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.
French Bronze Marble Patisserie Pastry Shelf Display Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A handsome early 20th century French Art Nouveau period bistro tabletop Patisserie Pastry Shelf Display Stand, baker's rack, or étagère in patinated bronze, glass and marble. The Par...
Marble, Bronze
$7,007
Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau carved wall cabinet in excellent original condition.
Wood
Etagère Art Nouveau en hêtre teinté circa 1900 ouvrant à 3 tiroirs
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Etagère Art Nouveau en hêtre teinté circa 1900 s'ouvre avec 3 tiroirs 2 boutons cassés patine à refaire
Beech
Austrian Wiener Werkstätte Bookcase/ Shelf /Bakers Rack/ Display Stand
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
A three shelf Jugendstil bookcase / etagere / bakers rack, two tone in stained and polished beechwood with decorative openwork side panels extendin...
Beech
Antique Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet Mahogany 1890 Japanse Gabriel Vierdot Style
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous Antique mahogany wall cabinet etagere wall shelf display rack Japanese Chinese woodCarved 1890 1900 art nouveau rare Gabriel Viardot style ...
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Corner Etagere with Drawer
Located in Miami, FL
An early 20th century two-tier Art Nouveau corner shelf with one drawer
Wood
Rare Art Nouveau Wall Shelf by Eugene Gaillard France 1900 Jugendstil Walnut
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & most rare! This French Art Nouveau wall shelf designed by art nouveau grandmaster Eugene Gaillard circa 1900. Superb organic design...
Fruitwood, Walnut
What-Not Shelf attributed to Lorenz Frølich, Denmark, C. 1895
Located in Valby, 84
What-Not Shelf attributed to Lorenz Frølich, Denmark, ca. 1895 Of open rectangular form in pitch pine, fitted with eight graduated shelves supported by four square-section uprights ...
Pine
C19th tiered bleached oak book shelves
Located in London, GB
C19TH french tiered bleached oak console/bookshelf Versatile this useful piece with turned supports would also work well as a room divider.
Oak
Rare Jugendstil or Art Nouveau Etagere Table / Stand with Glass Display Cabinet
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and practical Art Nouveau table with built-in display cabinet. This multi-layer and multipurpose piece of Art Nouveau furniture is a great example of the creative and elegan...
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Metal and Glass Patisserie Display Stand
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exceptional early 20th-century freestanding display stand in metal and glass, originally used in a historic Modernista pastry shop. The piece features a highly sculptural metal fram...
Metal
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Metal and Glass Patisserie Display Shelf
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spectacular early 20th-century metal and glass display shelving unit, originally used in a historic Modernista pastry shop. The piece features two sculptural freestanding metal supp...
Metal
Pair of Art Nouveau Wooden Hand-Painted Floral Shelves, Germany, 1910
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of Art Nouveau wooden hand-painted floral shelves, Germany, 1910. A beautiful pair of antique Art Nouveau period wooden shelves/consoles with hand-painted floral decors. These ...
Wood, Paint
6 Pre-raphaelite Portraits Mounted in an Oak Shelf
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
6 Pre-raphaelite Portraits Mounted in an Oak Shelf 6 charming 19th century ladies from original post cards set in to an unusual mount The shelf is 9.5” high, 32” long and 3” deep D...
Oak
Art Nouveau Sellette by Gaillard
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau walnut wood sellette by Eugène Gaillard. The sellette has three shelves. The middle shelf extends beyond the carved, curving legs in two directions. It is suppor...
Bronze
Viennese Secession Shelf Gebrüder Thonet Nr. 58, circa 1906
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet Company. In the production program was included in the year 1906. Newly restored.
Beech, Bentwood
Viennese Secession Shelf Gebrüder Thonet Nr.59, circa 1907
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company. In the production program was included in the year 1907. Newly restored.
Beech, Bentwood
19th Century Carlo Bugatti Antique Wall Shelf, Copper & Walnut, Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare Bugatti wall shelf in remarkable condition.
Copper, Pewter
Liberty's London Art Nouveau Handles Antique Revolving Book Case Table Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exhibition quality Liberty's London style English Mahogany, circa 1880 revolving bookcase table with serpentine top and very rare small drawer section A good looking and well made piece, this is the first one I have seen with the small drawer section inside, it also has Liberty's London Art Nouveau handles...
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Ironmongers Shelves Circa 1910
Located in Gloucester, GB
Early 20th Century Ironmongers Shelves Circa 1910 - Solid Pine and Larch frame - Brass card label holders - Salvaged from an ironmongers in the Saarland of Germany, the shop was ori...
Pine
Unique Art Nouveau / Jugendstil Oakwood Open Shelf Etagere, Sideboard, Buffet
Located in Lisse, NL
Pure Art Nouveau and good size, three shelf side table. This early and good size, Arts & Crafts period sideboard with its stunning design makes...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Ironmongers Shelves Circa 1910
Located in Gloucester, GB
Early 20th Century Ironmongers Shelves Circa 1910 - Solid Pine and Larch frame - Brass card label holders - Salvaged from an ironmongers in the Saarland of Germany, the shop was ori...
Pine
19th Century Corner Shelf, in Solid Walnut Hand-Carved, Restored Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century corner shelf, in solid walnut hand-carved, restored and wax finished Measure in cm: H 62 x W 42 x D Ang. 29 x 29.
Walnut
Early 20th Century Small Tyrolean Wall Shelf, Art Nouveau, in Hand Carved Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century small Tyrolean shelf, art nouveau, in hand-carved walnut, restored and wax polished.
Walnut
$2,068Sale Price|23% Off
Art Nouveau High Desk / Shelf / Lectern Made of Pine Wood
Located in Darmstadt, DE
High lectern / high desk / pine shelf from the Art Nouveau period. The upper shelf can be folded up and there is storage space underneath. In very good restored condition.
Pine
Center shelving unit – France 1920
Located in Girona, Girona
Center shelving unit, wrought iron and three metal plates with drypoint engraving in three levels. One drawer and three sandblast glasses, solid brass handles. France c. 1920
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Bookcase Étagère by Fratelli Mora Milano in Walnut Wax-Polish
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Nouveau bookcase étagère by Fratelli Mora Milano in walnut restored and polished to wax, 1880-1900s Measures in cm: H 128 x W 100 x D 43/33.
Walnut
19th Century antique Original Art Nouveau Commode Walnut veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood with walnut veneer. High-rectangular body with a drawer and a door. Marble-top. A good historical condition with a beautiful warm patina.
Walnut
$3,488Sale Price|24% Off
H 76 in W 31 in D 17 in
Superb Antique English Marquetry Inlaid Art Nouveau Mahogany Corner Cabinet
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceptional antique English marquetry inlaid late 19th century Art Nouveau mahogany corner cabinet with wonderful stylized inlays of the Arts & Crafts / Art Nouveau period. Original ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$2,277
H 86.62 in W 47.25 in D 13.78 in
20th Century, Vitrine with Fine Inlay in the Dutch Baroque Style Mahogany Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Light mahogany and maple on solid wood. Very rich, Baroque inlaid work. High-corpuscular body. On balustrade-shaped legs connected with an X-shaped ridge. Above two-wise frame base with profiled cover plate. Three-sided sprout-glazed, single-door display case. Interior shelves, wall covered...
Mahogany
Etagère murale brutaliste en orme massif, années 1950
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Etagère design brutaliste en orme massif, années 1950, dans le goût d'Olavi Hanninen ou encore de Aranjou. Elégant assemblage par système de goupilles. Bon état vintage : quelques ma...
Wood
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
$238
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$9,050
H 37 in W 47.2 in D 22.5 in
Unique Art Nouveau / Jugendstil Oakwood Open Shelf Etagere, Sideboard, Buffet
Located in Lisse, NL
Pure Art Nouveau and good size, three shelf side table. This early and good size, Arts & Crafts period sideboard with its stunning design makes...
Bronze
$4,800
H 72 in W 82 in D 16.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Wall Unit with Shelves & Cabinets with Desk in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Scandinavian wall unit circa 1960's. It features teak wood finish with a drop down center desk. The unit is totally modular and can arra...
Teak
$11,088
H 24.02 in W 48.04 in D 6.7 in
Rare Art Nouveau Wall Shelf by Eugene Gaillard France 1900 Jugendstil Walnut
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & most rare! This French Art Nouveau wall shelf designed by art nouveau grandmaster Eugene Gaillard circa 1900. Superb organic design...
Fruitwood, Walnut
$4,764 / set
H 58.67 in W 34.65 in D 12.41 in
Antique Pair of William Baker Co Hardwood Satinwood & Walnut Legal Bookcases
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of very rare original William Baker & Co Ltd “The Oxford” legal Library stacking bookcases This are pretty much the finest pair o...
Satinwood, Walnut
Bauhaus Kitchen Wall Cabinet with Glass Bar 1930s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
This small wall cabinet is a kitchen cabinet from the early 1930s. The cream white softwood wall cabinet features a spacious interior with two bakel...
Metal
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 68.5 in W 33.5 in D 15 in
ONE AVAILABLE. Display Shelf in Red Tubular Enameled Steel with 3/8 Inch Glass
Located in Kansas City, MO
ONE AVAILABLE. Storage shelf with 3/8 inch polished edge glass and red enameled tubular frames. Very good condition. Price is for one. These would work well in any mid century, post...
Glass
$3,200Sale Price|66% Off
H 89.5 in W 48 in D 13 in
Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Billy Baldwin Style Metal & Brass Etagere Book Shelves, 20th Century This etagere, crafted from metal, brass and faux leather shelves, showcases a minimalist yet elegant design. ...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 28.15 in W 29.93 in D 7.09 in
Wall Iroko Wood Shelves Beveled Mirror & Marquetry Art Nouveau Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Iroko and wood mural shelves of the Art Nouveau period with a balustrade, columns drawers and niche. Very fine details: you can observe the elaborate balustrade and the marquetry in...
Brass
Art Noveau Brass Overhead Train Baggage Rack Shelf C1875
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic, simple and elegant baggage rack shelf in brass from the Art Noveau period (1870-1890) Aged to perfection and in excellent antique condition with minimal wear, a soft pati...
Brass
Viennese Etagere Shelf Thonet Nr.41, circa 1904
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet Company. In the production program was included in the year 1904. Newly restored.
Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 41.54 in W 13.39 in D 11.11 in
Art Nouveau / Jugendstil Etagere, Ebonized Wood, Brass, Austria circa 1910
Located in Regensburg, DE
Rare small Jugendstil / Art Nouveau etagere or shelf from Austria around 1900-1920. Multiple columns and 4 boards/levels. Ebonized (black polished) beech wood. Brass bases, capitals ...
Brass
Sold
H 33.08 in W 22.84 in D 7.88 in
Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Wall Étagère No 51, Book Shelf, Mahogany stained, 1903
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegantly shaped etagere with four large storage levels, the straight uprights slightly flared in the lowest area, decorative, openwork struts in the form of repeating stylized conta...
Beech
Sold
H 21.66 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in
Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Newspaper Rack, designed by Otto Prutscher, ca 1915
By Otto Prutscher, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Art Nouveau magazine holder, or music stand, on outwardly curved feet with inset wooden panels. High-quality handcrafted furniture with decorative bentwood elements that comb...
Beech
Sold
H 6.3 in W 15.56 in D 4.73 in
A small Wall Shelf with gilded decorations. Art Nouveau, early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A small and beautiful Wall Shelf in stained beech with gilded decorations. Period Art Nouveau from the early 20th Century. The lower part and the side of the shelf in polished beech,...
Gold Plate, Brass
19th Century French Hanging Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hanging wall shelf from France. The shelf is made from cherry and rosewood. There are four shelves, all made from rosewood, joined by hand turned cherry shelf...
Cherry, Rosewood
Art Nouveau Corner Shelf with Painted Flowers, French, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique Art Nouveau shelf with two Painted Flower Massive poplar, made circa 1920. Corner shelf. Shipping: P 24.5 / L 24.5 / H 44.
Poplar
Sold
H 43.31 in W 26.58 in D 18.12 in
Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Étagère No 31 Book Shelf, Mahogany Stained, circa 1900
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegantly shaped etagere with four large storage levels, the straight uprights slightly flared in the lowest area, decorative, openwork struts in the form of repeating stylized containers on the sides, a circumferential rail attached to the top level serves as a border to the sides and to the rear. Beautifully designed, handcrafted furniture with bentwood elements, beech, stained mahogany, shellac hand-polished. Manufactured by Thonet Brothers...
Beech
Sold
H 48.82 in W 48.23 in D 12.6 in
RARE ANTIQUE HEAVILY CARVED ART NOUVEAU DWARF OPEN BOOKCASE CARVED SERPENTs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this really quite stunning Antique circa 1860-1880 Art Nouveau style bookcase which is wonderfully curved to the ...
Oak
Sold
H 96 in W 80 in D 19.25 in
19th Century French Wrought Iron and Brass Baker's Rack Signed Paris, France
Located in Dallas, TX
Display your Majolica collection, cooking books, glass ware or other accessories on this elegant antique Parisian "Boulangerie" rack. Crafted in Paris ci...
Brass, Bronze, Wrought Iron