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 Porcelain Ceramic Wall Plaque Emmeline Harris Female Nude Art Nouveau
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally well cast English Porcelain or Ceramic Wall Plaque depicting a standing Female Nude holding a ball, nicely cast is high relief. Signed and dated lower right 1917. ...
Porcelain, Plaster
19th Century Glazed Stoneware 6-Inch Art Nouveau Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautiful and vibrant late 19th century glazed stoneware art nouveau era 6-inch tile, ex. Michael Blood collection. Using shades of blue, ochre, green and red, this decorative ti...
Stoneware
Rare Signed Dante Zoi Alabaster Sculpture of Two Children, Italian, Circa 1920s
By Dante Zoi
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcarved, endearing and remarkable Classical Realism / Figurative work of art, weighing 23.15 pounds. A tender and exquisitely hand-carved alabaster sculpture by Italian artist Da...
Alabaster
Art Nouveau Wall Bracket Cherub
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine Contemporary cast from the original one and with great details and multi patinas. Originally a Lantern support bracket. Could be used for ...
Bronze
$183Sale Price|55% Off
Antique French carved wooden Music Box Trivet-hand painted Ceramic Surface-20s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
Wonderful vintage Table Decoration - hand-carved Walnut Music Box Trivet with Art Nouveau Motifs. Colorful hand-painted Ceramic Art Pottery ...
Brass
$19,250Sale Price|30% Off
Italian Neoclassical 19th Century White Carrara Marble Sculpture Guglielmo Pugi
Located in Miami, FL
Important 19th century sculpture carved on white Carrara marble. The female figure is dressed in a stunning Art Nouveau costume and rests on a pyramidal-shaped pedestal. Magnificent ...
Carrara Marble
$2,900 / set
Pair of Art Nouveau Fireplace Panels
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of art nouveau panels possibly from a furnace or fireplace. Each panel measures 10.25" wide and 19" high. They have been fitted with brackets for hanging.
Steel
Unusual Art Nouveau Woman, Carved Wood and Metal Pipe Holder Wall Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Art Nouveau woman, relief carved wood and metal pipe holder wall plaque. Stunning nude, wonderful detailing.., bronze mounted, hand forged pipe holders, carved wood match hol...
Bronze
$5,756Sale Price|20% Off
Female Bronze Woman Nude, Sitting Beauty, by Rudolf Marcuse
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative female bronze nude by Rudolf Marcuse. Sedentary beauty. Signed and with foundry mark Gladenbeck. The lower part (fire-gilded) of the sc...
Marble, Bronze
French Art Nouveau Sculpture Clock
Located in Long Island City, NY
French Art Nouveau sculpture with a clock decorated with a pair of women rejoicing in the season's harvest. In great condition. Sold as is...
Marble, Pewter
Charles Korschann Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Nude
Located in Dallas, TX
Charles Korschann Czechoslovakian Art Nouveau Gilt-Bronze Figural Bud Vase. Cast from a model by Charles (Karl) Korschann, circa 1899, of urn form, with a handle in the form of a...
Bronze
$1,200
H 39.5 in W 15 in D 11 in
Art Deco Nouveau Modern Female Nude Bronze Decorative Figurative Sculpture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A lovely modern female nude bronze decorative figurative sculpture. Stylized in an Art Deco or Art Nouveau style. Artist unknown. A romantic and timeless composition. From a private ...
Bronze
$5,228
H 7.09 in W 18.31 in D 10.04 in
Italian School Sculpture "Hermaphrodite" 19th Century Carrara White Marble Group
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian School Sculpture "Hermaphrodite" 19th Century Carrara White Marble Group presented on a marble base Total height: 18 cm Width: 46.5 cm Depth: 25.5 cm good condition some defe...
Carrara Marble
Art Deco Signed Alabaster Pierrot Clown Sculpture, 1920s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco signed Alabaster pierrot clown sculpture. Pierrot sculpture playing the mandolin. The figure is signed, but i cannot read what it says. We h...
Alabaster
$593Sale Price|49% Off
H 7.88 in W 3.55 in D 2.37 in
Antique Hand Carved Wooden Angel Head Sculpture, Spanish, Circa 1900-1920
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful early 20th century hand carved wooden angel head with glass eyes. Amazing eyecather with beautiful expression. Spain circa 1900-1920 Weathered, small losses. H:20cm W:9cm ...
Glass, Wood
$299
H 2.96 in W 3.35 in D 2.56 in
Antique Nymphenburg Porcelain Chick Figurine Art Nouveau, Early 20th C. Signed
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A rare and highly charming antique porcelain figurine depicting a chick, designed by Anna Soennecken-Beckmann for the renowned Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory c. 1911. Created in t...
Porcelain
$5,544
H 11.82 in W 7.49 in D 4.73 in
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Bust Entitled "Cendrillon" by Emmanuel Villanis
Located in London, GB
An attractive late 19th Century Art Nouveau French bronze bust exhibiting deep multi-hued patination and excellent detail. The beautiful character wearing a head dress and a loosely draped blouse representing ’Cinderella’ from the famous French opera. The bronze is signed E Villanis and titled to the fore on its integral bronze base. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 30 cm Width: 19 cm Depth: 12 cm Condition: excellent original condition Circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze Book Ref: Emmanuel Villanis by Josje Hortulanus-de Mik Page No: 35 SKU: 8773 ABOUT Villanis Cendrillon Emmanuel Villanis was an industrious man. He is believed to have created some 200 to 250 pieces. His oeuvre pre-eminently consisted of busts and full body statues...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Metal and Oak Figural Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau metal wall plaque featuring an image of a woman playing a harp with a natural green patina, mounted in a rectangular oak frame.
Metal
Hand carved wooden owl statue
Located in TILBURG, NL
Colorfull hand carved wooden owl. Handmade in Belgium by l'Eau Vive. The base/body is painted in shiny black with strong shiny blue and green in...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Colorful Hand Carved and Hand Painted Wooden Parrot
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful and fun vintage hand carved parrot. Hand painted in bright vibrant coastal colors. Vintage Pier One made in Thailand. Would look great in Coastal, Palm Beach Regency, Tiki ...
Wood
$5,059
H 11.03 in W 6.3 in D 3.94 in
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Bust entitled "Silvia" by Emmanuel Villanis
Located in London, GB
A very fine late 19th century French bronze bust of an attractive classical maiden modelled in the Art Nouveau style, with fabulous multi hued patination of brown and a subtle green, accentuating the excellent hand finished detail. Signed E Villanis, with Societe des Bronzes foundry seal, numbered and with raised title to the fore. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 28 cm Width: 16 cm Depth: 10 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze Book Ref: Emmanuel Villanis by Josje Hortulanus-de Mik Page No: 79 SKU: 8775 ABOUT Sylvia Ballet - Silvia Sylvia, (the spelling is different in french) is a classical ballet. It features a nondescript mythical setting and a late nineteenth-century score, in which it's themes correlate to giving it a more classical feel, however, it was quite revolutionary for its time. The score was and still is recognized for its greatness. Delibes' work is certainly the best appreciated aspect of the ballet for its innovation, creativity, and maturity. Frederick Ashton's choreography complements the music very well in this respect, staying true to the spirit of the original production while incorporating modern techniques and adding his own unique touch. The ballet itself follows Sylvia who is a loyal follower of Diana (the goddess of the hunting and chassitity). The story starts with Sylvia being stalked by the diety Eros. When she discovers this they fire their bows at each other respectively. However only Eros's shot is true and wounds Sylvia. This is where she is kidnapped by an unknown assailant later revealed to be Orion. Sylvia escapes the caves of Orion by getting her captor intoxicated and pleading to Eros to rescue her. When he begrudgingly rescues her he takes her to the temple of Diana where her love awaits. This leads her to repeal her oath of Chassity taken as a follower of Diana. Emmanuel Villanis Emmanuel Villanis was an industrious man. He is believed to have created some 200 to 250 pieces. His oeuvre pre-eminently consisted of busts and full body statues. Most of these were manufactured in bronze, but there are also models in white metal and terra cotta. Different patinas were used. The bronzes were mainly cast by the Societé de Bronzes de Paris and can be recognised by the round stamp...
Bronze
Vintage Cadillac Hood Ornament Statue of Goddess on Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage chrome Cadillac iconic figure of a Goddess has been mounted on a faux bois metal base. This certainly is a one of a kind mounted gift for yourself or the person that has...
Chrome, Metal
Parisian Onyx and Gemstone Mounted Sculpture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Multi-Gemstone, Rock Crystal, and Onyx Mounted Sculpture Sourced from Paris by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Multi-gemstone, Onyx
Pair of Antique Art Nouveau Brass Wall Mounting Candelabras
Located in London, GB
A stunning and quite unusual pair of antique Art Nouveau brass wall mounting candelabra. They were made in England, and they date from around the 1890-1900 period. They depict large...
Brass
Sold
H 52 in W 22.5 in D 20 in
19th Century European Fratelli Pozzoli Majolica Ceramic Tile Heating Stove
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificent antique maiolica tiled heating stove from the late 19th century, monumental size, French Art Nouveau styling, Italian Alps origin...
Steel, Iron
Sold
H 3.55 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in
Franz Xaver Bergman Viennese Cold Painted Wild Geese Standing on Ice
By Franz Xaver Bergman (Bergmann)
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A wonderful stylish Austrian Viennese cold painted bronze sculpture of two wild geese standing on a quartz rock modeled as ice by Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936) and dating from circ...
Bronze
Collection of 6 Antique French Steel and Brass Studded Pétanque Balls
Located in Stamford, CT
A collection of 6 antique steel and brass studded petanque balls. Used in a game similar to bocce. All six come with Lucite stands. Most with brass inla...
Steel
1900 Two Art Nouveau Gilded Wooden Italian Fragments
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Set of two gilded wood friezes hand carved in Italy in 1900. Probably they came from a door or a furniture, they are mounted on a white painted metal pedestal.
Giltwood
Sold
H 18 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
French Bronze Spelter Figure by Siffleur "The Little Whistling Boy", circa 1890
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer a wonderful example of a late 19th century bronze spelter statue named Le Petit Sifleur (the little whistling boy) stamped at the b...
Spelter
Sold
H 9.06 in W 74.81 in D 4.73 in
Early 20th Century Painted Jugendstil Art Nouveau Plaster Mask by Karl Koch 1910
By Karl Koch
Located in Berlin, DE
This early 20th century Jugendstil / Art Nouveau painted plaster mask was made by Karl Koch. He studied at the academy of Art in Leipzig in 1910. A beautifu...
Plaster
Wall Console "The Moor" Baroque Revival, Austria, circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Gorgeous small Baroque Revival wall console from Austria, circa 1910. This beautiful carved wall console depicts a moor in a golden robe swinging in a red curtain. The whole sculptur...
Wood
Early WWI Airplane Brass desk Model, 1910
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Early WWI airplane brass desk model. Perfect gift for any aviation fan.
Bronze
Sold
H 8.8 in W 7.1 in D 2.7 in
Majolica Wall Sculpture / Picture Set by J. Maresch, Bohemia, circa 1895
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely set of Majolica wall sculptures by Johann Maresch. Out of Bohemia circa 1895 we present to you this two "Fenstergucker" (means "window watchers") depicting two people - a pomp...
Majolica