Known for his elaborately carved chinoiserie and Japonisme furniture inspired by East Asian motifs, Gabriel Viardot was one of France’s most famous cabinetmakers during the late 19th century.
Viardot’s career began in 1849 as a woodcarver for Maison Jeanselme, cabinetmakers to the court of Napoleon III. Shortly after, at age 19, Viardot opened his own business, designing and creating small furniture and decorative objects.
In 1853, Viardot’s enterprise grew into a factory and store, Viardot Frères et Cie, which he operated with his brother Alexandre Laurent. The brothers enjoyed moderate success with their finely sculpted pieces and objects, winning a bronze medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. However, the two parted ways the following year. Alexandre Laurent kept the company, while Viardot began his own firm, called G. Viardot.
Throughout the late 1860s and ’70s, Viardot dedicated himself to designing and producing chinoiserie and Japonisme furniture. Many of his pieces, such as side tables, consoles, pedestal tables and chairs, feature exquisite embellishments in mother-of-pearl, ivory and gilt-bronze and are made with lacquered and embossed panels imported directly from China and Japan. (The art of Japanese lacquer goes back some 9,000 years.) Some of Viardot’s most sculptural creations are his full-length floor mirrors and wall mirrors framed with carved mahogany dragons and cherubs.
Viardot participated in numerous major European exhibitions and fairs, scooping up medals and accolades for his pieces. In 1867, he won four medals at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, followed by a silver medal and gold medal at Antwerp’s Universal Exposition in 1878 and 1884, respectively. He also won gold medals at Paris’s Exposition Universelle in 1889 and 1900. In 1885, Viardot was named Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.
By 1880, Viardot’s company had become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Paris, with up to 100 sculptors and cabinetmakers employed. Following his death in 1906, Viardot’s son Gabriel Léon Jules Viardot and son-in-law Georges Isidore Jean Dupont took over operations. However, competition from other furniture makers and the rise of Art Nouveau led to the company’s eventual closure.
Viardot’s pieces continue to be highly sought by interior designers and collectors of late 19th-century furniture.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique Gabriel Viardot mirrors, tables and decorative objects.
19th Century Black Forest Plaque Bird Motif
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a dark wood Black Forest Carved Wall Plaque depicting a bird and hunting theme. It is expertly carved with leaves to add its rustic nature. This 19th century plaque is perfec...
Wood
$3,530
H 20 in W 12.8 in D 14.5 in
Rare Art Nouveau Era Corner Bracket / Shelf with Amphictyonis Mask / Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazing and hand carved pine wood corner shelf, depicting Amphictyonis, the goddess of wine. The Greek god of wine Dionysos or Bacchus as he was known in Rome, probably is much be...
Pine
$740
H 16.54 in W 14.97 in D 4.34 in
Art Nouveau Wall Letter Holder in Carved Pine with Eagle Motif, circa 1900
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Charming Art Nouveau wall-mounted letter holder from Germany, circa 1900. The piece is made of solid pine, stained to a deep walnut tone, and left in completely original condition wi...
Pine
Eastenr Europe Wooden Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage wooden sculpture realized in eastern Europe in the beginning of 20th Century. Painted and lacquered wood. Excellent condition.
Wood
$3,500
H 38.59 in W 23.63 in D 4.73 in
A Swiss Carved Black Forest Hunting Wall Plaque, Early 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Swiss Carved Black Forest Hunting Wall Plaque, Early 20th Century Provenance: Private New South Wales Collection. Description: The shield surround centred by a hi...
Wood
$1,480
H 13.5 in W 22.5 in D 1.5 in
Unusual Art Nouveau Woman, Carved Wood and Metal Pipe Holder Wall Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Art Nouveau woman, relief carved wood and metal pipe holder wall plaque. Stunning nude, wonderful detailing.., bronze mounted, hand forged pipe holders, carved wood match hol...
Bronze
$240
H 10.83 in W 25.01 in D 0.2 in
Art Nouveau Secessionist Carved Burr Walnut Wood Wall Hanging 1900
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful Art Nouveau carved wall panel. Made from solid Walnut and veneered with Burr Walnut, this piece has been beautifully crafted, in the secession style and dates from the 190...
Walnut
$2,600
H 27.875 in W 20.625 in D 0.25 in
Antique French Hunting Trophy Plaque in Carved and Waxed Oak, Late 1800s
Located in Dallas, TX
Known as a trophe de chasse (hunting trophy) in France, this rectangular oak plaque was hand-carved in the late 1800s. The wood has been coated with French wax that gives the plaque a dark brown patina that brings the detailed carvings to life. A raised, stepped molding surrounds the relief trophy, which features a downed pheasant. The bird surmounts the other motifs related to the hunt, such as a rifle, a gunpowder flask...
Wood, Oak
$3,600
H 18.5 in W 31 in D 8.5 in
Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Plaque with Chamois Motif, Foliage and Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden plaque from the early 20th century, with chamois motif, foliage and petite mirror. Hand-Carved in Switzerland during the early years of the 20th century, this wooden Black Forest plaque draws our attention with its chamois head emerging from an oval medallion, surrounded by scrolling leaves wrapped around a branch. The lower section showcases a petite oval mirror...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Art Nouveau Wall Plaque with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau dark polychromed plaster horizontal wall plaque with a carved relief of a woman inlaid with mother-of-pearl and glass cabochons in an oak frame (signed: SF)
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Plaster, Oak
Art Nouveau Bat Inkwell by Unknown French Artist
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Little is known about the origins of this amazing piece, apart from it being from France, circa 1900. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, ...
Bronze
Dragonfly & Fairy Art Nouveau Plaque by Delphin Massier
By Clement Massier, Delphin Massier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
The older brother of Clément Massier, Delphin Honoré Massier had inherited his share of the family ceramics business upon the death of their father Jacques in 1871, establishing the ...
Earthenware
Art Nouveau Basilisk Repoussé Box by Alfred Daguet
By Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Alfred Louis Achille DAGUET (1875 - 1942) was a metalsmith active in Paris during the first part of the 20th century. His metalwork created prior to the outbreak of World War I, note...
Brass, Enamel, Steel
Art Nouveau Copper Charger with Bird and Berries by Ludwig Karl Maria Vierthaler
By Ludwig Karl Maria Vierthaler
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the default quote does not include packing and insurance. 1stDibs shipping provides a level of value, protection, and care that aligns with our commitment to safeguarding historic artworks and providing excellent client service. Recognized for his technically superior and beautiful metal patinations for tableware, Munich born Ludwig Vierthaler’s designs and metalwork caught the attention of Tiffany & Co., NY, for whom he worked in the mid-1890s. 1906 proved to be a decisive year in his career. Though Vierthaler had left his position as the Director of Design at J. Winhart & Co. earlier that year, examples of his work for Winhart were shown along with collaborative work with Eugen Ehrenbock at the Bayerishe Jubilaums-Landers-Ausstellung in Nuremburg - for which he received a gold medal - and at the Deutsche Kunstgewerbe-Ausstellung in Dresden -for which he received a silver medal. He and Ehrenbock formalized their partnership in 1907. Vierthaler later expanded his metalwork output to include jewelry and lighting design as well as figural and ornamental building decoration design. A member of the Deutscher Werkbund...
Copper
Jeweled Art Nouveau Repoussé Mantle Clock by Alfred Daguet w/Original Mechanisim
By Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Signed Alfred Daguet. Alfred Louis Achille DAGUET (1875 - 1942) was a metalsmith active in Paris during the first part of the 20th century. His metalwork created prior to the outbre...
Brass, Copper
Pair of Butterfly Sconces by Alessandro Mazzucotelli
By Alessandro Mazzucotelli
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Note: Due to the size, weight, and value of this piece, we require shipping through 1stDibs, for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standar...
Iron
