Art Deco furniture is characterized by its celebration of modern life. More than its emphasis on natural wood grains and focus on traditional craftsmanship, vintage Art Deco dining chairs, tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture — which typically refers to pieces produced during the 1920s and 1930s — is an ode to the glamour of the “Roaring Twenties.”
ORIGINS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN
ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE ART DECO FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Few design styles are as universally recognized and appreciated as Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship.
Widely known designers associated with the Art Deco style include Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Eileen Gray, Maurice Dufrêne, Paul Follot and Jules Leleu.
The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. “Art Deco design” is often used broadly, to describe the work of creators in associated or ancillary styles. This is particularly true of American Art Deco, which is also called Streamline Moderne or Machine Age design. (Streamline Moderne, sometimes known as Art Moderne, was a phenomenon largely of the 1930s, post–Art Nouveau.)
Art Deco textile designers employed dazzling floral motifs and vivid colors, and while Art Deco furniture makers respected the dark woods and modern metals with which they worked, they frequently incorporated decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides as well as veneers in their seating, case pieces, living room sets and bedroom furniture.
From mother-of-pearl inlaid vitrines to chrome aviator chairs, bold and inventive works in the Art Deco style include chaise longues (also known as chaise lounges) and curved armchairs. Today, the style is still favored by interior designers looking to infuse a home with an air of luxury and sophistication.
The vintage Art Deco furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes dressers, coffee tables, decorative objects and more.
Art Deco Silver-Plated Knife Rest Set with Sea Creatures, France 1930
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Art Deco Knife rest These knife rests were not only practical but also served as decorative elements on a well-dressed dining table. The use of silver or silver-plated materials adde...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Set of 21 bakelite and stainless steel knives, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 21 knives. This is a stainless steel knife set made in France in the 1970s. The handles are made of beige bakelite.
Bakelite
12-Piece Art Deco Silver-Plated Knife Rests Set in the Manner of Christofle
By Christofle
Located in London, GB
A 12-piece Art Deco silver-plated knife rests set in the manner of Christofle French, Early 20th Century Case: 5cm high x 24cm wide x 24 in depth. Elephant: 3cm high x 9cm wide x ...
Silver, Silver Plate
Art Deco lobster Knife Rests, 1950, Set of 12
Located in ASNIÈRES-SUR-SEINE, FR
Set of 12 incredible bronze lobster knife rests. Case exterior shows signs of wear.
Bronze
Set of 12 Art Deco Silver-Plated Knife Rests in the Manner of Christofle
By Christofle
Located in London, GB
Set of 12 Art Deco Silver-plated knife rests in the manner of Christofle French, 20th Century Fish (eg.): 3cm x 10cm wide x 2.5cm depth. This charming set consists of twelve Art...
Silver Plate
12 Piece Cased Silver Plated Fish Cutlery Set – DEAKIN & SONS
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
12 PIECE CASED SILVER PLATED FISH CUTLERY SET A fine looking set of 6 pairs of fish eaters by James Deakin & Sons of Sheffield. Bone handled. Very lightly used, Handles are...
Silver Plate
Signed Art Deco Knife Rests by Gallia, Silver-Plated Bronze, 1930s
By Gallia
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Signed Knife Rests “Gallia” Signed knife rests by “Gallia” are highly collectible decorative objects known for their exquisite craftsmanship and Art Deco design. The company “Gallia”...
Silver Plate, Bronze
$395Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 12 French Art Deco Style Molded Glass Knife Rests
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 12 French Art Deco molded glass, circa 1930-40. Perfect for holiday entertaining, these knife rests will add grace to your table....
Glass, Art Glass
Riviera Cutlery, Custom Concave, Stainless Germany Box Set of 6 Knives
By Riviera Design
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage set of six dinner knives in their original box. The knives feature white, possibly bakelite, handles. They appear to be from the 1930s to 1960s era...
Stainless Steel
1932 René Lalique Set of 8 Nippon Knife Rests Glass Water Pearls
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of 8 "Nippon" knife rests made in clear glass by René Lalique in 1932. Stamped signature on each piece. All pieces are in perfect condition. height : 2,5 cm dimensions : 9 cm...
Glass
$316Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 French Midcentury Molded Glass Knife Rests
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 French midcentury molded glass. Perfect for holiday entertaining, these knife rests will add grace to your table. Measures: 2 3/4" L x 1 1/2" H x 1 1/2" D
Glass, Art Glass
Set of 6 knife rests by La Maison Jean Goujon, 20th century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 6 knife rests by La Maison Jean Goujon, XXth Century. Set of 6 silver plated knife rests from the Maison Jean Goujon, Goldsmith, Maltese Cross model, in original box, 1980, n...
Silver
Set of 6 Hand-Made Italian Pattada Knives, Italy, Sardinia 1990s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning set of six Italian Pattada knives, fully hand-made with a gorgeous mouflon horn handle and an incredibly sharp stainless steel blade. These extraordinary knives were hand-ma...
Stainless Steel
Unavailable|$1,740 / set
H 2.37 in W 9.26 in D 6.7 in
Meat Cutting knifes, Set with Box, Polished Horn & Alpaca Silver
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
When we created this family, we were inspired by the laughs, anecdotes and the joy of sharing with friends and loved ones when eating an ASADO (typical Argentinean grilled roast beef). This family contains meat knives, forks, spoons, cheese knives...
Metal
$1,351
H 11.82 in W 17.72 in D 13.78 in
Victorian Campaign Cutlery Box Set Knife Fork Rushworths Huddersfield
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Extensive Canteen of Silver-Plated Cutlery (c. 1900) in Campaign-Style Fitted Oak Cabinet Inscribed by the maker - Rushworths 2 Webgate Huddersfield ...
Oak
Mid Century German Carved Antler Four Piece Carving Set
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand crafted in Germany circa 1950, this exquisite cutlery set comprises four stainless steel pieces, each adorned with intricately carved handles and complete original box. The set ...
Stainless Steel
$3,800 / set
H 0.79 in W 3.94 in D 0.79 in
Set of 12 Fine French Art Deco Silver Plated "Gallia" Knife Rests by Christofle
By Gallia, Christofle, Marcel Eduoard Sandoz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 12 fine French Art Deco silver plated knife rests designed by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz for the Gallia collection of Christofle. All 12 animals are different. Original case. Aver...
Silver Plate
1950s Anton Wingen Jr. Solingen Germany Rostfrei Cutlery Set
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a vintage/antique German Anton Wingen Jr. Solingen cutlery and carving set. This unique meat carving set is made of stainless steel and stag a...
Stainless Steel
$704 / set
H 13 in W 18.51 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Flatware Cutlery Set Fürst Besteck Solingen, Set 68, Germany, 1960s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Solingen set of cutlery made of high-quality stainless steel in the amount of 68 pieces for 12 people in a stylish package. Germany, 1960s. Rust resistant. Mirror polishing technol...
Stainless Steel
Collection of 11 Sterling Fruit Knives, 1860-1890
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Four with engraved mother of pearl handles, three with added nut picks, two with five hallmarks, several with names or monograms. Folding fruit knives fir...
Sterling Silver
Pair of George III Mahogany Knife Boxes, UK, Early 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
This pair have the typical shape of boxes from this period, with shaped serpentine front, sloped hinged lid, and boxwood and ebony lines. Each cover is inlaid with an oval patera and...
Mahogany
$18,550Sale Price|30% Off
H 16.15 in W 12.21 in D 14.57 in
Game center piece Bronze, c. 1860 Christofle goldsmith to Emperor Napoleon III
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
An exceptional centerpiece signed Christofle artwork is silver-plated bronze with a very nice patina. The artistic part is a work of achievement; the base is pierced, composed of bra...
Bronze
$5,653Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Nesmuk Mecca Premium Chef's Knife, Cook`s Blade Damascus Steel, Limited to 25
Located in Berlin, DE
Nesmuk Mekka Premium Chef's Knife Damascus steel. Limited to only 25 pieces worldwide. Teak, 361 layers of hand-forged Damascus steel, unique. Islamic heritage meets traditional German craftsmanship, precision and high-tech. Only 25 of these extraordinary knives are made. Each knife in this strictly limited series is individually numbered and only manufactured on customer request. The hand-forged San Mai blade is hollow ground on both sides. The unique damask pattern was developed only for this series. It is created by the special structure of Damascus steel in conjunction with the "Pathway to Heaven" embossed motif, which was specially developed for these blades. Inspired by rose damask. This knife series uses original wood that was used for the decoration of the domes of the Grand Mosque extension around the Ka'aba in Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Shamiya project). All Teak wood used for...
Steel
$1,024 / set
H 1.19 in W 0.79 in D 9.85 in
Set of 12 Mid-Century Modern French Knives with Bamboo Handles
By Jacques Adnet, Maison Jansen
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An elegant and rare set of twelve French table knives from the 1950s, beautifully representative of post-war French design and craftsmanship. Each knife features a finely turned nat...
Stainless Steel
1924 René Lalique Set of 6 Scarabees Scarabs Knife Rests Glass
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of 6 "Scarabees" (Scarabs) knife rests made in clear glass with grey patina by René Lalique in 1924. Engraved signature on one piece. All pieces are in perfect condition. Some ...
Glass
Sold
H 0.4 in W 9.45 in D 0.79 in
Set of 24 French Art Deco Dinner & Cheese Knives, Steel & Bone Handles, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 24 French Art Deco Dinner & Cheese Knives, Steel & Bone Handles, 1970s Description: This elegant set of 24 Art Deco knives, crafted in France i...
Metal
Set of 12 Christofle Knives, Art Deco Style, 1930.
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 12 Christofle knives, Art Deco style, 1930. Set of 12 Christofle knives, circa 1930, Art Deco style. H: 4.5cm, W: 28cm, D: 16cm
Metal
Cutery Service of 36 Knives in Original Box Art Deco
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This cutlery set is made up of 36 knives with ribbed mother-of-pearl handles and silver ferrules: 12 table knives with mother-of-pearl handles, silver ferrule, stainless steel t...
Mother-of-Pearl
Sold
H 11.82 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
Sterling Silver Cutlery Knife Fork Sheffield, Carving Set 3 Mother pearl handle
Located in Wembley, GB
Sterling Silver Carving Set 3 Mother pearl handles, Cutlery, Knife Fork Sheffield with engraved floral pattern An excellent quality sterling silver and mother-of-pearl fish server or...
Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Art Deco Animal Knife Holder
Located in NANTES, FR
Box of 12 art deco knife holders circa 1930 with 12 different animals decoration. They are in perfect condition. Hallmark on the underside marked "Pewter Art". Note some wear on the ...
Pewter
Sold
H 1.5 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in
Vintage German J.A. Henckels Cocktail Utensil Set in Original Case - 12 Pieces
Located in Centennial, CO
This vintage 1920s J.A. Henckels cocktail set in its original presentation box would make a lovely and unique hostess or wedding present. Blades and forks made of stainless steel; ha...
Stainless Steel
Ravinet-Denfert Art Deco Silver-Plated Menagere, Art Deco.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ravinet-Denfert Art Deco silver-plated menagere, Art Deco. Ravinet-Denfert Art Deco silver-plated menagère set, 1930, including: 12 large knives, 12 small knives, 12 large spoons, 1...
Metal
Sold
H 1.97 in W 11.82 in D 9.26 in
Collectable Asprey London Antique Art Deco Cheese Wine & Nut Cutlery Tool Set
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Art Deco circa 1920-1930’s Cheese Wine and Nut set in the original silk lined fitted case fully stamped with the Royal Warrant...
Chrome
1932 René Lalique Set of 6 Nippon Knife Rests Clear Glass Water Pearls
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Set of 6 (six) knife rests made in clear glass with sepia stain by René Lalique in 1942. Model is named "Hortense". All pieces are in perfect condition. All pieces are stamped...
Glass
1920s Set of Silver-Plated Cutlery in Reptile Leather Box
Located in High Point, NC
A set of silver-plated cutlery from Europe, circa 1920. Silver forks and spoons rest within a square box, which closes with a delicate gold cla...
Silver Plate
Complete WMF Cutlery
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
complete WMF cutlery set electroplate. with fish cutlery includes furniture with metal appliqués Origin Germany circa1920 No. of pieces 119 Never Used.
Metal