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Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

ART NOUVEAU STYLE

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

  • Sinuous, organic and flowing lines
  • Forms that mimic flowers and plant life
  • Decorative inlays and ornate carvings of natural-world motifs such as insects and animals 
  • Use of hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and rosewood

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.

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Style: Art Nouveau
Italian Brass Bar Cart, 1980s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Magnificent Italian brass vintage bar cart. All original parts.The trolley has two shelves, the lower shelf is in golden mirror and the upper shelf is in smoked glass Period: 1980s ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

Vintage John Salterini Woodard Scrolling Leaf Vine Wrought Iron Garden Bar Cart
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage John Salterini Woodard scrolling leaf vine wrought iron garden bar cart. Item features lower mesh tier, leafy scrollwork, 1 glass shelf, very n...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Iron

French Art Nouveau Brutalist Mid Century Scrolling Iron Kitchen Island Bar Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Nouveau style Brutalist mid century scrolling iron and copper kitchen island bar table. Item features (2) hand hammered copper surface...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Copper, Iron

French Art Nouveau Period Iron Planter or Jardiniere, circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This turn of the twentieth century French Art Nouveau period iron planter or jardiniere features a large 23 inch diameter scrolled basket with a removable metal tray platform to supp...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal, Iron

Art Deco Swedish Flame Birch Bar Cart Trolley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco bar cart made of Swedish flame birch. Two-tiered serving cart with wheels and a glass top. Curved shape that complements a variety of...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Birch

Jugendstil Bar Cart in the Style of Adolf Loos, circa 1902, Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil bar cart from stained beech designed and executed, circa 1902 in Vienna. This type of bar cart was used by Adolf Loos for his interiors. It features three nickel-plated sp...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Nickel

Floral Market Cart in Style of Hoffmann, Vienna AT, Early 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
High style welded metal stand from a European floral market. Custom crafted with sculptural shape and unique rivet pattern. Newly fitted half inch clear glass insert makes the interi...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

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Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica Jardinière on Stand, Planter by Jerome Massier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica jardinière on stand, planter by Jerome Massier, circa 1900.
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Early 1900s French Antique Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Wrought Iron Rope Bar Cart Tea Trolley Maitland Smith Attributed
Located in Miami, FL
Wrought iron rope bar cart tea trolley Maitland Smith attributed. Offered for sale is a Maitland Smith attributed wrought iron twisted rope bar cart o...
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Late 20th Century Philippine Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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1900s French Cast Iron Planter
Located in High Point, NC
A cast iron planter from France, made in the 1900s. The campana shape resembled an upturned bell with a fluted cupola and broad lip, reminiscent of an opening blossom. Weathered over...
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20th Century French Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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1900s French Cast Iron Planter
1900s French Cast Iron Planter
H 28.7 in W 15.7 in D 13.2 in
Johannes Andersen Bar Cart/ Serving Trolley in Teak, 1960 Denmark
Located in The Hague, NL
Teak serving trolley by Johannes Andersen, 1960s Danish modern serving cart in teak and cane attributed to Johannes Andersen for CFC Møbler....
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1960s Danish Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
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1950s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Glass, Beech

Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
H 26.78 in W 27.56 in D 17.33 in
Art Deco Ebonized Wood and Glass Moderne Bar Cart or Trolley Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning, sculptural and versatile restored streamlined original Art Deco vintage bar cart or trolley has fluted columns. The oval shaped form and wonderful handle add to the fu...
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1930s American Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Wood

Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart
Located in New York, NY
This versatile cart was designed for use as a bar or serving cart, with an open lower shelf, two drawers for storage and a pull-out tray lined with black glass for serving. Finished ...
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1940s Swedish Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Fir

Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart
Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart
H 26 in W 27.5 in D 15 in
Woodard Chantilly Rose White Wrought Iron Tea or Bar Cart
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a Classic Woodard Chantilly Rose wrought iron tea cart or bar cart, well made and fine quality. Wood, a great American company, furnished th...
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Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Art Nouveau Painted Wrought Iron Botanical Fantasy Ferneries Planter
Located in Sharon, CT
Dramatic piece, retaining it's original painted red flowers, green leaves and black vines. An identical piece is iillustrated in "Fantasy Furniture"...
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Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Wrought Iron

Italian Vintage Bar Cart
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming petite bar cart crafted in Italy. The sleek metal frame retains a great luster that compliments the design. Two tinted glass shelves look wonderful from the side profile, ...
Category

20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

Italian Vintage Bar Cart
Italian Vintage Bar Cart
H 30 in W 26 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Bar Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage dry bar with pair of Mid-Century stools. Simple modern style dry bar featuring wood front with iron frame and foot rail, polished chrome stools with slatted backs and swivel seats. Measures...
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1960s Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Wood

Mid-Century Modern Bar Set
Mid-Century Modern Bar Set
H 40.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Round Bar Cart in White Lacquered Brass and Two Glass Tops, 1980s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1980s Italian serving bar cart. Made of white lacquered brass equipped with two round glass tops and brass wheels for convenient movement. The lacquering shows some signs of we...
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1980s Italian Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
French Art Nouveau Bar Cart
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous French metal bar cart with a silver finish that was hand-crafted in France circa 1900 during the Art Nouveau period. This exquisite t...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

French Art Nouveau Bar Cart
French Art Nouveau Bar Cart
H 27 in W 28.5 in D 18.5 in
Floral Market Cart in Style of Hoffmann, Vienna AT, Early 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
High style welded metal stand from a European floral market. Custom crafted with sculptural shape and unique rivet pattern. Newly fitted half inch clear glass insert makes the interi...
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Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Metal

Unusual Carved Oak Bar Cart from Brittany, France, Early 1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
An unusual beverage table from Brittany, France, this bar cart was designed for the utmost portability, traversing via a pair of 16-inch wooden wheels. ...
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Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Metal

John Salterini Wrought Iron Green Garden Leaf Vine Bar Tea Cart Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
John Salterini Wrought Iron Green Garden Leaf Vine Bar Tea Cart Server. Item features rolling wheels, ornate leaf and vine design, lift out...
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Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Wrought Iron

Art Nouveau Bar Cart, Rolling Cart, Serving Cart, Casters, Storage
Located in Stamford, CT
An Art Nouveau bar cart with open serving area. This rare and stunning Mid-Century Modern style bar cart has large rear wheels and smaller casters...
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Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Glass, Wood

Walnut Art Nouveau Serving Trolley or Bar Cart, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Art Nouveau serving trolley or bar cart. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid walnut frame with original door with brass knob. Original hand-blow...
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Early 1900s Dutch Antique Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Brass

Art Deco Solid Beech, Glass and Silver Austrian Dry Bar Cart Trolley, 1920s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing beech and faceted glass bar cart dry trolley. This wonderful piece was designed during the 1920s in Austria. The elegant cart has a solid beech wood structure, stylish silve...
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1920s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Metal

Graceful Italian Bar Cart
Located in Malibu, CA
Curvaceous Italian two tiered rolling bar cart featuring burled walnut veneers. The height makes it perfect for use as end table. The brass castor allows the cart to move freely arou...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Walnut

Graceful Italian Bar Cart
Graceful Italian Bar Cart
H 27 in W 30 in L 27 in
Copper Drinks Trolley Attributed to Joseph Hoffman '1870-1956'
Located in London, GB
A copper plated and églomisé mirror glass drinks trolley, attributed to Joseph Hoffman (1870-1956). Austria, Circa 1905.  
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Copper

Jugendstil Portois & Fix Wien Mahogany and Brass Bar Cart, circa 1890
Located in Valladolid, ES
Exquisite and stunning piece for collector, is a bar cart by Portois & Fix, Wien, one of the best manufacturers of the Austrian modernism or Jugendstil, architects as Hoffman or Otto...
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1890s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Brass

Viennese Art Nouveau Serving Cart
Located in New York, NY
Viennese Art Nouveau period serving cart in wood, metal and glass, with a removable glass serving tray inserted on the top level and three spoke w...
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Early 1900s Austrian Antique Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Metal, Brass

Viennese Art Nouveau Serving Cart
Viennese Art Nouveau Serving Cart
H 31 in W 45 in D 26 in
Maison Baguès Rare Brass Bar Cart, or Tea Cart circa 1930s
Located in Bellport, NY
A rare find in this beautiful solid brass highly detailed Maison Baguès Bar Cart. The tray removes on the top, the piece is ornate and fine, eve...
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1920s French Vintage Art Nouveau Carts and Bar Carts

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Art Nouveau carts and bar carts for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Art Nouveau carts and bar carts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage carts and bar carts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Art Nouveau carts and bar carts made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original carts and bar carts, popular names associated with this style include and Salterini. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for carts and bar carts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $13,265 while the average work can sell for $1,990.

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