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.
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
1940s Art Nouveau / Swedish Grace Designer lounge Chair With Floral Jacquard
By Carl Malmsten, Ilmari Lappalainen
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
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
Thonet Bench 1865
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet Bench 1865
Bentwood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
An Early MODERN NEO-CLASSICAL FREE-FORM ROCKING-CHAIR by THONET, France 1900
By Thonet
Located in PARIS, FR
An important, very spectacular and charming free-form rocking-chair, Art-Nouveau, Art-Deco, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, Free-Form, bamboo structures and cane seat, by Thonet, France ...
Bamboo, Cane
Original Josef Hoffmann & Kohn Jacob Chair from 1914
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
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
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 1910s Josef Hoffmann Easy Lounge Chairs, Style of Gatsby
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Two Elegant Josef Hoffmann Chairs made by Manufactor Jacob & Josef Kohn. Early 20th-Century Armchairs in Great Gatsby Style. Crafted around 1910 Jugendstil , these armchairs r...
Fabric, Beech
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
Original Adolf Loos Thebes Stool Manufacturer Friedricht Otto Schmidt
By Adolf Loos, Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Wohnung Dr. Otto und Auguste Stoessl, Wien XIII, Auhofstr. 235, um 1900-02 Wohnung Haberfeld Manufacturer Friedricht Otto Schmidt Lit.: Rukschcio, Schachel, Adolf Loos, S. 32 und 7...
Beech
Stunning French Art Nouveau Marquetry Carved Mahogany Bench
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning Art Nouveau Marquetry Carved Bench in the style of Louis Majorelle. We just love the gorgeous carved woman with flowing hair forming pa...
Mahogany
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
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
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
Pair 1920s Swedish Wingback Chairs With Golden Velvet And Carved Oak Armrests
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Pair elegant and characterful 1920s Art Nouveau wingback armchairs, beautifully combining sculptural oak detailing with richly patterned velvet upholstery. These armchairs features ...
Velvet, Oak
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 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare Variation of Hoffmanns ‘720 Half-Barrel Settee Lit.: Die Wiener Werkstätte 1903-1932, Gabriele Fahr Becker, Taschen Verlag S. 106 Material: Bentwood and Plywood.
Beech
Bentwood Chair By Harnisch & Co. Wiena 1880
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Harnisch & Co. Benrwood Chair Wiena 1880
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Chaise Lounge
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Early 20th Century Swedish Chaise Lounge. Turned Beech wood legs.
Velvet, Beech
Vintage Thonet Ebonized Bentwood and Rattan Rocking Chair
By Thonet-Mundus, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
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
Werkbund Exhibition Cologne 1914, Original Art Deco Wiener Werkstaette Throne
By Woka Lamps, Heinrich Kathrein, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare throne, one of two manufactured chairs, presented at the Werkbund-exhibition Cologne in 1914. One of the displayed images shows the Werkbund exhibition 1914 with two chairs...
Leather, Wood
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
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 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
By Thonet
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17 This exceptional set of four bentwood beech chairs, produced by the renowned manufacturer Thonet, features the iconic Model 17, more commonly ...
Bentwood, Straw, Beech
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
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
Set of 4 Mid Century Bar Stools in Thonet style, Italy 70s
Located in Lucija, SI
Set of four bentwood bsr stools in Thonet style Made in the 70s in Italy In very good condition with trace of use
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
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
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
pair of secessionist armchairs Joseph Maria Olbrich Friedrich Otto Schmidt 1898
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Joseph Maria Olbrich
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
pair of secessionist armchairs, Joseph Maria Olbrich (design), Friedrich Otto Schmidt (execution), 1898 technique: solid oak, brass, fabric (Backhausen, model “Abimelech”, designed ...
Brass
Pine Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This lovely pine bench has everything. The top rail is beautifully scalloped with a crest in the center and straight lines with two little points on each side of it before it dips a...
Pine
Lounge Chair by Unknown Designer in Oak and Leather, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Rare lounge chair by an unknown designer and maker, produced in Sweden during the 1920s. Crafted in dark brown, almost black leather with a solid oak frame. Richly carved details re...
Leather, Oak
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 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
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
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
Art Nouveau Extra Large Hall Bench, Elm and Beech, Dutch Design, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant extra large Art Nouveau hall bench. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Original elm and beech base with six original wooden legs and six original wooden seats...
Beech, Elm
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
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
Early 20th Century Mahogany Cozy Corner by Max Coini, Amsterdam
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Exceptional "Cozy Corner" made by Max Coini in Amsterdam. This piece of furniture was crafted in the French Art Deco style (around 1930). The entire piece is made of solid mahogany, ...
Fabric, Glass, Mahogany
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
Rare Jugenstil Side Chair Attributed Richard Riemerschmid Germany ca 1899
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Sculptural Side Chair Attributed Richard to Riemerschmid Germany ca 1900 The chair even still has the Velvet original upholstery with Lovely embroidery. Re-upholster or leave a...
Rush, Bentwood, Walnut
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
Contemporary Bistro Armchair No. 30 by TON, Dark Beech
Located in Paris, IDF
Armchair No. 30 Iconic bistro chair conceived by Michael Thonet in 1869, now produced in the same manufacture in Czech Republic by TON. Wood: solid beech Finish: natural light Se...
Beech
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
Pair of Original Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte Chairs 1904 Jugendstil
By Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
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 John Sollie Henry, armchair, London 1895
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
solid mahogany with polished finish, original brown leather; decorative knobs; strikingly high backrest with stylised decoration in bas-relief; rear legs curved, forelegs tapering do...
Mahogany
Antique Swedish Jugendstil Bench, Ebonized Wood, Art Nouveau, 1890
Located in Nijlen, BE
19th-century Swedish bench from the Art Nouveau period. Beautiful piece in an ebonized finish. Upholstered in a new bouclé fabric. The wood details are beautifully carved. A multifun...
Wood
1930s Swedish Sofa by G. H. Wrange
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Swedish Sofa by G. H. Wrange. 1930’s. Carved Mahogany. Original condition.
Mahogany
1900s Italy Pair of Bedroom Armchairs Art Nouveau with Stool Hand-Carved Walnut
By Carlo Zen
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1900s Italy budoir, pair of bedroom armchairs Art Nouveau with stool in hand-carved walnut, restored and polished to wax. Made new upholstery...
Fabric, Walnut