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.
Maxim’s de Paris Porcelain Espresso Cups and Saucers, Set of 2 Art Nouveau Style
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Maxim’s de Paris Porcelain Espresso Cups and Saucers, Set of 2, Art Nouveau Style A charming set of espresso cups and saucers from Maxim's de Paris, the legendary Parisian restaurant...
Porcelain
Jugendstil Broom and showel set vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
Jugendstil Broom and showel set vienna around 1908 Brass polished and stove enameled Partly copper
Brass, Copper
Delphin MASSIER Majolica Three Wild Roses Flower Vase, Vallauris, Late 19th C.
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Majolica Vase Three Eglantines (Wild Roses) by Delphin Massier, Vallauris, France Late 19th Century Earthenware A stunning French Majolica vase featuring three beautifully modeled e...
Ceramic
French Majolica Wild Rose Cake Stand Delphin Massier Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Wild Rose Cake Stand Delphin Massier Circa 1890, 9.8 inches diameter , 4 inches height.
Ceramic, Majolica
Art Nouveau Small Breakfast Utensils Meat Fork, Butter Knife, Spoon German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming and elegant dining addition, this delightful set of Bakelite and metal serving pieces brings vintage warmth and style to any table. The collection includes two small meat...
Stainless Steel
Art Nouveau Etched Champagne Coupes in the Style of Peter Behrens - Set of 5
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 5 art nouveau coupe champagne glasses in the style of Peter Behrens. Each has a muted olive stem that varies in thickness. Clear glass bowls with an etched grape leaf design.
Glass
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
Butter Dish with Cow Lid Portieux or S. Reich & Co, Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Opaque Blue Glass Butter Dish by Reich & Co., Circa 1910s A striking antique opaque blue glass butter dish by Reich & Co., dating to the 1910s or possibly earlier. T...
Glass
Vintage Faberge Style Russia Glass Egg with Etched Russian Ornaments Flowers
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Faberge style Russia glass egg with etched Russian ornaments and flowers. Reminiscent of eggs from St. Petersburg. Marked with Label like see...
Cut Glass
Baccarat Candy Jar, Violet Purple Crystal, France, 1930
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
Glorifying the effects of refracted light for 170 years, the iconic Baccarat products are well-know over the world. A crystal violet colored masterpiece, the bowl crystallizes the e...
Crystal
Vintage Faberge Russia Style Glass Egg with Etched Russian Coat of Arms
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Faberge Russia style glass egg with etched Russian coat of arms. Reminiscent of eggs from St. Petersburg. Nice addition to your collection or just as decorative piece. Found ...
Cut Glass
Fratelli TOSO Rare Table Lamp / Night-Light, 1900
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Table Lamp / Night-Light by Fratelli Toso, Venice, Italy, c. 1900. Rare in this size, this exquisite table lamp, or night-light, is a stunning example of Venetian craftsmanship by th...
Bronze
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
Set of 4 Oyster Plates – Majolica, 19th Century – Green, White & Brown Glaze
By Longchamp
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 4 Oyster Plates – Majolica, 19th Century – Green, White & Brown Glaze Description: This is a set of four 19th-century majolica oyster plates, a classic example of luxury Fren...
Ceramic
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
Travel Picture Frame rectangular Sterling Silver Enamel for 4 photos Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular travel photo frame with a hinged booklet, for 4 photos in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloché in Art Nouveau Style. Closed dim...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$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
Daum Nancy Art Nouveau Cameo Glass Vase "Chardons", circa 1900
By Daum
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Daum Nancy Art Nouveau Cameo Glass Vase with Thistle Decor, Miniature Quadrangular Form, circa 1900 An elegant miniature quadrangular vase by Daum Nancy, created circa 1900 at the h...
Art Glass
Antique Sterling Silver Repoussè Hand Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique sterling silver repoussè hand mirror. Stamped sterling, as shown in photos. Beveled inset mirror is possibly not original.
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Majolica Iris Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large pair of French Majolica Iris vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1880.
Ceramic, Faience
An early 20th century art nouveau style silver overlaid glass flask
Located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Antique Sterling Silver Overlay Glass Flask with Repoussé Foliate Decoration in the Art Nouveau style A charming antique glass flask encased in an intricately worked sterling silver...
Silver
Photo Frame Butterfly-Shaped Fired Enamel on Guillochè Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Butterfly-shaped photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent polychrome fired enamels on hand engraving that imitates the veins of the wings. External dimens...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Georg Jensen Antique Silver Bonbonniere Design #10
By Georg Jensen
Located in Hellerup, DK
An antique rare and large Georg Jensen sterling silver lidded bonbonniere, jar or urn, design no. 10 by Georg Jensen, produced between 1908 and 1914. The lid is decorated with four s...
Sterling Silver
Tall Antique White Ironstone Dairy Pitcher, Boch Freres, Belgium, circa 1890
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Tall Antique White Ironstone Dairy Pitcher, Boch Freres, Belgium, circa 1890. Grand size pitcher with raised bands and impressed faux bois design, evoking a wooden pitcher.
Ironstone
Loetz Art Nouveau vase whit Colered Details of Irradiated glass 1900s
By Loetz Glass
Located in Verviers, BE
Loetz Art Nouveau vase whit Colered Details of Irradiated glass 1900s Beautifully decorated whit Irradiated glass Rare to find with original condition The piece is in good conditio...
Art Glass
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
LALIQUE - 'Muguet' - Frosted & Clear Crystal Plate - France - Late 20th Century
By Lalique
Located in Chatham, ON
LALIQUE - 'Muguet' (Lily of the Valley) - Vintage Art Deco style luxury crystal plate - featuring a striking frosted finish to the molded flowers from th...
Crystal
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
Loetz Silberiris Candia Iridescent Twin Handled Glass Vase
By Loetz Glass
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stylish Bohemian Silberiris Candia iridescent glass vase with brown handles by Johann Loetz Witwe and dating from around 1900. The simply shaped vase ref PN 85/5151 in the Loetz cata...
Blown Glass
Honey Pot Beehive Portieux or S. Reich & Co, Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Opaque Blue Glass Tureen by Reich & Co., Circa 1910s A striking antique opaque blue glass tureen by Reich & Co., dating to the 1910s or possibly earlier. This elegan...
Glass
$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
Stunning Arts & Crafts Red Copper & Brass Jug or Vase with Stylized Flowers
By Carl Deffner
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderfully handcrafted Carl Deffner copper jug with bronze handles. This good size and wonderful shape Arts & Crafts jug was all-handcrafted (and marked) by the famous German maker...
Brass, Copper, Bronze
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
Art Nouveau 800 Silver Fish Servers Serving Set Fork & Knife Vintage, Sweden
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Art Nouveau fish servers serving set of a fork & knife, vintage Sweden. These serving pieces as in a rare and antique design. Made of 800 si...
Silver Plate
French Faience Plate Emile Galle Saint Clement, Circa 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience plate signed Emile Galle Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with cornucopia and flowers, butterfly.
Ceramic
Belt Buckle by Gustav Gaudernack (1865-1914) David Andersen Norway, C.1895-1900.
By David Andersen, Gustav Gaudernack
Located in Valby, 84
Art Nouveau Belt Buckle by Gustav Gaudernack (1865–1914), 830 Silver, Executed by David Andersen, Norway, ca. 1895–1900. Belt Buckle of rectangular form in pierced and cast 830 silv...
Silver
$567Sale Price|20% Off
Figurative Toothpick Holder Stand WMF Art Nouveau Antique Silverplated
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This cute antique Art Nouveau figurative toothpick holder by WMF is a delightful representation of the period's artistic sensibilities. Crafted from silver-plated pewter in a material known as "Britannia Metall," this piece exudes a certain charm and whimsy that is characteristic of Art Nouveau design. The toothpick holder features a figurative scene depicting a young boy cradling a dachshund puppy in his arms. This tender and endearing scene captures a moment of affection and companionship between the boy and his furry friend. The attention to detail in rendering both the boy's features and the dachshund's playful expression showcases the skilled artistry of the WMF craftsmen. "Britannia Metall" refers to a high-quality pewter alloy that was favored during the Art Nouveau period for its malleability and durability. The silver-plated finish lends a touch of elegance to the piece, while still allowing the fine details of the figurine to shine through. WMF, or Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, was a renowned German metalware company that was at the forefront of Art Nouveau design. Their pieces are highly collectible and sought after for their exceptional craftsmanship and artistic merit. This antique toothpick...
Silver Plate, Pewter
$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
Frie Onnaing French Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Asparagus & Shell Plate
By Onnaing
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Barbotine majolica Asparagus plate in the Art Nouveau style, Frie Onnaing, circa 1890-1910. A deep plate with a shaped rim and a scallop shell m...
Earthenware
Daum Nancy — Art Nouveau « Bleuets » Perfume Bottle, circa 1900
By Daum
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Daum Nancy — Art Nouveau « Bleuets » Perfume Bottle, circa 1900 Refined Art Nouveau perfume bottle by Daum, Nancy Executed in satin-finished layered frosted glass with delicate poly...
Art Glass
Emile Galle Art Nouveau Cameo Vase, Fleur-de-Lys, Nancy, France, Circa 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Vienna, AT
Single-flower vase in a baluster shape on a stepped round foot, with a conically flaring body, undulating sloping shoulders, a fluted neck, and a flared rim; colourless glass with mi...
Glass
Rare Loetz Blue and Green Aventurine Medina Pattern Glass Vase c1904 -Bohemian
By Loetz Glass
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A Fabulous, elegant and rare Löetz Medina pattern vase with bulbus shoulders and four hot shaped crimps to the closing neck. Löetz Medina is one or the rarest Löetz patterns probabl...
Art Glass
French Dinanderie Art Nouveau Copper Platter Centerpiece or Tray, circa 1910
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning, large platter, serving tray, or centerpiece in polished copper was designed and crafted circa 1910. The typical Art Nouveau embossed design boasts floral decor, a prom...
Metal, Copper
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
Green Sarreguemines Platter with Large Majolica Flowers, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica flowers (rose,mum) platter signed Sarreguemines, circa 1900.
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Bronze Serving Tray with Calla Lilies
Located in Barntrup, DE
Early 20th-century Art Nouveau bronze serving tray with calla lilies. A beautiful Art Nouveau period square tray made of bronze and brass and decorated with adorable slightly red-co...
Brass, Bronze
Three Art Nouveau Silver Plate Serving Tongs for Cake Pastry Meat German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of three beautiful Art Nouveau serving tongs for pastry, cake, candy or meat. These serving piece are in a beautiful design. Made of silver plated metal, it will make a nice ad...
Silver Plate
jugendstil fruit bowl brass silvered with original glass around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
jugendstil fruit bowl brass silvered with original glass around 1908 Original condition
Brass
Art Nouveau Jugendstil Silver Plate One Shot Cup, Austria circa 1910
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite silver plate cup is a refined example of Austrian Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) craftsmanship, created circa 1910. The body is adorned with a beautifully executed raised fl...
Silver Plate, Metal
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
Pair of French Majolica Swans Vase Delphin Massier, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Rare pair of French Majolica swans vases signed Delphin Massier, circa 1880.
Ceramic, Faience
$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
Art Nouveau Green iridescent glass Pique Fleurs' vase by Loetz' with Grille
By Loetz Glass
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau Green iridescent glass Pique Fleurs' vase by Loetz' with Grille Subtle, hand blown glass vase in the Art Deco style. This design for vases is often called 'Pique fleurs'...
Brass
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
Rare Art Nouveau Terracotta Wall Plaque, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Rare French Art Nouveau Terracotta Wall Plaque, Early 20th Century A beautifully detailed and rare French Art Nouveau terracotta wall plaque, dating from the early 20th century. Thi...
Brass
Sarreguemines Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Glazed Earthenware Orchid Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Sarreguemines French Barbotine faïence majolica plate showing a spray of three purple and yellow orchids on a cream colored ground. Raised, dimensional mold work with a shaped r...
Earthenware
Émile Gallé long neck Cameo vase, Art Nouveau, 1904-1906
By Émile Gallé
Located in Delft, NL
Émile Gallé long neck Cameo vase, Art Nouveau, 1904-1906 Émile Gallé (Nancy, 1846 –1904) was a French glassmaker and furniture designer Émile Gallé 30 cm high long neck Cameo vase m...
Glass
Loetz Green Glass Vase with Alvin Sterling Silver Overlay
By Loetz Glass
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality Art Nouveau style art glass vase, by Loetz the historic glass maker from the municipality of Austria featuring Alvin Sterling Silver overlay. Overlay in form of open and horizontal patterns with stylized leaves and scrollwork. A great find, handcrafted vase skillfully made using centuries old techniques of art glass works from the world-renowned maker, Loetz. Simply stunning this Art Nouveau glass vase with Alvin Sterling Silver overlay by Loetz would enhance any shelf, table, nightstand or countertop. This is a rare antique Loetz Green Glass...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Brass Wall Mount Candlesticks, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau brass pair of Wall Mount candlesticks 1930s Originel Patina Excellent condition. looks simply stunning.
Brass
André Delatte Nancy Signed Large Vase Soliflore Art Glass Mixed Colors
By Andre Delatte, Ecole de Nancy
Located in Verviers, BE
André Delatte Nancy Signed Large Vase Soliflore Art Glass Mixed Colors André Delatte (French, circa 1887-1953), an art glass vase, the mottled mixed colors...
Art Glass