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.
Antique Biscuit Box, by Armand Fresnais, Art Nouveau Hand-Painted Glass, France
By Armand Fresnais
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Antique Silver-plated Biscuit Box ,By Armand Fresnais, Art Nouveau Hand-Painted Glass , France 1877-1927 A gorgeous Art Nouveau cake container/ biscuit box. Thick, hand-painted glas...
Silver Plate
Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche and stripes Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamel, with fine floral miniature fire-enamelled on guilloche, enamelled edge with vertical stripes. Viennese Art N...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Pill Box White Enamel Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round rounded pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and hand-painted floral miniature on the lid. Viennese Art Nouveau style. Dia...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Peter Keil Travel Suitcase Oil Painting
By Peter Keil
Located in Bradenton, FL
Peter Keil, Neo-expressionist, original painting on a travel suitcase. Signed and dated 1986 Berlin on bottom. Very good condition with mild storage...
Leather
Pill Box Hand Painted Miniature of a Lady with Small Dog, Art Nouveau Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Domed round 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated pillbox with fire enamels above and below, and hand-painted miniature of a lady with small dog, in Viennese Art Nouveau style second ...
Sterling Silver
Pill Box monochrome hand-painted miniature Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal pillbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired asu guillochè enamel also on all sides and monochrome hand-painted miniature on the lid. Dimensions c...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Italian New Old Stock 1980s Decorative / Jewelry Silver Art Nouveau Box
By Ottaviani
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the Exquisite 1980s Black Lacquered Wooden Box by Ottaviani: A Timeless Treasure of Elegance and Craftsmanship! Are you in search of a truly unique and stunning piece th...
Silver Plate, Enamel
Box with fired enamels painted like lapis lazuli stone and horse racing Salimben
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with fired enamels painted like lapis lazuli stone and with fired enameled oval miniature, hand painted by the painter Renato...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
A Rare Art Nouveau Carved Secret Safe Book This is a very attractive piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Rare Art Nouveau Carved Secret Safe Book This is a very attractive piece, carved in walnut and cedar with inset brass hinges and banding When set on the bookshelf this looks like ...
Walnut
Italian Art Nouveau Rock Crystal Jar with Lid – Faceted Cut and Ornamental Mount
Located in Hamburg, DE
This exquisite lidded jar, which could also serve as a bonbonnière or sugar bowl, is crafted from approximately 1 kilogram of hand-carved rock crystal. The crystal body has been care...
Rock Crystal, Metal
Wedding Favor Box Art Noveau hand painted on lid Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round wedding favor with lid in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine manual engraving of flower shoots, fire-enamelled with various colours, in early 1900s Art Nouveau styl...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Pill Box oval with floral miniature Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pill Box oval with floral miniature Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimbeni in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with hand-painted fire-enamel...
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Enamel
French Art Nouveau Silver Box with Cranberry Glass, Late 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau silver round shaped box with cranberry glass liner and floral design.
Silver
Modern Serving Tray Leather Onyx Brass Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Murayama Serving Tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. A sublime serving tray, Murayama was design to uplift layback moments. A servin...
Onyx, Brass
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze D'ore Jewel Box with Enamel Flowers Ca. 1920.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Art Nouveau bronze d'ore jewel box with enamel flowers, circa 1920.
Bronze, Enamel
Vintage Crystal Candy Box, Art Nouveau Style, Germany, 1970s Design
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Crystal Candy Box realized in Germany in 1970s. Very good condition.
Crystal
Antique Edwardian Art Nouveau Style Sterling Silver and Enamel Box 1901
By Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and enamel box in the Art Nouveau style; an addition to the ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver box has a plain circular form. The box is fitted with a subtly domed, hallmarked push fit cover, embellished with an exceptional hot enameled panel depicting a female character in the form of a water nymph, gazing through ripples and water lilies, all in the iconic Art Nouveau style; this is a highly desirable and collectable scene. The sides and underside of this Art Nouveau box are plain and unembellished. This impressive box was crafted by the London silversmiths Walter...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Ballin / Hertz, Denmark, Art Nouveau Lidded Box in Pewter, circa 1920
Located in København, Copenhagen
Ballin / Hertz, Denmark. Art Nouveau lidded box in pewter decorated with a young girl, circa 1920. Measures: 13 x 4.5 cm In very good condition. Stamped.
Pewter
Brass jewelry box in style of Dagobert Peche and Wiener Werkstätte
By Dagobert Peche, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Brass jewelry box in style of Dagobert Peche and Wiener Werkstätte.
Brass
Early 20th-Century Porcelain Bowl.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Early 20th-century porcelain bowl. Early 20th-century porcelain bowl with a twisted design. H: 12 cm, D: 19 cm Please contact us before placing your order to confirm the product's ...
Porcelain
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Wood Glass Display Case
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a rectangular wood display box featuring a tulip shaped stained glass in the front lid. Below the lid there is a small storage drawer. The open space behind the lid serve to display an sculpture, a vase or a religious saint...
Wood
$1,620Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Brass and Copper Coal Bucket
Located in London, GB
Exceptional Art Nouveau brass with copper coal bucket with ribbon on top.
Brass, Copper
WMF Gilt and Painted Glass Covered Box
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Norwood, NJ
WMF Art Nouveau Germany painted glass and gilt dresser box, 1900s. An exceptional example of the WMF Art Nouveau workmanship, combining the gilt figural stylized handles, holding an ...
Metal
Pair of Box, Germany, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1890, Sign: WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Silver Plate
$180Sale Price|44% Off
Antique French Art Nouveau Paper Powder Box "Poudre Lt Piver Pompeia"
Located in Hamburg, DE
Antique French Art Nouveau paper powder box "Poudre Lt Piver Pompeia" This is an extremely rare and stunning antique French Lt Piver Pompeia Powde...
Paper
Pillbox white fire enamel hand painted dog's head miniature Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square rounded pill box with rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with white fire enamel, above and below, with miniature dog's head hand painted by the painter Roma...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Jugendstil Arts & Crafts patinated brass box
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Jugendstil or Arts & Crafts style repousse brass box with original dark patina and ball feet.
Brass
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Pine Needle Box, Bronze & Glass, Art Nouveau, USA, 1910
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Bronze box with white and orange glass paste, Pine Needle model, made by TIFFANY & Co, (1837 to the present). Signed Tiffany Studios, NEW YORK, 823. USA, circa 1910.
Bronze
Artisan-Crafted Decorative Box Embellished With a Silver Dragon
Located in Miami, FL
Designed exclusively by Urban Art Home, this is a distinct and elegant decorative wood box made with lacquer and embellished with a sculpted sterling silver dragon. The square box ...
Sterling Silver
Wedding Favor Box fine engraving of flower shoots on lid 925 Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round wedding favor with lid in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine manual engraving of flower shoots, fire-enamelled with various colours, in early 1900s Art Nouveau styl...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Period Silver Jewellery Box made by William Comyns in 1903
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1903 by William Comyns, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Jewellery Box, is oval in shape, and features cast and applied floral detailed fee...
Sterling Silver
$24,500
Carved Citrine Pill Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite French pill box combines the mastery of the French goldsmithing tradition with the radiance of citrine. The box was crafted by the celebrated French jeweler Gustave-Roger Sandoz, who was renowned for producing exceptional pieces with a variety of gems in the Art Nouveau style. In this example, he brilliantly combined pieces of highly translucent, golden citrine with gold to create the exquisite box. The texture of the carving is exceptional, with a natural and dynamic motif that evokes the very best tenets of the Art Nouveau style. The gold rim is further decorated with tiny beads, while a pearl-mounted gold leaf finial completes the exceptional piece. Maison Gustave Sandoz...
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Art Glass
Candy Maker Art Nouveau, 1900, in Crystal and Bronze
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Crystal, Bronze
Box, Germany, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1890, WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Silver Plate
Box Josef Hoffmann Copper Ceramics Figurine Klieber Wiener Werkstaette
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest as well as rare lidded box made during Art Nouveau Period on behalf of Wiener Werkstaette. Related box is signed at reverse side by signet of Josef Hoffmann & by characters '...
Copper
$219Sale Price|30% Off
Collector's Item Art Nouveau Lidded Tin, 1920s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The unusual thing about this Art Nouveau tin lid box made of sheet metal is, on the one hand, its shape and, on the other, the elaborately different design of each side of the box. T...
Metal