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.
Antique Jugendstil Art Nouveau Hammered Copper and Wrought Iron Fireplace Screen
Located in Hannover, DE
A remarkably decorative and authentic original Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) fireplace screen, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1895–1915, showcasing the unmistakable organic elega...
Copper, Wrought Iron
European French or Belgium Cast Iron Art Nouveau Tile Wood Coal Burning Stove
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. European French or Belgium Cast Iron Art Nouveau Tile Wood Coal Burning Stove. Item f...
Iron
Repoussé Fire Screen in Patinated Brass with Galleon Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Repoussé Fire Screen in Patinated Brass with Galleon Early 20th Century A wonderful early 20th century repoussé fire screen in patinated brass depicting a majestic galleon. Belgian ...
Brass
Fine Quality Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Fender
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Fine Quality Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Brass Fender it has a strong rectangular shape filled in with an Art Nouveau embossed design The Fender is very...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Style 'Neptune' Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French Art Nouveau Style 'Neptune' Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century, in a natural brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black/pewter at no extra cost. The fireback is in good...
Iron
Antique French Art Nouveau 'The Pub' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 20th century French Art Nouveau fireback with a pub scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and the patina is natural brown. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. This...
Iron
Art Nouveau Copper Firescreen with Bevelled Mirror, c. 1900
Located in Lincoln, GB
Art Nouveau Copper Firescreen with Bevelled Mirror Panel, c. 1900 An Exceptionally Fine Example of Arts & Crafts Influence We are delighted to offer this truly exceptional and Ar...
Copper
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Brass Fireplace Fender Surround Original Patina
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Rare decorative Art Nouveau brass fireplace surround with original patina, circa 1900.
Brass
Exquisite English Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate, Fire Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
English Art Nouveau fireplace grate made of cast iron, wrought iron and polished brass. The total width of the front of the fireplace grate is 35 inch (89 cm). This product has to b...
Brass, Iron
Art Nouveau Brass Fireside Coal Scuttle, Late 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, GB
Art Nouveau Brass Fireside Coal Scuttle, Late 19th Century A decorative brass coal scuttle from the late 1800s, featuring a tapering form adorned with hammered heart-shaped (cordifor...
Brass
Art Nouveau Brass Club Fender, Fireside Bench
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Art Nouveau Brass Club Fender, Fireside Bench The Fender is made in Brass with brown leather seats, it has an Art Nouveau design worked in brass on the front and sides The Fender i...
Brass
Art Nouveau Foldable Firescreen with Painting
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Art Nouveau foldable firescreen with painting.
Metal
Victorian Brass Fender, Art Nouveau Style, Late 19th Century, UK
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Small Victorian pierced brass fender This is a Victorian pierced brass fender, it stand on small feet at the front which tilts the fender so that any spilt ash etc. Will roll back...
Brass
Large Dutch Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate, Fire Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautifully forged Dutch Art Nouveau fireplace basket or fire basket. The fireplace grate is made of wrought iron and cast iron. This product has to be shipped as freight due to its...
Iron, Wrought Iron
French Bronze Dolphin Form Umbrella Stand
Located in Essex, MA
With cattail finial and wrapped dolphin tail holder with interlaced dolphin support with shell form tray.
Bronze
$3,763Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Early 20th Century Foldable Colored Wicker Fire Screen
Located in Milan, IT
Italian early 20th century colored wicker wall mirror. Backed in pewter sheets.
Pewter
A Superb Art Nouveau Mirror Fire Screen
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb Art Nouveau Mirror Fire Screen The Fire screen is a superb quality piece and very stylish, it is round which is a very unusual shape for a fire screen. it has a carrying ha...
Ormolu
$690Sale Price|35% Off
Antique English Art Nouveau Brass Fireplace Fender
Located in Norwich, England
An Edwardian Art Nouveau brass fireplace fender. Circa 1900. The fender is structurally solid and in very good condition, with a few knocks in places. The inside measures 122.5...
Metal, Brass
Victorian Art Nouveau Style Cast Iron and Brass Fire Fender
Located in Chicago, IL
Victorian Art Nouveau Style cast iron and brass fire fender. It is placed on the hearth/in front of a fireplace to help keep logs/embers from rolling out onto the floor and to crea...
Brass
Art Nouveau Fire Companion Stand or Umbrella Stand
Located in High Peak, GB
K0343 An Art Nouveau French cast iron stick stand / umbrella stand or fire irons stand with pierced flowing decoration and shaped drip tray with engraved floral design, decorative be...
Iron
Art Nouveau Antique Style Fire Grate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large English Art Nouveau style fire gate. At over 160 years old, this Victorian cast iron fire basket has stood the test of time. Constructed from wrought and cast iron, the tall...
Iron, Metal
Victorian Brass Fender, Barley Twist Design, Art Nouveau Style, 1880
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian extending barley twist brass fender This is a very attractive brass fender it has a simple brass base with a barley twist brass rail above and small decoration to the co...
Brass
Large Arts Nouveau Victorian Brass Fender, Late 19th Century
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Arts Nouveau Victorian brass fender This is a good large Victorian beaten brass fender it has Art Nouveau decoration worked in the brass The fender is in good condition i...
Brass
Large Victorian Art Nouveau Brass Fender
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Art Nouveau brass fender. This is a beautifully designed Victorian brass fender it has Art Nouveau decoration worked in br...
19th Century Victorian Brass Fender, Art Nouveau Design, 52” Long
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Brass Fender This is a pretty Victorian Brass Fender it has Art Nouveau decoration worked in the brass at the corners The f...
Brass
French Art Nouveau Style 'Wolf and the Dog' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Style 'Wolf and the Dog' French fireback with a natural brown patina. The fable of the wolf and the dog (Jean de la Fontaine 1621-1695). A hungry wol...
Iron
French Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools, Early 20th Century Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French Art Nouveau fireplace tool set, companion set made of wrought iron tools and a cast iron stand. The condition is good.
Iron, Wrought Iron
$686Sale Price|20% Off
Period Art Nouveau Coal Scuttle, Antique Victorian Fireside Bin, circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a period Art Nouveau coal scuttle, an antique Victorian fireside bin in iron dating to circa 1900. Bronzed finish over iron bowl Impressive high relief pressed lid over v...
Iron
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Fireplace Fender
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 20th century English fire fender made of brass. Art Nouveau period. The fender is in a good condition.
Brass
Exceptional Dutch Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Dutch Art Nouveau Style fireplace tool set, companion set made of wrought iron and polished copper. The condition is good.
Copper, Wrought Iron
$427Sale Price|30% Off
Art Nouveau Beech Walnut and Brass Coal Scuttle Box
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique Art Nouveau beech, walnut and brass coal scuttle box, circa 1910. This is a lovely item, that is full of charm and character. Great decorative bra...
Brass
19th-20th Century French Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Art Nouveau period fireplace toolset. The toolset consists of a stand with three fireplace tools. It is made of brass. The condition is good. ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Firegrate of Scrolled Form
Located in London, GB
An attractive Art Nouveau firegrate with scrolled legs and uprights, shaped bars to basket and decorative cast back. Late 19th / early 20th century. Could be polished for a small add...
Iron
$572Sale Price|30% Off
Art Nouveau Mahogany Perdonium Coal Scuttle Box or Cabinet, circa 1910
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique quality Art Nouveau mahogany and brass perdonium coal scuttle, box or cabinet, circa 1910. This is a lovely item, that is full of charm and character. This is a heavy quali...
Wood
$1,146 / set
Art Nouveau Fireplace Tool Set and Rests
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century English Art Nouveau fireplace toolset. Polished steel and brass fire tools with tool set cast iron and polished brass rests. The condition is good ...
Brass, Steel, Iron
Art Nouveau Brass Framed Fire Screen
Located in Altrincham, GB
Art Nouveau Brass Framed Fire Screen with Double Beveled Etched Mirror Glass 19"w x 8"d x 32"h
Brass
Foundry Foubrux, Coal Scuttle of Cast Iron Décoratif design Haren, Belgium 1900s
By Fobrux Haren
Located in Verviers, BE
Metal Foundry Foubrux, Haren, Belgium ca 1900. Very beautiful and ornate coal scuttle of cast iron. The coal scuttle stands on four legs and has a very clear Décoratif design. The c...
Metal
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Fire Screen Decorated with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Nouveau fire screen in black enamelled steel with mother-of-pearl decoration. Enamelled cast iron legs. Measures cm: H 121, W 62, D 23.
Steel, Iron
Art Nouveau Period 'Ringlever' Fireplace Log Grate, Early 20th Century
By Ringlever
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Art Nouveau 'Ringlever' Fireplace Log Grate from the Netherlands. Made of beautifully forged and carved wrought iron. The condition is good. Leendert Ringlever (1885–1966) was a Dut...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Art Nouveau Period Fireplace Tool Hanger or Hook, Early 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 20th century Dutch Art Nouveau Period fireplace tool hanger made of polished steel with polished copper. The hanger is in a good condition and are fully functional.
Brass, Copper
English Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, Early 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 20th century Art Nouveau fireplace tool set from the United Kingdom. The toolset consists of a stand and three fire irons. The toolset is made of brass. It is in a good conditi...
Brass
English Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, Early 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Early 20th century English Art Nouveau fireplace tool set made of polished steel with polished copper. The fire irons are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Copper, Steel
$1,499 / set
Exceptional English Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
English Art Nouveau fireplace tool set, companion set made of polished steel and polished brass. Early 20th century. The condition is good.
Brass, Steel
English Art Nouveau Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
English Art Nouveau fire grate made of cast iron and wrought iron. The condition is good.
Wrought Iron, Iron
$3,665Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Fireside Companion Set, French Bronze Fire Tools, Art Nouveau, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a superb antique fireside companion set, comprising a pair of French bronze andirons and a trio of fire tools in Art Nouveau taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Wrought Iron Andirons Bar
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and unusual andirons/firedogs bar is made of wrought iron. This is a French work of the Art Nouveau period. Circa 1900
Iron
Large Victorian Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Victorian Brass Fender it has superb Art Nouveau Style worked in brass with a stylised female character at ...
Brass
Victorian Art Nouveau Cast Iron and Brass Fender This is Beautifully Designed
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian Art Nouveau Cast Iron and Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Victorian Fender it has superb Art Nouveau decoration showing...
Brass
Antique Art Nouveau Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle with Wrought Iron Stand
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Art Nouveau brass Helmet coal scuttle This very attractive partly enclosed Oval scuttle is set in a wrought iron carrying stand, it is made in copper and is decorated with stylise...
Copper
19th Century Arts and Crafts Brutalist Copper Fender
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century Arts and Crafts Brutalist copper fender A superb design statement piece, the sort of thing we associate with Liberty Hand Forged in cop...
Copper
Pair of Wrought & Hammered iron Andirons. Art Nouveau. Signed Wanner Genneva
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful and very interesting pair of andirons is made of wrought and hammered iron. This is a Swiss work from Art Nouveau Period, Signed Wanner Geneva. Circa 1900
Wrought Iron
$3,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Magnificent Jacques Charles Art Nouveau Fireplace Tools Set with Andirons
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent set of Jacques Charles Art Nouveau fireplace tool set with matching andirons. This is probably the finest set of fireplace tools we have ever had! They are super heavy an...
Chrome, Iron
$1,648Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Brass and Copper Coal Bucket
Located in London, GB
Exceptional Art Nouveau brass with copper coal bucket with ribbon on top.
Brass, Copper
Victorian Art Nouveau Brass Fender, Late 19th Century, Original
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Victorian Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Victorian Brass Fender it has Art Nouveau decoration worked in bras...
Brass
Pair of Hammered and Wrought Iron Snails Andirons in the Style of Schenck
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This exceptional pair of andirons is made of a hammered wrought iron. This beautiful work represents "Snails" with their simple faces and their shells are symbolized by a very fine w...
Wrought Iron
Art Nouveau Log or Storage Box This big log box is made in solid walnut
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Art Nouveau Log or Storage Box This big log box is made in solid walnut, it has decorative Iron hinges and hand made studs, it has ring handles at the top and both sides. This is a...
Walnut
Set of Arts & Crafts Brass Fireplace Tools, Art Nouveau Style, 1880
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of Arts & Crafts brass fireside tools. A great set, long brass tongs, poker and shovel, made in brass and in good used condition. The tools are ...
Brass
Antique Cast Iron Fire Back Depicting The Signs of The Zodiac
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This fire back is cast with 12 signs of the zodiac. A good quality fire-back with sharp details. The angle of the side plates can be varied to suit. This can be used as a set of fla...
Iron, Metal
Long Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Victorian Fender
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Long Art Nouveau Brass Fender This is a Beautifully Designed Victorian Brass Fender it has an Art Nouveau design worked in brass The Fender is in good original condition, it is 8” h...
Brass
Long Victorian Pierced Iron and Brass Fender This is a top quality Victorian B
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Long Victorian Pierced Iron and Brass Fender This is a top quality Victorian Brass Fender it has a pierced decoration in Iron along the front and around...
Brass