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.
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
$2,877Sale Price|20% Off
1940s Romantic / Art Nouveau Shell Back Sofa Upholstered With Bronze Velvet
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1940s Swedish two-seater sofa upholstered in bronze-coloured velour. The design features softly curved lines, elegantly shaped armrests and refined cabriole legs, reflecting a romant...
Velvet, Beech, Pine
20th Century Art Nouveau Bench - Bentwood, newly upholstered, Austria circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute beautiful, early 20th century Art Nouveau bentwood bench attributed to the renowned company of Jacob & Josef Kohn in Vienna/Austria. An incredible timeless design impressing...
Fabric, Bentwood
Bentwood Chair By Harnisch & Co. Wiena 1880
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Harnisch & Co. Benrwood Chair Wiena 1880
Bentwood
1940s Slim Jugendstil Swedish Club Chair Patinated Tan Brown Leather
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant and refined Swedish “Tiger” club chair from the 1920s, executed in rich dark brown leather. This slender model reflects the influence of Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), combining s...
Leather, Beech, Pine
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
$5,970
Thonet Bench 1860s
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thoner Bench Austria 1959
Bentwood
Danish Art Nouveau, Chaise Lounge in Oak & Lisa Larson “Mikey” Upholstery, 1920s
Located in Odense, DK
A characterful early 20th century Art Nouveau chaise canapé in solid oak, reflecting the decorative traditions of Danish Art Nouveau furniture inspired by Rococo forms. The piece fea...
Fabric, Textile, Cotton, Linen, Oak
Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The wood is a feast for the eyes. The seat cushions need replacing, as they have holes and wear marks. The back cushions are OK, but probably need reupholstering too.
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
Set of Six Designer Dining Chairs, Art Nouveau Style, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Six Designer Dining Chairs, 1980s. Great quality chairs with a Modern Art Nouveau Style.
Fabric, Wood
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
Original Josef Hoffmann & Kohn Jacob Chair from 1914
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
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
$922Sale Price / item|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
20th Century Thonet Armchair - White Leather, Design by M.Kammerer, AT ca. 1980
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exclusive 20th century re-edition of the famous Thonet armchair originally designed by Marcel Kammerer in the famous Vienesse secession era at the beginning of the 20th century aorun...
Leather, 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
Pair MCM Dining Chairs Prague No.811 Designed by Josef Hoffmann, Drevounia 60s
By Josef Hoffmann, Drevounia
Located in Lucija, SI
These Chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 811 and produced by Drevounia in '60s. Chairs are in mint condition They are made of black wooden fr...
Cane, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau Black Armchair, School Of Josef Hoffmann, AT ca. 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute stunning black early 20th century armchair from the famous "Vienna secession" period around 1910 in Austria. This rare, architectural Art Nouveau armchair - attributed to th...
Brass
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
Rare Italian Rattan and Wicker Chaise Longues by Bonacina, Italy 30s
By Bonacina
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare rattan and wicker chaise longues or lounger armchair, with footstools was made in the 20s by Bonacina in Italy
Wicker, Rattan
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
Bentwood rocking chair attr. Thonet, late 19th century
By Thonet
Located in View Park, CA
A bentwood rocker attributed to Thonet, designed late 19th or early 20th century. Featuring art nouveau whiplash curves and real wicker caning. Made in Poland (possibly at the Radoms...
Wicker, Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Bar Stools in Thonet Style, Italy 80s, Set of 3
By Thonet
Located in Lucija, SI
Nice set of three benrwood bar stools in Thonet style. They were made in the 80s in Italy
Cane, Bentwood
Mid Century Bentwood Dining or Bistro Chairs in Thonet Style, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
A beautiful set of bentwood dining chairs in the style of Thonet. The chairs were made in Italy in the 80s. All 4 in very good vintage condition.
Cane, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau Two Seat Sofa, School Of J. Hoffmann, AT ca. 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute stunning black early 20th century two seat sofa/ club chair from the famous "Vienna secession" period around 1910 in Austria. This rare, architectural Art Nouveau two seat s...
Brass
$1,874Sale Price / set|30% Off
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
Orangery Bench in Faux Bamboo 18th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish orangery bench in birch, crafted to imitate bamboo (faux bamboo). The back panel is decorated with flowers and foliage motifs, and the seat retains a beautifully patinated wo...
Brass
Art Nouveau Walnut Savonarola Hand-Carved Stool, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Nouveau Savonarola stool. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid hand-carved walnut frame with original seat with monogram W. This wonderful Art Nouveau...
Walnut
Extremely rare and beautiful Otto Wagner Chair by Thonet 1901
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Otto Wagner, Woka Lamps
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
pair of secessionist armchairs Joseph Maria Olbrich Friedrich Otto Schmidt 1898
By Joseph Maria Olbrich, Friedrich Otto Schmidt
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
Antique Swedish Jugendstil Bench
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
Josef Hoffmann 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
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
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
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
Six bentwood chairs with cane seats early 20th century in the style of Thonet
By Thonet
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Set of six chairs in curved and stained beech wood in the Thonet or Kohn style. The seats are cane and in good condition. The backrest and seat structure are made from a single piece...
Beech, Bentwood
Danish Art Nouveau Armchair in Oak with Lambswool Upholstered Seat, Early 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant oak armchair dating from the early 1900s, crafted with the simplicity and integrity characteristic of early 20th-century design. The solid oak frame presents a clean, time...
Lambskin, Wool, Oak
Art Nouveau Armchair in Bentwood and Cane by Mundus, Yugoslavia 1930s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous Art Nouveau armchair in bentwood and cane. The chair is also known as Chair No. 218. It is made of solid beech wood, using Thonet's signature...
Cane, Bentwood
$4,000 / set
Set of 8 Rare Wojciechów Thonet Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 8 Wojciechów Thonet chairs. Original tags. Rare as a set of 8. Nice set of pre-war bentwood chairs signed Wojciechów, the first Polish bentwood furniture factory. It was foun...
Bentwood
Antoni Gaudí Calvet Stool by BD Barcelona Design, Varnished Oak
By BD Barcelona Design, Antoni Gaudí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool designed by Antoni Gaudi manufactured by BD Design. Solid varnished oak. Measures: 41 x 58 x 65 H cm Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) is, without doubt, the most international...
Oak
Late 19th Century Pair of Bentwood B-9 Armchairs by Jacob and Josef Kohn
Located in Vigonza, Padua
An Austrian (Vienna) pair of bentwood B-9 armchairs by Jacob and Josef Kohn circa 1870. An original iconic chair. This is the favourite chair of architects especially from "Le Corbus...
Bentwood
Pair of Thonet Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs, Czechoslovakia, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Exceptional pair of Art Nouveau chairs by Thonet, produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1920s. Executed in solid beech wood and molded beech plywood, showcasing classic bentwood construc...
Wood, Beech, Plywood
$3,436Sale Price|20% Off
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
Original 1902 Armchair #507, Wilhelm Schmidt, Prag Rudniker
By Woka Lamps, Wilhelm Schmidt
Located in Vienna, AT
Secessionist armchair, designed by the Student of Josef Hoffmann Wilhelm Schmidt, Vienna, c. 1902, for the Prag-Rudniker basketwork factory, elm, woven cane, height 84 cm, width 54 c...
Elm
Fine Antique Upholstered Mahogany Recamier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant and fine mahogany reclaimer upholstered in a blue and white woven fabric with geometric design accentuated with contrasting flue double welting. The reclaimer with beauti...
Fabric, Mahogany
Louis Majorelle pair of 'Wisteria" Armchairs
By Émile Gallé
Located in New York, NY
These “Wisteria” chairs by Louis Majorelle reinterpret the traditional Windsor form through the lens of French Art Nouveau craftsmanship. The backs feature exquisite marquetry panels...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
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
20th Century Art Nouveau Dining/ Salon Suite with Round Table by Thonet, AT 1910
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute exceptional, early 20th century dining suite/ salon suite by Thonet from the Art Nouveau period in Austria around 1910. Attributed to the famous Austrian architect and desig...
Leather, Beech
Original Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Chair Early 20th Century 1903
By Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare chair from the early stages of the Wiener Werkstätte. Variations were displayed at the Neustiftgasse showrooms of the Werkstatte and were also placed at the Brauner Mansi...
Fabric, Beech
Italian Art Nouveau wall bench with original mirror, Liberty bench
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and elegant Italian Art Nouveau (Liberty) wall settee, executed circa 1900 and preserved in an exceptional state of historical coherence. Conceived as an architectural furnishi...
Metal
20th Century Fine Set of Thonet Art Nouveau by Marcel Kammerer. Vienna, C. 1910.
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Viennese Art Nouveau Seating Set Designed by Marcel Kammerer – Manufactured by Thonet, Vienna, circa 1910 We are pleased to offer an exceptionally rare and elegant Art ...
Upholstery, Walnut
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
Vintage Cognac Leather Pangolin Sofa by Egg Designs
By A. Alonzo Roche
Located in Oakville, CA
Vintage cognac leather Pangolin Sofa by Egg Designs care of Greg and Roche Dry. While the company is originally from South Africa, all production is overseen in Lisbon, Portugal. Thi...
Leather
A 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
Eugenio Quarti, Pair of liberty elegant stylish armchair
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2268 Eugenio Quarti (1867 - 1926) Pair of rare elegant stylish armchairs in wood and fabric upholstery. Manufactured by Eugenio Quarti Milan Liberty era, 1920's. 59x72xh86 cm
Walnut
Thonet Vienna Wooden Childrens Chair, Austria, 1900s
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely wooden chair for children by Thonet Vienna, dated around 1900. In good, original condition with nice patina. Labelled and stamped.
Wood
Pair of Josef Hoffman for Thonet Prague Bentwood Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of No. 811 Thonet chairs or Prague chairs designed by Josef Hoffman. The chairs feature an iconic bentwood frame design with square shaped arms and a caned seat and back. E...
Cane, Bentwood
Antique Carved Wing Chair with Cane Sides , Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with some signs of age and use - Sturdy and Stable - reupholstered some time ago - Pillows filled with real feathers - carved linden wood frame - heigh o...
Fabric, Wood
Thonet sofa, Western Europe, late 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Thonet sofa, Western Europe, late 19th century. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of the upholstery with new genuine leather. Dimensions: Sofa: he...
Leather, Oak
Refurbished Art Nouveau Settee No. 717 by Gustav Siegel for J.J. Kohn, 1899
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
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