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.
20th Century Art Nouveau Fledermaus Coffee Table by Josef Hoffmann, AT ca. 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, early 20th century Art Nouveau "Fledermaus" coffee table/ side table, designed around 1906 by none other than the famous Austrian architect and founder of the renowed "Wi...
Beech
Maitland Smith Gilded Iron Faux Bois Tray Top Statement Tole Cocktail Table
By Alessandro for Baker Furniture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large 36" x 48" Hollywood Regency Tole cocktail/coffee table by Maitland Smith. The coffee table features a hefty Faux Boise iron base with beautiful faux carved wood details on the ...
Metal
Coffee Table Attributed to Otto Prutscher and Thonet Original of the Time
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Woka Lamps, Otto Prutscher
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant coffee table with volute carved legs Material Beechwood, black stained, signs of age and use.
Beech
Original of the Time Josef Hoffmann Jacob&Josef Kohn Coffee Table
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
A petite coffee table by Josef Hoffmann from 1905 made by J&J Kohn in beechwood.
Beech
Original Vienna Secession 20th Century 1908 Jugendstil Coffee Table
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Round coffee-table with fluted stem. Typical Viennese works from circa 1908.
Glass, Wood
Side, Coffee Cocktail Table by Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann Attributed
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century Art Nouveau occasional side table, coffee and cocktail table by Wiener Werkstätte Josef Hoffmann designer attributed, in solid walnut, restored and wax polished. ...
Walnut
Jugendstil coffee table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil iron coffee table in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Iron
Adolf Loos "American Bar Vienna" Table Re Edition, Loos Bar
By Adolf Loos, Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Table designed for the famous Loos-American-Bar at the Kärntner Durchgang in Vienna. Sand casted brass-base, illuminated glass-tabletop. Now manufactured at the WOKA Workshop in Vien...
Brass
Otto Wagner Attributed, Thonet Jugendstil Coffee Table with Label
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Woka Lamps, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Beechwood, stained light-brown, brass fittings, Thonet label on the underside of the plate, refurbished, H. 75,7 cm, Dm. 69,8 cm. Literatur: Thonetkatalog, 1911/15, S. 151; vgl. Auss...
Brass
Viennese circa 1900 Side Coffee Table by Thonet in Ebonized Walnut Wax-Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Original secessionist bentwood side table in the manner of Joseph Hoffman. In good original condition. Measures cm: H 61, W 42, D 42 (internal shelves H 40cm).
Walnut
20th Century Art Nouveau Coffee Table
Located in Opole, PL
We present you a small Art Nouveau table from the early 20th century. The rectangular top is supported on wavy legs, which are connected with ...
Wood
Round art nouveau coffee table with carved top
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Round art nouveau table with carved top in nice original vintage condition.
Wood
Very tasteful square table, Secession, Art Nouveau Jugendstil, 1910 Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Extraordinary cocktail table or coffee table, an original from the Art Nouveau period around 1910, made in Austria. A high-quality work made of precious wood, elaborately veneered ...
Brass
Fischel Antique Conference or Dining Table, 1890
By Fischel
Located in Praha, CZ
- detailed central part of the legs made of bent beech rods - restored - new shellac hand-polished - bent steamed solid beech - markings not preserved - photo from Fischel cata...
Beech
In good condition elegant oval Art Nouveau design coffee table
Located in Harderwijk, NL
The renowned Dutch brand Schuitema is known for its high-quality furniture, beautiful detailing, and excellent use of materials. This charming Art Nouveau coffee table from the Jugen...
Wood
Adolf Loos Elephant Trunk Table, Brass & Wood, Viennese Design, 1910
By Adolf Loos, Friedrich Otto Schmidt
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
The famous Viennese architect and designer Adolf Loos was one of the pioneers of modern architecture. In particular, his hollistically designed residential projects, in which he drew up both the building and the interior furnishings, receive special art historical attention today. Loos first used this design, called the "elephant trunk table...
Brass
Rare french brass smoking table
Located in Paris, FR
We did not find in any original smoking tables in our research. The only ones we found had been converted into floor lamp in the 20th century. This piece is probably unique.
Brass
Late 19th Century Tyrolean Shabby Small Desk Table Art Nouveau, Pine Painted
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1980s-1990s Tyrol Austrian shabby small desk table country Art Nouveau, in solid pine with original painting, only wax polished. Measures cm: H 62, ...
Pine
Emile Galle Marquetry Three Tier Dragonfy and Botanical Table
By Émile Gallé
Located in Dallas, TX
Emile Galle (1846-1904) Three-Tiered Table Circa 1900 This three tiered, four legged French walnut table with "Libellules," or "Dragonflies," fruitwood marquetry decoration, by Émil...
Fruitwood, Oak
Table, 1910, France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Iron
Secession hexagonal six-legged table lined with brass attr. to Adolf Loos
By Miksa Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession hexagonal six-legged table lined with brass attr. to Adolf Loos for Maximilian Schmidt in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Copper
Art Deco chester of drawers
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco chest of drawers after renovation
Birch
Circa 1920's French Cherry Faux Bamboo Coffee Table
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1920's French faux bamboo coffee table made from cherry. The top is made from nicely grained cherry and the top is banded in faux bamboo turned molding. The table is support...
Cherry
Art Nouveau Side Table by Emille Gallé
By Émile Gallé
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art nouveau side table by Emille Gallé with water lily and dragonfly inlay. Professionally stained and repolished.
Wood
Art Nouveau Table, Enameled Cast Iron and Onyx
Located in Brussels, BE
Art Nouveau Table, Enameled Cast Iron and Onyx
Onyx, Iron
Mahogany Coffee Table in the Art Nouveau Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Mahogany Coffee Table in the Art Nouveau Style, Early 20th Century This elegant Art Nouveau mahogany table is a beautifully restored piece dating back to the early 20th century. Fea...
Mahogany
Fantasy Inlaid Mermaid Adjustable Coffee/ High Top Yacht Table, Style of Galle
By Émile Gallé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantasy Marquetry Mermaid Adjustable Coffee/ High-top Yacht Table, Style of Galle France, Later 20th Century, originally made for a yacht, can be used in any interior. Design/Styl...
Metal
Jugendstil mahogany coffee table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil mahogany coffee table with brass fittings. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
Jugendstil coffee table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil coffee table with brass endings, professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
Acrylic coffee table by Fabian Art, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Acrylic coffee table with a 3d sculpture depicting a laying woman. Topped off with a rectangular table top. 1980s - Italy Made by Fabian Art Very good condition Height: 45cm W...
Glass, Lucite
Roslin Leather and Solid Wood Coffee Table by Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
The Roslin coffee table features solid wood ribbing and table top / low VOC acrylic finish / sustainably sourced leather wrapped ribs Lead Times 10-14 weeks Customizations availab...
Leather, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Art Nouveau Period French Chestnut Coffee Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Art Nouveau Period French Chestnut Coffee Table is a splendidly preserved example of one of Belgium and France's most significant contribu...
Chestnut
C. Conndray Bronze Figural Art Nouveau Sculpture Coffee Table with Glass Top
By Louis Icart
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Beautifully patinated, absolutely exquisite Art Nouveau figural bronze coffee table by C. Conndray. This coffee table is a perfect example ...
Bronze
Original Viennese Jugendstil Coffee Table 1905, Austrian Mastercraft
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
A typical Viennese furniture from the begin of the 20th century. Beechwood, black stained. Turned legs.
Beech
Moroccan Orientalist Moorish Round Polished Brass Side, circa 1920
Located in Paris, France
Pedestal table or side table with fixed brass top and elegant wooden base in a stylized form of gazelle legs. The English table from the 1920s in a golden brass is chiseled and hammered by hand with calligraphy cartridges, stars, leaves and beautiful elements will bring a sophisticated touch in your moorish - Spanish decor or Moroccan style interiors. Pierre Berger...
Brass
Restored Art Nouveau Round Table, by Hans Reinstein, Beech, Austria, 1910s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. This item features Art Nouveau elements. ...
Wood, Lacquer, Beech, Spruce
Scandinavian Oak Coffee Table with Ceramic Tile Top
Located in Hundested, DK
Decorative Scandinavian coffee table crafted in solid oak with an integrated ceramic tile top featuring an organic Art Nouveau-inspired motif. A warm and characterful piece balancing...
Oak
Original of the Time Josef Hoffmann Jacob&Josef Kohn Coffee Table
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
A petite coffee table by Josef Hoffmann from 1905 made by J&J Kohn in beechwood.
Beech
Original Viennese Oval Mahogany Coffee Table early 20th Century 1910
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Typical Viennese furniture from the begin of the 20th century. Mahogany veneered, base and tabletop with brass-surround.
Mahogany
Vintage Salterini Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Garden Patio Rectangular Coffee Table
By Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Salterini Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Leaf & Vine Garden Patio Rectangular C...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Salterini Style Leaf Vine Scroll Wrought Iron Oval Patio Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Salterini Style Leaf & Vine Scrolling Wrought Iron Small Oval Garden Pati...
Wrought Iron
Bronze Organic Double Wave Design Table with Black Patina
Located in Tempe, AZ
Bronze and Glass Double Wave Table by Tom Bollinger – Sculptural Ocean-Inspired Design The Double Wave Table by artist Tom Bollinger is a sculptural bronze and glass table that tran...
Bronze
Side Table Square Onyx Top, Wooden Legs handmade in Italy by Cupioli Available
Located in Rimini, IT
Square small side table composed by a special Onyx top decorated with artistic engraving in gold leaf finishing. The base is made in natural wood with 4 simple legs to leave the emph...
Onyx, Gold Leaf
Antique French Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Scrollwork Coffee Table Base, No Top
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Scrollwork Coffee Table Base, No Top. Item fe...
Wrought Iron
Majorelle Art Nouveau Ormolu Two-Tier Table
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau ormolu table. Measures: Width 42.5", depth 27", height 29.5". In good used condition.
Bronze
Early 20th Century Small Side Table Art Nouveau, Wienner Werkstatte attributable
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant antique service table in the Wienner Werkstatte style in wax-polished solid wood Measures cm: H 66, W 76, D 45. ABOUT Wienner Werkstatte The...
Walnut
Early 20th Century Two-tiered Baroque Venetian Tripod Dessert Table in Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Delicious and important two-tiered Venetian tripod dessert table in Venetian Baroque style from the Della Torre family in Rezzonico, Lake Como. In blond walnut Hand-carved in the early 1900s, with the two triangular-shaped tops covered in walnut veneer applied in a sunburst pattern; superb engravings of the three legs of the upper triangular plane, lower plane of triangular shape, which rises gracefully on carved cabriolet legs and ending on curly feet. Sophisticated and elegant, with comfortable warmth, as attractive as it is functional, the beautiful antique, circa 1900, can be used in many different ways, including as a side table, central gueridon, tea table, cupcake cocktail server...
Walnut
Elegant Liberty Coffee Table with a Precious Mother of Pearl Insert 1920'
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Art Deco coffee table in various essences of wood, ornate with precious mother of pearl inserts . The base signed C. Excellent vintage condition.
Wood
Bronze Organic Double Wave Design Table
Located in Tempe, AZ
Bronze and Glass Double Wave Table by Tom Bollinger – Sculptural Ocean-Inspired Design The Double Wave Table by artist Tom Bollinger is a sculptural bronze and glass table that tran...
Bronze
Jugendstil coffee table by Adolf Loos for F.O.Schmidt
By Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil coffee table by Adolf Loos for F.O.Schmidt in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Brass
Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" table Thonet ca. 1912
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet, Gustav Siegel
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Josef Hoffmann & Gustav Siegel “Fledermaus” Table, Thonet, ca. 1912 One of the most iconic furniture classics of the turn of the century was designed by Josef Hoffmann and his pupil...
Brass
Modernist Vintage Sofa Table Circular Josef Hoffmann Style 20th Century Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist vintage sofa table or coffee table from solid oakwood coffee table in the style of Josef Hoffmann, Vienna , 20th century. This gorgeous ...
Oak
Coffee Table Rectangular Red Marble White Wood Base Handmade Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
This decorative coffee table is handcrafted using a Tuscany marble, known as Paonazzo. This selected marble has suggestive naturale veines in a red amaranto color. The top stands on...
Marble
Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" table with glass top & brass foot ca. 1906
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Josef Hoffmann & Gustav Siegel “Fledermaus” Table, J. & J. Kohn, Model No. 729, ca. 1906 Designed around 1905, this elegant “Fledermaus” table is a beautiful example of Vien...
Brass
Bar Stand/Cocktail Table
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Magnificent Italian brass vintage bar stand. All original parts. The side table has three shelves in smoked glass. Its modern yet classic design give...
Brass
Jugendstil coffee table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil coffee table professionally stained and repolished.
Beech
Art Nouveau Coffee Table Signed "Gus"
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A finely crafted and characterful table from the School of Nancy, showcasing the artistry of French decorative arts in the early 20th century. Made in Indian rosewood and mahogany, t...
Rosewood
Elegant Liberty Coffee Table with a Precious Mother of Pearl Insert 1920'
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Art Deco coffee table in various essences of wood, ornate with precious mother of pearl inserts . The base signed C. Excellent vintage condition.
Wood
Black jugenstil coffee table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Black jugenstil coffee table with hammered brass leg edging. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
Jugendstil coffee table with hammered decor
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil coffee table with brass edging with hammered decor. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass