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.
Art Nouveau Settee by Gustav Siegel for J.J. Kohn, 1899
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning, rare settee Model No. 715 designed by Gustav Siegel in 1899 and produced by the renowned Viennese furniture manufacturer Jacob & Josef K...
Brass
Art Nouveau Settee No. 2 in bent wood and cane by Thonet Brothers, Austria 1870s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find the only Thonet Settee No. 2 available at the moment on the market! A true museum piece, this is one of the most beautiful Thonet pieces ever made. It i...
Cane, Beech
Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau "Ombellifères" Settee and Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau carved wood "Ombellifères" suite, consisting of two armchairs and a settee, by Louis Majorelle. The suite is hand carved with capitals of Berce des Prés (Hogweed...
Walnut
$15,000 / set
Josef Hoffmann Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
This Austrian seating group was designed by Josef Hoffmann, the leading architect of the Viennese Secession movement of the early 20th century, and executed by the firm of Josef and Jacob Kohn, craftsmen of the Wiener Werkstaette collaborative group. The original good finish as been carefully restored and the three piece suite has been recently reupholstered in a reissued Josef Hoffmann fabric...
Beech
Art Nouveau Style Wicker Settee / Tete-a-Tete in Natural Finish
Located in Nashua, NH
A rare early wicker settee also known as a Tete-Tete that is attributed to the Wakefield Rattan Company of Wakefield, Massachusetts. It was designed in the late 19th C. and is done i...
Wicker, Cane, Reed, Wood
Jugendstil bench or settee done in solid walnut, reupholstered, Austria 1910s
By Otto Wagner
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful and warm Jugendstil bench or settee designed in style of Otto Wagner. It is done in solid walnut and reupholstered in fabric with geometric ...
Fabric, Walnut
Jugendstil Settee designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, done in beech bentwood
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful Jugendstil Settee done in beech bentwood. It is designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, featuring sleek lines typical for his work. The settee ...
Fabric, Beech
Jugendstil Settee designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, done in beech bentwood
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful Jugendstil Settee done in beech bentwood. It is designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, featuring sleek lines typical for his work. The settee ...
Fabric, Beech
Georges de Feure, "Grenade", Art Nouveau Settee, France, c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This settee is typical of De Feure’s style at the turn of the 20th century. The high back with swooping lines, paired with straight legs curving toward their meeting with the seat, i...
Wood
Antique French Walnut Double Caned & Hand Carved
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous French Art Noveau walnut with double caning, front and back, hand carved settee. Sweeping lines with cabriolet legs, all hand carved stained and lacquered. In excellent anti...
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
Jugendstil Settee by Josef Hoffmann in 1902, manufactured by Wittmann in 1980s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a “Cabinett” settee, designed by Josef Hoffmann for the apartment of Dr. Johannes Salzer in Vienna, c. 1902. The settee was later on reintroduced to the...
Silk, Walnut
Jugendstil Settee with Ebony, Birch and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in New York, NY
A solid mahogany loveseat with ebony, birch and mother-of-pearl inlays, this piece is part of a suit which included the aforementioned Armchairs. Created at the beginning of the twen...
Mother-of-Pearl, Upholstery, Birch, Ebony, Mahogany
Josef Maria Olbrich Music Room Settee Cabinet Darmstadt Germany made c.1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Gorgeous Art Nouveau music room settee with cabinet of finest manufacturing quality. Designer: Attributed to circle of Josef Maria Olbrich (186...
Other
Art Nouveau Venetian Bedroom Chairs & Footrest With precious Fortuny Upholstery
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Nouveau age, original pair of Venetian bedroom chairs with footstool upholstered in original Fortuny damask velvet in good condition wax-polished and sanitized Measures chairs ...
Walnut
Louis Majorelle Mahogany & Blue Patterned Upholstered Settee
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut frame Settee with slightly flaired arms and shaped back upholstered in a lightly patterned gray-blue fabric with matching upholstered pillow. (LOUIS MAJOREL...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$6,612 / set
Art Nouveau seating group by Fischel Austria
By Fischel
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art Nouveau seating group by Fischel Austria in very nice original condition. Bench, 120cm, 45cmx98cm 2x armchair, 62cm x 51cm x 95cm 2x chairs 40cm x 42cm x 91cm
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
vintage English settee in wood and fabric
Located in Milano, IT
This elegant English loveseat, in the refined style of Art Nouveau, is a true testament to the taste and craftsmanship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The two seats are fr...
Velvet, Wood
$14,400 / set
Art Nouveau Salon Suite by Gauthier-Poinsignon
By Atelier Gauthier Poinsignon
Located in Hanover, MA
Period French Art Nouveau salon suite consisting of a solid molded, ribbed and carved "aux pavots" settee and pair of side chairs in mahogany by Camille Gauthier & Paul Poinsignon wi...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Art Nouveau Seating Set by Otto Wagner for Thonet, 1910s
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of Thonet sofa type 6285 and two armchairs Thonet 6585. Rare type designed by Otto Wagner. Recently reupholstered. Shellac finish. Dimensions of a...
Upholstery, Beech
Plumet et Selmersheim Art Nouveau Seating Suite
By Tony Selmersheim, Charles Plumet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Nouveau seating suite by Plumet et Selmersheim, circa 1900, in solid sculpted rosewood. Set consists of settee, pair of armchairs, pair of sid...
Rosewood
Early Mid Century Transitional Modern Spindle Back Bench or Settee in Mahogany
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible piece of artistry. This spindle back bench dates back to the 1940's and is made out of mahogany. A great mix of modern and traditional lines.
Fabric, Mahogany
Jugendstil Bench or Settee done in bentwood, with cane seat, Austria 1910s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and extremely rare antique, Jugendstil settee or bench. It is done in bentwood, with a cane seat, featuring fans in the backrest. It was m...
Cane, Beech
Art Nouveau Giltwood settee by Louis Majorelle
Located in Montreal, QC
Art Nouveau Giltwood settee by Louis Majorelle with japonesque organic carving Similar furniture pictured in Majorelle: Master of Art Nouveau by Alastair Duncan, p.179, fig. 46.
Wood
French Art Nouveau Purple Moire 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 5 French Art Nouveau walnut living room / salon set with floral carving on back & purple moire upholstery (settee, 2 armchairs, 2 side chairs)
Upholstery, Walnut
Original Pair of Bedroom Armchairs with Footstool, Damask Velvet Upholstered
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Nouveau age, original pair of bedroom armchairs with footstool upholstered in original damask velvet in good condition wax-polished and s...
Damask, Walnut
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
Salon Set by Josef Hoffmann, 1910s, Excellent Condition
Located in Praha, CZ
Art nouveau sofa set Thonet, J/J Kohn, upholstered in genuine leather, designed by architect Josef Hoffmann for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, Austria, completely restored, newly ...
Leather, Bentwood
Tete a tete by Hugo Franca
By Hugo França
Located in San Francisco, CA
A tete a tete by Hugo Franca made of naturally fallen Brazilian hardwood trees. The design is made of opposing seats on two semi circular bases, Brazil, circa 1990.
Hardwood
$3,800
H 34 in W 50 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Curvaceous Wing Back Settee or Sofa Refinished Reupholstered
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Wing back settee or sofa, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, American, circa 1950s. This sofa is currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in...
Upholstery, Wood
Georgian Walnut Settee
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early George III walnut settee of very graphic form, the square back over deep seat having gentle scrolled arms, the square legs with original brass castors and having dramatic ...
Velvet, Mahogany
$5,770Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" Bat Seating Group, Suite, Thonet, Art Nouveau, Deco
Located in Berlin, DE
Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" bat seating group. Suite. Thonet. Consisting of four chairs and matching table. The seating group is still in its original ...
$1,803
H 76 in W 53 in D 55 in
Vienna Secession armchair by Gustav Siegel for J.J.Kohn, Modell 715/F Austria
By Josef Hoffmann, Gustav Siegel, J.&J. Khon 1
Located in Argelato, BO
One of the most iconic and refined armchairs of the Viennese secession, designed by the famous Austrian designer Gustav Siegel and created by the Kohn company, is proposed here in it...
Beech, Bentwood
$4,568 / set
H 30.32 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Restored Art Deco Seating Set, by J. Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Czech, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sofa dimensions: Height: 77 cm (30.3 in) Width: 120 cm (47.2 in) Depth: 60 cm (23.6 in) Seat: 45 cm (17.7 in) Chair dimensions: Height: 77 cm (30.3 in) Width: 57 cm (22.4 in) Depth:...
Wood, Walnut, Beech, Lacquer
French Louis XVI Style Caned Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
A superb Louis XVI Style Caned settee with new custom cushion in powder blue cotton upholstery. Curved hand carved rosettes to the fronts of the turned reed tapered legs add rich cha...
Cotton, Cane, Walnut
$9,600
H 44 in W 69 in D 23.25 in
Antique Swedish Rococo Period Settee or Sofa Bench in Original Paint, 18th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
A richly carved, 18th century Swedish sofa bench from the Rococo period, newly upholstered linen. This beautiful antique settee has been hand-scraped back to reveal the original pain...
Wood, Paint
$12,280
H 38 in W 84 in D 37 in
"Italian Hand-Painted Settee with Antiqued Blue Finish, Regency Style"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Made to Order Italian hand painted settee, antiqued blue crackle finish, upholstered in a linen Fabric, cushion filling 50/50 White Goose Down, sprung decking, hand made in Los Angel...
Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
Pianura Seating Group by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Roma, IT
Outstanding, top rare seating group realized by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1971. Walnut structure, brown leather upholstery. Lade made of black rubber. The complete set is composed...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 40 in W 43 in D 20 in
Bentwood & Cane Upholstered Settee in French Linen, Attr. To Thonet, Austria, C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this bent Bamboo wood settee with caned back. The caning is original to the settee and is hand caned. This settee has been recently ado...
Bamboo, Cane, Bentwood
As Found J & J Kohn Turn of the Century Bentwood Settee Vienna
Located in Ferndale, MI
Estate find elaborately bent wood settee with caned back rest and seat . Seat caning needs to be restored . I do not have access to a competent c...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Swedish Art Nouveau Mahogany Settee
Located in Astoria, NY
Swedish Art Nouveau Jugendstil period mohair upholstered chesterfield style mahogany settee, with buttoned back and seat with scrolling arms, the fronts with down-turned mahogany sup...
Mahogany
Jugendstil Settee
Located in London, GB
A Jugendstil beech settee. Northern Europe, early 20th Century.
Beech
Jugendstil Beech and Rope Settee
Located in London, GB
A Jugendstil beech and rope settee. Northern Europe, early 20th century.
Rope, Beech
Early 20th C Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Ebonised Settee
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1910s classic settee designed by Josef Hoffmann. We believe this was manufactured by Austrian manufacturer Jacob & Josef Kohn but have no found markings. Slatted sides and blac...
Upholstery, Beech
Sold
H 40.95 in W 79.53 in D 31.89 in
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveu Carved Beech Wood Antique Large Settee
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique settee 1910s in Art Nouveau era. The settee is made of solid beech wood hand carved. Particular linear shape. Large size compared to other antique sofas. Perfectly restored i...
Beech
Petite French Style Settee in Noir Faux Shearling
Located in Wilton, CT
We took an elaborate Victorian piece and modernized it by reupholstering it in a noir faux shearling. The perfect size of this settee makes it usable in any space. The modern take on...
Metal
Late 19th Century White Wrought Iron French Settee
Located in Hastings, GB
A quite exceptional late 19th century pair of French patio/orangery Settee. This is a beautiful wrought iron large settee, with the most intricate decorative detailing and workman...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century French Scrolling Iron Garden Settee or Bench
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful mid-century French scrolling iron garden settee or bench. The white cushion is new. The metal does show some age wear.
Iron
Art Nouveau Green and Brown Sofa
Located in Weesp, NL
Sophisticated and elegant 1915 Art Nouveau two-seat sofa with a stained beech wood frame made by Pander & sons, The Hague. The sofa has been re-upholstered 3 years ago with leather. ...
Leather, Beech
Rare Artisan Crafted Iron Sculptural Bench
Located in Bellport, NY
There are two available each priced separately, upholstered with a colorful and graphic botanical textured fabric.
Iron