Louis-Jean-Sylvestre Majorelle, more commonly known as Louis Majorelle, was a French artist, metalworker and Art Nouveau designer celebrated for his bedroom furniture, cabinets, chairs and decorative objects.
In 1877, Majorelle moved to Paris from the town of Nancy where he began his studies in painting under Jean-François Millet at the École de Beaux Arts. Following the death of his father, a furniture designer, he returned to Nancy and took over the family workshop. Parisian architect Henri Sauvage designed Majorelle’s house in Nancy, Villa Majorelle, which featured stained glass by Jacques Gruber.
In order to increase productivity and reduce costs — as well as shift the family business’s focus from reproductions of 18th-century furniture such as Louis XV chairs to instead working in the era’s Art Nouveau style — Majorelle integrated modern techniques and processes at his atelier (these changes were in part inspired by innovative glassmaker Emile Gallé).
The workshop became known for Majorelle’s distinctive designs and the pronounced craftsmanship of its offerings. There were tables made from mahogany and ormolu that featured handsome bronze mounts and marquetry, table lamps that shared common ground with the prized designs associated with Tiffany Studios, and decorative pieces that Majorelle produced in partnership with Daum, a revered manufacturer of French art glass.
The work was very much characterized by the botanical motifs and curvaceous silhouettes of Art Nouveau design, and the business was successful. Majorelle produced a range of items during the early 1900s and was a participant in the 1900 Paris Exposition as well as the Exposition de l'Ecole de Nancy in 1903.
In 1916, a devastating fire broke out in Majorelle’s factory on the rue du Vieil-Aître in Nancy. It destroyed all of the company’s awards, sketches, molds, equipment and archives of Majorelle’s work. In 1917, destruction again shook his business when his shop on the rue Saint-Georges was bombed by German aircraft. The designer marched on — he relocated to Paris where he shared a workspace and created vases and other vessels in the Art Deco style before he moved back to Nancy. Majorelle designed the Nancy Pavilion at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925 with Alfred Lévy. He died in 1926.
Find antique Louis Majorelle cabinets, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Large Sofa Three Place Convertible Signed Gérard Guermonprez, Period, 20th
By Gerard Guermonprez
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent and large three-seater sofa, convertible, in solid teak and linen and cotton fabrics. The wooden frame has been completely restored, the mattress is new and covered, l...
Teak
Luxury Bench, Designer Théo Eichholtz, 20th Century
By EICHHOLTZ
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
With its black velvet upholstery, this ultra-upholstered seat ensures optimal elegance and seating. Its gilded metal frame, similar to bamboo, reveals a perfect finish. Period: 20th century Dimensions : Height : 73 cm x Length : 68cm x depth : 42cm Fabric : 64% polyester & 36% viscose When founder Theo Eichholtz...
Metal
Harpist Chair Mahogany and Mahogany Veneer, Period: Restoration, 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Magnificent and extremely rare harpist's chair in mahogany and mahogany veneer. Its arched backrest called "cabriolet" is carved with notches and reveals a luminous scalloped decora...
Fabric, Mahogany
Solid Oak Coffee Table - Jacques Adnet - Sellier Stitching Leather - Period: XXt
By Jacques Adnet
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Superb round coffee table in solid oak with four leather upholstered legs with saddle stitching. Period : XXth century Circa : 1950 - 1955 Dimensions : Height : 36cm - Diameter of t...
Oak
Chiffonniere, Writing Table Walnut, Louis XV Style, Period : 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Adorable little writing case in walnut with inlay, Louis XV style. It has four high, slender and curved legs. Its central body is composed of a drawer pull and three rows of drawers under a top tray with wide borders surrounding the back and sides, thus preventing objects from falling out. The pull-out is covered with green felt. Each drawer opens with small round pull knobs. The front and sides are covered with diagonal marquetry. Period: 19th century. Dimensions : Height : 69cm x width : 21 x depth : 21cm. The Louis XV style covers a period from 1725 to 1760, a new and precious style, it is also called Rocaille style because the rocaille remains the preferred ornament, it is also called Rococo style or Pompadour style. The distinction is made during this period between the furniture of apparat and the usual furniture, it is also the great time of the cabinetmakers, of the floral or geometrical marquetries, of the taste for the exoticism and of the arrival of a number of small pieces of furniture related to the need for comfort, like the secretaries, the dusters, the bedside tables, etc. Louis XV furniture is a must in the history of decorative arts! It is referred to as "the moment of perfection of French art". Even today, while furniture is essentially based on straight lines and parallelepipedal volumes, the curved Louis...
Walnut
Mobile Coat Rack in Macassar Ebony and Rosewood Marquetry, Period: Art Déco
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Very beautiful mobile coat rack in Macassar ebony marquetry and rosewood. Four hooks and a glass hat shelf. Period: Art Deco Measures: H: 177 x W: 138cm Macassar ebony is a w...
Ebony, Macassar, Rosewood
Hollywood Regency Day Bed, Copper Chaise
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A Copper, individually chaise is clad in hand-applied Copper metal over a teak and engineered wood structure. The piece combines generous lounge proportions with the warmth of hand-a...
Copper, Sheet Metal
French Designer, Daybed, Mahogany, Burl, Fabric, France, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained mahogany, burl and white fabric daybed designed and produced in France, c. 1930s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Age-approp...
Fabric, Mahogany, Burl
Art Deco Day Bed, Copper-Clad Chaise Longue
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A Copper designed as a chaise longue is clad in hand-applied Copper metal over a teak and engineered wood structure. The piece combines generous lounge proportions with the warmth of...
Copper, Sheet Metal
Luxury Day Bed, Hand-Crafted Copper Lounge
By Paul Mathieu (French), Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
A Copper chaise is clad in hand-applied Copper metal over a teak and engineered wood structure. The piece combines generous lounge proportions with the warmth of hand-applied copper ...
Copper, Sheet Metal
Fine French 1930s Daybed / Sofa Attributed to Lucien Rollin
By Lucien Rollin
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco stained walnut sofa/daybed attributed to Lucien Rollin (frame only). Inside dimensions of mattress/cushion area are 72 5/8" x 27 1/2"
Wood
French Art Deco Bed in Rosewood attributed to Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Rosewood Art Deco bed attributed to Jules Leleu, the bottom part inlaid figuring vegetal and butterfly. Slightly curved lines with bronze accents. Measures: 47".50 height at the he...
Bronze
