Beaux Arts furniture included chairs replicating models from the Renaissance and sofas inspired by Louis XIV. These pieces filled high-ceilinged rooms that featured tapestries fit for a medieval castle and were illuminated by crystal chandeliers reminiscent of those in European palaces. Leon Marcotte Company created furnishings for the White House mimicking the style of Louis XVI, while in France, cabinetmaker Louis Majorelle reproduced 18th-century pieces that would influence his later Art Nouveau style.
Students at the École des Beaux-Arts in 19th-century Paris meticulously sketched Roman and Greek art and architecture as part of a curriculum that elevated the classical world. This reverence for history informed the architecture and design being constructed in the French capital and beyond, where columns and pediments were joined with elements referencing the Renaissance and Baroque eras, culminating in grand civic buildings such as the Palais Garnier opera house constructed under Napoleon III.
Beaux Arts style, also known as Classical Eclecticism for its flamboyant mixing of influences, made its way to the United States in the late 19th century through American architects who studied in Paris, like Richard Morris Hunt and Charles Follen McKim. They designed monumental turn-of-the-century buildings like train stations, libraries, museums and mansions that featured soaring entry halls and grand stairways with nearly every surface embellished, from mosaic floors to stained-glass ceilings. The luxurious interiors of these Beaux Arts buildings, which weren’t crowded with objects as in the Victorian era, matched this spirit of opulence and embraced the past.
Find a collection of Beaux Arts decorative objects, lighting, wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Ceramic Mask by Gilbert Portanier, 1979
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilbert Portanier, mask France, Vallauris, 1979. Signed Unique piece Enameled ceramic mask with a polychrome decoration. Nose, arches and beard in relief and two slits to crea...
Ceramic
Ceramic Mask by F. Labelle with a Metal Base, circa 1980-1990
By Labelle
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
An interesting ceramic mask by F. Labelle, with a metal base. Signed "Labelle". Unique piece. Perfect original conditions, circa 1980-1990.
Ceramic
$525 / set
H 7.49 in Dm 7.88 in
Kumba Karna Masks, Wood, Tribal Folk Art, Indonesian, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
These Kumba Karna Masks are tribal decorative objects realized in the Indonesian island of Bali, during the second half of the 20th century. Dimensions: cm 19 x 20. Traditional...
Wood
$2,335
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 4.73 in
1950s by Gilbert Portanier Vallauris France Glazed Ceramic Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
Glazed ceramic Excellent condition. "Portanier" signed.
Ceramic
Willi Huggler Brutalist Style Carved Wood Mask
By Willi Huggler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved grotesque wood mask with pierced eyes, very hooked nose, cigar between very crooked bone teeth. Label on verso reads, “Willi Huggler (Swiss, 1925...
Bone, Wood
Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their ...
Wood
Fiery Leather Fox Mask
By Majd Murad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Originally commissioned for Burning Man, combining the element of fire with the animal fox, not to be confused with the web browser. This piece is wearable art, making it perfect for...
Leather
Early 20th Century Large Tribal Shield
Located in Sheffield, MA
Highly decorative and impressive shields from the buttress-like roots and/or trunks of mangrove trees. The soft mangrove wood is well suited to be proces...
Wood
Vintage African Tribal Mask, Hand-Crafted Wood and Shell, 1970s Art
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display. Custom-mad...
Shell, Wood, Beads
$599 / set
H 6 in W 4 in D 1 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Wall Pockets with Harlequin Mask Alien Faces
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of wall pockets are sculptures are marked by an unknown maker, but originated from Japan and date to approximately 1940 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The...
Ceramic
Italian Creamware Lion Mask Cachepot
Located in New York, NY
Italian creamware lion mask cachepot.. Antique neoclassical creamware soup tureen cachepot with three ringed lion masks supported on tripod tapering legs with lion paw feet on circul...
Creamware
Large Ceramic Face Plate by Gilbert Valentin, Vallauris France, 1950s
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Gilbert Valentin, France 1928-2000 Les Archanges charger Vallauris France 1950s Signed on the underside, as pictured. Measuring 18" diameter. In very good condition. Gilbert Valen...
Ceramic
Pair Brass Carnivale Masks Mounted On Black Marble
Located in Chicago, IL
Equisite pair of cast brass Carnivale masks mounted on black marble plinth bases. Very nicely patinated.
Marble, Brass
Ceramic Box by Longchamp
By Longchamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ceramic box with green and white coloring by Longchamp. Marked "Longchamp France" on underside. Great stash box and tabletop object.
Ceramic
O/6148 The little theatre of GUIGNOL
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
The famous "Little theatre of Guignol": Guignol was the puppet created in 1808 by Laurent Mourguet (1769/1844) - France half XIX century - the lower side: oil painting canvas - Pro...
Canvas, Wood