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.
Set of 5 Majolica Plates, France, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A beautiful set of five antique French majolica plates, featuring an elegant relief design of vine leaves, grape clusters, and branches. Their rich palette of greens, browns, and cre...
Majolica
French Majolica White Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica white daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900. Diameter / 6 inches.
Ceramic
French Majolica Pansy Plate Jerome Massier, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Pansy plate Jerome Massier Circa 1900.
Ceramic, Faience
Set of 2 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 2 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century Description: This is a set of four majolica plates, crafted in France during the 20th century by the ...
Ceramic
Set of 6 Majolica Oyster Plates – 19th Century – Green and Brown Glazes
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 6 Majolica Oyster Plates – 19th Century – Green and Brown Glazes Description: This is a beautiful set of six oyster plates made in France during the 20th century, in majolica...
Ceramic
Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
French Faience Plate Emile Galle Saint Clement, Circa 1900
By Émile Gallé
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience plate signed Emile Galle Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with cornucopia and flowers, butterfly.
Ceramic
Sarreguemines Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Glazed Earthenware Orchid Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Sarreguemines French Barbotine faïence majolica plate showing a spray of three purple and yellow orchids on a cream colored ground. Raised, dimensional mold work with a shaped r...
Earthenware
Frie Onnaing French Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Asparagus & Shell Plate
By Onnaing
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Barbotine majolica Asparagus plate in the Art Nouveau style, Frie Onnaing, circa 1890-1910. A deep plate with a shaped rim and a scallop shell m...
Earthenware
Frank Lloyd Wright Imperial Hotel Dinnerware, Tokyo — Designed c. 1922
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Noritake
Located in Chicago, IL
Frank Lloyd Wright Imperial Hotel Dinnerware, Tokyo — Designed c. 1922 Porcelain Set of 64 Noritake for the Frank Lloyd Wright Coll...
Porcelain
19th Century French Majolica Asparagus Plate Iris Longchamp
By Longchamp
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th French Majolica Asparagus octogonal plate signed Iris Longchamp. Iris, dragonfly and daisies.
Ceramic
Majolica Flowers & Butterfly Plate Wasmuel Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica flowers and butterfly plate Wasmuel circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Water Lily Pad Plate Villeroy et Boch, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Water Lily Pad or water lilies Plate signed Villeroy et Boch, circa 1900. 7.7 inches diameter.
Ceramic
Set of 4 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Set of 4 French Green Majolica Plates – Sarreguemines Manufacture – 20th Century Description: This is a set of four majolica plates, crafted in France during the 20th century by the...
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Flowers & Butterfly Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica flowers and butterfly plate Wasmuel.
Ceramic
French Majolica Pansy Plate Jerome Massier, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Pansy plate Jerome Massier Circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement.
Ceramic
French Majolica Pink Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica pink daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
19th French Majolica Asparagus Plate Iris Longchamp
By Longchamp
Located in Austin, TX
Rare 19th French Majolica Asparagus octogonal plate signed Iris Longchamp. Iris, dragonfly and yellow daisies.
Ceramic
Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement.
Ceramic
French Majolica Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica daisy plate Orchies unsigned, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Cyclamens Plate Schultz Cilli, circa 1900
By Schütz Cilli
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica cyclamens plate signed Schultz Cilli, circa 1900, Art Nouveau. Diameter / 7.5 inches.
Ceramic
19th Century Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement.
Ceramic
French Pink Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate with two parakeets on a very rare pink background with oranges of Salins, circa 1890.
Majolica
French Majolica Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica daisy plate Orchies unsigned, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Small Majolica Sunflower Plate Villeroy & Boch, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica sunflower plate Villeroy & Boch, circa 1900. Diameter / 6.6 inches.
Ceramic
19th Century Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Flowers & Butterfly Plate Wasmuel
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Majolica flowers and butterfly plate Wasmuel.
Ceramic
Small Majolica Sunflower Plate Villeroy & Boch, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small Majolica sunflower plate Villeroy & Boch, circa 1900. Diameter / 6.6 inches.
Ceramic
French Majolica Orchid Plate Saint Clement, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica orchid plate signed Keller and Guerin saint clement, circa 1900.
Ceramic, Faience
Émile Gallé St Clément Art Nouveau Trompe L'oeil French Asparagus Plate, 1870
By Émile Gallé
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From St. Clément, Luneville and designed by Émile Gallé, a Barbotine square shaped, trompe l’oeil asparagus plate, circa 1870. Five raised asparagus spears are strewn across a bei...
Earthenware
French Majolica White Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica white daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
$1,099Sale Price|35% Off
19th Century Art Nouveau Metal Plate, French Design, 30.5 cm
Located in Barcelona, ES
19th century metal plate, Art Nouveau style. By unknown manufacturer, France. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Ma...
Metal
German Majolica Morning Glory Plate Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
German Majolica plate with morning glory on a blue basket weave and a brown border, circa 1900.
Ceramic, Faience
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate signed Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
French Majolica Pink Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica pink daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.
Faience, Ceramic
French Majolica Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica daisy plate Orchies unsigned, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Octogonal Water Lily Asparagus Plate Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Art Nouveau asparagus plate signed Keller et Guerin Saint Clement, unusual shape. Every important French manufactures produced at the end of the 19th century asparagus and a...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
German Majolica Morning Glory Plate Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
German Majolica plate with morning glory on a blue basket weave and a brown border, circa 1900.
Ceramic, Faience
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate signed Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica
$140 / item
Small German Majolica Iris Plate, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small German Majolica Iris Plate Circa 1900.
Ceramic
$9,950Sale Price / set|20% Off
Magnificent Set of 12 Orchid Presentation Plates, Ornate and Elaborately Gilded
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
One of the prettiest sets of Antique English plates custom, from Royal Doulton. These feature their Classic shaped edge, raised gilding on the sh...
24k Gold
Majolica Palm Leaf Plate Villeroy & Boch, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica palm leaf plate signed Villeroy & Boch, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Signed Royal Vienna Porcelain Portrait Cabinet Plate with Platinum & Raised Gold
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, signed Art Nouveau porcelain cabinet plate. By Royal Vienna. Signed Wagner to the lower right. With a hand painted depiction of Ruth to the center surrounded by a blue & green border richly decorated with platinum, raised gold, & rich gilding. Marked to the reverse with a blue underglaze Royal Vienna beehive...
Porcelain
Majolica Water Lily Asparagus Plate Keller & Guerin Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Art Nouveau asparagus plate unsigned Keller et Guerin Saint Clement Every important French manufactures produced at the end of the 19th century asparagus and artichoke sets...
Majolica
Majolica Plate with Butterfly and Fruits, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica plate with a purple butterfly on the centre surrounded by fruits, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Faience
Asparagus Serving Dish Plate Majolica Art Nouveau Glazed Pottery Ceramic
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau barbotine aspargus serving plate.
Ceramic
Majolica Flowers & Butterfly Plate Wasmuel Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica flowers and butterfly plate Wasmuel circa 1890.
Ceramic
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with a flower.
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Asparagus Plate with Mums Keller & Guerin Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Art Nouveau asparagus plate with mums signed Keller et Guerin Saint Clement. 9 inches diameter. Every important French manufactures produced at the end of the 19th Century a...
Ceramic, Majolica
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Small German Majolica Tulip Plate Circa 1900. Diameter / 6.7 inches.
Ceramic
19th Century Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
Green Majolica Orchid plate Saint Clement.
Ceramic
French Majolica Arum Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica arum plate circa 1900 unsigned. The plate have a metal border.
Ceramic
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Shell Dish Keller & Guerin Saint Clement Circa 1900. Decorated with a flower.
Ceramic, Majolica
$1,327Sale Price|35% Off
19th Century Art Nouveau Metal Plate R.Casas and C.Miró
Located in Barcelona, ES
19th century metal plate, Art Nouveau style. By unknown manufacturer, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mat...
Metal
French Majolica Roses Plate Saint Amand, circa 1890
By Saint Amand
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica roses plate signed Saint Amand, circa 1890. Very rare aqua background. Large size 8.8 inches.
Majolica, Ceramic
Majolica Parakeets Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges signed Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic, Majolica