Art Deco remains one of the most sought-after styles of furniture from the past that is available for those who collect and are looking for an interesting centerpiece to decorate their homes.
What exactly is Art Deco?
Art Deco design dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. It was born out of the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and the early 20th Century and then was the most popular fashion of the time. The term Art Deco comes from a French expression that means decorative art. However, it wasn’t invented to define the style of the time until the 1960s.
Easy to recognize by clear and bold geometric shapes and vivid colours, Art Deco design was extensively used in fashion, architecture transportation furniture design, as well as household objects such as lamps and lamp stands. Art Deco brings to mind the 20s’ roar which was the time of prohibition and speakeasies Jazz at Paris and Berlin nightclubs for cabaret prior to that Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression of the early 1930s. Alongside Art Nouveau, Art Deco has a lot in common with Modernism and Bauhaus but has enough distinct characteristics to stand out from other pieces of the past.
The characteristics from Art Deco Furniture
Art Deco furniture such as an Art Deco desk is crafted using exotic woods like ebony, rosewood and zebrawood, with inlays of different kinds of wood. The furniture is completed with Japanese lacquer for smooth, glossy appearance and feel. Decorated with geometric patterns like stars, sunshine rays straight-edged floral patterns and zigzags. Additionally, inlays made of the mother of pearl or ivory are often added to give a more decorative enhancement to dressers, sideboards as well as dining table.
Animal hides as well as stainless steel, serpent skin upholstery, and lacquered or veneered wood are all part that are characteristic of Art Deco era seating, especially armchairs and lounges.
The majority of Art Deco furniture pieces were not designed for mass production, however, visually, this style focuses on machines, simplicity contemporary design, geometrical and harmony. One of the principals of this Art Deco movement was that the practicality of the piece could not be a substitute for its beauty and aesthetics. This was among the main reasons that expensive and expensive materials like crystal, ivory, and gold were widely used.
Art Deco Objects
The Art Deco movement was as popular in everyday objects as it was in furniture of the time. For instance, Bakelite became the first synthetic plastic, and it gained a lot of attention in the 1920s and 30s as the main material used in the manufacture of Bakelite radios. The widespread use of synthetic plastics did not immediately result in a change in the design. Bakelite radios remain extremely collectible for those who want a real Gatsby-era Americana The geometric patterns, snakeskin patterns lines and symmetry making up the foundation of designs for radios.
Similar to the furniture, even though the Bakelite material was a guarantee that it was robust, durable, and resistant to scratches it was also beautiful and elegant. of the pieces remained above their functionality. This is also true for timepieces made during those of the Art Deco era, where clock faces are encased in exquisite, lavish pieces that attract the attention of much more than what the need to keep track of time would need. Other items, like lamps, mirrors, vases and book end, and other objects that aren’t functional, such as sculptures and figurines, are still reminiscent of the past, with a sense that was Art Deco wealth, luxury and extravagantness.
Art Deco also tips into tableware using crystal decanters of cognac and wine mixed with exquisite glassware and crockery that blends the finest design patterns of the time, typically made of silver or gold.
The enduring Appeal of Art Deco
What is the reason why Art Deco continue to appeal 100 years later? Some say it’s because it’s a depiction of a simpler, more contemporary, more chic and more civilised time that was more at ease in the present. The depictions of the time in film and literature where everyone was doing in the Charleston at mirror lined ballrooms and drinking highballs with highly sequinsued attires, have proven appealing to a lot of.
Additionally, Art Deco furniture has the ability to match furniture from different time periods. It is a great match for more modern and older pieces from the latter 20th Century. It is a striking focal point in minimalist environments and more busy, more minimalist spaces. It is simple to mix and match with different styles without detracting from the visual impact. This is as it is able to bridge the gap between earlier, more traditional designs as well as later 20th Century pieces.
The amalgamation of post-World Wars Chaos and disorder was a reflection of the times when the world was in transition through the aftermath of the war and changing economic landscapes throughout Europe as well as America. In this context there are those who believe it is Art Deco is a style that is revived following a period of change as well as uncertainty and chaos, as it offers reassurance, security and promises of better times to come.
The value of Art Deco
Although they’re young, compared to many of the eras of antique and vintage furniture there are many unique Art Deco pieces are expensive and hold their value for quite a while. The reason is that the pieces are constructed with solid and sturdy materials that don’t quickly wear off, which means that every item that is available for sale is sure to be in great quality. Furthermore, this kind of quality ensures that each piece can be utilized to its fullest. It’s not necessary to keep it solely for show.
Every Art Deco chair can be used to sit and read a book. A complete set of dining chairs and tables will be capable of being used all day, not just for occasions. The durability of chests of drawers, as well as cabinets can be utilized regularly and can add a dash of elegance to any room.
It’s not difficult to locate Bakelite radios that are in perfect operational condition as well as Art Deco clocks. While there are other furniture and items of the time that aren’t as useful but the value of these items is extremely low because of the top-quality craftsmanship, the flexibility that allows Art Deco to work with other pieces from the period, and the continuous demand for pieces from the 1920s and the 1930s.
In the end, using and re-using Art Deco pieces significantly reduces the carbon footprint of a home. It also reduces the demand for new furniture, the majority of which comes from non-sustainable sources like plastics and the volume of transportation needed to transport new furniture around the world. Also, in addition to offering an excellent value the look of Art Deco pieces for your home also benefits the environment.