Louis-Jean-Sylvestre Majorelle, more commonly known as Louis Majorelle, was a French artist, metalworker and Art Nouveau designer celebrated for his bedroom furniture, cabinets, chairs and decorative objects.
In 1877, Majorelle moved to Paris from the town of Nancy where he began his studies in painting under Jean-François Millet at the École de Beaux Arts. Following the death of his father, a furniture designer, he returned to Nancy and took over the family workshop. Parisian architect Henri Sauvage designed Majorelle’s house in Nancy, Villa Majorelle, which featured stained glass by Jacques Gruber.
In order to increase productivity and reduce costs — as well as shift the family business’s focus from reproductions of 18th-century furniture such as Louis XV chairs to instead working in the era’s Art Nouveau style — Majorelle integrated modern techniques and processes at his atelier (these changes were in part inspired by innovative glassmaker Emile Gallé).
The workshop became known for Majorelle’s distinctive designs and the pronounced craftsmanship of its offerings. There were tables made from mahogany and ormolu that featured handsome bronze mounts and marquetry, table lamps that shared common ground with the prized designs associated with Tiffany Studios, and decorative pieces that Majorelle produced in partnership with Daum, a revered manufacturer of French art glass.
The work was very much characterized by the botanical motifs and curvaceous silhouettes of Art Nouveau design, and the business was successful. Majorelle produced a range of items during the early 1900s and was a participant in the 1900 Paris Exposition as well as the Exposition de l'Ecole de Nancy in 1903.
In 1916, a devastating fire broke out in Majorelle’s factory on the rue du Vieil-Aître in Nancy. It destroyed all of the company’s awards, sketches, molds, equipment and archives of Majorelle’s work. In 1917, destruction again shook his business when his shop on the rue Saint-Georges was bombed by German aircraft. The designer marched on — he relocated to Paris where he shared a workspace and created vases and other vessels in the Art Deco style before he moved back to Nancy. Majorelle designed the Nancy Pavilion at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925 with Alfred Lévy. He died in 1926.
Find antique Louis Majorelle cabinets, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Majorelle, Clematis Tea Table, Art Nouveau, Late 19th-early 20th Century
By Louis Majorelle
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Tea table with 2 trays, in marquetry of different exotic wood species: the trays are decorated with flowers (clematis) and leaves, the upper tray is signed L Majorelle. It is also d...
Wood
Louis Majorelle Signed French Art Nouveau Game Table, circa 1900
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Art Nouveau marquetry walnut and exotic wood game table signed by Louis Majorelle. The tabletop is decorated with large leaves and stems. Stylized with fine marquetry side a...
Walnut
Majorelle, Clematis Tea Table, Art Nouveau, Late 19th-early 20th Century
By Louis Majorelle
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Tea table with 2 trays, in marquetry of different wood species: the trays are decorated with flowers (clematis) and leaves, the upper tray is signed L Majorelle. It is also decorate...
Wood
$6,300
H 31.11 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Antique French Art Nouveau Side Table “Lilly” signed by Louis Majorelle 1900
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This elegant Art Nouveau side table, signed by Louis Majorelle and made in France circa 1900, is a fine example of the period’s craftsmanship and organic design. The shaped top feat...
Walnut
American Mahogany Game Table. Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany flip top game table with hand stenciled centered lyre pedestal, resting on saber legs with stenciled acanthus motif and original brass casters.
Bamboo Art Nouveau Tea Table, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Nouveau tea table. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Original bamboo frame with solid padouk top. This wonderful Art Nouveau tea table is in very good co...
Bamboo, Padouk
French Walnut Louis XV Style Game Table with Red Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut Louis XV style game table from France with a red tooled leather top and four drawers and four pull out drink holders.
Leather, Walnut
Louis Majorelle French Art Nouveau Table
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau table by Louis Majorelle. The table top is decorated with leaves and flowering vines in fruitwood marquetry. The table's marquetry sides are ornamented with a ...
Wood
Louis Majorelle French Art Nouveau Games Table
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau games table by Louis Majorelle, featuring an inlaid marquetry top and carved legs and skirt. The marquetry decoration features stems, leave and, flowers around a...
Wood
Early 19th Century Game Table, South German, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique game table dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeier period. It comes from Southern Germany. The game table has a beautiful walnut root veneer on top and apron. ...
Walnut
Fine French Art Deco Game / Occasional Table by Rinck
By Maurice Rinck
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rinck - established in 1841 and directed by Maurice Rinck in the Art Deco / mid-century period. A fine game / tea table in elm with a reversible top (wood on one side and felt on the other) with four tapered legs and chrome cup...
Chrome
19th Century rococo revival Swedish birch tea table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century rococo revival Swedish birch tea table circa 1890. Elegant and beautiful quality Swedish folding tea table made in birch. Shaped top surface which twists and opens out...
Birch
French Louis XVI Style Inlay & Ebonized Game Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An elegant and refined Louis XVI style game table from 19th Century France. This outstanding antique table can serve multiple roles: as a console, center or occasional table, but one...
Brass
$3,288
H 28.35 in W 30.71 in D 30.32 in
Chess Console Table, Louis XVI Style, Game Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique chess and card table in Louis XVI style from the 19th century. When closed, we see a console table standing on long pointed legs and in brass sabots. The top is divided into...
Mahogany
French Art Nouveau Table by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau mahogany salon table with fruitwood marquetry by Louis Majorelle. The table top is decorated with leaves and vines. The legs have carved flowers, circa 1900. ...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 32.29 in D 23.63 in
Majorelle, Cherry Blossom Tea Table, Marquetry, Art Nouveau, 20th Century
By Louis Majorelle
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Beautiful tea table in marquetry of different woods, with a decoration of flowers and white cherry trees, on the 2 trays This table is signed Majorelle...
Wood
Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau Table
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Nouveau tea table by Louis Majorelle in mahogany, walnut and satinwood. Patinated inlay depicting two butterflies amongst sprigs of mistletoe. Two brass carrying handles to ei...
Walnut
Louis Majorelle Signed Art Nouveau Game Table, 1900
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Dallas, TX
A exquisite and rare signed Louis Majorelle fold out game table with carved walnut legs and marquetry top. Handmade and crafted of walnut, African ...
Walnut
Antique French Art Nouveau Table by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Paris, FR
A collectible antique late 19th Century design of iconic French artist Louis Majorelle; a restored two-tiered tea table adorned with floral marquetry on the edges, decorative lacquer...
Wood
Louis Majorelle French Art Nouveau Wooden Tea Table
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau two-tiered marquetry tea table by Louis Majorelle. The fruitwood marquetry design features water lilies in marquetry and clema...
Exquisite Art Nouveau Carved Walnut Tea Table by Louis Majorelle
By Louis Majorelle
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Art Nouveau tea table in carved Walnut signed by Louis Majorelle. It has a fruitwood marquetry top with an inlaid stylized foliage pattern of exotic woods. Even the signatu...