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.
Set of 5 Majolica Plates, France, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A beautiful set of five antique French majolica plates, featuring an elegant relief design of vine leaves, grape clusters, and branches. Their rich palette of greens, browns, and cre...
Majolica
Bing & Gröndahl "Seagull" Porcelain Tureen with Seahorse Handles (Model 5/512)
By Pietro Krohn, Fanny Garde, Bing & Grøndahl
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Vintage Bing & Gröndahl "Seagull" Porcelain Tureen with Seahorse Handles (Model 5/512) Designed by Fanny Garde (decoration, 1895) and sculpted by Pietro Krohn, the iconic Seagul...
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Majolica Pink Swirl Plate
Located in Ross, CA
Late 19th Century majolica platter with a pink swirl pattern over a black and tan background.
Ceramic
Vintage Royal Bayreuth Figural Lobster Creamer, Bavaria
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A whimsical vintage figural lobster creamer by Royal Bayreuth, Bavaria, masterfully modeled as a lobster with raised claws forming the spout and handle. Finished in rich hand-painted...
Porcelain
French Set of 6 Majolica Flowers Egg Cup Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 6 French Majolica Egg Cup Circa 1890. Manufacture Saint-Clément ( East of France ) Purple lavender flowers shape.
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
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
Antique American Blue Opalescent Glass Footed Bowl, Early 20th Century
Located in Coral Gables, FL
An antique American blue opalescent pressed-glass footed bowl dating to the early 20th century, distinguished by its luminous aqua-blue color and richly molded decoration. The rounde...
Glass
$1,126Sale Price / set|20% Off
Art Nouveau Majolica Serving Dish Set by Schramberg, Teal Glaze, 1920s
Located in Uppsala , SE
It is handcrafted in Germany, featuring a vibrant teal glaze with intricate embossed details, showcasing a delicate Lily of the Valley and Forget-Me-Not floral design. Majolica Schra...
Ceramic
Set of 6 Vintage Pink Swirl Wine Goblets by Arcoroc, France, 1980
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage wine glasses in a pale blush pink hue. Each glass has a lovely swirl design. Made in France by Arcoroc. Each glass measures 3.25"Dia x 6.25"H
Glass
French Majolica Pink Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica pink daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
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 Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
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
Antique Set of 8 Orchies France Majolica Barbotine Dessert Plates
By Orchies
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A charming antique set of eight French Majolica Barbotine dessert plates by Orchies, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Each plate is individually hand-finished and decor...
Ceramic
French Majolica White Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica white daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
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
set of six Metal Animal Motif Knife Rests France 20th Century Art Deco
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of six beautiful figural flatware knife rests in the form of Animals and people, circa 1920s, France. Nice addition to every table or just for your collection. Tarnished and be...
Metal
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
Georges DE FEURE French Art Nouveau Glass Pitcher, ca1910
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Nouveau Glass Pitcher by Georges de Feure, Paris, circa 1910. Elegant French Art Nouveau glass pitcher by Georges de Feure, created in Paris, circa 1910. This refined pie...
Art Glass
Art Nouveau Majolica Plates, Hand-Painted Ceramic, Germany, Circa 1900
Located in Uppsala , SE
Art Nouveau Two small majolica plates Germany Cirka 1900-1909 Diameter 17,2 cm Vibrant turquoise colour with delicate small details In good antique condition with minimal structura...
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
Antique Bohemian Czech Kralik Green Iridescent Art Nouveau Glass ashtray 1908
Located in Wien, Au
Antique Bohemian Czech Kralik Green Iridescent Art Nouveau Glass ashtray 1908 Original condition
Brass
Garrard & Co Art Nouveau Cased Set Six Silver Goblets by Hancocks & Co
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning original art nouveau cased set of six silver goblets retailed by Garrard & Co and made by London silversmiths Frederick Hancock and dated 1913. The set of six heavy gauge ...
Silver
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
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 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
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
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
Antique Sterling Silver & Glass Vanity Jars, Set of Five
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of five antique sterling silver and glass vanity jars. Various repoussè floral designs. each sterling lid is stamped sterling. Large j...
Sterling Silver
French Majolica Bird & Berries Plate c. 1890's
Located in Ross, CA
19th Century French majolica plate with birds and fruit.
Ceramic
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
Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Tomato Porcelain Tea Set, Germany, Circa 1900–192
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Exquisite antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria porcelain tea set modeled in the celebrated tomato form, one of the most collectible and recognizable naturalistic designs produced by the Ge...
Porcelain
21st Century, Hand-Carved Clear Crystal and Golden Bronze Tray in Classic Style
Located in Calenzano, FI
21-st century hand carved clear crystal tray with frame in lost wax silver bronze lace. This tray is a limited edition, we have only a piece. It's particular hand -carved and the fr...
Crystal, Bronze
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
Daum Nancy Miniature Vase, Gilt Cameo Glass, Art Nouveau, Circa 1895
By Daum
Located in Bochum, NRW
A miniature french gilt and enameled green cameo glass vase, signed in gilt "Daum Nancy" and with cross of Lorraine. Molded with flowers and leafage and with the phrase "A tout sei...
Glass
Pair Antique Art Nouveau Silver Overlaid Glass Wine Decanters
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) glass wine decanters with exceptional silver overlay of flowers and foliage measuring 12 3/4 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter. With worn ille...
Silver
HOMMET - Vintage Silver Plate & Cloisonné Enamel Salt Cellar - Russia - C. 1970
Located in Chatham, ON
HOMMET - Vintage silver plate and cloisonné enamel salt cellar with removable glass liner - featuring colorful berries and foliage to the perimeter of the frame - signed on the metal...
Silver Plate, Enamel
Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Strawberry Porcelain Creamer with Gilt
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A delightful antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria porcelain creamer modeled as a ripe strawberry, with a richly hand-painted red body, green leafy rim, white blossom detail, and an elegant...
Porcelain
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
$1,315Sale Price / set|20% Off
Art Nouveau Majolica Villeroy & Boch Set Fruit Stand Plates 1880
Located in Uppsala , SE
Antique Majolica set Villeroy & Boch Germany 1 centre piece/fruit stand H 13 cm (5,12 inches) D 23 cm (9,05 inches) 6 side plates d 17 cm (6,69 inches) Hand Painted Majolica Pedes...
Ceramic
Antique French T&V Limoges Porcelain Painted Pitcher For Pitkin & Brooks Chicago
By T&V Limoges, Tressemanes & Vogt
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful large antique French export hand-painted Limoges porcelain pitcher (would also make a wonderful vase) with gilt handle and accent...
Porcelain
Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Green Cabbage Leaf Porcelain Plate, Early 20th Century
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautifully modeled antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria porcelain plate in the form of a richly textured green cabbage leaf, produced in Germany during the early twentieth century. Mark...
Porcelain
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
Very Large Art Nouveau Sterling Silver-Mounted Corkscrew
Located in New York, NY
Very large, Art Nouveau, sterling silver-mounted polished antler, J.F. Fradley and Company, New York, Ca. 1900. J.F. Fradley and Company was in business from 1873-1936 when the last ...
Metal, Sterling Silver
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
Bronze Ashtray by Niels Dam Ravn, 1930s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Bronze Ashtray designed by Niels Dam Ravn in the 1930s. * Bronze ashtray with lid with motif of a deer * Designer: Niels Dam Ravn * Manufacturer: No...
Brass
c1900 Edwardian Era Sterling Silver Overlay Whiskey Flask with Swirl Motif
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exceptional c1900 sterling overlay hip flask attributed to Gorham. The quality of the engraving is on par with their output of the period. Marked "STERLING" on the neck of the fla...
Sterling Silver
Majolica Cyclamens Plate Schultz Cilli, circa 1900
By Schütz Cilli
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica cyclamens plate signed Schultz Cilli, circa 1900, Art Nouveau. Diameter / 7.5 inches.
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
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
Baccarat Candy Jar, Deep Pink Crystal, France
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 pink colored masterpiece, the bowl crystallizes the ext...
Crystal
$1,788Sale Price|20% Off
1920s Porcelain Bowl by Daisy Makeig-Jones, Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre
Located in Valladolid, ES
Outstanding and very refined and exquisite porcelain bowl from the celebrated Fairyland Lustre series, designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones, one of the most visionary designers of 20th-ce...
Porcelain
Vittorio Zecchin Venini MVM Art Nouveau Amethyst Murano Glass Wrought Iron Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
Vittorio Zecchin Murano, Early 1900 Amethyst Ribbed Blown Glass Vase Wrought Iron Grapevine Frame Excellent condiction (small difect at one leaf)
Glass, Murano Glass
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
Antique French Faience Pitcher by Keller & Guérin, 1895, Hand-Painted
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautiful antique French faience pitcher by Keller & Guérin, Lunéville, hand-painted with richly detailed purple and lavender blossoms against a soft shaded celadon-green and i...
Ceramic
Antique Haviland for Limoges Porcelain Dinner Set for 24 Floral Spray Pattern
Located in New York, NY
This signed Haviland for Limoges porcelain dinner service, crafted in France circa 1900, showcases the exquisite Daisy Chain pattern, characterized by its delicate floral motif and t...
Porcelain
Exquisite Art Nouveau Silver & Gold Beakers, France circa 1910 - Set of Six
By Edouard Fournemet
Located in Bochum, NRW
Exquisite Art Nouveau Silver & Vermeil (Gold plating) Beakers by Edouard Fournemet, France, c.1910 - Set of Six. An exceptional set of six Art Nouveau silver and vermeil liqueur ...
Silver, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Studio Pottery Vase, Terracotta with Splash Glaze, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Art Nouveau studio pottery vase - wheel thrown terracotta - clear green glaze with blue opalescent splash - unsigned - country of origin unknown - early 20th century. Excellent vi...
Terracotta
Vintage Royal Bayreuth Tomato Creamer and Covered Sugar Bowl, Bavaria
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A charming vintage porcelain creamer and covered sugar bowl by Royal Bayreuth, Bavaria, beautifully modeled as ripe tomatoes with vibrant hand-painted red glazes, rich green leaves, ...
Porcelain
Green Sarreguemines Platter with Large Majolica Flowers, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica flowers (rose,mum) platter signed Sarreguemines, circa 1900.
Ceramic