Beaux Arts furniture included chairs replicating models from the Renaissance and sofas inspired by Louis XIV. These pieces filled high-ceilinged rooms that featured tapestries fit for a medieval castle and were illuminated by crystal chandeliers reminiscent of those in European palaces. Leon Marcotte Company created furnishings for the White House mimicking the style of Louis XVI, while in France, cabinetmaker Louis Majorelle reproduced 18th-century pieces that would influence his later Art Nouveau style.
Students at the École des Beaux-Arts in 19th-century Paris meticulously sketched Roman and Greek art and architecture as part of a curriculum that elevated the classical world. This reverence for history informed the architecture and design being constructed in the French capital and beyond, where columns and pediments were joined with elements referencing the Renaissance and Baroque eras, culminating in grand civic buildings such as the Palais Garnier opera house constructed under Napoleon III.
Beaux Arts style, also known as Classical Eclecticism for its flamboyant mixing of influences, made its way to the United States in the late 19th century through American architects who studied in Paris, like Richard Morris Hunt and Charles Follen McKim. They designed monumental turn-of-the-century buildings like train stations, libraries, museums and mansions that featured soaring entry halls and grand stairways with nearly every surface embellished, from mosaic floors to stained-glass ceilings. The luxurious interiors of these Beaux Arts buildings, which weren’t crowded with objects as in the Victorian era, matched this spirit of opulence and embraced the past.
Find a collection of Beaux Arts decorative objects, lighting, wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.
19th Century French Desvres Faience Jardinière
By Desvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Desvres faience jardinière, or planter. Hand painted in typical floral design with beautiful vivid colors of blue, green, yellow and red on white ground. Footed...
Faience
French Desvres Faience Jardinière or Cachepot
By Desvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Desvres faience jardinière, or cache pot. Hand-painted in typical floral design with beautiful vivid colors of blue, green, yellow and red on white ground. A ni...
Faience
Antique French Palissy Majolica Serving Platter
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Palissy Majolica serving platter is an exquisite example of the genre, very well preserved and resplendent with jewel tones on a rich background creating a very decora...
Ceramic
19th Century English Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century English Majolica glazed ceramic begonia leaf plate with a single green leaf on dark brown ground with yellow accents. Mottled green,...
Majolica
French Desvres Faience Candlestick
By Desvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French faience candlestick from the faiencerie of Desvres, hand-painted with the traditional Rouen floral decor and colors of blue, yellow, orange and green. Fo...
Faience
19th Century French Hand Painted Faience Ewer Vase from Boulogne
Located in Dallas, TX
This tall, antique "Aiguiere" (ewer) was sculpted in Normandy, France, circa 1860. Standing on four small feet, this delicate, ornate terracotta pitcher has one large handle, a slope...
Ceramic, Faience
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Bombe Faience Jardinière
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a buffet or dining table with this colorful ceramic cache pot. Crafted in France, circa 1920 and oval in shape, the jardinière stands on four paw feet and is dressed with li...
Ceramic, Faience
$695
H 18.5 in W 8 in D 4 in
French Desvres Faience Figural Cat Wall Pocket Vase or Bouquetière by Geo Martel
By Desvres, Émile Gallé, Quimper Faience Pottery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine French faience wall pocket / vase. By Geo Martel, founder of the Gaëtan Level ceramics factory in Desvres starting circa 1900. In the form of a cat climbing with floral mark...
Faience
French Faience Cache Pot, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A white glazed French Faience “Cache Pot” with handles, circa 1870.
Faience
$880Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 5 in D 2.5 in
Pair of French Faience Wall Pocket Desvres Fourmaintraux, Circa 1890
By Desvres
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French Faience wall pocket signed Desvres Fourmaintraux Circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
$775
H 5 in W 11.25 in D 7.75 in
19th Century French Hand Painted Faience Jardiniere Signed Henriot Quimper
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a buffet or table with this colorful antique faience jardiniere. Crafted in Brittany, France, circa 1880, the oval planter features crown shaped scalloped edges and is dress...
Ceramic, Faience
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.5 in W 7.5 in D 7 in
Antique French Faience Quimper Inkwell Pen Tray, circa 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming antique French faience Quimper double inkwell and pen tray desk set, circa 1900. This gorgeous inkwell is hand painted with a traditional Breton man surrounded by bagpipes...
Faience
Large Antique Italian Majolica Platter, Bacchus and Ariadne
Located in Dallas, TX
At over two feet in diameter, this stunning majolica platter or charger, is particularly large. The painted scene painted was taken from a ceiling fresco known as the Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne...
Majolica
Delft Garniture Set, 18th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-painted set of blue and white delft porcelain. Three covered vases and two trumpet vases. The lids depict perched birds. The vases ...
Porcelain
French Faience Tureen Desvres, circa 1900
By Desvres
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Tureen attributed to Desvres Circa 1900. Inspired by Rouen manufacture. Signed Arromanches.
Faience
19th Century English Majolica Floral Jardiniere Minton
By Minton
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Rare English Majolica Floral Jardiniere signed Minton. H / 7.2 inches , Diameter / 10.5 inches.
Ceramic
19th Century French Majolica Plate
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Majolica glazed ceramic plate by H. B. Boulanger Choisy-le-Roi. Pattern of ferns and pink flowers beneath a large leaf, tied with a purple bow. Vivid shades of ...
Majolica
19th Century French Majolica Jardinière
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Majolica glazed ceramic jardinière, or planter, in the shape of a wood box decorated with a brown bird or pheasant with outstretched wings against green leaves ...
Majolica
Pair of French Green Majolica Cache Pots
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of French Majolica cache pots, or planters, each depicting a duck with wings outstretched over a family of ducklings. Rich coloring of green,...
Majolica