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.
Delphin MASSIER Majolica Three Wild Roses Flower Vase, Vallauris, Late 19th C.
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Majolica Vase Three Eglantines (Wild Roses) by Delphin Massier, Vallauris, France Late 19th Century Earthenware A stunning French Majolica vase featuring three beautifully modeled e...
Ceramic
Jugendstil Argentor floral brass flower pot vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, Au
Jugendstil Argentor floral brass flower pot vienna around 1908 Brass polished and stove enameled
Brass
$1,661 / set
Pair Of Large Art Nouveau Austrian Pottery Ewers
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair Of Large Art Nouveau Austrian Pottery Ewers having wonderful gold flower and green leaf decoration to the shaped vases and scrolled handles wi...
Pottery
Rare Art Nouveau Terracotta Wall Plaque, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Rare French Art Nouveau Terracotta Wall Plaque, Early 20th Century A beautifully detailed and rare French Art Nouveau terracotta wall plaque, dating from the early 20th century. Thi...
Brass
Delphin Massier Flower Wall Stand, Vallauris, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Flower Wall Stand by Delphin Massier, Vallauris, France, Late 19th Century. Exceptional late 19th-century French Art Pottery flower wall stand by Delphin Massier, produced in Vallau...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Period Arts & Crafts Monumental Ceramic Floor Vase
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant handmade hand-glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1930. Wonderful Art Nouveau (Arts & Crafts) monumental ceramic vase. Handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant colors. ...
Ceramic
Michael Andersen & Son 'Ma&S', Rare Ceramic Vase, Jugend Early 20th C, Denmark
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare, decorative vase by Michael Andersen & Son (MA&S) with beautiful glaze in different colors (yellow, green, grey..) flows down the rounded shape. The upper part has decorativ...
Ceramic
$441Sale Price|34% Off
Hammered Jugendstil Palm Pot
Located in Wien, Au
Two Jugendstil palm pots hammered 2 are available, priced and sold per piece. polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Gouda Pottery Art Nouveau Decorative Plate or Dish, Holland
Located in Miami, FL
Dutch Art Deco ceramic dish from Gouda, Holland with traditional period flowery and curvaceous designs, circa 1920s, matte glaze, which for us is the mixture of abstract and floral d...
Ceramic
Gouda Pottery Art Nouveau Decorative Plate/Dish, Holland
Located in Miami, FL
Dutch Art Nouveau ceramic dish from Gouda, Holland with traditional period flowery and curvaceous designs. Matte glaze, mixture of abstract and floral designs, circa 1920s. Very col...
Ceramic
$1,450 / set
Pair of Royal Doulton Blue Glazed Vases as Lamps
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of Royal Doulton Art Nouveau stoneware vases mounted as lamps. Exterior glazed in a blue grey ground with raised stylized floral decorat...
Ceramic, Pottery
Antique Rookwood Pottery Hand Painted Vessel Gorham Engraved Silver Decoration
By Gorham, Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This late 19th century glazed earthenware mug was crafted in the studios of Cincinnati Ohio's renowned Rookwood Pottery Company and has a traditional form with an ear-shaped handle having a thumb rest. The exterior of the piece is finished in standard glaze and features hand painted decoration executed by highly regarded artist William Purcell McDonald (1864-1931). The decor has an appealing wine harvest theme consisting of grape vines that snake across the surface. The vines are studded with leaves in various shades of green along with two dangling clusters of plump reddish grapes. McDonald's application of paint is slightly raised in places giving the image a dimensional quality. The mug is further ornamented with an ornate silver overlay manufactured by Gorham. The silver decoration covers the handle and rim and includes a series of large etched foliate scrolls and flowers that extend across the body. There is also an eye-catching latticed area that provides a strong visual contrast with the gentle curving motifs found on the other parts of the silver overlay. The underside of the mug has an impressed RP mark along with shape 422 and the letter W. It also carries the incised initials of the artist - W. P. McD - and the letter L. The underside of the silver foot rim is stamped Gorham Manufacturing Co. along with a hand engraved mark reading S 1274 S. This highly collectible Rookwood silver...
Silver
Pair of Mettlach Vases by Villeroy & Boch, circa 1900
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Mettlach vases by Villeroy & Boch, circa 1900, stoneware with ornamental decor. In very good condition. The vases will ship from Germany. Shippin...
Stoneware
Art Nouveau Vase Ceramic Dragons 'Jugendstil' Markes on Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nouveau vase with stylized Dragons around the base. Great colors with orange at the neck. The base is marked with number ( 367 ) and inationals ( J B ) It is a big size at 21 1/2" he...
Ceramic
Jugendstil Flower Pot, Vienna, circa 1908
Located in Wien, Au
Jugendstil Flower Pot, Vienna, circa 1908 Brass polished and stove enameled
Brass
Art Nouveau Large Majolica Vase, Whit Sarreguemines Stamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau Majolica glazed large Vase Whit Sarreguemines stamp. Majolica is a type of earthenware, decorated with colored lead glazes. The base retains a factory stamp. Looks si...
Majolica
Erna Kopriva Pottery Sculpture/Terracotta , Figure for Wiener Werkstatte
By Erna Kopriva, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sample of the well known Austrian artist, Erna Kopriva. She was assistant of Joseph Hoffman and worked at Wiener Werkstatte . Similar pieces are now...
Terracotta
DENBAC French Art Deco Stoneware Rooster Pitcher 1910
By Denbac
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Stoneware Pitcher by Denert & Balichon (Denbac), Vierzon, France, ca. 1920. This elegant French Art Deco stoneware pitcher was crafted around 1920 by Denert & Balich...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Very big floral hammered jugendstil copper palm pot vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, Au
Very big floral hammered jugendstil copper palm pot vienna around 1908 Copper polished and stove enameled
Copper
Alexandre Bigot French Art Nouveau Pottery Small Plate or Low Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine French Art Nouveau pottery plate or bowl. In the form of a shallow square bowl with rounded corners and a raised center. By Alexandre Bigot...
Pottery
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
ca. 1906 " Old Norway " Antique Porsgrund Porcelain Nordic Jug
Located in Skien, NO
Rare Museum-Quality Jug / Chocolate Jug with Hand-painted "Nordic" Pattern – over 100 years old! This exceptional Norwegian heritage antique jug dates from the early 1900s. It featu...
Porcelain
$292Sale Price|25% Off
Antique French Art Nouveau Majolica Poppies Pitcher
Located in New Orleans, LA
A fine antique French Art Nouveau majolica pitcher, “poppies” pattern, a very desirable color palette of poppy red, lime green and pale tan. A c...
Majolica
1920s by Galileo Chini for S. Lorenzo Mugello Liberty Italian Pottery
Located in Brescia, IT
Galileo Chini for S. Lorenzo Mugello Floence, Italy 1920s "PAX ET BONUM" glazed earthware Excellent condiction Measures: H 30 cm.
Pottery
Antique English Majolica Cache Pot Planter Bowl Footed Jardiniere Angels Birds
Located in Tyler, TX
STUNNING ~~Antique English Holdcroft Majolica Footed ("Hoof" Feet) Cache Pot, Planter, Jardiniere, Flower Pot, Bowl or Vase with Bird Medallions and Angel or Mermaid Supports~~c. 1870s Authentic French majolica...
Pottery
Big Floral Jugendstil Flower Pot Around 1908
Located in Wien, Au
Big floral Jugendstil flower pot around 1908 Polished and stove enameled.
Brass
Small Gouda Pottery Art Nouveau Decorative Cup or Pen Pencil Holder
Located in Miami, FL
Dutch Art Deco ceramic cup or pen/pencil holder from Gouda, Holland with traditional period flowery and curvaceous designs, circa 1920s, matte glaze, which for us is the mixture of a...
Ceramic
20th Century Majolica Decorative Platter Fish Ludwig Klopfe Germany
Located in Uppsala , SE
This object is a vintage mid-century modern ceramic wall hanging plate crafted by the West German pottery studio LU (Ludwig Klopfer). Circa 1960s Features an underwater scene with t...
Majolica
Majolica Lily Pads Pitcher, Choisy-le-Roi, Art Nouveau, 1870s
Located in New Orleans, LA
An impressive and rare 19th Century Art Nouveau French Majolica lily pads pitcher signed Choisy Le Roi, circa 1870’s. Faience pottery was first prod...
Faience, Majolica
Large Amphora Art Nouveau Handled Vase Attributed to Paul Dachsel
By Paul Dachsel, Amphora
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Large Amphora blue and green eight-handled vase with red leaves. Attributed to Paul Dachsel - Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel, Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia, ca...
Porcelain
Large Moorcroft Flambe 'Spring Flowers' Art Pottery Plate or Charger
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Moorcroft charger was made in circa 1940 with a deep flambé glaze in the 'Spring Flowers' pattern. The top of the plate is hand painted wi...
Pottery
Gouda Hand Crafted Pottery Art Nouveau Decorative Dish, Holland
Located in Miami, FL
Dutch Art Deco ceramic dish from Gouda, Holland with traditional period flowery and curvaceous designs. Circa 1920s, matte glaze, which for us is the mixture of abstract and floral d...
Ceramic
Emile Galle Potery Art nouveau
By Émile Gallé
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Emile Galle Potery Art nouveau Plate and cup in artistic ceramic Rare set to see Art nouveau style Circa 1900 Origin France Decorated with leaves, flowers and insects, it also has wr...
Ceramic
Monumental Art Nouveau Black & Gold Enameled Vase with Floral Etching Design
Located in Plainview, NY
A monumental Art Nouveau Black and Gold enameled vase featuring fine floral etching design painted in an antiqued gold tone color around the body and t...
Enamel
Four Pieces Pottery Chamber Set Pale Rose Violet "Malines" Sarrguemine
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
19th century four pieces pottery chamber set pale rose violet "MALINES" Sarrguemine.
Pottery
Ceramica Art Noveau Design Louis Dage
By Louis Dage
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ceramica Art noveau design Louis Dague Origin France, circa 1930 They are two ceramics and they are in perfect condition. The price is for the two together measures Box: 6cm x 15.5 c...
Ceramic
$1,743 / set
Rare Pair of 1900s Vases
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of 1900s vases in glazed stoneware, decorated with hunting birds, insects, leaves and fruit, ribbons and masks of lion. The inside is lined with a container of tinplate.
Stoneware