art nouveau

A period and/or style of decoration which first appeared in England in the 1880’s and spread throughout Europe, particularly Belgium, France and Germany, in the early 1890s. It survived for 20 years, reflecting a return to nature and to the values of good workmanship. The characteristics of Art Nouveau were drawn from nature and featured plants and flowers in sinuous curves and convolutions.

Antiques From Our Gallery

Item No. 1218 French, Art Nouveau period canape and chaise (side chair) In solid, carved giltwood. Having original gilding, upholstery, and fabric. Circa 1890, from the workshop of Louis Majorelle. Louis Majorelle (1859-1926) was a French cabinetmaker and decorator in the Art Nouveau movement of the Nancy School, where he served as vice-president. Started in the 1890s, Majorelle's furniture production was embellished by interlacing and took its inspiration from nature: plants, water lilies, thistles, and dragonflies. Majorelle is an internationally recognized figure of the Nancy School. 53¼" wide (canape) by 27½" deep by 44½" high (both, at the back)

Item No. 1213 French, Art Nouveau period petit deux corps In solid, carved walnut inset with elm burl panels. From L'ecole de Nancy. Circa 1900. 81½" high by 42¾" wide by 20½" deep

Item No. 1185 Exceptional, Venetian, Rococo period, Lacca Povera commode scriban The rectangular top above the slant-front, opening to a writing surface with a central pigeonhole flanked by four short drawers, above the serpentine-fronted body with two long drawers, the paneled sides, raised on cabriole legs. Lacca Povera (also known as "Lacca Contrafatta") was a form of art originating in Venice incorporating decoupage (the cutting out of figural or natural forms), which are adhered to a solid surface, painted and hand-engraved, and then covered with a layer of layer of lacquer. Mid-18th century. 50" wide by 43" high by 22¾" deep

Item No. 1183 French, Art Nouveau period encoignure (corner cabinet) In solid, carved walnut inset with embossed leather panels. The central, conforming door opening to reveal three interior shelves. Ecole De Nancy, circa 1900.

Item No. 1174 Exceptional, French, Art Nouveau period bureau plat In solid, carved walnut; with five conforming drawers; have writing surface inset with decorative, gilt-embossed leather blotter, each side with tirets (additional pull out writing surfaces), the whole delicately sculpted with flowers and other vegetation and resting upon four slightly cabriole legs. Circa: 1890, L'ecole de Nancy.

Item No. 1160 French, Art Nouveau period, giltwood and composition mirror With original beveled glass. Circa 1890. 66" high by 42½" wide

Item No. 1131 French, Art Nouveau period fire fender In hand-forged wrought iron and brass, in the form of a butterfly, adorned with roses and leaves. Could also function as an umbrella stand ("porte parapluie"). Early 20th century.

Item No. 1106 Ancient Canosan volute krater of large dimension Painted with a warrior mounted upon a horse, the handles tightly curled to resemble the volutes on Ionic columns. The colors used in art of this period inspired the painted frescoes of Pompeii two centuries later. From Apulia, circa 320 BC (now Italy, but then Greece). 21" high by 12" wide by 10" deep

Item No. 926 Set of Eight French, Art Nouveau period tall-back dining chairs In solid, carved walnut in the manner of Louis Majorelle with carved floral crest, V-shaped upholstered backsplat, and seat in red leather with brass tacks. Shaped legs with conforming floral decoration. Circa 1900. 40½" tall (at back) by 18" wide

Item No. 356 Art Deco chandelier Bronze d'ore and crystal with garlands. Early 20th century. 45" high, 25" diameter

Item No. 404 French, Art Nouveau, bronze d'ore chandelier With frosted glass iris globes. Late 19th century. 45" high by 25" diameter