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.
$978Sale Price|30% Off
ART NOUVEAU 1900 Clear Glass Decanter-Bottle With Overlay .999 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Decanter bottle in clear glass with engraved silver overlay. This is a beautiful continental early 20th century silver overlay decanter or back bar bottle. The antique decanter was ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
English Art Nouveau Solid Silver Spirit Decanter Set by Hukin & Heath
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Silver spirit decanter set by Hukin & Heath, dating to the early twentieth century during the Art Nouveau period, circa 1910. The set comprises a single rou...
Silver
$375Sale Price|40% Off
Gold Gilt Compote Tazza Art Nouveau Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold gilt compote or tazza in the Art Nouveau style, circa early 20th century. Piece is decorated with a raised relief of strawberry fruit, vines, leaves and flowers. Dimensions: 7...
Metal
Antique American Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Decanter
Located in New York, NY
American Art Nouveau glass decanter with engraved silver overlay, ca 1900. Tall ovoid bowl with everted rim mounted to short columnar support, in turn, mounted to round foot. Overlay...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Period Silver Drinks or Schnapps Set by WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful Art Nouveau drinks or schnapps set of hall-marked fine plate silver, made by the celebrated German metalworks, WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) during the early 2...
Silver Plate, Metal
$1,398Sale Price|30% Off
ART NOUVEAU 1900 Sherry Liquor Bottle In Reddish Glass & Overlay Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Decanter bottle in clear glass with engraved silver overlay. This is a beautiful continental early 20th century silver overlay decanter for sherry liquor or back bar bottle. The ant...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Art Nouveau Twin Knob Handle Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Kent Silversmiths Art Nouveau Twin Knob Handle Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket. Item features floral scrollwork etched design, sca...
Silver Plate
Art Nouveau WMF Brass Punch Bowl, Germany, 1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Antique brass bowl with original glass insert, a decorative piece from the Art Nouveau period Elegant design made of solid brass with two large hand...
Brass
Antique Art Nouveau Floral Gorham Sterling Silver Overlay Flask
By Gorham
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Gorham sterling silver overlay flask featuring an 1/8 Pint glass jar with a fancy engraved leafy vine art nouveau silver overlay design, a removab...
Sterling Silver
Champagne bucket vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
Champagne bucket vienna around 1908 Polished and stove enameled
Brass
Heavy Bronze Brass Metal Lady Leg Nutcracker Antique France 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s or older nutcracker. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in the City of Strasbourg in France. Also nice as...
Bronze, Brass
Antique Art Nouveau Corkscrew in Pewter & Steel
Located in Esbjerg, DK
In the style of Thorvald Bindesbøl comes this stylish jugendstil corkscrew with handle in hammered pewter. It was made in Denmark circa 1910-20. It has no markings. Measurements: L/H...
Steel, Pewter
Victorian Highly Decorated Silver Plated "Short Cup Flask" American Circa 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely Art Nouveau hand crafted liquor flask repousse hand crafted design, circa 1890. In all original very good condition with no repairs, dents, or any restoration of any kind; the...
Silver Plate
A Vintage Spirit Decanter Bottle in Colored Cut Crystal and Embossed Silver
Located in Roma, IT
A precious decanter, certainly made in Europe and dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. This vintage bottle was probably intended to contain a grape-based spirit, such as...
Crystal
$165 / set
German Roemer Glasses - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 antique German roemer glasses. Clear glass bowls with an etched grape leaf design. Beautiful ribbed bases with blown glass detailing. Color is...
Glass
Berkefeld Filter Gesellschaft G.M.B.H Ce, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1900
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...
Ceramic
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Glass Cocktail or Lemonade Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American glass cocktail or lemonade pitcher. Of a tapered cylindrical form with an applied handle. With scrolling silver overlay...
Silver
Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Pinch Decanter with Scrolling Leaf Decoration
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Nouveau sterling silver overlay clear glass pinch decanter with three dimpled sides and allover scrolling leaf decoration, with a silver overlay collar and sterling capped cork s...
Sterling Silver
$934Sale Price|20% Off
Silver Plated Champagne Bucket, French, Circa 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice champagne bucket is made of silver plated. This is a French work, circa 1900
Silver Plate
Pair of Alvin Art Nouveau Grapevine Silver Overlay Decanters
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Art Nouveau glass decanters with engraved silver overlay, ca 1900. Each: Ovoid bowl, faceted neck, and everted rim in silver collar; faceted ball stopper. Overlay in form of ...
Silver
Tiffany Gold Favrile Blown Glass Cordial Service, Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1902
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A remarkable early 20th century cordial service by Louis Comfort Tiffany, circa 1902, exemplifying the artist’s mastery of Favrile blown glass. The set comprises a decanter with stop...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Antique American Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Flask
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century American Art Nouveau glass flask with engraved silver overlay. Flat front and concave back; sides curved and bottom flat. Short neck in silver collar and hinged a...
Silver
Translucen and Turquoise Murano Glass, Aventurine Gold and Silver Flecks, Italy
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Traslucid and turquoise Murano Glass, aventurine gold and silver flecks, Italy. What is Murano Glass? Is it glass made in a special place? Or made using special techniques? It is actually both. Murano glass is glass in a chemical sense of the word. However, Murano glass is as different from, say, the glass in your window panes, as Rembrandt paintings...
Glass
French Perrier-Jouet Champagne Flutes Glasses Art Nouveau, Set of 10
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of ten (10) vintage Perrier-Jouet French champagne flute glasses with iconic floral motif in the Art Nouveau style, circa mid to late-20th century, France. This iconi...
Glass
Jugendstil Set of Silver Tantalus and Three Glass Decanters with Stoppers by WMF
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in North Miami, FL
Jugendstil/Art Nouveau Set of Silver Tantalus and Three Glass Decanters with Stoppers by german company Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) By: W...
Crystal, Metal, Silver, Silver Plate
Art Nouveau Glass Grape Decanter & 6 Glasses Set by Bimini, Vintage Austria
By Bimini Glass
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A slightly cheeky Art Nouveau decanter set with matching set of six glasses in handblown clear glass, in the style of Bimini. The stems designed as grapes. ...
Blown Glass
Barolac Josef Inwald Frosted Crystal Geranium Pattern Champagne Bottle Holder
By Tiffany & Co., Barolac, Lalique
Located in San Diego, CA
Elevate your barware collection with this exquisite frosted glass champagne or wine holder by Josef Inwald for Barolac, celebrated for its masterful artistry and refined decorative m...
Crystal
1920s Moritz Hacker "Boy at Grape Harvest in Vineyard" Silver Toothpick Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A unique and unconventional silver plated Art Nouveau toothpick stand or dispenser from the 1920s. The toothpick holder depicts a boy with a barrel on his back during a grape harvest...
Metal
$750Sale Price|25% Off
WMF Art Nouveau Cut Glass and Silverplate Liqueur Set C.1900
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF Art Nouveau cut glass and silver plate Liqueur Set C.1900. The silver plate set with liqueur jug and four glasses in holders, each with stylized art nouveau design engraved cryst...
Silver Plate
Brass Lady Leg Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Metal Barware Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Brass
Antique Art Nouveau Champagne Bucket by Argit SFOA, Circa 1900
By Argit.
Located in COLMAR, FR
A magnificent, authentic, art nouveau champagne bucket from the famous French champagne maker Charles Heidsieck in Reims, founded in 1851....
Gold Plate, Copper, Pewter
$896
Silver Hip Flask
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Silver Hip Flask. A beautiful gentleman's curved body pocket silver spirit hip flask. This hip flask with plain domed hinged lid with screw bayonet fitting, hallmarked London. We bel...
Silver
Sterling Silver Shot Glass Jigger Thimble Art Nouveau
Located in New York, NY
"JUST A THIMBLE FULL" A sterling silver 'thimble' jigger shot glass, Art Nouveau period, by E.G. Webster & Sons, circa late-19th century, USA. Piece, in the shape of the thimble, an...
Sterling Silver
A 1900s Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Engraved Crystal Liquor Set
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An Italian sterling silver and glass rosolio set in good conditions. TheLiquor Set is a luxurious and elegant ensemble that epitomizes the beauty and craft...
Sterling Silver
Colored Crystal Old Fashioned Glasses Barware set of 5 Ajka Arabella Circa 1960
By Baccarat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rare AJKA Arabella Colored Crystal Drinking Glasses, Set of 5 Vintage Barware Circa 1960.Add a touch of luxury to your collection with this rare set of 5 Ajka Arabella colored crystal drinking glasses. Handcrafted in Hungary, these stunning cut-to-clear crystal rocks glasses feature vibrant hues and intricate designs, making them a standout piece for any barware enthusiast.Beautiful mouth-blown and cut-to-clear barware made by Ajka Hungary, a classic maker of quality crystal since 1878.The pattern - called Arabella - is sleek and elegant. The glass captures the light beautifully, lending even greater depth to the already intense color.Vintage Bohemian art...
Crystal
Bird Nest Silver Plate Metal Bottle Stopper Topper Barware, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful metal and cork bottle stopper. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and cork, silver plated. A beautiful nice barware item or just a display item in your collections of antique and vintage bottle...
Metal, Silver Plate
Tall Antique American Art Nouveau Silver Overlay Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Tall turn of the century Art Nouveau glass decanter with engraved silver overlay. Globular bowl with cylindrical neck and everted rim. Stop...
Silver
Art Nouveau Silvered Brass Goblets on Tray by Argentor, 20th Century, AT 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Elegantly designed, silvered brass goblets on a tray, made by the renowed Austrian company of Argentor in the Art Nouveau period around 1910. This charming set consists of two goblet...
Silver Plate, Brass
Antique Tantalus Bar Liquor Decanter Set w Shot Glasses & Locking Case 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Art Nouveau Tantalus decanter set featuring six shot glasses and an embossed lockable metal case with handle. The case and decanter are etched / embossed with acanthus leave...
Metal
$800Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Christofle Art Nouveau Wine Bottle Holders Coasters C. 1910
By Christofle
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Pair of Christofle Art Nouveau Wine Bottle Holders Coasters C.1910. Stylised Art Nouveau silver plate coasters in remarkable condition for the a...
Silver Plate
Hukin & Heath Pair of Silver Tilting Liquor Decanters
Located in Northampton, GB
Free Worldwide Shipping Manufactured by Hukin & Heath From our Decanter collection, we are pleased to offer this Silver Mounted Pair of Tilting Decanters by Hukin & Heath. The Deca...
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Roberts and Belk Art Nouveau Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Wine Bottle Coaster
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Art Nouveau Silver Plated Twin Handle Sculptural Champagne Chiller Wine Bottle Coaster by Roberts and Belk, Sheffield. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 7" H x ...
Silver Plate
Antique Decorative Champagne Corkscrew, German, Multi Tool, Jules Mumm, C.1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative champagne corkscrew. A German, white metal and brass multi tool with Jules Mumm branding, dating to the early 20th century, ci...
Metal, Brass
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver and Crystal Decanter 797
By Georg Jensen, Harald Nielsen
Located in Hellerup, DK
A vintage Georg Jensen sterling silver decanter with ornate stoppers #797 by Harald Nielsen and a Crystal decanter. The heavy Art Nouveau stopper is handcrafted with a great deal of ...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Seltzer Soda Syphon Bottles Set, Blue Glass, Turquoise Glass
Located in Hamburg, DE
Antique siphons from France from the years around 1900. The bottles are made of thick heavy blue and turquoise glass and closures made of tin. In the cap of the blue bottle is stam...
Lead
Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstätte Shot-Server, Silver Plated, Re Edition
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstätte shot-server, silver plated, Re edition Hammered brass-silver plated
Silver Plate, Brass
French Art Nouveau Green Glass Decanter
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau green glass decanter with bronze dore trim.
Bronze
Muffin plate, Art nouveau, Jugendstil, Moderismo, Liberty, Stile Floreale, 1900
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...
Metal
Signed Stevens & Williams Hand Blown Crystal Decanter W/ Engraved Daffodils
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is an exquisite example of the amazing workmanship of the iconic English Glassmaker Stevens and Williams. The hand blown crystal decanter is wheel cut in a Narcissus Daffodil pa...
Crystal
Art Nouveau Silver Plated Floral Repousse Champagne Chiller Wine Bottle Coaster
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Art Nouveau Silver Plated Floral Repousse Champagne Chiller Wine Bottle Coaster by EG Webster. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 4.5" H x 9.25" W x 6.5" D.
Silver Plate
Pair of Art Nouveau Silver Plated Decanters with Nude Female & Vine Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of crystal decanters date from circa 1900 from the Art Nouveau period, and have their origins from Europe, and most likely Austria....
Crystal, Silver
Set of 12 Moser Intaglio Cut Art Nouveau Green Shaded to Clear Wine Goblets
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Not your typical wine goblets, these are a dramatic and unusual pattern of handblown crystal goblets by Moser. The subtle apple green shaded to clear, highlights the elegant Art Nouv...
Crystal
Antique American Art Nouveau Green Silver Overlay Claret Jug
Located in New York, NY
American Art Nouveau glass claret jug with engraved silver overlay, ca 1900. Cylindrical with small lip spout and spread base. C-scroll handle in silver collar. Overlay in form of en...
Silver
Brass Lady Leg Bottle Opener Mid-Century Modern Metal Barware Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s bottle opener. Nice addition to your room or just for use at your bar or bar cart. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Brass
Art Nouveau Engraved Crystal Decanter by WMF Liquor Carafe Claret Jug Floral
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite Art Nouveau liqueur decanter, crafted around 1900 by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik), showcases the elegant design principles of the Jugendstil movement. The ...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Art Nouveau Glass Liquor Service by Holmegaard: Decanter & Goblets
By Holmegaard
Located in Bochum, NRW
Liquor service made of glass with applied pewter decoration, comprising a decanter and eight goblets. Hand-blown glass, the decanter is decorated with a vine decoration in pewter, th...
Pewter
Neptun Filter, Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty, 1900
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...
Ceramic
French Hand-Blown Glass and Bakelite Absinthe Glasses, 3 pieces, 1910s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is an authentic set of three French Absinthe glasses manufactured by Franckhauser in Lyon circa 1910. French bistros, bars, and cafes used these heavy glasses in the ritual of ...
Blown Glass, Bakelite
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Sterling Silver Appetizer Spreader Server
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver appetizer spreader or small server, Art Nouveau design period, circa early-20th century. Piece has sterling silver handle with Art Nouveau design, spreader/spatula ...
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Set of 6 Art Nouveau Goblets by WMF, Gilt Liquor Set, Germany circa 1910
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Superb 20th century Art Nouveau liquor set from the period around 1910 in Germany made by the renown company of WMF. An outstanding liquor set ...
Metal