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In the centre is a "Nénuphars" bed (1905-09, mahogany, gilded bronze), at right an "Orchids" showcase (1903-04; moulded solid mahogany, sculpted mahogany, chiselled and gilded bronze). The walnut lavabo (1898) at left is by François-Rupert Carabin (1862-1952).
Majorelle's "Nénuphars" studio was acclaimed as one of the most attractive creations of Art Nouveau. The furniture, which has a unified tautness of line, is finished with a spare decoration of waterlily fittings. Nénuphar is the name of the Egyptian waterlily. It is an ideal fulfilment of the contemporary yearning for mysterious symbolism. Since ancient times, waterlilies have been associated with divine majesty, immortality, and religion, the symbol of everlasting nature.
If the colour tones and grain of the wood spoke largely for themselves, the ormolu mounts were carefully composed. They contrast in both material and colour with the walnut and exotic woods Majorelle used, and they became his trademark.
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