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.
Antique French Art Nouveau Painted Iron and Brass Twin Headboard
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful, unique antique art nouveau, circa 1910-1920, French metal twin size headboard painted in shades of green and pink. On the darker green center medallion are roses, vines ...
Metal, Brass, Iron
2 Art Nouveau metal hand painted extravagant single beds with flowers chalet sty
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
2 Art Nouveau metal hand painted extravagant single beds with flowers and faux wood even painted on the inside of the foot part. perfect for a chalet or alpine house .
Metal
Antique bed, France, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique mirror from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, France. This piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The upholstered elements have ...
Walnut
Extraordinary Carved Mahogany Full Bed With Swans
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborately carved full bedstead with intricate swan carvings. The headboard with a gadrooned carved acanthus motif trim around the parquetry herringbone inlay. The arched headboa...
Mahogany
English Brass & Iron Early 20th Century Large Single Bed
Located in Leicester, GB
A beautiful brass and iron bed frame from the early 20th century. The brass bed has an elegant design with fine squared spindles and a monogrammed oval decoration on the head and foo...
Brass
Antique Bed, France, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique Bed, France, circa 1890. Wood: walnut Dimensions: Bed: height 159 cm / width 162 cm / length 200 cm / mattress: length 190 cm / width 135 cm
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Iron Pair of Single Beds
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this rare and fantastic pair of Italian single iron beds, made in the early 20th century during the Art Nouveau period. The beds feature a black iron frame. The elaborate a...
Iron
19th Century Viennese Jacob & Josef Kohn Attributed Bentwood Cradle
Located in Forney, TX
A rare original Viennese Art Nouveau period beechwood child's cradle, attributed to Austrian furniture maker and interior designer J. & J. Kohn (Jacob & Josef Kohn Company). Exqu...
Beech
Thonet Art Nouveau Cradle, Bentwood, Austria, 1900, Curved Design
By Thonet
Located in Roma, Lazio
Cradle signed Thonet, all in bentwood has the ability to stop the rocking, and to remove the upper part. Very beautiful shape of the drop. A similar cradle is represented in the Muse...
Bentwood
1910s Antique Italian 2 twins Art Nouveau Beds in Cherrywood and Burl Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century antique Italian Art Nouveau pair of beds in cheerywood and burl walnut with golden bronze adornments Measures cm: H 160 / 92 W 90 D 210. A. Meroni & R. Fossati ...
Bronze
Pine Bed in Art Nouveau Style Circa 1910
Located in Opole, PL
Pine Bed in Art Nouveau Style Circa 1910 A single bed made of pine wood, dating back to approximately 1910. The bed frame features rectangular panels. The center has a removable spr...
Pine
Art Nouveau Italian Brass Double Bed, Early 1900s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Large Italian double bed from the early 20th century. Fabulous quality object and gilded brass decoration. Bed decorated with plaques depicting female characters and neoclassical che...
Brass
1910s, Antique Italian Art Nouveau Single Bed in Walnut and Burl Walnut Inlaid
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1910s, antique Italian Art Nouveau single bed in walnut and burl walnut inlaid Restored and polished to shellac Measure cm: H 145 \ 82 x W 92 x D 201 (internal measure cm 190x80).
Walnut, Burl
Italian Early 20th Century Iron and Cast Iron Enamelled Bed, Golden Brass Parts
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian 1910s Art Nouveau bed, in black enameled iron and cast iron, golden brass parts, in good conditions. The bed is complete with a flexible wood...
Brass, Iron
Pair of French Art Nouveau Iron and Tole Twin Beds
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Art Nouveau iron twin beds with green patina and decorated tole trim with pearl inlay (includes: headboard and footboard only does not in...
Tôle, Iron
Pine Art Nouveau Box Bed
Located in Baltimore, MD
This majestic Art Nouveau box bed would be a stately presence in any child’s bedroom. The headboard is built in two pieces. The lower part consists of a fla...
Pine
Pair of Twin Beds Art Nouveau, Italy, 1890s. Hand Carved Walnut, Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Nouveau pair of twin beds, Italy, circa 1890. Hand carved walnut, restored and polished to wax of the same bedroom we have the chest of drawers, marble top, with beveled mirror ...
Walnut
Iron and Brass Single Bed Frame, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. The very simple structure brings attention to the stunning headboard. This bed frame is hand-made in brass and mint green varnished iron. The frame is solid but...
Brass, Iron
1960s Italian Art Nouveau Single Bed in Painted Wrought Iron, Golden Parts
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian single bed in painted wrought iron, golden parts, 1960s, Art Nouveau style Measures cm: H 106/74, W 200, D 90.
Iron
Art Nouveau Pair of Beds, by Vincenzo Cadorin Venezia, Hand-carved Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
This important pair of beds, in solid walnut, is masterfully carved by hand by the great sculptor artist Cadorin and his Atelier performers: floral motifs and Classic Art Nouveau shapes, carved and embossed Measures cm: H155/98 W200 D205 (internal 195x85) About Cadorin Vincenzo (1854-1925) Venetian sculptor born in 1854, he was trained in the studio of Benvenuti, he then studied at the Venetian Academy. In 1883 he exposed his first works in Rome and in the next year he won the Gold Medal in the exposure in Turin. (Luisa GIORDANO, Cadorin, Vincenzo, in Biographic Dictionary of the Italians, XVI, Rome 1973, p. 97). His most known work is the gilt carved wooden desk given to the Pope Pio X for his sacerdotal jubilee in 1908; the desk is now in the Basilica della Salute in Venice. He died in 1925. Fortuny palace: The Cadorin Bottega: A dynasty of Venetian artists The last published photo is the Palazzo Fortuny of Venice where IDA Cadorin, known professionally as IDA Barbarigo...
Walnut
French Art Nouveau Walnut Full Bed
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut full size bed with floral and grape carved corners (includes: headboard, footboard, rails) The width dimensions are from the ...
Walnut
1920s Art Nouveau Country Single Carved and Painted Cherry Bed, Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Country single bed in massive cherrywood, carved and painted, wax polished Measures cm: H 100/85 W 97 D 205 (internal 196 x 85).
Cherry
French Art Nouveau Maple Full Headboard
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau maple full size headboard having a carved and filigree floral and vine design carved edge framing a dark stained panel with a floral swag carved relief (includes h...
Mahogany
Art Nouveau Carved and Painted Wooden Bed, Floral Theme: Poppies, France, 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
A sublime piece of furniture that reflects the refinement of Art Nouveau, this bed embodies the timeless elegance and creativity of the École de Nancy, one of the movement's key hubs...
Wood, Paint, Oak
Rare French Bentwood Cradle in the Thonet Style, Late 19th Century
Located in London, Park Royal
This French bentwood cradle made in the Thonet style is a rare find, circa late 1900s. The cradle is in perfect working order with a gentle rocking act...
Bentwood
Rare French Bentwood Cradle in the Thonet Style Late 19th Century
By Thonet
Located in London, Park Royal
This French bentwood cradle made in the Thonet style is a rare find, circa late 1900s. The cradle is in perfect working order with a gentle rocking act...
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Pink Velvet Wall Panel
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau stripped wall panel with pink velvet inset backing and carved floral filigree design.
Velvet, Wood
Antique Double Twin Bed, Art Nouveau, in Hand Carved Cherry Wood, Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1920s circa double twin bed , Art Nouveau, in hand carved cherrywood, wax polished Measures cm: H158\87 W90add90 D205 (internal 195 x 82).
Cherry
Colli Torino 'Est. 1850 ' Italian Art Nouveau Bed & Nightstand Solid Oak carved
By Colli Torino
Located in Landshut, BY
This bed and night stand was produced by Colli Torino established in 1850. - solid oak with hand-carved elements - mattress size is 120cm x 190cm - The company is well known becau...
Oak
Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Liberty Headboard, 1900, France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Headboard with a pair of bedside tables. Material: wood Country: France We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.If you have any que...
Wood
1960s Italian Art Nouveau Single Bed in Painted Wrought Iron, Golden Parts
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian midcentury single bed in painted wrought iron, golden parts, Art Nouveau style. Measures cm: H 123\103 W 205 D 92 (internal measures ...
Iron
Pine Art Nouveau Box Bed
Located in Baltimore, MD
This fine Art Nouveau example is certainly one of the most decorative pine beds we have ever offered for sale. The headboard is built in two parts. The lower part consists of a fla...
Pine