ART NOUVEAU

Art Nouveau (1890 - 1905) was an art movement that peaked at the beginning of the 20th Century. An international movement, style of art and applied art, Art Noueveau, also known as Jugendstil was characterized by organic, floral and other plant inspired motifs, as well as highly detailed curvilinear forms.

Here is an example of Art Nouveau decoration:

Staircase of the Maison and Atelier of Victor Horta. This building is one of four Horta-designed town houses in Brussels that are together recognised by UNESCO as "representing the highest expression of the influential Art Nouveau style in art and architecture." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau)

Having a strong influence throughout Europe, Art Nouveaus fifteen year peak ended in 1905.

Examples of Art Nouveau style patterns:

Although Art Nouveau fell out of favor with the arrival of 20th-century modernist styles, it is seen today as an important bridge between the historicism of Neoclassicism and modernism