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 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
Viennese Secession Settee Josef Maria Olbrich 1900
Located in Budapest, HU
An elegant Austrian Jugendstil settee from the early 20th century, executed in the refined and restrained aesthetic associated with the Vienna Secession movement. Crafted in beautifu...
Bentwood
Georges de Feure settee, 1900 Expo model, in hand sculpted pearwood.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Nouveau settee (en suite with #1716 and #1717) by Georges de Feure, model presented in the Bing Pavilion at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. Sculpted pearwood, th...
Pearwood
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
Josef Hoffmann Beech Wood Seating Group, Jugendstil Design, Circa 1903
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
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
Refurbished Art Nouveau Settee No. 717 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. 717 designed by Gustav Siegel in 1899 and produced by the renowned Viennese furniture manufacturer Jacob & Josef Kohn ...
Brass
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
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
$2,331Sale Price|20% Off
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
Antique Austrian Bentwood Settee
By Fischel
Located in Cambridge, US
Austria, ca. 1890. A charming Art Nouveau settee or bench by Fischel. Features classic bentwood construction with a high arched back and dramatically curved arms. Three oval backrest...
Cane, Bentwood
Thonet Reclining Chaise Longue
Located in Petworth, GB
Adjustable reclining chaise longue in steamed beech with cane seat and back Stylish scroll work sides and foldable back rest Circa 1900 Width 69cm. Length 180cm Height 109cm
Cane, 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
$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 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
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 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
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
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
French Art Nouveau Walnut Living Room Set, 5-Piece with Floral Carving
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau walnut 5 piece salon set with floral carving & purple moire upholstery (Available individually: settee: 041428A, 2 armchairs: 041428B, 2 side chairs: 041428C)
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,410 / set
Art Nouveau seating group by Fischel Austria
By Fischel
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
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
Plumet et Selmersheim Art Nouveau Seating Suite
By Charles Plumet , Tony Selmersheim
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Art Nouveau Armchairs No. 717 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 pair of stunning, rare Model No. 717 designed by Gustav Siegel in 1899 and produced by the renowned Viennese furniture manufacturer Jacob & Josef Kohn...
Brass
Louis Majorelle French Art Nouveau Settee, Walnut Frame, Blue Fabric
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
$2,648
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 24.41 in
LOUIS XVI FRENCH CARVED GiLTWOOD DOUBLE CANED BERGERE SETTEE SOFA WINDOW SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional sublime Louis XVI French Carved Giltwood and double Caned Bergère Window seat or Settee P...
Rattan, Giltwood
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
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
$4,429 / 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 Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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
Antique French Church Pew Bench Double Seat Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
UNIQUE Carved Oak Antique French Double Church Pew, Entry Bench, Settee or Banquette c.1900-20 ~~Classic French flair decorator piece~~ Perfect for living area seating, entry, hall...
Oak
$10,257 / set
H 48.43 in W 59.85 in D 25.6 in
Theatrical "Egyptian" Living-Room Set, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and extravagant living-room set comprised of a settee, two armchairs and a table, of Egyptian inspiration. Polychrome decor. The seating pieces are raised on paw feet (front)...
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .
Wood
Southwood & Co. Adam Style Hand-Painted Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Adam Style settee from Southwood Furniture featuring hand-painted frame with yellow floral clusters and swags, tight back and seat upholstery with curved arm rests on turned arm rest...
Fabric, Wood
$9,600
H 44 in W 69 in D 23.25 in
Antique Swedish Rococo Settee, Hand-Carved, Linen Upholstery, c. 1760
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
$5,161
H 37.8 in W 63.78 in D 27.56 in
French Louis XVI painted wood and cane settee, canape, banquette
Located in London, GB
A very elegant Louis XVI painted wood and cane settee, canape, banquette. Will have been re-caned at some point and possibly repainted or refinished. Minor damage, please view photos...
Cane, Wood
$6,993
H 38.98 in W 44.89 in D 20.28 in
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood and Rattan Settee by Thonet Brothers
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Vienna Secessionist bentwood and rattan settee by Thonet Brothers. The settee can be found in old Thonet catalogues and based on the paper label underneath, the seat was manufac...
Rattan, Bentwood
$3,990Sale Price|30% Off
H 46 in W 40 in D 18.5 in
Vienna Secession Bentwood Angel Motif Settee Bench by Jacob & Josef Kohn No. 67
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bentwood settee bench with angel motif by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Crafted with the companies signature steam-bent beechwood frame, the settee features its striking, all-or...
Oak
Sold
H 37.41 in W 45.28 in D 21.66 in
Art Nouveau Settee No. 2 in bent wood and cane by Thonet Brothers, Austria 1900s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking art nouveau two seater bench in ebonized bentwood and cane webbing. A real piece of design history, being fully untouched and original with the original weaving. These le...
Cane, Bentwood
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
Art Nouveau Seating Set by Otto Wagner for Thonet, 1910s
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
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
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