Maxim's Art Nouveau "Collection 1900"

Maxim's Art Nouveau "Collection 1900", also known as the Musée Art Nouveau - Maxim's, is a private collection of Art Nouveau objects and decor, located in the 8th arrondissement above Maxim's Paris restaurant at 3, Rue Royale, Paris, France. It is open for guided tours in afternoons except Monday and Tuesday; an admission fee is charged.

Pierre Cardin owner since 1981 of Maxim’s restaurant, a symbol for Art Nouveau, has collected over 60 years the most characteristic masterworks from the Belle Epoch. More than 550 pieces from all over the world, signed by the most prestigious creators such as Majorelle, Tiffany, Gallé, Massier… are finally available to the public. Pierre Cardin has recreated the apartment of a celebrated courtesan on three floors of his building which is now classed historic monument. It’s partly because of its ladies that Maxim’s is now a part of Paris’ history — Princes, Kings, Dukes, Ministers and the creme of international high society frequented the restaurant at the height of its glory. Discover the legendary courtesan’s world of the ‘Belle Epoch’ as it was lived in their ‘love chambers’ which have now been recreated on the 4th floor of Maxim’s. This exceptional collection is presented as it was in 1900 in a 12 room Parisian apartment furnished with the most beautiful creations from the 1900s signed by Majorelle, Tiffany, Toulouse-Lautrec.... The Parlor Art Nouveau was a passion for these celebrated courtesans and they asked their many male admirers to offer them the most beautiful furniture from all over Europe. A sofa inspired by Gaudi, glittering china from the Riviera, a serving table with precious woodwork by Majorelle, everything was done to seduce. Cocteau said of these courtesans : ‘It was a cluster of lace, velvet, satin, ribbon, diamonds, rubies, pearls… who ever undressed one of these ladies took on a job that needed three weeks advance notice - like moving house’. Selected works : Majorelle Furniture – Flowerpot cover.

Furniture by Majorelle : This piece which can be leaned upon is combined from a music stand and a cart with floral and vegetal woodwork suggesting a tree filled landscape. Majorelle realised several examples of this piece of furniture which is both light and decorative, and perfectly adapted to the refined taste of the clientele who were enamoured by its modern lines as well as the refined motifs. Flowerpot cover: Magnificent Eglantine that forms a flowerpot cover. This piece, at the heart of Art Nouveau, is signed by Massier. The realistic vegetal inspiration makes it a center piece destined to crown the centre of a table or a parlor. The Vallauris china factory specialised in the Massier brothers production of brightly colored works that were ‘snatched up’ by the fashionable elite of the Côte D’Azur around 1900. Note : The oblique perspective of the petals, made to enhance the floral content of the piece.

The Bedroom The Bedroom, is the creme of the creme for our ladies of the Rue Royale. The bed by Majorelle flows with iris’ and lilies, translucid lamps by Tiffany, evanescent bisque by Karlsbad, it is here that the courtesans added the final touches to the weapons of their beauty : coiffeur, make-up, dresses, hats and jewellery. Liane de Pougy, Émilienne d’Alençon, Lina Cavalliri or the famous Belle Otéro, each of them made up the dream world at Maxim’s. Selected works : Column.

See also

• Maxim's Paris
• Pierre Cardin
• List of museums in Paris

References

• [1]
• [2]
• [3]
• Cahier de Paris entry