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.
Stunning Ceramic Art Deco Vase - Herman Kähler - 1920s Denmark
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning white ceramic vase designed by Herman Kähler. The vase is 21 cm tall and about 18.5 cm in diameter. It is in excellent condition and marked HAK below. Herman Kähler (1846...
Ceramic
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900. Diameter / 6 inches.
Ceramic
Set of 2 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 2 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century Description: This is a set of four majolica plates, crafted in France during the 20th century by the ...
Ceramic
German Jugendstil Earthenware Centerpiece, circa 1905
Located in Valencia, VC
A beautiful German Jugendstil earthenware centerpiece or serving dish dating from the early 20th century, circa 1905–1915. The dish features an elegant scalloped outline resting on t...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware, Majolica
Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
Mid-Century Ruscha Art Vase
By Ruscha
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Beautiful art pottery and unusual piece by Ruscha with a strong art nouveau influence in its shape and decoration. It is glazed in a dark brown with variegated purple and light grey ...
Ceramic
French Majolica Wild Rose Pitcher Fives Lille, circa 1900
By Fives-Lille
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica wild rose pitcher fives Lille, circa 1900.
Ceramic
1 of the 150 Art Deco Tiles by Boch Freres, la Louvière, 1920's
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 150 glazed ceramic tiles tiles by Boch Freres, la Louvière, circa 1920's . Beautiful original antique dark green and off-white tiles with a wonderful rich pattern. The dime...
Ceramic
Bretby Art Nouveau High Fired Flambe Glazed Vase by Henry Tooth
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare Bretby Art Nouveau high fired ‘flambe’ glazed art pottery vase by Henry Tooth & Co and dating from 1900-1910. This exquisite simple shaped bulbous vase stands on a narrow roun...
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Column with Ceramic Vase
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this splendid column vase, made in Italy, dating back to the early 20th century. The vase is crafted from polychrome glazed ceramic. The eye-catching decoration captures t...
Ceramic
Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
By Victor Horta
Located in Lisse, NL
Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Ceramic Wash Bowl and Pitcher Set, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Art Nouveau wash bowl and pitcher set. Striking Belgium design from the 1900s. Marked with makers stamp. In good original condition w...
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Vase by Alphonse Cytère, 1910
By Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Cytère 1
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful antique ceramic vase handcrafted by Alphonse Cytère known for developing this metallic finish. Typical Art Nouveau style. This model with...
Ceramic
Majolica Blue Butterfly Plate Josef Steidl Znaim, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica butterfly plate Josef Steidl Znaim, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Water Lily Pad Plate Villeroy et Boch, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Water Lily Pad or water lilies Plate signed Villeroy et Boch, circa 1900. 7.7 inches diameter.
Ceramic
Glazed Art Nouveau Centerpiece Planter Jardinière, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant handmade hand glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1930s Wonderful Art Nouveau period/ monumental ceramic planter jardinière, handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant blue ...
Majolica
Antique Barbotine Majolica Ceramic Plate - France - Late 19th Century
By Barbotine
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Barbotine majolica ceramic plate - medium size with crescent edge - hand painting featured over raised decoration of birds and flora - unsigned - France - late 19th century. ...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Majolica glazed tableware set of 10 pieces Leaves pattern in relief.
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau Majolica glazed tableware set of 10 pieces Leaves pattern in relief. Sarreguemines Majolica is a type of earthenware, decorated with colored lead glazes. Majolica was m...
Majolica
Majolica Gray Butterfly Plate Josef Steidl Znaim, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica butterfly plate Josef Steidl Znaim, circa 1890.
Ceramic
French Maritime Landscape Dinner Service Creil&Montereau hand painted circa 1889
Located in Paris, FR
A table set for 12 or 18 people, "Marine," signed by Ludovic Napoléon Lepic, was crafted in earthenware by the prestigious Creil and Montereau manufactory in 1889. This unique set fe...
Ceramic, Faience
Set of 4 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 4 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century Description: This is a set of four majolica plates, crafted in France during the 20th century by the...
Ceramic
RB Blanche Ceramic Service - Fish
Located in Lugo, IT
RB Blanche ceramic dinnerware Small defects on the edges Good condition. Thank you
Ceramic
Set of 6 Majolica Oyster Plates – 19th Century – Green and Brown Glazes
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 6 Majolica Oyster Plates – 19th Century – Green and Brown Glazes Description: This is a beautiful set of six oyster plates made in France during the 20th century, in majolica...
Ceramic
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
Royal Bonn Art Nouveau Vase
By Royal Bonn
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Royal Bonn Art Nouveau vase.
Ceramic
Six Majolica Plates with Fruit Decor, Sarreguemines, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Six Early 20th century majolica plates with fruit decor, Earthenware. Differend fruit decorations, colourful painted. Underglaze mark. Small cracks in the ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Art Nouveau Centerpiece by RSTK Tepitz, Austria, 1950, Technique:Ivory Porcelain
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
StK: Stands for Reissner, Stellmacher & Kessel, a highly famous ceramic and porcelain factory founded in 1892 that specialized in the Art Nouveau movement. The Red Stamp (RStK): The ...
Porcelain
Vienna Art Ceramics Art Nouveau Bowl 'Goose Dance' by Michael Mörtl ca 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Nouveau ceramic centerpiece, twelve geese designed in a circle to form a bowl. White earthenware painted in color and glazed. Designed by Michael MÖRTL (1878 - 1939) around 190...
Ceramic
A NEOCLASSICAL ART NOUVEAU Ceramic PLATE by EMILE BALON BLOIS SCHOOL France 1900
By Emile Balon 1
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional, rare and large decorative dish, Art-Deco, Art Nouveau, Modernist, Shabby-Chic, in thick circular ceramic featuring rare, complex and superb figurative decorations, by...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Paint
Art Nouveau Vase Ceramics, Floral Turquoise & Blue Josef Ekberg Sgrafitto 1921
Located in Stockholm, SE
An art nouveau vase in ceramics designed by Josef Ekberg at Gustavsberg in 1921, this vase is from the classic Sgrafitto-serie. The vase is 8 cm (3.2") tall. It is in very good condi...
Ceramic
Majolica Iris Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica basket with iris flowers signed Sarreguemines, circa 1920.
Ceramic, Faience
French Pink Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate with two parakeets on a very rare pink background with oranges of Salins, circa 1890.
Majolica
French Majolica Wild Rose Platter, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Charming Art Nouveau Majolica handled platter with two pink wild roses inspired by Delphin Massier, circa 1900.
Majolica, Ceramic
German Majolica Plate with Morning Glory, circa 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th century German majolica plate with morning glory on a blue basket weave and a brown border, circa 1900. Small cracks in the glazing, glazing craquelure, chip at the backsi...
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Glazed Ceramic Butterflies Planters by Delphin Massier, France, c. 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Glazed Ceramic butterflies planters by Delphin Massier. France, circa 1890. Signed Delphin Massier Vallauris. Art Nouveau period.
Ceramic
Majolica Duck Pitcher Keller & Guerin Saint Clement, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica duck in an egg pitcher signed Keller et Guerin Saint Clement, circa 1900. Decorated with a duckling watching a dragonfly.
Ceramic
Large Amphora Austria Vase Attributed to Julius Dressler, circa 1905
By Julius Dressler, Amphora Austria Manufactory
Located in Verviers, BE
Julius Dressler's factory opened in Biela, Bohemia in 1883 and closed in 1944. His work was influenced by the Art Nouveau and Vienna Secessionist movements. Style-looks, simply s...
Ceramic
Ceramic Table Night , Art Nouveau , 1905 , Fabric: Galluba & Hofmann, Sign: GH
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
We can rewire it for the US market Sign: Made in Germany / Pl 78 / GH The German firm Galluba & Hofmann was a prestigious luxury porcelain manufacturer that operated mainly betwe...
Ceramic
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate signed Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
Early 1900 by Christopher Dresser SCI Laveno Jugendstill Ceramic Cachepot Vase
By S.C.I. Laveno, Christopher Dresser
Located in Brescia, IT
Purple ceramic cachepot Perfect condiction.
Pottery
Rare Art Nouveau ceramic 3-piece asparagus set by Julius Dessler, Austria
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A museum‑level Austrian ceramic rarity with exceptional provenance, this three‑piece asparagus service by Julius Dessler, dating to around 1900, offers the kind of completeness and a...
Ceramic
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate signed Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
Danish Art Nouveau Ceramic Dish by Joakim Skovgaard C.1887
Located in Valby, 84
Rare Skønvirke ceramic dish by Danish artist Joakim Skovgaard made at Wallmann's workshop in Utterslev C.1887. The dish carries a label on the back written Joakim Skovgaard and a ha...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau , Liberty , Jugendstil Faience Centerpiece from Austria, 1897
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Signs: 22 April 1897 DRS: (Designer's initials) 13 14 Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquis...
Faience
Antique Villeroy & Boch Majolica Fan Bowl, c. 1900
Located in Ross, CA
Antique majolica bowl made by Villeroy & Boch likely in their German factory. The turquoise bowl has a fan, flowers and a classic Greek key pattern around the rim.
Ceramic
Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges signed Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
Pair of Art Nouveau orange apothecary jars, hand-painted porcelain
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing pair of porcelain apothecary jars, with cartouches reading "Amber" and "Opium." These jars were traditionally used by apothecaries to store medicinal liquids. However, in ad...
Ceramic
Majolica Palm Leaf Plate Villeroy & Boch, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica palm leaf plate signed Villeroy & Boch, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Villeroy and Boch Saxony Poppy Porcelain Egg Cups
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Jugendstil Saxony Poppy porcelain egg cups by Villeroy and Boch, Dresden, Germany, dating between 1874- 1909. Beautiful stylized Art No...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Wasmuel Oyster Plate, Belgium, C. 1890's
Located in Ross, CA
Antique oyster plate made in Belgium by Wasmuel in the late 19th century. Made int eh Art Nouveau style, the plate has six wells for oysters and one larger well for crackers, lemons ...
Ceramic
Italian Art Nouveau Decorative Wall Plate, Stile Floreale
Located in Sharon, CT
Beautiful and dramatic, a unique hand painted plate, depicting a plumed bird on a branch in Stile Floreale ( Art Nouveau ). Signed.
Ceramic
Woman in ceramic, style : Art Nouveau, Sign: ZSZ FS Nove Italy
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
The stamps "ZSZ FS Nove Italy" refer to vintage Italian ceramics produced in Nove, a renowned ceramics-making region near Vicenza. They are highly collectible pieces dating primarily...
Ceramic
Early 20C American Dedham Style Sang de Boeuf Pottery & Gilt Bronze Table Lamp
By Chelsea Keramic Art Works
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a GORGEOUS AND EXTREMELY RARE Lamp of small to medium proportions. In the shape of a Lidded Chinese Ginger Jar/Urn, heavily influenced by Chinese design with gilt bronze mounts and base in the Chinese style. CLASSIC Oxblood or ‘Sange de Boeuf’ Pottery. Very nice table lamp. IMPRESSIVE and VERY DECORATIVE ! From circa 1920 and we believe American made, probably by the Hugh C..Robertson for Dedham Pottery...
Bronze, Ormolu
Paris Universal Exhibition 1889 Large Art Nouveau Dish
Located in NANTES, FR
UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION 1889 Large octagonal dish in enamelled slip, the blue and gilt wing with the arms of Paris, adorned with foliage cartouches, festoons, attributes of the sciences, arts, music and agriculture, the center decorated in half relief of a view of the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1889, of the Eiffel Tower and of the Central Pavilion. Olivier De SORRA, G. MORTREUX Frères, Paris. In good condition, lacks on the gilding. Height: 45.5cm Width: 45cm Depth: 4.5cm Weight: 6kg Provenance: according to family tradition, this dish would have been made in two copies on the orders of Gustave Eiffel...
Ceramic
Plateelbakkerij, Gouda Art Nouveau Ceramic Ewer, Zuid-Holland, Circa 1925
By Gouda Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland
Located in Chatham, ON
Plateelbakkerij- Antique Gouda Art Nouveau ceramic ewer - large size - matte finish glaze with hand painted leaf pattern and triple line borders - re...
Ceramic
A. Dubois À Bouffioulx, Vase Cylindrique En Grés Émaillé À Decor Tournant Gravé
By Guerin Bouffioulx, Antoine Dubois
Located in Verviers, BE
Belgium Art Deco vase in enameled stoneware showing Norman knights made by Antoine Dubois in Bergen during the 1930. Perfect condition It's sig...
Ceramic
Very Large Goldscheider Vienna Sculpture, Ruth, Dancer In Oriental Costume, 1915
By Rosé (Stanislaus Czapek), Goldscheider Manufactory of Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Goldscheider Art Nouveau terracotta: Depiction of dancer Ruth Saint Denis (1877/79 - 1968, actually Ruth Dennis, 'Miss Ruth') performing her dance 'Radha'- Dance of the Fiv...
Ceramic
Majolica Plate with Butterfly and Fruits, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica plate with a purple butterfly on the centre surrounded by fruits, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900. Diameter / 6.7 inches.
Ceramic
French Art Nouveau Longchamp Bronze Mounted Ceramic Planter
By Longchamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large French Art Nouveau bronze mounted glazed ceramic planter or cachepot from Longchamp, Burgundy. Vibrant hand painted colorful flowers with bright green foliage and metallic go...
Bronze