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 Art Nouveau French Bronze Gilt Thistle Letter Opener Albert Marionnete
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Art Nouveau French Bronze Gilt Thistle Letter Opener Albert Marionnet France Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 31.5cm Of notably large size, this letter opener is a...
Bronze, Ormolu
Horse Head Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible antique piece ...
Brass, Bronze
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau bronze paper knife, circa 1905. Decorated with mistletoe, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 14.5 cm Width: 3.2 cm Thickness: 0.3 cm Weight: 35 grams Ed...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Letter Opener in Brass - Dessin w. Leaves
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A naturalistic French leaf pattern from the 1910s this ornate letter opener was made by Gørtler E. Albersen in Denmark during the 1920s or 30s. It is made from solid heavy stock bras...
Brass
1900s French Art Nouveau Iris & Maiden Heavy Silver Plated Letter Opener
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exceptionally fine French Art Nouveau letter opener, sculpted with a dramatic high-relief motif of an iris blossom embracing a serene maiden's profile. Originating from France, t...
Silver Plate
Antique Art Nouveau French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Letter Opener E. Famin
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Art Nouveau French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Letter Opener E. Famin France Bronze Early 20th Century Dimensions: Length: 25cm This fine letter opener dates to the early 20th...
Bronze, Ormolu
Letter opener, solid bronze floral laburnum decor, Jugendstil Art Nouveau France
Located in Wien, AT
Very nice example of a letter opener, made out of solid bronze, from the famous Jugendstil - Art Nouveau period, around 1900. This object is a beautiful desk accessory made of high...
Bronze
Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Gilt Gold Letter Opener Nature Floral Desk Accessory
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Gilt Gold Letter Opener Nature Floral Desk Accessory Continental Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 24cm Shaped as a flo...
Bronze, Ormolu
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau letter opener, circa 1905, in bronze. Decorated with ginkgo biloba leaves, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 20 cm Width: 3.3 cm Thickness: 1 cm Weight...
Bronze
Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Gold Animal Goat Letter Opener Desk Accessory
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Gold Animal Goat Letter Opener Desk Accessory Continental Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 23cm This letter opener was crafted around 1900, durin...
Bronze
Antique Bronze Gold Art Nouveau Four-Leaf Clover Good Luck Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Bronze Gold Art Nouveau Four-Leaf Clover Good Luck Letter Opener Continental Bronze Early 20th Century Dimensions: Length 21cm Crafted in the early 20th century, this...
Bronze
Unusual Unger Brothers Sterling Jester Letter Opener
Located in Riverdale, NY
Rare and Unusual Unger Brothers Jester Sterling Letter Opener from the 1900's. Wonderful detailing and unusual subject matter. 1900 USA. 9.5" x 1.85" x 1.25".
Sterling Silver
Eagle Motif French Art Nouveau Letter Opener Antique 1900s signed Mauroy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
We are offering this wonderful and original heavy french art nouveau letter opener. The design dates back to the early 1900s to 1910s, the object is made of Bronze. We believe that t...
Bronze
FLUORO CALCIFORTE Art Nouveau Nude Lady Letter Opener Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
FLUORO CALCIFORTE letter opener. FLUORO CALCIFORTE dental pharmaceuticals. Antique Fluoro Calciforte advertising letter opener. Mermaid shape, boat prow. Brass/bronze in very good co...
Bronze
Antique Art Nouveau Oak Leaves Acorns Bronze Gilt Ormolu Gold Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Oak Leaves Acorns Bronze Gilt Ormolu Gold Letter Opener Continental Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 23.5cm The design of this...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Nature Grape Vine Letter Opener Silvestre Lyon
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Nature Grape Vine Letter Opener Silvestre Lyon France Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 28cm Showcasing the beauty of the Art Nouveau style...
Bronze
Scandinavian Art Nouveau Brass Desk Letter or Napkin Holder
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Swedish hammered brass desk letter or napkin holder, Art Nouveau design, circa early-20th century, Sweden. Piece is hammered brass with an Art Nouveau leaf-design. Marked...
Brass
Antique Letter Opener, Art Nouveau, c. 1910
Located in Greven, DE
Vintage Letter Opener, So beautiful, very nice condition!
Bronze
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Goat Oak Leaves Nature Animal Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Goat Oak Leaves Nature Animal Letter Opener France Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 20cm Designed and made at the turn of the 20th centur...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Art Nouveau Nature Chestnut Leaves Gilt Bronze Gold Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Art Nouveau Nature Chestnut Leaves Gilt Bronze Gold Letter Opener France Bronze c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 23.5cm This nature-inspired letter opener was craf...
Bronze, Ormolu
$220Sale Price|20% Off
French Art Nouveau Silver Plated Nude Lady Letter Opener
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French 1930's Art Nouveau Silver Plated Letter Opener In the Shape of a Nude Lady
Silver Plate
Antique Art Nouveau Brass Butterfly Letter Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau style brass butterfly letter holder.
Brass
French Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener with Floral Scroll Handle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau-style bronze letter opener with a scroll design handle having a floral design
Bronze
19th Century French Art Nouveau Brass and Bone Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, this lovely Brass and bone art nouveau letter opener has a beautiful patina that will give your desk or work space a new sense of sophistic...
Brass
Art Nouveau gilt bronze letter opener, France, circa 1910 E. bernadaud
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Art Nouveau gilt bronze letter opener, France, circa 1910 – attributed to E. Bernaud Description: Elegant and refined letter opener from the Art Nouveau period, made in France aroun...
Bronze
Art nouveau silver letter opener
By Geschutzt
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Artnouveau silver letter opener opens letters with partridge motif Art nouveau style Material silver and vermeil Origin Austria Circa 1900 Perfect condition Sealed behind 900 and Ges...
Bronze
Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor, made by Franz Bergmann Vienna Austria. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displ...
Bronze
French Art Nouveau Bronze Thistle Letter Opener or Paper Knife, Signed
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
An elegant French Art Nouveau letter opener or paper knife, crafted from cast bronze and dating to the early 20th century. The sculptural design features an elongated leaf-shaped bl...
Bronze
Letter Opener in Silver, decorated with a stag’s head from early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Letter Opener in Silver and beech, decorated with a stag’s head. Art Nouveau, from the early 20th Century. Wear consistent with age and use
Silver
$407Sale Price / set|46% Off
Art Nouveau Wine Leaf Dish & Letter Opener in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A naturalistic perceived French pattern from the 1910s this ornate set was made by Gørtler E. Albersen in Denmark during the 1930s or 40s. Both parts are made from solid heavy stock ...
Brass
Capercaillie Mountain Grouse Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A classic early 20th-century Austrian bronze figural letter opener, beautifully cast and finished with a rich, original patina. This highly collectible antique piece exemplifies the ...
Brass, Bronze
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Peacock or Pheasant Bird Desk Letter Mail Holder
Located in New York, NY
A desk letter or mail holder with a peacock or pheasant bird design, in the Art Nouveau design style, circa early to mid-20th century. A desk letter mail holder with beautiful bird d...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Plate Windmill Letter Opener for KLM Airlines
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful sterling silver plate windmill letter opener for KLM Airlines in the Art Nouveau style, circa mid-20th century, Europe, Holland/Neth...
Silver Plate
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Ormolu Dog Motif Letter Opener, Circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian Ormolu dog motif letter opener, Circa 1900, With subtle art nouveau influences, the well cast ormolu letter opener, rests on either side or upright...
Ormolu
Bronze Letter Opener Knife Depicting an Eagle Made by Sculptor Jules Moigniez
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century bronze letter opener knife depicting an eagle made by french animalier sculptor Jules Moigniez By: Jules Moigniez Material: bronze, copper, metal Technique: lost w...
Bronze, Copper, Metal
Art Nouveau Silver Pewter Letter Opener with the Image of a Lady
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and solid silver pewter art nouveau letter opener featuring a lady - a wonderful decorative piece for any desk or work station.
Pewter
Antique Gilt Bronze Letter Opener with Figure of a Dog, circa 1900
Located in Petaluma, CA
We bought a nice collection of letter openers and a few were very special, this is one of them. A nice presentation of an adorable dog moving along on the handle portion of the lette...
Bronze
Art Nouveau Bronze Paper Knife Page Turner With Female Bust By Alexandre Caron
By A. Caron
Located in Norwich, England
An excellent Art Nouveau bronze paper knife page turner, depicting a female bust, and terminating in a blunt tapering point. Alexandre Caron (French, 1857-1932) signed 'A Caron', Le...
Bronze