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.
19th Century French Majolica Flowers Jardinière
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Flowers Jardinière. This jardinière is inspired by the Art Nouveau and the Naturalism movement of the end of 19th Century.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Rare Majolica Butterfly Wall Pocket Clement Massier, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Majolica butterfly wall pocket signed Clement Massier, Golfe Juan Circa 1900. H / 7 inches. W / 9 inches.
Ceramic, Faience
Paul GASQ - Large French Art Nouveau Diane/Artemis Bronze Bust, 1900
By Paul Gasq
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Large French Art Nouveau Bronze Bust Sculpture of Diane / Artemis by Paul Gasq (1860–1944), France, circa 1900. An exceptional and large French Art Nouveau bronze bust sculpture dep...
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Art Nouveau Clear Glass Vase, Ruffled Edge, Austria circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Charming Art Nouveau glass vase with ruffled edge coming from the famous period in Austria around 1910. The extraordinary mouthblown clear glass body impresses with a beautiful bulb...
Blown Glass
Fratelli Toso Fenicia Art Glass Vase, Murano, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Art Glass Vase by Fratelli Toso, Murano, Italy, Early 20th Century. Rare Murano art glass vase by Fratelli Toso, Venice, Italy, dating from the early 20th century. This finely execu...
Art Glass
$583Sale Price|49% Off
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
Art Nouveau Enamelled Faience Vase, Baluster Form, Longwy Region, France, 1910s
By Boch Freres Keramis, Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Art Nouveau enamelled faience vase, produced in France around 1910 and likely originating from the Longwy region, is executed in a tall baluster form and decorated in heavy enam...
Enamel
Set of 2 Antique Art Nouveau Picture Frames, Stained Oak, around 1910, Vienna
Located in Andernach, DE
Set of 2 antique stained oak picture frames in a wonderfully hand crafted shape. Vienna in the 1910s, these were the typical items to display on the wall to show portraits of your l...
Oak
Antique French Zinc Grape Hod Wine Cellar Harvest Bucket Basket Planter c. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT Antique French Zinc Grape Hod~~c. 1900 Beautiful decorative zinc grape hod, harvest bucket or basket~~perfect for kitchen or wine cellar decor or use it as a planter for f...
Zinc
Beautiful flower jardiniere, Jugendstil Art Nouveau Eichwald green, Bohemia 1900
By Eichwald
Located in Wien, AT
A beautiful, classic flower jardinière, made by the renowned ceramics manufacturer Eichwald in Bohemia, circa 1900. The jardinière features typical Art Nouveau design. It has an ova...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Glass Vase with Violet Satin Finish and Gold Iris Relief Enamel
By Moser, Baccarat, Legras Montjoye
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Elegant Art Nouveau glass vase featuring a refined violet satin (acid-etched) finish, beautifully enhanced with hand-applied gilded enamel decoration. The design centers on a stylize...
Enamel
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Photograph Frame. English. Dated 1905
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Beautiful silver photo frame In art nouveau style Good clear hallmark for Birmingham 1905 Original bevelled glass Good condition Original oak back Free UK shipping
Silver
Early 20th Century Antique Bronze French Bulldog Figurine Frenchie Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1900s Vienna Bronze French Bulldog – Unpainted, Patinated Finish A finely crafted unpainted Vienna bronze figurine, likely dating from the early 20th century. Discovered at an ...
Bronze
Enamel Painted Biddy Chicken Bird Opal Glass Vase, Antique German Eastern, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Petite Opal Black Glass Vase with Enamel Chicken Motif A charming small opal black glass vase featuring a delicate enamel painting of a biddy chicken. The hand-applied enamel des...
Enamel
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
Rare Emile Gallé Cameo Glass Vase with Anémone des Alpes Motif, circa 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Bochum, NRW
A rare miniature Gallé vase showcasing the masterful craftsmanship of Émile Gallé, one of the leading figures of the French Art Nouveau movement. Collectible. Dimensions: Height: 7 c...
Glass
Art Nouveau Tiffany Studios New York Favrile Glass Loving Cup
Located in New York, NY
This three-handled gold Favrile loving cup features intaglio-carved grape leaves against a richly iridescent ground. The form takes its name from the traditional loving cup, designed...
Blown Glass
$782Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Pair French Art Nouveau Candlestick Holders c.1900 Arts & Crafts Décor
Located in London, GB
Fine Pair of French Art Nouveau Candlestick Holders, c.1900 A fabulous pair of Art Nouveau candlestick holders dating to around 1900, beautifully crafted with the flowing organic li...
Brass, Copper
$1,945Sale Price|25% Off
Authentic Émile Gallé Art Nouveau Vase with Wisteria Motif, circa 1910
By Émile Gallé
Located in Bochum, NRW
An exquisite authentic vase by Émile Gallé, master of French Art Nouveau glass. Circa 1910. Dimensions: Height 21 cm × Diameter 8 cm. This piece showcases a delicate interplay of pur...
Glass
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau letter opener, circa 1905, in bronze. Decorated with ginkgo biloba leaves, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 20 cm Width: 3.3 cm Thickness: 1 cm Weight...
Bronze
20th Century Art Nouveau Majolica Vase by Gerbing & Stephan, AT ca. 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, rare Art Nouveau majolica vase by the world famous manufactory of Gerbing & Stephan from the early period in Austria around 1910. The beautiful shaped grey blue color...
Ceramic, Majolica
Émile Gallé "L'Hippocampe" Vase
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite underwater vase, designed by Louis Hestaux for Émile Gallé, depicts a sleeping seahorse, its prehensile tail gently curled around a strand of the brown seaweed Gongola...
Glass
Early 20th Century Bronze entitled "The Lovers" by Ferdinand Lepke
Located in London, GB
A powerful and emotive bronze sculpture portraying a tender yet sensual moment between a young man and young woman, their bodies intimately entwined. The male figure gently embraces ...
Bronze
1920s Green Ceramic Vase, Upsala Ekeby, Sweden
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Ingrid Atterberg, Allan Ebeling, Harald Östergren, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique emerald green art nouveau vase by Upsala Ekeby. Soft shaped shiny green and black organically glazed ceramic vase with two handles. Stamped and numbered under base. Beautif...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$565Sale Price|58% Off
Pair of Loetz Glass and Wrought Iron Vases 1920s
By Loetz Glass
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of Loetz iridescent glass and wrought iron mesh vases, hand-blown in the 1920s Ø cm 10 h cm 23 Loetz is a name that immediately conjures up images of art glass of extraordinar...
Glass
Art Nouveau Émile Gallé "Calla Lily" Vase
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
In this Établissement Gallé cameo glass vase, the calla lily’s flowers and leaves spiral in a diagonal whirlpool of movement, their ruffled edges and finely traced venation articulat...
Glass
$2,641Sale Price|20% Off
Emile Gallé Cameo Glass Vase with Orchid Oncidium Motif Nancy France 1894-1904
By Émile Gallé
Located in Bochum, NRW
Rare Emile Gallé Art Nouveau Cameo Glass Vase with Orchid Oncidium Motif — Nancy, France, Circa 1894–1904 Baluster-shaped vase, multilayer cased glass, green, colorless, and violet h...
Art Glass
jugendstil picture frame around 1910s
Located in Wien, AT
Jugendstil picture frame around 1910s Brass polished and stove enameled Glass in front Picture size max: H:16,5cm W: 11cm
Brass
Art Nouveau Sculptural Swan Bowl in Crackle Glazed Porcelain and Gilt Metal
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Elegant Art Nouveau inspired swan bowl in crackle-glazed white porcelain with sculptural gilt metal, evoking Hollywood Regency glamour; decorative centerpiece with substantial weight...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Bronze entitled "Running Hare" by Andre Becquerel
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive early 20th Century Art Deco bronze modelled as a stylised running hare with very fine rich brown patina lightly rubbed on the highlights to a golden hue and wi...
Bronze
Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Green Millefiori Antique Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown Millefiori Murrina flower mosaic Italian art glass decorative flower vase. The piece is documented to the Fratelli Toso company, circa 1910-1930. ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Art Nouveau Opaline Glass Vase by Cristallerie de Clichy, France
Located in Valencia, VC
Cristallerie de Clichy Art Nouveau Opaline Glass Vase with Aventurine Inclusions, France A very beautiful and charming Cristallerie de Clichy art glass vase featuring an elegant Art...
Opal, Gold Leaf
Adolf Loos Vienna Modernism Wall Clock by Junghans, Germany, 1920s
By Adolf Loos, Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimalist wall clock, dating back to around 1920, designed by Adolf Loos (1870–1933), manufactured by Junghans Germany. This clock stands out with its unmistakable octag...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Sheet Metal
Bohemian 1900s Art Nouveau Iridescent Green Snake Glass Vase, Josef Rindskopf
By Johann Lötz Witwe, Josef Rindskopf’s Söhne
Located in Andernach, DE
Fantastic design vase attributed to Josef Rindskopf, Bohemia, around 1900. Here in an olive green with an iridescent finish – shimmering sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on ...
Art Glass
Antique American Art Nouveau Repousse Sterling Silver Matchsafe or Vesta
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique signed silver Art Nouveau matchsafe. In sterling silver. With repousse decoration of rocaille swags around the edges of both sides. With a striker to the base. Mar...
Sterling Silver
Cameo Glass Banjo Vase, by Emile Galle Décor Begonias, France, circa 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Bochum, NRW
An excellent French Art Nouveau Vase in a classic banjo shape, with a deep red flowering landscape etched and acid cut against a yellow background, with fine color and detail. Rare ...
Glass
Victor SAGLIER French Art Nouveau Silverplate Planter Centerpiece, 1890
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Nouveau centerpiece planter by Victor SAGLIER, 12 rue d'Enghien , Paris, France, ca.1890. Silverplate metal. Black patina in the hollows to accentuate the reliefs. Height ...
Metal
Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890. Height / 4 inches. Lenght / 5.2 by 2.5 inches.
Majolica, Ceramic
Art Nouveau Loetz Papillon Vase "Jack In The Pulpit" - Iridescent, CZ ca. 1915
By Loetz Glass
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rare, amazing hand-crafted 20th century Loetz Witwe vase from the Art Nouveau period in Bohemia (former Czech Republic) around 1915. This mesmerizing, so-called "Jack in the pulpit" ...
Silver
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
$556Sale Price|49% Off
Art Nouveau Glass Compote Vase, Palm Tree Design, French, Early 20th-C
Located in Valencia, VC
Early 20th-century French Art Nouveau glass compote vase, designed in a sculptural palm tree form with finely etched detailing and a rich rusty orange hue. This piece reflects the ...
Glass
1900s Lush Art Nouveau Glass Vase 'Jack in the Pulpit' Cornucopia Confetti Tutu
By Johann Kralik
Located in Andernach, DE
Rare art nouveau vase in a beautifully hand crafted glass, with an almost exploding Sumptuous flower, once holding flowers it will be a true cornucopia. Here held in a juicy green po...
Art Glass
Art Nouveau Earthenware Vase, Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Vicke Lindstrand, Rörstrand, Harald Östergren, Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Warm marbled yellow modern art nouveau vase by Upsala Ekeby in the 1940s. Soft shaped glazed ceramic vase with two small spouts and fluted wavey coral red handles. Stamped and number...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery, Stoneware
Antique Kyoto-Awaji Pottery Blue Organic Art Nouveau Two Tone Trumpet Vase 18"
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Kyoto-Awaji pottery vase in tall and slender sweeping organic Art Nouveau form with trumpet mouth, in two tone color with a cream glaze fading into a deep cobalt, circa 1910....
Pottery
Vintage Antique MaruMan T2 Heavy Crystal Table Lighter Electric And Gas
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage antique crystal tabletop gas and electric lighter. In great condition. This exquisite Lighter is a testament to the opulence and craftsmanship of the mid 20th century. The b...
Crystal, Metal
Daum Nancy Cameo Glass Vase 'Branches de pommier en fleurs', France circa 1905
By Daum
Located in Bochum, NRW
Daum Nancy Cameo Glass Vase — “Branches de pommier en fleurs,” France, circa 1905 This breathtaking Daum Nancy cameo glass vase captures the ephemeral charm of blooming apple trees, ...
Glass
Daum Art Glass Decorative Plate with Dusty Rose Mermaids, France
By Daum
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, high-end glass plate with mermaids by Daum, France. This exquisite Art Nouveau dish by Daum exemplifies the mastery of French glassmaking. Crafted using the pâ...
Art Glass
Early 20th Century entitled "Floral Cameo Vase" by Thomas Webb
Located in London, GB
A stunning late 19th Century cameo glass vase attributed to Thomas Webb, decorated with a crisp white cameo cut floral pattern against a deep red field, exhibiting excellent colour ...
Glass
Loetz Art Nouveau Iridescent Oil Spot Vase with Bronze Frame
By Loetz Glass
Located in Toledo, OH
Beautiful Loetz Art Nouveau oil spot vase with an iridized finish in shades of green with highlights of blues, purples and golds as the light shifts. The vase is held by a footed bro...
Bronze
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
Late Meiji Japanese Moriage Iris Vase in the Art Nouveau Taste, 17.5 Inches
Located in Morristown, NJ
A striking late Meiji period Japanese moriage vase featuring exuberant high-relief iris decoration rendered in richly enameled greens, turquoise, violet and soft pinks. The sculptur...
Enamel
Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves Cache Pots Luneville Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Majolica Flowers & Leaves signed Luneville Cache Pots Circa 1890, H / 7 inches , D / 9 inches by 7 inches.
Ceramic, Majolica
Vide Poche, Art Nouveau Period, in Bronze with Gold and Black Patina
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide poche is from the Art Nouveau period. It is in bronze, the reclining woman is in gold color, and the rest of the item is in a brown/ black patina. It has been made in fran...
Bronze
Émile Gallé small Cameo vase, Art Nouveau, ca 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Delft, NL
Émile Gallé small Cameo vase, Art Nouveau, ca 1900 Émile Gallé (Nancy, 1846 –1904) was a French glassmaker and furniture designer Émile Gallé 20 cm hig...
Glass
Rare set of two monumental dragon vases, Art Nouveau, style Massier, 1900 France
By Massier Art Pottery
Located in Wien, AT
Exceptional high-quality set of two vases with a dragon motif, presumably by Massier, made in France around 1900. These vases are a real eye-catcher. The base is round, a typical c...
Ceramic
$1,247Sale Price|20% Off
Scavo Cenedese Blue Glass Vase from the 1950s
Located in Milano, MI
Blue vase in Scavo di Cenedese glass made in the 1950s. Measures: Ø 13 cm, H 19 cm Scavo glass is a type of ornamental glass with a rough surface with a matte finish in imitati...
Murano Glass
Charming flower vase, blutterfly decor, enamel, Art Nouveau, 1890, Germany
Located in Wien, AT
An exceptional original Art Nouveau vase from the Ludwig Wessel earthenware factory, made around 1890 in Germany. This vase is a special piece from a manufactory renowned for its hi...
Enamel
French Majolica Cache Pot Jérôme Massier Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica tulip Cache Pot Jérôme Massier Circa 1890 Height / 7 inches. Diameter / 10 inches.
Ceramic
$625Sale Price|50% Off
Art Nouveau Style Art Glass Vase Signed Contemporary, circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful contemporary art glass vase in the Art Nouveau style, by artist Robert Eickholt, circa 1980s. Vase is signed "Eickholt" and dated "1988" on bottom as shown in last t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Antique Vase in Pressed Ruby Red Glass by Fyens Glasværk, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A 1920s flower vase in pressed ryby/deep red glass. Made at Fyens Glasværk (later Holmegaard) in the early 1920s. It's a substantial and tall piece measuring 28 cm in height. Suitabl...
Glass