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Art Nouveau Sofas

ART NOUVEAU STYLE

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. Art Nouveau was a modernizing movement in the decorative arts that developed 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

  • Sinuous, organic and flowing lines
  • Forms that mimic flowers and plant life
  • Decorative inlays and ornate carvings of natural-world motifs such as insects and animals 
  • Use of hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and rosewood

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 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.

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Style: Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau Daybed in Solid Oak / Lounger Sofa, 1905
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Daybed restored Art Nouveau around 1905 solid oak daybed lounger sofa Features: Designed like a bench, but very low and very deep lying surfac...
Category

20th Century Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Oak

Elegant Art Nouveau Italian Antique Upholstered Sofa
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Excellent early 20th century Art Nouveau sofa that's part of a 10 piece set. The name "Art Nouveau" in French means "new art". It is also known as Jugendstil in Germany. In contrast,...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Art Nouveau Oak and Fabric Sofa for H. Pander & Zn
Located in Amstelveen, Noord
Elegant and sophisticated oak handmade two seat sofa by Pander & Sons in the Hague in 1915. The sofa has the original brandmarks of H. Pander, which is very rare for those years. Therefore the sofa is in good condition! Specially when you notice the two seat sofa is over 100years of age. Pander made both furniture and airplanes. At first this may seem a strange combination, but in the early days of aviation, airplanes were also made of wood. Klaas Pander (1819-1897) sold rush mats...
Category

1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Oak

1902 Antique Sofa Set Kohn No. 717, Designed by Gustav Siegel
Located in Praha, CZ
- Kohn catalogue 1902 - Art Nouveau - completely restored - bentwood beech solids - new brown shellac hand polished polish - completely reupholstered ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Brass

Hand Carved Wooden Bench, France, 1890s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hand Carved Wooden Bench - 1890's Hand-carved wooden bench from France, 1890's. A true conversation piece with a unique material quality to it. Th...
Category

1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Wood

Art Nouveau Living Room Set by Pander & Zonen, Netherlands, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb salon / living room set composed of 7 elements: 1 sofa / canape, 2 armchairs and 4 chairs. The structure is in solid walnut carved on a floral theme (roses). The bench and...
Category

Early 1900s Dutch Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Faux Leather, 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 ...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Stunning 19th Century Art Nouveau Cast Iron French Daybed
Located in Hastings, GB
An absolutely gorgeous cast iron day bed, made in France circa 1890, the deeply cast floral design with acanthus leaves and scrolls, it exudes early ...
Category

1890s French Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Iron

Moonage Daydream Modular Sofa Ivory Bouclé Fabric and brushed brass metal base
Located in Ponte Enza di Gattatico, IT
Moonage daydream is a modular sofa. The configurations can be made by choosing from four elements: central module, terminal module, wide terminal modu...
Category

2010s Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Metal

Moonage Daydream Modular Sofa White Leather
Located in Ponte Enza di Gattatico, IT
Moonage daydream is a modular sofa. The configurations can be made by choosing from four elements: central module, terminal module, wide terminal modu...
Category

2010s Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Leather

Loveseat Sofa Art Nouveau Belle Époque Lacquered and Gilded Carved Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Awesome loveseat sofa Art Nouveau Belle Époque, in carved mahogany lacquered and gilded. We have sanitized the upholstery; ready to use Upholstery in good condition, still usable W...
Category

1910s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Art Nouveau Sofa and Armchairs Labelled Jakob & Joseph Kohn
Located in Beirut, LB
Set of Art Nouveau sofa and two armchair by Jakob e Joseph Kohn, Wien. Bentwood solid walnut with an original upholstery in hand painted silk with typical ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Bentwood

Last 19th Century Sofa & Armchairs Carved Walnut by Testolini Salviati, Venice
Located in Vigonza, Padua
They can be sold separately Performed restorative conservation and remake upholstery Measure sofa in cm: H85\47 L148 D57 Measure armchairs in cm: H85\47 L57 D57 "From OADI, observ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Walnut

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Elegant and Comfortable Sofa yellow fabric
Located in Miami, FL
Hight back and sides sofa. Completely re-upholstered in a soft yellow Thick linen. Interesting and great look from each side (back and sides.) Very comfortable and elegant. Easy to m...
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20th Century French Art Nouveau Sofas

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Fabric, Wood

1800s Antique Victorian, Transitional, Newly Upholstered Sofa
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous antique sofa, victorian, nice condition transitional sofa, newly upholstered 1800s!! Nice transitional Victorian sofa newly upholstered with rose carved back and burled front in nice condition with a couple of minor splits. 74" wide, 30" tall, 26" deep, 18 inches seat height. Almost as if to make up for the lack of custom furniture, Victorian pieces often included elaborate carvings, embellishments, and ornamentation. Carved wood ran along the top of couch and chair backs and arms, but you'd also find it on bed frames and dressers featuring shapely leaves, trailing vines, fruits, fleur-de-leis, ribbons and bows, and, sometimes, fat cherubs. Wood might be dark and finished or painted and gold gilded, depending on the piece as stated on Hunker. Queen Victoria’s reign affected the design styles of furniture, clothing and all sorts of items used in daily living. Her love of ornate styles is well known. When thinking of the general term, think of a cluttered environment, full of heavy furniture, and surrounded by plants, heavy fabrics and lots of china and glassware as stated on Antique Trader...
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19th Century French Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

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Wood

Antique Bentwood Sofa Thonet No. 1, Austria circa 1860
Located in Zagreb, HR
Very rare bentwood sofa Thonet No 1, manufactured in the 1960s by Thonet. Professionally restored, retaining beautiful old patina and some normal traces...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Leolux Living Room Set, Netherlands, 1970
Located in Brussels, BE
Leolux living room set - Netherlands, 1970.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Leather

  • Leolux Living Room Set, Netherlands, 1970
  • Leolux Living Room Set, Netherlands, 1970
  • Leolux Living Room Set, Netherlands, 1970
  • Leolux Living Room Set, Netherlands, 1970
H 26.78 in. W 73.23 in. D 27.56 in.
Rare Kassel Living Room Suite by Paul Bode
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare, complete set designed by Paul Bode for Deutsche Federholzgesellschaft, Kassel in 1955. Consisting of sofa, two chairs and table, the fabric is a striped green velour with the t...
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1950s German Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Eastern Bloc Vintage Living Room Set by Jitona, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This living room set is a typical example of furniture design of the 1970/1980´s in the former Czechoslovakia. It was made by JITONA company in the 1970´s. This living set was one...
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1970s Czech Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Iron

Art Nouveau Rocking Chair by Gustav Siegel for Jacob & Josef Kohn, Austria, 1904
Located in Odense, DK
Amazing and rare Art Nouveau bentwood rocking chair designed by Gustav Siegel (1880-1970) for Jacob and Josef Kohn of Vienna, Austria, circa 1904. The chair is made from bentwood sta...
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Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Bentwood

Gianni Songia Daybed / Sofa Model GS 195 by Sormani in Italy
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa / daybed model GS 195 designed by Gianni Songia. Produced by Sormani in Italy.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Curved Italian Sofa / Loveseat, Newly Upholstered in Alplaca, 1970s/1980s
Located in London, GB
A superb rare Italian curved loveseat sofa of organic form, late 1970s-early 1980s, Italy. Newly reupholstered in a high quality, luxurious, super soft 100% alpaca fabric. Ships worl...
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Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

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Alpaca

Modular Contemporary Outdoor Wicker Sofa Lounger with Integrated Daybed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This modular L-shaped outdoor sofa integrates a daybed in its sloped geometry. The waterproof lounger is lightweight and easy to move around the garden. Its sloped forms encourage in...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Rattan

Danish Mid-Century Modern Daybed/Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather, Made in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful freestanding daybed in cognac brown leather with storage space underneath. Two loose cushions that can be used as a back or neck rest. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker in 1970s. This daybed can also be used as a couch or a freestanding bed...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Art Deco Sofa in Walnut and Original Fabric, Italy, 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Art Deco sofa in walnut and original fabric, Italy, 1930s Art Deco sofa in walnut and original fabric in good vintage condition, Italy, 1930s. This beautiful art deco sofa would ...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

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Fabric, Walnut

Previously Available Items
Antique Beige Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1880, After Restoration
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique sofa from the late 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest have been upholstered in a new beige velvet type...
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Walnut, Velvet

Art Nouveau Living Room Set by Fischel in Bentwood and Leather, circa 1910
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb and rare living room / salon set with bentwood structures (beech) and leather seats and backs. Set composed of 5 elements: 1 sofa / canape / bench, 2 armchairs and 2 chairs. Art Nouveau...
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Early 1900s Czech Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

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Leather, Wood, Beech, Bentwood

Thonet Kanapee No.4, Early 20th Century
Located in Schwerin, MV
Rare collector's item: A well-preserved Thonet sofa with a Viennese wicker seat. Designation in the Thonet catalog from 1904: Sofa No. 4. The special f...
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Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Bentwood, Braid

  • Thonet Kanapee No.4, Early 20th Century
  • Thonet Kanapee No.4, Early 20th Century
  • Thonet Kanapee No.4, Early 20th Century
  • Thonet Kanapee No.4, Early 20th Century
H 37.41 in. W 55.12 in. D 25.6 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...
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1910s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

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Beech

Art Nouveau Sofa, Dutch / Amsterdam School
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Art Nouveau sofa, Amsterdam school. Dutch, appears to be hand carved wood frame, neutral brown velvet upholstery. Amazing quality and constr...
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1910s Dutch Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

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Wood

1940's Two-Seater "Crapaud" Sofa in Velvet with Vintage Art Nouveau Floral Pater
Located in Lyon, FR
Nice two seater "crapaud" bench or sofa from the 40's which has been reupholstered in the past with a very nice velvet fabric with art nouveau flora...
Category

1950s French Vintage Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Restored Antique Art Nouveau Chesterfield Brown Leather Sofa Armchairs Suite
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare, fully restored, highly collectable Art Nouveau Chesterfield brown leather three-piece suite with hardwood & Satinwood frames inlaid...
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19th Century English Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

JE T'ATTENDS Sofa 3 Seater Black Leather
Located in Ponte Enza di Gattatico, IT
JE T'ATTENDS Sofa is part of the ESPRIT NOIR Capsule Collection.? JE T'ATTENDS sofa is composed of a wooden shell upholstered in differentiated density polyurethane foam with an upp...
Category

2010s Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Metal

  • JE T'ATTENDS Sofa 3 Seater Black Leather
  • JE T'ATTENDS Sofa 3 Seater Black Leather
  • JE T'ATTENDS Sofa 3 Seater Black Leather
  • JE T'ATTENDS Sofa 3 Seater Black Leather
H 29.14 in. W 120.08 in. D 41.34 in.
JE T'Attends Sofa 2 Seater Leather
Located in Ponte Enza di Gattatico, IT
JE T'Attends Sofa is part of the Esprit Noir Capsule Collection. JE T'Attends sofa is composed of a wooden shell upholstered in differentiated density polyurethane foam with an uppe...
Category

2010s Italian Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Metal

  • JE T'Attends Sofa 2 Seater Leather
  • JE T'Attends Sofa 2 Seater Leather
  • JE T'Attends Sofa 2 Seater Leather
  • JE T'Attends Sofa 2 Seater Leather
H 29.14 in. W 88.59 in. D 41.34 in.
Art Nouveau Sofa, 1890s
Located in Praha, CZ
- In perfect original condition - Newly upholstery - Wood is refinishing.
Category

1890s Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

  • Art Nouveau Sofa, 1890s
  • Art Nouveau Sofa, 1890s
  • Art Nouveau Sofa, 1890s
  • Art Nouveau Sofa, 1890s
H 27.56 in. W 49.22 in. D 20.87 in.
Sofa Thonet Nr.4, circa 1881-1887
Located in Praha, CZ
Newly restored. Re-polished with shellack.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

  • Sofa Thonet Nr.4, circa 1881-1887
  • Sofa Thonet Nr.4, circa 1881-1887
  • Sofa Thonet Nr.4, circa 1881-1887
  • Sofa Thonet Nr.4, circa 1881-1887
H 40.95 in. W 56.7 in. D 24.41 in.
1910s Marcel Kammerer Wooden Sofa, Chairs and Stool for Gebruder Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - Carefully refinished with shellac - Stamped/labeled by Maker - Set includes 4 pieces - Dimensions of the sofa: H 76 cm x W 123...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Sofas

Materials

Bentwood

Art Nouveau sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Art Nouveau sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Art Nouveau sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sofas, popular names associated with this style include Gio Pagani, H.Pander & Zonen, Jacob and Josef Kohn, and Gustav Siegel. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £1,902 and tops out at £78,463 while the average work can sell for £6,940.

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