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.
Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstaette Fabric Department Pendant, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A simple but sensational fixture, designed by Josef Hoffmann, for the fabric department of the Wiener Werkstaette on Kaerntnerstrasse in Vienna. Style and color of the fabric custom-...
Silk
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Wall or Ceiling Light, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Puristic design from the early stages of the Wiener Werkstaette, Measures: Diameter 25 cm. This lamp is also available in diameter 35cm and 50cm. most components according to the UL...
Brass
Huge German Art Nouveau Bronze and Opal Glass Globe Chandelier, 1920s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A huge German 6 -light dark bronze chandelier, circa 1920s. This beautiful and stunning light fixture is made of solid bronze with white opal glass globes. Every single part of the c...
Bronze
Large Maria Theresa Style Crystal Chandelier Handmade Luxury European Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
This exceptional crystal chandelier is entirely newly handcrafted in our Berlin workshop and represents the timeless elegance of the classic Maria Theresa style combined with modern ...
Crystal
Art Nouveau French Brass and Pink Pressed Glass Pendant Light, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Nouveau, pink pressed glass pendant lamp ca. 1920 Brass chain Weight: 2.50 kg / 5.5 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by international s...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte "Fabric Department" Chandelier, Re Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A simple but sensational fixture, designed by Josef Hoffmann, for the fabric department of the Wiener Werkstaette on Kaerntnerstrasse in Vienna. Style and color of the fabric custom ...
Silk
Brass/Silk - of the Showroom Wiener Werkstätte Wall Light Jugendstil, Edition
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Wall Sconces, Variation of the Wall-Lamp from the Fabric-Showroom of the Wiener Werkstaette. Measures are without tassel. Just with plain-colored fabric. USA and CAN: All ele...
Brass
Monumental Art Nouveau table lamp by Paul Aichele, goddess Athena, Germany 1910s
Located in Forserum, SE
A large and highly impressive Art Nouveau table or floor lamp by the German sculptor Paul Aichele (1859–1920), produced in the 1910s. Crafted in finely cast bronze, the piece is cent...
Bronze
$2,344Sale Price|20% Off
1930 Alabaster Pendant With Rope Suspension and Alabaster Matching Canopy Sweden
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Art Nouveau alabaster bowl pendant lamp, dated 1931. The lamp features a beautifully veined alabaster shade suspended by knotted cords, giving the piece a distinctive and decorative ...
Alabaster
French Art Nouveau Brass Pink Satin Glass Pendant Light 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Nouveau glass lamp Brass bulb holder with pink glass shade. 2 meter / 80 inches black cotton wire. Weight: 0.70 kg / 1.5 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have b...
Brass
$2,766Sale Price|20% Off
1940s Swedish Floor Lamp With Three Red Satin Shades
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1940s brass floor lamp with a solid bronze base. The lamp features three adjustable arms, each fitted with its original red satin shade. All three light points can be switched indivi...
Brass
French “Clichy” Yellow Glass Pendant Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French “Clichy” yellow glass pendant lamp Brass glass holder Weight : 0.85 kg / 1.9 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by international standards for ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Violet and Amber Glass and Brass Pendant Light, France, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Art Nouveau pendant featuring a sculptural Pâte de Verre glass bowl with honey-amber center and lavender-violet rim. A refined example of early 20th-century French Art Nouvea...
Brass
Art Nouveau Brass & Iron, Clear Cut Glass Flush Mount
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Cast gas pendants / ceiling lamp ca. 1900 Cast Iron top with clear cut glass shade Diameter ceiling plate 19 cm / 7.48 inches Weight: 2.60 kg / 5.7 lb Priced per individual item. ...
Brass, Iron
French Sconces Wall Lamps Satin Glass & Brass Flower
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French wall lamp White satin glass. Brass wall piece and arm diameter brass wall mount: 10 cm / 3.94, 3 holes to secure Weight: 0.70 kg / 1.5 lb Multiple flower design glasses in ...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Lavender Glass Pendant by Muller Frères Lunéville, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Rare lavender glass bowl three-light pendant with sculptural bronze chains and floral mounts. This elegant French Art Nouveau pendant light was produced by Muller Frères Lunéville i...
Bronze
Alabaster pendant, diam. 30 cm. Swedish Grace, 1920s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful pendant in alabaster with new wiring and black chains. Similar has been made by Bröderna Malmströms metallvarufabrik (BM) in Sweden during the early 1900s. A beautiful ...
Alabaster, Metal
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Victorian Aesthetic Arts Nouveau Stained Slag Glass Parlor Lamp 25"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian era Aesthetic Movement / Art Nouveau style table lamp. Mushroom shaped lamp crafted of swirling blue, white, and purple slag glass framed...
Slag Glass
Jugendstil chandelier with original painted opaline glass vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
Jugendstil chandelier with original painted opaline glass shades vienna around 1908 Brass polished and stove enameled Original opaline glass shades
Brass
French “Clichy” Pink Reeded Glass Pendant Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French “Clichy” pink coloured glass pendant lamp Brass glass holder Weight : 1.40 kg / 3.1 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by international standar...
Brass
Large Vaudeville Era Theater Chandelier
Located in Peekskill, NY
I did not count every crystal in the dome but there is about 9000 pieces in graduating size on a rod frame. There may be only 2 or 3 beads missing out of the thousands. The lamp is i...
Crystal, Bronze
Cast Bronze Pendant, Gunmetal Finish, Flor de Bronce Collection
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the layered significance of the calla lily in Mexican culture, this collection blends the bold heft of cast bronze with sculpted, flowing curves that echo the flower’s fo...
Bronze
Large Jugendstil Alabaster Pendant Light with Dramatic Natural Veining
Located in Lisse, NL
A striking and generously proportioned alabaster pendant light, measuring approximately 19.75 inches in diameter, executed during the European Jugendstil period. Carved from a single...
Alabaster, Brass, Wire
French Art Nouveau Copper Cut Glass Brass Sconce Wall Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French art nouveau wall lamp Semi frosted cut glass shade Copper wall piece and brass arm Weight: 1.70 kg / 3.7 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by ...
Brass, Copper
French Black Enamel Brass Table Desk Lights
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French dark grey enamel and brass desk light. 2,5 meter black cotton flex, plug and switch Available with UK / US plug Weight: 2.50 kg / 5.5 lb Priced per individual item. All lam...
Brass, Enamel
Art Nouveau French Brass & Glass Table Desk Light
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French glass, brass desk light / table lamp 2,5 meter black cotton wire, plug and switch Available with UK / US plug Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable b...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Brass Opalescent Pearl Blue Glass Pendant Lights 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Nouveau glass lamp Brass bulb holder with pearl blue opalescent glass shade. Weight: 0.50 kg / 1.1 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by in...
Brass
Edgar Brandt Wrought Iron Table Lamp, France c.1925
By Edgar Brandt
Located in London, GB
Edgar Brandt Wrought Iron Table Lamp, France c.1925 A sculptural wrought iron table lamp by Edgar Brandt, forged with three tapering hammered uprights on a finely scrolled tripod ba...
Wrought Iron
French Art Nouveau Brass Green Satin Glass Pendant Light 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Nouveau glass lamp Brass bulb holder with satin green glass shade. 2 meter / 80 inches black cotton wire. Weight: 0.50 kg / 1.1 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps...
Brass
$1,441 / set
Muller Frères Pair of Art Nouveau Wall Sconces
Located in NANTES, FR
Pair of Art Nouveau wall sconces, circa 1910. Gilt brass mount, pâte de verre shades signed Muller Frères Luneville. Wired, E14 socket. Small screw-in bulbs. In perfect condition. ...
Brass
Pair of Art Nouveau Style Table Lamps Pink Glass and Brass, France
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a pair of table lamps in the Art Nouveau style, likely from the early 20th century. The design features a brass or bronze base with a floral, lily-like motif. The lampshade...
Opaline Glass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Table Lamp Re Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Grooved casted column, copy of a signed and marked lamp, offered on an auction - see detail - compare to WW-Archive at the MAK - Object 3014, Inventnory# 119-23-1 Most components ac...
Brass
Adolf Loos Jugendstil Swivel-Mounted Silk Brass Wall-Lamp, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Swivel-mounted wall-lamp, measures as desired either with a wall-plate for direct-wiring, or with the cable going down to plug in - in that case a weight can be mounted on the cable ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Pendant Light by General Electric France
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau pendant light in the style of W.A.S. Benson, made by General Electric France around 1910. Copper pendant light with a superb wheel-cut uranium glass shade. Wired with a B...
Copper
French Green Opaline Glass Nickel Pendant Light
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French green opaline glass industrial pendant. Weight 0.40 kg / 0.9 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by international standards for incandescent lig...
Nickel
Art Nouveau Pendant Light with Amber-Ochre Glass by Muller Frères, France, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
An atmospheric French Art Nouveau pendant showcasing the luminous depth of hand-crafted pâte de verre glass. This refined French Art Nouveau pendant light was produced by Muller Frè...
Bronze
French Art Nouveau Brass Pink Satin Glass Pendant Light 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Nouveau glass lamp Brass bulb holder with Pink & White glass shade. 2 meter / 80 inches black cotton wire. Weight: 0.60 kg / 1.3 lb Priced per individual item. All lamp...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Brass & Frosted Glass Table Desk Light
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French frosted glass, brass desk light / table lamp 2,5 meter black cotton wire, plug and switch Available with UK / US plug Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made su...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Brass Clichy Pink Colored Glass Pendant Light 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French Art Deco “Clichy” pink coloured glass pendant lamp Brass glass holder 2 meter / 80 inches black cotton wire. Weight: 0.70 kg / 1.5 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps ...
Brass
Koloman Moser Attributed to Bakalowits & Söhne Pendants with loetz glass shade
By Bakalowits & Söhne, Koloman Moser
Located in Wien, AT
Koloman Moser Attributed to Bakalowits & Söhne Pendants with loetz glass shade around 1908 The glass shades were obtained and from Bohemian glass manufacturers, amongst them also the...
Brass
Antique Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Silver GEC Glass Wall Lamp c.1910
By General Electric Company (GEC) 1
Located in London, GB
A beautifully crafted and rare antique silver plated wall light, made in England by the General Electric Company (GEC) c.1910. This refined piece of Edwardian lighting features exc...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Wall Lamp, Brass & Frosted Glass, Early 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French art nouveau wall lamp Frosted glass shade with brass wall piece and arm Diameter wall plate 102 mm B22 bulb holder / Bayonet Weight: 0.70 kg / 1.5 lb Priced per individual...
Brass
French “Clichy” Green Reeded Glass Pendant Light
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French “Clichy” green coloured glass pendant lamp Brass glass holder Weight : 1.30 kg / 2.9 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by international standa...
Brass
Daum Table Lamp Bronze Multicolor Floral Glass, France
By Daum
Located in Rijssen, NL
This exquisite Art Nouveau table lamp with multicolor flowers is a real eye catcher. Made by Daum in Nancy, France. A stunning table lamp, a classic design, inspired by organic and ...
Glass
'Balancing Act' Lamp By Joseph Ellwood for Six Dots Design
Located in London, GB
A welded Steel Floor Lamp. Balancing Act is a collection of two lamps and a candle holder. Inspired by Calder’s Circus, it captures a sense of naive joy and playful freedom, inviting...
Steel
French “Clichy” Yellow Glass Pendant Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French “Clichy” yellow glass pendant lamp Brass glass holder Weight : 0.85 kg / 1.9 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable by international standards for ...
Brass
DAUM & MAJORELLE Wide pendant chandelier with acid-etched blackberries 1910-1915
By Daum, Louis Majorelle
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Wide and thick French Art Nouveau acid-etched pendant chandelier with blacberries by DAUM (Nancy) and Louis MAJORELLE (Nancy), France, circa 1910-1915. This exceptional French Art N...
Wrought Iron
Petite Viennese Jugendstil Art Nouveau Inspired Chandelier
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Petite Viennese chandelier Woka edition - six flames USA and CAN: All electrical components according to the UL regulations. With an additional charge the fixture will be labeled "U...
Brass
Cast Bronze Sconce, Gunmetal Finish, Flor de Bronce Collection
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the layered significance of the calla lily in Mexican culture, this collection blends the bold heft of cast bronze with sculpted, flowing curves that echo the flower’s fo...
Bronze
Cast Bronze Sconce, Sepia Finish, Flor de Bronce Collection
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the layered significance of the calla lily in Mexican culture, this collection blends the bold heft of cast bronze with sculpted, flowing curves that echo the flower’s fo...
Bronze
Cast Bronze Pendant, Verdigris Finish, Flor de Bronce Collection
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the layered significance of the calla lily in Mexican culture, this collection blends the bold heft of cast bronze with sculpted, flowing curves that echo the flower’s fo...
Bronze
Cast Bronze Sconce, Verdegris Finish, Flor de Bronce Collection
By L'Aviva Home
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the layered significance of the calla lily in Mexican culture, this collection blends the bold heft of cast bronze with sculpted, flowing curves that echo the flower’s fo...
Bronze
British Frosted Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps
Located in Amsterdam, NL
British clear glass flush mount. Metal bulb holder with brass glass holder. Frosted glass with many lines and irregularities Brass ceiling plate / wall plate : diameter 10 cm / 3.94...
Brass
Large Antique Crystal Chandelier Pair Restored Italian Bohemian Style Vintage
Located in Berlin, DE
A magnificent historical crystal chandelier that combines the timeless charm of classic European craftsmanship with a complete modern restoration. The design is reminiscent of the gr...
Crystal, Iron
Daum Table Lamp Iron Leafs Amber Crystal Glass, France
By Daum
Located in Rijssen, NL
This exquisite Art Nouveau table lamp with iron and orange glass is a real eye catcher. Made by Daum in Nancy, France. A stunning table lamp, a classic design, inspired by organic a...
Glass
Tiffany Studios Turtle Back Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Tiffany Studios Turtle Back Table lamp
Bronze
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Jugendstil Silk & Brass Table Lamp, Re-Edition
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Desk lamp, originally manufactured at the historical Wiener Werkstätte and archived at the WW-pattern-books with the # S 142 - all in all, just eight lamps were manufactured at the W...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstaette Ceiling Lamp, Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A pendant-lamp, very often used by Josef Hoffmann. Punched or plain, several finishes. Total drop custom made. Originally manufactured at the Wiener Werkstaette Atelier, now custom m...
Brass
Fabric Department Wiener Werkstaette Silk Wall Light Wall Lamp
By Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant wall lamp suitable to the fabric department pendants of the Wiener Werkstaette Material Metal frame work covered with silk Most components according to the UL regulations, wi...
Brass
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Pendant Jugendstil Silk Chandelier, Re-Edition
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A Josef Hoffmann design for the Staekelborg, Knips and for the Berta Zuckerkandl Mansion. Comes as well in other sizes and colors. The other images shows the lamp in a showroom of th...
Brass