André Sornay Dressing Table with Large Mirror, circa 1930
About the Item
- Creator:Andre Sornay (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 53.15 in (135 cm)Width: 53.15 in (135 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1930
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1742211394091
Andre Sornay
Although he is among the least known of the like-minded French Art Deco furniture designers of his era, André Sornay introduced innovative fabrication techniques and a unique decorative style to his modernist seating, case pieces and other creations.
Sornay was born in Lyon in 1902, and graduated from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon in 1918. His career as a furniture designer began in 1919 when he was appointed head of his family’s furniture company after his father’s death.
In the early 1920s — inspired by the Bauhaus and De Stijl as well as his friends and fellow French avant-garde designers Francis Jourdain and Pierre Chareau — Sornay shifted the company’s focus from manufacturing period reproductions to creating contemporary designs.
Sornay’s work fused tradition with modernism. He preferred to work with metals, exotic woods such as mahogany and rosewood, rubber and Duco lacquer for a range of cabinets, desks, chairs and mirrors. Sornay’s pieces featured sleek brass drawer pulls and sharply geometric lines, and the distinctive mode that he worked in was known throughout Lyon as “Le Style Sornay.”
Sornay was also recognized for his inventive design methods that were not only decorative but functional. In 1932, he patented the cloudage technique — studding the perimeter of veneered furniture panels with uniform brass nails. Sornay integrated this technique into his wardrobes, side tables and the armchairs he designed, which were frequently defined by clean lines and sharp angles. In the early 1950s, he also patented a technique called the “Tigette,” which allowed for quick and easy assembly or disassembly of modular furniture — a forerunner to IKEA’s flat-packed furniture.
While Sornay isn’t as well known as other European modernists like Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, he attracted modest attention at exhibitions of the day, such as the 1923 Salon d’Automne and the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, the design fair that brought the Art Deco style to the world. He was awarded the bronze medal at Paris’s Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne in 1937.
In the late 1950s, Sornay ceded control of his furniture design company to his children, remaining as an advisor until production ceased in 1999. He died the following year.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage André Sornay case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and tables.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Saint-Ouen, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- André Sornay Pair of Chairs, circa 1930By Andre SornayLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRAndré Sornay pair of chairs, circa 1930. “Certificate of Authenticity” from Thierry Roche, French expert for André Sornay.Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
- André Sornay Armchair, circa 1920By Andre SornayLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRAndré Sornay (1902-2000). Furniture designer from Lyon (France) of the 20th century. He owes his recognition to his modernist vision of the furniture, including in particular, the u...Category
Vintage 1920s French Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany, Upholstery
- André Sornay Secretaire, circa 1930By Andre SornayLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRAndre´ Sornay secretaire, circa 1930 Signed. Restored. Certificate of authenticity from Thierry Roche, French expert for Andre´ Sornay.Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
MaterialsBrass
- Fabulous Andre Sornay Art Deco Canape, circa 1930By Andre SornayLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRAndré Sornay - Sofa André Sornay (1902-2000) Lyonnais creator, who owes his celebrity to his modernist vision of furniture, including the use of nails on his achievements. Asymmet...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Canapes
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- André Sornay Bookcase Art Deco, circa 1935By Andre SornayLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRAndré Sornay bookcase, circa 1935, satin varnich, with inclusion of brass nails. André Sornay (1902-2000) French creator from Lyon, who owes his celebrity to his modernist vision of...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bookcases
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Andre Sornay Seats, circa 1950By Andre SornayLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPair of Andre Sornay seats, circa 1950 (original fabric in perfct condition).Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- 1940s Italian Art Deco Burl and Marble Vanity Dressing Table with Beveled MirrorLocated in Carimate, ComoBeautiful Italian Art Deco mid-century vanity or dressing table with amazing Portoro marble top, a cretaceous golden veined black marble from the region of La Spezia, right north of ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Vanities
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Georgian Regency Mahogany Dressing Table Swing Mirror Toilet with Lions HeadsLocated in Hopewell, NJAntique Georgian Regency inlaid mahogany swing dressing table or toilet mirror with stunning lion head pulls and barley twist mirror supports. This...Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Table Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Mahogany
- Dressing Table and Chair in Macassar Ebony VeneerLocated in Paris, FRBeautiful Art Deco dressing table and its small chair in Macassar ebony veneer by the decorator Claude de Plasse. In the center, a large mirror is surroun...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Mirrors
MaterialsEbony
- Fine French 1930s Silver-Plated Table Mirror by Luc Lanel for ChristofleBy Christofle, Luc LanelLocated in Long Island City, NYLuc Lanel (1893-1965) for Christofle (Gallia collection) - A fine French Art Deco table mirror with a pyramidal base and two poles holding a tilting mirror. Stamped Gallia Bibliog...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Table Mirrors
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Late 19th Century Dutch Marquetry Dressing TableLocated in Asheville, NCBeautiful five-drawer antique Dutch dressing table with inlaid floral marquetry, bevelled mirror with posts and crown, with ball and claw feet.Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Vanities
- Studio Mid-Century Modern Walnut Swivel Vanity Table Mirror with StandLocated in San Jose, CAVintage studio makeup vanity table mirror with stand circa 1960's. This unique pivoting accent mirror is framed in solid walnut wood and is perfect...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Walnut