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.
1940s Art Nouveau / Swedish Grace Designer lounge Chair With Floral Jacquard
By Ilmari Lappalainen, Carl Malmsten
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant Swedish lounge chair dating from the 1940s, displaying a graceful combination of Swedish Grace proportions and subtle Art Nouveau influences. The chair feature gently curved...
Fabric, Beech, Pine
Fledermaus Bench By Josef Hoffmann No.406 For Jacob & Josef Kohn 1900s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Fledermaus Bench By Josef Hoffmann No 728 For Jacob & Josef Kohn Austria 1900s
Fabric, Wood
Set Of Two Josef Hoffmann Chair No.406 Fledermaus For Jacob & Josef Kohn 1900s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Josef Hoffmann Chair No.728 FLEDERMAUS For Jacob & Josef Kohn 1900s
Fabric, Wood
Set Of Fledermaus Seating Group By Josef Hoffmann for Jacob &Josef Kohn
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Fledermaus Bench,two armchair and table by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn.
Fabric, Wood
Fledermaus Chair No.406 By Josef Hoffmann For Jacob & Josef Kohn Austria 1900s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Fledermaus Chair No.728 By Josef Hoffmann For Jacob & Josef Kohn Austria 1900s
Fabric, Wood
$6,150
Thonet Bench 1865
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet Bench 1865
Bentwood
Early-20th Century, Pair of Danish Art Nouveau Armchairs, Elm & Bouclé, 1920s
Located in Odense, DK
Elegant pair of Danish Art Nouveau armchairs from the 1920s, crafted in elm wood and recently reupholstered in a refined off-white bouclé fabric. The combination of graceful proporti...
Fabric, Bouclé, Elm
Set of 4 Bentwood High Back Dining Chairs by Thonet, Germany 80s
By Thonet
Located in Lucija, SI
Set of four bentwood hign back dining chairs Produce by Thonet in the 80s Labeled
Velvet, Bentwood
French Lounge Chair With Sheep Leather And Velvet In The Manner Of Louis Chambry
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant early 20th century French lounge chair, executed in the spirit of Louis Chambry, combining sculptural form with rich, tactile materials. The cha...
Leather, Velvet, Oak, Pine
20th Century Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs by KOHN, Set Of 2, Vienna ca. 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Gorgeous pair of early 20th century Vienesse secession bentwood chairs made by the world famous company of Jacob & Josef Kohn in Vienna/ Austria in the period around 1910. These beau...
Bentwood
Dryad & Co. Art and Craft Rattan Longue Chair 1920s
By Wicker Works
Located in Čelinac, BA
Dryad & Co.Art and Craft Rattan Longue Chair
Rattan
Charles Rennie Mackintosh MCM Ingram Dining Chairs for Cassina, Set of 12
By Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Cassina
Located in Plainview, NY
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Ingram Art Nouveau Dining Chair for Cassina, Set of 12 This rare, collector-grade set of 12 Charles Rennie Mackintosh "Ingram" dining chairs, produced by ...
Upholstery, Wood
Art Nouveau Danish Cabinetmaker Armchair in Oakwood and Saddle Leather, 1920s
Located in Odense, DK
A striking Danish Art Nouveau armchair in the Kurul style, handcrafted in solid oak and saddle leather, dating to the 1920s. The chair has a sculptural, architectural presence, combi...
Leather, Oak
Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Haus Brauner chair 1903
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
This rare chair comes from the estate of a Viennese antiques dealer. He acquired it in the 1970s with the provenance statement that it came from the Villa Brauner (Geweygasse 11, Hoh...
Maple
1900s Danish Art nouveau armchair with profiles and ornamentation and brown Wool
Located in København K, 84
Elegant Danish Skønvirke armchair crafted in solid mahogany, dating from the early 20th century, circa 1900–1910. The chair embodies the restrained elegance of the Danish interpretat...
Wool, African Mahogany
Rare armchair: Josef Hoffmann for the 1900 World's Fair in Paris
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
A very rare armchair designed by Josef Hoffmann. First presented as part of a dining room set at the 3rd Winter Exhibition, and a year later at the 1900 Paris World's Fair as part o...
Leather, Hardwood
$878Sale Price|26% Off
Art Nouveau Chair, Walnut Wood, Restored Upholstery, Germany, 1900
Located in Hannover, DE
An Art Nouveau chair whose shape and design perfectly reflect this art period. Finely crafted walnut wood covered with a dark, fine glaze. This chair has been artfully restored and r...
Wood, Nutwood
Vintage Iron Savonarola Style Italian Leather Sling Chair Set
By Curule
Located in Bensalem, PA
Please look at pictures and video for overall detail and condition. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Metal, Wrought Iron
Rare Art Nouveau Armchair by H.P. Mutters & Zoon, Walnut Frame, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Nouveau armchair. Design by H.P. Mutters & Zoon Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid American walnut frame with hand-carved decora...
Wicker, Walnut
Danish Carved Lounge Chair in Green Velvet, 1920s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Carved Lounge Chair in Green Velvet, 1920s. A rare and gorgeous antique armchair in a rich dark green velour. Jacquard woven seat with floral motifs. Wide scalloped back and ...
Velvet, Oak
Pair of Danish Carved Lounge Chairs in Green Velvet, 1920s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Pair of Danish Carved Lounge Chairs in Green Velvet, 1920s. A rare set of gorgeous antique armchairs in a rich dark green velour. Jacquard woven seat with floral motifs. Wide scallo...
Velvet, Oak
Art Nouveau Bentwood Rocking Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Wien. Austria 1911
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A graceful and historically significant bentwood rocking chair by renowned Viennese furniture makers Jacob & Josef Kohn, dating to circa 1900. Crafted in Austria, this sculptural pie...
Bentwood
Set of 4 French Bentwood Bistro Dining Chairs, Provence, Mid-20th Century
By Thonet
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Provence, this set of four French bentwood bistro chairs captures the quiet elegance of classic café seating. The frames are crafted in steam-bent beechwood, featuring a g...
Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann attr. Pair of Extraordinary Chairs 1905-10 Jugendstil Art Nouveau
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of extraordinary chairs in the style of the early Josef Hoffmann furniture. The significant skids were used by Hoffmann in the early years of the Wiener Werkstätte from 1903 o...
Fabric, Wood
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
Sculptural Art Nouveau Sofa in Elm & Lambswool by a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1920s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful and highly sculptural Danish two seater sofa in elm, dating from circa the 1920s. Made by a skilled Danish Cabinetmaker. The sofa features an expressive architectural fr...
Lambskin, Wool, Elm
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann designed in the early stages of the Wiener Werkstätte apartments for the Wittgenstein Family in Vienna and Berlin. The significant pattern from this period were the st...
Fabric, Wood
Original Josef Hoffmann, Chair, Model# 330 from 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Exhibition: chairs for a dining room in: Winter Exhibition of the Austrian Museum for Art and Industry, Vienna, late 1901; exhibition in Saint Louis, 1904, beechwood, stained to simu...
Beech
$2,648Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 8 French Art Nouveau dining chairs with leather seats, late 19th c.
Located in View Park, CA
A set of eight highly-carved Art Nouveau dining chairs, France late 19th century or early 20th. Featuring chocolate-brown leather seats with brass tacking. Carved backs, legs, feet. ...
Brass
Sculptural Colonial Chaise Longue in Wood and Webbing Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Colonial Chaise Longue in Wood and Hand Woven Cane Webbing Early 20th Century An elegant Dutch Colonial chaise longue in solid teak and hand woven webbing. Dutch East Ind...
Wood, Teak, Webbing
Set of Original Josef Hoffmann / Otto Prutscher Attr. Chairs
By Woka Lamps, Otto Prutscher, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Very elegant and comfortable chairs attributed to Josef Hoffmann or Otto Prutscher. Has been rennovated over a while, the fabric is partly stained. Can be sold separately.
Wood
Contemporary Art Nouveau Style Cast Aluminum Garden Patio Garden Bench Loveseat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Contemporary Art Nouveau Style Cast Aluminum Garden Patio Garden Bench Loveseat. Circ...
Aluminum
ART NOUVEAU CHAIR by THONET + JACOB & JOSEF KOHN WIENER WERKSTATTE Austria 1900
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and extremely rare Model N°6009 chair with armrests, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, in dark brown bended & lacquered wood, with superb backrest and airy armrests in folded woo...
Wood
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Wrought Iron French Art Nouveau Children's Armchair, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Nouveau children's armchair. Striking French design from the 1900s. Blue lacquered wrought iron. This wonderful Art Nouveau children's armchair is in good co...
Wrought Iron
$3,800 / item
Early 20th Century Swedish Chaise Lounge
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Early 20th Century Swedish Chaise Lounge. Turned Beech wood legs.
Velvet, Beech
$1,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Beech Art Nouveau High Back Chairs Model 17 by Michael Thonet, 1890s
By Michael Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare pair of Art Nouveau Model 17 side chairs. Design by Michael Thonet for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. Striking Austrian design from the 1890s. Original beech and ...
Beech, Bentwood
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
Antoni Gaudí Calvet Armchair, Solid Varnished Oak, Jugendstil, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Calvet armchair designed by Antoni Gaudi manufactured by BD design, Solid varnished oak. Measures: 52 x 65 x 95 H cm. A company that has alwa...
Oak
Set of Four Thonet Model 17 Bentwood Dining Chairs, Art Nouveau
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Set of four Model No. 17 bentwood dining chairs by Thonet, first produced in Vienna in 1904 and later license made in Naples by Sautto & Liberale for Thonet. Crafted using Thone...
Straw, Beech, Bentwood
Hector Guimard, Garden bench, a rare example retaining its original wooden seat.
Located in London, GB
Hector Guimard, Cast iron garden bench. A rare example retaining its original Art Nouveau wooden seat. It is important to note that the original wooden seat and back show complete pu...
Iron
Vintage Thonet Ebonized Bentwood and Rattan Rocking Chair
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet-Mundus
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic, ca. 1920s Thonet rocking chair Model #10 (in 1923, Thonet was forced to merge with Kohn-Mundus to form Mundus-Allgemeine- Handels-und Industrie-Gesellschaft, and production w...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
$3,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Vintage Library Barrel Chairs in Dark Green Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are pleased to present these handsome barrel chairs in a beautiful green fabric. Likely made around 2000. Vintage style. Very good overall condition. Ships from Philadelphia. Wi...
Fabric
20th Century Art Nouveau Fine Set "Fledermaus" by Josef Hoffmann. Vienna, 1905.
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) Rare “Fledermaus” Seating Set Vienna, circa 1905 Designed for Cabaret Fledermaus, Vienna Secession A rare and historically significant Art Nouveau seating...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Original Josef Hoffmann & Kohn Jacob Chair from 1914
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare undocumented chair by Josef Hoffmann and J&J Kohn. An identical chair with leather upholstery is available as well.
Bentwood
Original Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann Chair, 1912
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
An excellent example of the more decorative phase of Josef Hoffmann, before the WW1. Carpenter Jakob Soulek for the Wiener Werkstätte. Exhibited first in 1912 at the Museum für Kunst...
Pearwood
Art Deco stool by Jindrich Halabala in Red Dedar Velvet
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This early 20th-century stool is a refined example of Czechoslovak Art Deco design, bearing the signature of Jindřich Halabala and UP Závody. The solid beechwood construction ensures...
Velvet
Rare Pair of 1930s "Zeppelin" Lloyd Loom Armchairs by W. Lusty & Sons
By Lloyd Loom
Located in Lincoln, GB
Rare Pair of 1930s "Zeppelin" Lloyd Loom Armchairs by W. Lusty & Sons A rare and historically significant "His and Hers" pair of "Zeppelin" Lloyd Loom armchairs, manufactured by the ...
Hardwood, Paper
$79,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Venetian Salon Suite Sofa & Archairs by Vincenzo Cadorin for Testolini Freres
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant and highly decorative Venetian salon suite, commercialized by Fratelli Testolini of Venice and produced by the atelier of Vincenzo Cadorin, one of the most refined Venetian s...
Walnut
Art Nouveau Kerfschnitt Fruitwood Stool or Side Table, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Nouveau Kerfschnitt stool or side table. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid fruitwood base and top with original hand-carved Kerfschnitt decorative ele...
Fruitwood
Bentwood & Vienna Straw Barstool-Pair
By Thonet
Located in Medina, OH
Pair of beautifully preserved Pair of Art Nouveau Bentwood and Vienna Straw Bentwood Barstools. The barstools are constructed of bent beechwood that is stained in a rich walnut, and...
Beech, Bentwood
$1,832 / set
Set of 3 Thonet Style Bar Stools, Italy 60s
By Thonet
Located in Lucija, SI
Set of three mid century bar stools in Thonet style. Handmade seats Made in Italy in the 60s
Cane, Bentwood
Pair of Bentwood Rocking Chairs with Cane Seat and Back
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
This model is inspired by the Thonet no. 10 rocker from circa 1880. It´s made in Spain, circa 1940-1950. It was restored and it´s in perfect shape.
Cane, Bentwood
Folding Lounge Chair by Thonet with Adjustable Footstool 19th Century
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original rare folding lounge chair in bentwood and cane from 1880 by Michael Thonet. Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna, Austria. Steam-bent beechwood and cane.
Rattan, Bentwood
Finnish Cabinetmaker Jugend Style Dining Chairs in Birchwood & White Linen
Located in Odense, DK
Amazing unique set of 6 Jugend Style artist dining chairs made in Finland in the early 20th century. The chairs are handmade in the most amazingly grained solid birchwood and the sea...
Birch
Extremely rare and beautiful Otto Wagner Chair by Thonet 1901
By Woka Lamps, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Stained beachwood, seat and back with fabric, seat height 46cm (18,11') Presented first at the Expo Paris 1900, in a setting by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Kunstgewerbeschulle Li...
Beech
20th Century Art Nouveau Armchair Mod. 1307 by Prag-Rudniker, Austria ca. 1903
By Prag-Rudniker Korbwaren-Fabrication, Wilhelm Schmidt
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary early 20th century Art Nouveau armchair - Mod. 1307 (first edition!) - designed by Wilhelm Schmidt and manufactured by the famous basketwork company of Prag-Rudniker in...
Brass
Art Nouveau Bentwood Armchair, Attributed to Thonet, circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Art Nouveau bentwood armchair, circa 1900, attributed to Thonet. The chair displays the elegant curved backrest and flowing arm supports characteristic of Viennese Secession design. ...
Beech, Bentwood, Fabric
Art Nouveau Chairs, Fabric and Iron, Sculptural Design, Belgium 1910s
Located in London, England
Sculptural statement chairs hailing from Brussels. Very much in keeping with works by Horta et al, displaying exquisite details and line work throughout. Belgium 1910s. H 125cm x ...
Iron
Set of 6 Bistro Chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1890 Austro-Hungarian Empire
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Exceptional and rare set of 6 Bistro chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn from the end of the 19th century. Bentwood chairs with seats and backs carved with be...
Bentwood
Italian Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Side Chairs, Eugenio Quarti attributed
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Original antique Eugenio Quarti attributed , side chairs in walnut, velvet upholstered with bronze decorations. Polished to wax. Original velvet still in good and usable condition Me...
Bronze