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.
Pill Box Octagonal translucent enamels on guilloché Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Renato 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
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
$1,407Sale Price|30% Off
French Art Nouveau Enameled Glass Jewelry Box, Hand-Painted, 1900s
Located in Lisbon, PT
This French Art Nouveau enameled glass jewelry box features hand-painted cherry fruits and leafy branches, capturing the romantic elegance of the early 20th century. Crafted in tra...
Brass, Enamel
Rectangular pillbox in sterling silver with enamelled miniature of sailing boat
By Franco Salimbeni, 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 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 Repoussé Regal Reliquary 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, Enamel, Steel
Tiffany & Co. Style Antique French Repousse Bronze Doré Jewelry Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique French Repousse gilt bronze three-compartment dresser box, jewelry box, or decorative box In the manner of Tiffany & Co. France, Circa Late 19th Century Measure...
Bronze
Antique Blackinton & Co. Art Nouveau Iris Flower Sterling Silver Matchsafe
By R. Blackinton & Co., Whiting Manufacturing Company, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed antique Art Nouveau silver matchsafe or vesta. By R. Blackington & Co. In sterling silver. With repousse tropical flora throughout the body and lid and a blank carto...
Sterling Silver
Antique Blackinton & Co. Palm Leaf Tropical Sterling Silver Matchsafe or Vesta
By Whiting Manufacturing Company, R. Blackinton & Co., Gorham Manufacturing Company, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed antique Art Nouveau silver matchsafe or vesta. By R. Blackington & Co. In sterling silver. With repousse tropical flora throughout the body and lid and a blank carto...
Sterling Silver
Antique Majolica Tobacco Jar Munich Child in Hofbrauhaus Keg, Germany 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This offer is for an antique figural tobacco jar featuring the Munich Child on a keg from Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus. The jar reads "Tabak" (german fo...
Majolica
Rectangular white enamel table box with a hand-painted bouquet of flowers by Salimbeni
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
$420Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
Lalique 'Duncan' Square Trinket Box, Art Nouveau, France, 1980s
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
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Japanese Meiji Art Nouveau Silver Box with Iris Flowers
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian Classical sterling silver cann, 1864. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle and raised and beaded foot. Four scroll frames with leaf and bead surround...
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
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
19th C. European Shell Form Silver Coin Purse with Silver-Tone Chain
Located in Honolulu, HI
An extraordinarily rare late 19th-century European silver coin purse, sculpted in a classic Victorian scallop shell motif. Crafted from smooth, non-magnetic silver metal with a soft...
Silver
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Exquisite Art Nouveau Sterling Mounted Crystal Triangular Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite Art Nouveau Sterling Mounted Crystal Triangular Box Hallmarks of .800 silver crescent moon and crown, with the stamped signature of the Retailer /Jeweler's mark of Paul Tub...
Crystal, Silver
$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
$266Sale Price|20% Off
Sardinian decorated Straw jewelry box 1930 Sardinian Art Nouveau lid
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Sardinian decorated Straw jewelry box 1930 Sardinian Art Nouveau lid
Straw
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
$1,085Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pierced Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box
Located in Firenze, IT
This lavish French Art Nouveau period (1880-1910) jewelry box is entirely chiseled, hammered and pierced with flowers and leaf patterns. This late 19th – early 20th century rectangul...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Carved Wooden Box
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau wood oblong shaped box with etched floral design.
Silvered metal jewelry box – Late 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Silvered metal jewelry box – Late 19th Century Lovely silvered metal jewelry box, French or German work, circa 1880–1910. The lid features a finely detailed high-relief scene with t...
Metal, Silver
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
Oval pillbox in sterling silver with a fine enamelled miniature of a dog's head
By Salimbeni, Giorgio 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
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
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
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
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 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
Table Box 925 Silver translucent Enamel on guilloche and miniature Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on the guilloche and, on the corners, miniature of floral shoots hand-painted by the painter Romano B...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
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
Snuffbox guilloche pattern and a hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped snuffbox in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on a guilloche pattern and a hand-painted floral miniature, with fine hand-engravings on the si...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box hand-engraved wood grain with Coral Salimbeni.
By Salimbeni, Franco 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
Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Cigarette Case Enamel and Hand-Painted Miniature
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Ladies' handbag cigarette case with an oval section in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on a guilloché and a monochrome, hand-painted miniature of a landscape, in the E...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
$618Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Majolica Barbotine Box Jar Pheasant on Basket by Sarreguemines
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A hand-painted majolica lidded jar / box or tureen in the shape of a pheasant hen sitting on a basket, made by Sarreguemines around 1900. This beau...
Ceramic, Majolica
Table Box portrait of Empress Eugenia de Montijo miniature Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
More than a kilo of sterling silver was needed to create this stunning rectangular tabletop box. Worked with the very complicated guilloche technique, it was then enamelled at high heat with translucent enamel to make the superb workmanship shine through. The fine rectangular miniature cm. 7.5 x 10.7 on vegetable ivory. The small masterpiece handmade by the painter Anna Maria Manfriani reproduces the famous portrait of Empress Eugenia de Montijo, by the painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter. The unenamelled sterling silver parts were then gilded with a 24-carat galvanic bath. In Art Nouveau style, with a “lost” zip, i.e. semi-invisible. Dimensions cm. 15 x 18 x 3.5. Weight gr. 1095. Designed by Giorgio Salimbeni in 1980 and manufactured in Florence at the Salimbeni company headquarters with completely manual execution by artisan artists with a very thick slab and large reinforcements suitable for supporting numerous enamelling firings at around 800° Doña María Eugenia Ignacia Agustina de Palafox y Kirkpatrick, 19th Countess of Teba, 16th Marquise of Ardales known as Eugénie de Montijo was Empress of the French from her marriage to Napoleon III on 30 January 1853 until the fall of the Emperor on 4 September 1870. From July 28 to September 4...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Daisy Makeig-Jones Wedgwood Ruby Lustre Butterfly Box
By Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre, Wedgwood, Daisy Makeig-Jones
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A ruby lustre box with mother-of-pearl lustre interior and decorated with polychrome butterflies in gold, designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones circa 1920. This ...
Ceramic, Luster, Porcelain
Art Nouveau Silver Metal Jewelry Box
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Art Nouveau Silver Metal Jewelry Box Beautifully ornate jewelry box featuring embossed designs including floral patterns and symmetrical leaf-shaped...
Metal
Rene Lalique Figurines et Voiles jewelry / decorative glass box with Lid.
By René Lalique
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful glass lidded box introduced in 1929 by the well known artist Rene Lalique . Title Figurines et Voiles .Molded signature in bottom and molded mark MADE IN FRANCE .
Glass
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
A R.Lalique 2 Figurines Glass Box.
By René Lalique
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
An early R.Lalique boxe which is strongly influenced by the 1900 style . The boxe is made in white glass with a green patina and is signed in molded block letters on the lid of th...
Glass
Émile Gallé Marquetry "Mayfly and Ferns" Coffret
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
The motifs on this coffret by Émile Gallé depict a mayfly flitting among a bed of ferns. Hatching in summer and living only a few hours before mating and dying, the mayfly has long s...
Fruitwood
Continental Art Nouveau Copper, Glass & Wood Jewelry Box, Ca. 1900
Located in New York, NY
Continental Art Nouveau Jewelry Box Bronzed Copper, Wood, Glass Ca. 1900 DIMENSIONS Height: 4.-3/4 inches Width: 14-1/4 inches ...
Copper
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
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
Cigarette Case hunting dog on point Enamel Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Franco Salimbeni Gold-Plated Sterling Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case with Hunting Dog Miniature by Romano Buccioni, Florence, 1976 Exquisite rectangular cigarette case with softl...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Majolica Box with Cyclamens, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica box with Cyclamens, Circa 1890.
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Carved Wooden Box
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau wood oblong shaped box with etched floral design.
Wood
Tortoiseshell and Silver Jewellery Box William Comyns
Located in Northampton, GB
Raised on Four Legs with a Domed Top From our Jewellery Box collection, we are delighted to introduce into the market this stunning Tortoiseshell and Silver Jewellery Box by William...
Silver
French Art Nouveau Metal Pewter Trinket Jewelry Vanity Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This small French tray is decorated in the typical styles of this Art Nouveau period featuring a nude woman posing. The condition of the tray is sturdy and has an amazing warm and ch...
Metal
Tiffany Studios New York Lacquered Bronze "Volcano" Humidor
Located in New York, NY
This lacquered bronze “Volcano” humidor by Tiffany Studios New York features a dramatic design of a submarine volcano surrounded by sea urchins, created by Munich artist Ludwig Viert...
Bronze
Vintage Le Tallec Enamel Decorated & Gilt Porcelain Box Circa 1982 For Saks
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning vintage Le Tallec porcelain box, created circa 1982 exclusively for Saks Fifth Avenue, showcases Le Tallec's exceptional craftsmanship and refined design. The box is ri...
Porcelain
Round Favor Box with Lid in 925/1000 Sterling Silver Green Enamel Art Nouveau St
By Salimbeni, Franco 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
Art Nouveau Regal Lion 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...
Brass, Iron