marked 937. Stunning example of Art Nouveau design. This cachet box is decorated with lovely flowers on the top and buds on the side panels. This piece refl...
Silver Plate