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.
Meissen Art Nouveau Figure, Hentschelkind, Child Sitting On Cushion, 1905
By Meissen Porcelain, Julius Konrad Hentschel
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Nouveau Meissen porcelain figure from the time the model was created: Child with brunette hair, dressed in typical children's clothing from around 1900 - apron and long-sleeved s...
Porcelain
Antique Art Nouveau French Faience "Luneville" Porcelain Oyster Plate Circa 1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Art Nouveau Period French Faience "Luneville" Porcelain Oyster Plate in Rare Color, Circa 1900.
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Group 'The Air' by Paul Helmig, Germany Around 1900
By Paul Helmig, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare and excellent Meissen porcelain group around 1900: Juno, the Roman goddess of the air (Greek Hera), as a young woman with her hair pinned up, covered only with a cloth, sit...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Figure Group 'Ice-Scaters', by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate and rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: Skating couple in elegant winter clothing: The lady in a long, white skirt with a green decorated hem, green jacket and white cap, and long ermine scarf, the gallant in a fine, sporty, brown checkered suit...
Porcelain
GOUDA Pikan dutch multicolor polychrome Art Nouveau porcelain vase circa 1900
By Gouda Vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible GOUDA to Pikan dutch multicolor ceramic Art Nouveau vase circa 1900
Ceramic
Meissen the Wave Art Nouveau Bowl Figurine Henschtel Konrad Q 169, circa 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen rarest Art Nouveau item: The wave Size: Height 3.34 inches Depth 6.10 inches Width 8.26 inches Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen sword mark (glazed bott...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Figurine 'Pierrette' by Martin Wiegand, Meissen Germany, ca 1908
By Meissen Porcelain, Martin Wiegand
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figurine: Red-haired girl sitting on the ground with big hat with brim turned up in front, dressed in green bodice with gold hem, wide sk...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Child Figurine, Hentschelkind, Boy Riding A Wooden Horse, circa 1906
By Meissen Porcelain, Julius Konrad Hentschel
Located in Vienna, AT
Boy in a long white shirt with a newspaper cap riding on a wooden horse with wheels. Modeling and painting of the finest quality, excellent lifelike and loving details. Modeller: JU...
Porcelain
Antique tray with Art Nouveau tile panel with Florale decoration, 1905s
Located in Verviers, BE
In very nice used condition, circa 1900. Beautiful Art Nouveau glazed porcelain tableau framed by Oak. Handles with brass details. A whole is in a beautiful state!. No cracks or ...
Porcelain, Oak
Art Nouveau Figure Group, Ice-Scaters, by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: A couple skating in elegant winter attire: the lady in a suit with a long skirt and jacket in white with stylised floral decoration in b...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, 'After The Bath', by Robert Ockelmann, ca 1890
By Meissen Porcelain, Robert Ockelmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely decorative, fully sculpted representation of a naked young beauty with her hair tied back, covering her nakedness after her bath with a softly draped cloth, which she holds...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Figure Group 'Tobogganers', by Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, 1912
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant sledging couple: the lady in a long purple skirt, white jumper and white bonnet, a long green patterned scarf around her neck, high warm gaiters over her heeled shoes, the ge...
Porcelain
Gouda Dutch potiche Art Nouveau in porcelain circa 1900
By Gouda Vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible potiche by Gouda Dutch porcelain Art Nouveau multicolor circa 1900
Porcelain
ART NOUVEAU FRUIT BOARD Francia began 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
ART NOUVEAU FRUIT BOARD Francia began 20th Century in opaline glass, scalloped edge, decoration in shades of pink and lilac. Set on a silver metal base with relief decoration repres...
Metal
Art Nouveau Figurine, Ice-Scater, By Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, Ca 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figure: Skater in elegant winter attire: costume consisting of a long skirt and jacket in white with green checked hems, cuffs and collar, doub...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, Young Lady Ball Player by Walter Schott, ca 1940
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely decorative, fully sculptural representation of an Art Nouveau beauty in a softly falling robe, tilted forward to throw a golden ball, with the left forearm holding the back...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Antique Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Cabinet Plates with Cherubs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extraordinarily fine set of Meissen Porcelain cabinet plates. Each with a gilt scalloped rim, a pierced or reticulated border (with a left-hand twist), and centers with varying...
Porcelain
Hortense Mattice Gordon, Hand Painted Ceramic Cabinet Bowl, Canada, C. 1910
By Hortense Mattice Gordon
Located in Chatham, ON
Hortense Mattice Gordon R.C.A. (Canadian 1887-1961) - Fine and rare antique ceramic cabinet bowl - hand painted in the Art Nouveau style on an imported blank - featuring a display of...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figure 'Cupid Feeding Pigeons', Paul Helmig, Germany Ca 1900
By Paul Helmig, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Art Nouveau porcelain figurine by Paul Helmig: A winged cupid boy, covering his nakedness with a loose cloth, leaning backwards against a tree trunk with foliage and a quiv...
Porcelain
Large Meissen Art Nouveau Group, Spring, With Cupid by Emmerich Oehler, ca 1913
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare model from a series of the four seasons: Standing nude Art Nouveau beauty with her hair carefully tied with a yellow ribbon and head tilted forward, pulling a large purple ...
Porcelain
Karl Lindstrom for Rörstrand Unique Art Nouveau Vase in Porcelain
Located in København, Copenhagen
Karl Lindstrom (1865-1936) for Rörstrand. Unique Art Nouveau vase in porcelain decorated with parrots. Stamped. Perfect condition. Measures: 32.5 x 19 cm.
Porcelain Figure, 'Spring'- Striding Girl With Flowers, Augarten Vienna, 1924
By Augarten Porzellanmanufaktur
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate large Augarten Vienna Art Nouveau porcelain figurine: Young beauty walking barefoot with her hair artfully pinned up, wearing a close-fitting, loosely falling two-piece outf...
Porcelain
Meissen Pair of Oriental Figurines A 1146 67073 Scheurich Made 20th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable pair of figurines: Designed by Paul Scheurich (1883-1945) Oriental woman with flute / modelled 1926 Black man with cockatoo / modelled 1922. Size: Femal...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, Lady With Muff, by Konrad Hentschel, ca 1906
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant young lady with a wide-brimmed hat, decorated with green-brown-white checkered ribbons and a blue feather, wearing a floor-length white dress with a green hem and button plac...
Porcelain
Large Meissen Art Nouveau Figure, Flora with Cupids, by Emmerich Oehler, ca 1913
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare Art Nouveau Figurine Group by Meissen: Monumental figure of Flora, taking a step forward in dance and holding large, heavy flower garlands of yellow roses, which are wrapped with a blue bow, in hands. The hair of the female nude is artfully tied into a striped cloth, which is held together by blue ribbons and is decorated with leaf branches over the ears. On her left shoulder she carries a naked boy who is holding in an upside down position a golden wreath...
Porcelain
Pair of Painted Porcelain Plaques, Art Nouveau Period, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of painted porcelain plaques, Art nouveau period, France, late 19th century.
Porcelain
Pair Large Art Nouveau Sevres Style Pseudo-Cloisonne Enameled Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
Our pair of ormolu bronze-mounted Sevres style vases are distinguished by their extraordinary pseudo-cloisonne enamel designs and exquisitely painted portraits of maidens and neoclas...
Bronze
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, Boy On Wooden Horse, by Konrad Hentschel, 1905
By Julius Konrad Hentschel, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Boy in a white shirt with a newspaper cap riding on a wooden horse with wheels. Modeling and painting of the finest quality, excellent lifelike and loving details. Modeller: JULIUS ...
Porcelain
Porcelain Figurine 'Temple Dedication' by Liebermann Rosenthal Selb Germany 1916
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Rosenthal figurine, only 200 versions in existence: A scantily clad Art Nouveau beauty, a belt around her hips with a long, softly falling shawl draping around her legs, a ...
Porcelain
$2,095Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of 1900's Blue porcelain vases from Tours
By Gustave Asch
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of 1900 vases in blue porcelain of Tours with gilded decoration of roses topped by ribbons. These gold-coloured motifs are typical of the Art Nouveau decorations of the ceramist...
Porcelain
Nippon Art Nouveau Style Butterfly Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous Nippon Art Nouveau style butterfly vase. Fully marked on base for having been made and hand decorated in Japanese Macau. This h...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain 11-inch Scalloped Serving Dish or Plate with Floral Decoration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain serving dish or large plate. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Decorated with blue underglaze flowers with gilt stems and twigs on a white ground. The...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Group 'Girl With Goat', by Erich Hoesel, Meissen Germany, ca 1905
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: Girl in a striped dress with polka dots and a white blouse holding a bouquet of flowers in both hands above her head and fending off a ...
Porcelain
AMPHORA Art Nouveau Czech porcelain polychrome circa 1900 with Dragon.
By Amphora
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Amphora porcelain Art Nouveau polychrome with Dragon circa 1900.
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figure Of A Snake Dancer By Max Bochmann Circa 1914
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare and extremely decorative full-sculptural depiction of a young dancer in oriental-looking costume, bare-breasted, with long, softly falling skirt s...
Porcelain
Signed Pair of Sevres ‘Third Republic’ Pate Nouvelle Pale Yellow Ground Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and large pair of signed Sèvres Art Nouveau period ‘Third Republic’ Pate Nouvelle pale yellow ground vases (Vase De Lesbos 1 Grandeur)...
Gold, Enamel
Large Porcelain Group 'Joy of Life' by J. Limburg Rosenthal Selb Germany Ca 1923
A Gorgeous Meissen Porcelain Model of an Elephant
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and finely modeled Meissen porcelain figure of an elephant, beautifully rendered in a lifelike walking pose with its trunk raised in a spirited trumpeting gesture. The mod...
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Gilt Scalloped Creamer/Milk Jug with Floral Decoration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain milk jug or creamer. By Meissen. Decorated with blue underglaze flowers with gilt stems and twigs on a white grou...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine Pair Boy & Girl With Hoops, A. Koenig, c 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figurines: Two children with colorful hoops: Standing boy in sailor dress, holding the hoop with both hands behind him standing on the ground,...
Porcelain
Meissen Three Girls Playing Hide and Seek by Theodore Eichler Model W 115
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen rarest group of figurines: Three Girls Playing Hide and Seek by Theodore Eichler. Size: height 25.0 cm (= 9.84 inches) width 20.0 cm (= 7.87 inches) depth 12.5 cm (= 4...
Porcelain
Meissen Lady Lute Player Kate Hyan by Hoesel Erich V 143 Made circa 1912
By Erich Hoesel
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen rarest figurine: female lute player (= Kate Hyan) Measures / dimensions: height: 10.23 inches width: 8.26 inches depth: 6.10 inches Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarke...
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Gilt Covered Sugar Jar with Floral Decoration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain covered box. By Meissen. Decorated with blue underglaze flowers with gilt stems and twigs on a white ground, and the lid with a figural flower bud finial. ...
Porcelain
12 Royal Worcester Hand-Painted Porcelain "Cathedral" Cabinet Plates Circa 1941
Located in Atlanta, GA
A complete and highly refined set of twelve Royal Worcester porcelain cabinet plates, each individually hand-painted by Raymond Rushton (British, fl. e...
Enamel
Josef Fischer for Rosenthal, Art Nouveau Business Card Holder / Bowl
Located in København, Copenhagen
Josef Fischer for Rosenthal. Art Nouveau business card holder / bowl in hand-painted porcelain with marabou, Circa 1910. Measures: 27.5 x 13.5 cm. In very good condition. Stamped.
Porcelain
Tiffany & Co. Italian Porcelain Pedestal Tazza or Cake Stand
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian porcelain tazza or cake stand By Tiffany & Co. (signed to the underside) Italy, 1995 Measures: 8.25"W x 8.25"D x 3.5"H Good original vintage condition
Porcelain
Antique Victorian Blue Porcelan Bottle Vase or Urn Ships Decanter Hand Painted
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Stylish Single English Hand Painted Porcelain Bottle Vase modelled as a Ships Decanter of generous proportions, late Nineteenth, early Twentieth Century The bulbous body form wit...
Porcelain, Pottery
$600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Meissen Porcelain Rothschild Pattern Birds Set of Cup And Saucer
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a hand painted Meissen porcelain cup and saucer. It is featuring the Rothschild pattern birds with some insects and butterflies. The cup as ...
Porcelain
$1,127Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 6 Mocha Cups w. Saucers Cobalt Blue Gold Painted Art Nouveau Secessionist
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This set is made of fine white porcelain, and each cup and saucer is decorated with a unique secessionist pattern which reminds on designs by Joseph Maria Olbrich. The pattern featu...
Porcelain
Antique French Art Nouveau Porcelain Ewer with Floral Decoration
Located in London, GB
Antique French Art Nouveau Porcelain Ewer with Floral Decoration French, early 20th century Height: 24cm, diameter 10cm This charming porcelain ewer is a pleasing example of French ...
Porcelain
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Porcelain Pink Gold Dish Austrian
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Austrian Art Nouveau porcelain pink and gold oblong dish, circa early-20th century, Austria. Piece has hand painted design of flowers...
Porcelain
Hungarian Studio Porcelain Vase, Green Crystalline Glaze
Located in Alap, HU
Ferenc Halmos Porcelain Vase, Green Crystalline Glaze, 2021 Hungarian Egg-Shaped Porcelain Bud Vase A porcelain bud vase by Hungarian ceramist Ferenc Halmos, featuring an egg-shaped...
Porcelain
$546Sale Price|20% Off
French Liquor Service "Head to Head" Art Nouveau Porcelain, 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
White porcelain liquor service with green and gold floral decoration including an eventful tray, two ewer bottles with their stoppers and two small cups with handles, mugs. Floral decor. Golden borders and gilding. French porcelain. Paris porcelain. France Art Nouveau circa 1890. The two carafes are used to serve liqueurs and spirits. This head to head...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Tile Panel with Florale Decoration with Carafe and 6 Shot Glasses
By Scailmont
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau tile panel with Florale Decoration with Carafe and 6 Shot Glasses In very nice used condition, circa 1900. Beautiful Art Nouveau glazed porcelain tableau framed by Meta...
Chrome
Porcelaine De Paris Rare French Lamp in Black Polished Porcelain Hand Painted
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Eleg...
Metal
Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine, Young Lady Ball Player by Walter Schott, 1924-1934
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely decorative, fully sculptural representation of an Art Nouveau beauty in a softly falling robe, tilted forward to throw a golden ball, with the left forearm holding the back...
Porcelain
Meissen Art Nouveau Group, Hentschelkinder, Children Baking Sand Cakes, 1906
By Meissen Porcelain, Julius Konrad Hentschel
Located in Vienna, AT
A very special group of children from the time the design was created: Girl in a long-sleeved dress of blue-violet fabric dotted with pink, her hair tied up, is crouching with her li...
Porcelain
Art Nouveau Plate with Stylised Floral Hand-Painted Decoration by Cauldon
By Cauldon
Located in London, GB
An Art Nouveau plate with stylised floral hand-painted decoration by Cauldon, circa 1905.
Porcelain
Hungarian Capsule-Form Porcelain Bud Vase, Green Crystalline Glaze
Located in Alap, HU
Ferenc Halmos Porcelain Vase, Green Crystalline Glaze, 2019 Hungarian Capsule-Form Porcelain Bud Vase A porcelain bud vase by Hungarian ceramist Ferenc Halmos, featuring a capsule-s...
Porcelain
Rare Royal Copenhagen Art Nouveau porcelain dish with codfish in relief
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rare Royal Copenhagen Art Nouveau porcelain dish. Modelled with codfish in relief. Model number: 1/481 Dated 1889-1922. Marked. In excellent condition with minor production flaws. Se...
Porcelain