Rare Maison Dominique French Art Deco Bench Walnut Bouclé, 1940s

During the early 1920s — just as the burgeoning Art Deco movement was gaining steam — two young French furniture designers named André Domin and Marcel Genevrière established Maison Dominique. The firm's vintage armchairs, coffee tables, sideboards and other pieces are admired for their simple elegance, striking geometric forms and distinctive influences that included Cubism.

Domin was a self-taught designer, and Genevriere was a journalist who wrote for French publications such as Comoedia, L'Intransigeant and Gil Blas. They founded the maison in 1922 and exhibited at the Salon d’Automne that same year.

After a successful showing at the venue, Maison Dominique received high-profile commissions from the likes of perfume brand Houbigant and designer Jean Puiforcat. The founders’ furniture enjoyed widespread appeal for its clean lines, smooth curves, sturdy construction and decorative flourishes such as copper inlays and the integration of bronze hardware, which are common attributes of Art Deco furniture. In 1925, Maison Dominique had another strong showing at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris — the huge design fair that brought Art Deco to a global stage.

In 1926, Maison Dominique partnered with designers Jean Puiforcat, Pierre Legrain, Pierre Chareau and Raymond Templier to establish the "Group of Five." They exhibited together and collaborated on the creation of furniture and decor for the home.

Maison Dominique launched a storefront in Paris and the business flourished throughout the 1930s. The firm participated in the 1931 Paris Colonial Exposition and was commissioned to furnish four apartments aboard the luxury French ocean liner SS Normandie. In 1937, it also held a showcase at the Salon des Artistes Decorateurs in Brussels. Following World War II, Maison Dominique was commissioned by the French government to design furniture for Élysée Palace.

Domin left Maison Dominique in 1953 and entrusted it to his son, Alain Domin. In 1962, the company once again designed furniture for a first-class luxury apartment on the SS Normandie. Domin and Genevriere passed away in 1962 and 1967, respectively. The company they created continued to operate under Alain until the 1970s.

On 1stDibs, find vintage André Domin & Marcel Genevrière Maison Dominique tables, seating and case pieces.