Question 1

What did flappers wear in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1920s, flappers often wore straight, fitted dresses with plunging necklines and knee-length hems. Fringe was a common embellishment used at the time. Flappers also sported pumps and opted for bras and lingerie instead of corsets for undergarments. Shop a variety of vintage clothing on 1stDibs.

Question 2

What do I wear to a 1920s party?

Accepted Answer

To a 1920s party, you can wear a short fringed or beaded flapper dress, layers of long beaded or pearl necklaces, elbow-length gloves and a feathered headband. Another option is to wear an off-white men's suit. Shop a selection of vintage apparel on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What colors were fashionable in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1920s, fashionable colors included jewel tones. Fashion, jewelry, furniture and decorative objects often featured jade green, deep reds, amethyst purple, dusty mustard yellow and peacock blue. Find a range of 1920s-era jewelry and fashion on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What did brides wear in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1920s, brides often wore tubular-shaped slip dresses with a beaded tunic over top. Hemlines usually fell just below the knee or to the ankle, and many gowns had dropped waists. For headwear, brides often showed off veils attached to cloche or flapper-style headbands. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of wedding dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques.

Question 5

What era is 1920s jewelry?

Accepted Answer

What era 1920s jewelry is depends on its design. Most people associate this decade with the Art Deco movement, which took inspiration from eclectic sources like Cubism, ancient Egypt and Native American, African and Asian motifs. However, some pieces produced during the 1920s are more in line with the style trends of earlier periods, such as Art Nouveau, Edwardian and Victorian. Explore a diverse assortment of 1920s jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What was the clothing style in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

The clothing style in the 1920s that most people think of first is the flapper style. Women who dressed in this style sported loose-fitting, short dresses, often outfitted with drop waists and fringe. Small cloche hats and headbands were signature accessories of the flapper look. During the decade, pleated tennis skirts and cardigan sweater sets left the courts and became staples of some women's everyday styles. For men, soft collars replaced stiff, starched ones, and simple single and double-button suit jackets worn without waistcoats became trendy. Trousers also took on a new shape with wider-cut legs, and Oxford bags gained popularity. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1920s apparel and accessories.

Question 7

What are 1920s dresses called?

Accepted Answer

The iconic dresses from the 1920s are called flapper dresses. This name comes from the term flapper, which was used to describe young women during the period who enjoyed personal fulfillment and independence in American cities, particularly as they gained the right to vote and enjoy other freedoms previously reserved for men. Flappers danced at jazz clubs and upended most societal restrictions placed on women at the time, and fashion statements typically attributed to flappers included short “bob” haircuts, higher hemlines and other then-audacious style choices. Find a selection of flapper dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 9

What color were flapper dresses in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

Flapper dresses from the 1920s came in a range of colors, although darker hues such as black and navy were immensely popular. Flapper dresses were cut with straight and slim silhouettes, were typically knee-length and had a lower neckline. They were often made from silk chiffon and featured beaded details. You’ll find a selection of 1920s flapper dresses from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What type of tile was used in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

The type of tile that was used in the 1920s was primarily ceramic. Many shapes were available, including basketweave, penny round, pinwheel, square and subway. Hexagon tiles, however, which are still on trend, have been in use in bathrooms since at least the early 1900s. The choice of hexagonal tiles is believed to have been tied to cleanliness, as the small pieces could stand up to aggressive cleaning and could be easily replaced if needed. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of tiles from some of the world's top sellers.

Question 11

What is an antique Davenport desk?

Accepted Answer

An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 12

What are antique desks called?

Accepted Answer

What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.

Question 13

What did engagement rings look like in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1920s, engagement rings still looked like rings but were representative of a diverse range of styles and influences. Art Deco diamond ring designs took inspiration from the contemporary Cubist movement as well as from ancient Egypt – a revival sparked by the opening of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. Native American, African and Asian motifs also inspired jewelry pieces. Diamonds in square and rectangular shapes incorporating angular steps – like emerald cuts, Asscher cuts and baguettes – were set against black onyx, rubies, sapphires and emeralds to create color-blocking effects. Platinum, 18-karat gold, 14-karat white gold and sterling silver were some of the favored metals of the decade. Find a wide range of Art Deco engagement rings on 1stDibs.

Question 14

Who was considered one of the leading fashion designers in the 1920s and ’30s in Paris?

Accepted Answer

Coco Chanel was considered one of the leading fashion designers in the 1920s and ’30s in Paris. The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel, who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite, who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon, she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric. Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz. In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed. During the 1920s, she also unveiled the predecessor for the 2.55 Flap bag, which remains one of Chanel's most popular offerings. Shop a large selection of Chanel apparel, bags and accessories on 1stDibs.

Question 15

How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.

Question 16

How much is my antique secretary desk worth?

Accepted Answer

An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.

Question 17

How do I know if my antique roll top desk?

Accepted Answer

A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.

Antique 1920S Desk

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

French Bulldog Bronze Desk Paperweight, Austria, 1920´s

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique 1920S Desk

Bronze Mounted Antique French Louis XV Leather Top Bureau Plat Writing Desk

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

French Flambe Glaze 1920s Table Desk Lamp

1920s French Louis XVI Antique 1920S Desk

Embossed Leather French Louis XVI Writing Table Bureau Plat with Trays

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

1920s Mark Cross London Shagreen Desk Box Organizer

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Gilt Bronze Turtle Sculpture / Paperweight, 1920´s

1920s American Edwardian Antique 1920S Desk

Banker s/ Desk Lamp by "Pittsburgh Lamp Co." Reverse Painted Shade, ca. 1920 s

Early 20th Century American Industrial Antique 1920S Desk

1920s Laboratory Light / Desk Lamp by O.C. White (signed)

1920s German Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Vintage Red Bakelite Desk Lamp Table Lamp 1920s Germany

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique 1920S Desk

Art Nouveau Sculptural Small Framed Mirror for Desk Table Display, 1920s

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Charles Schneider / Ranc French Art Deco Eagle Table / Desk Lamp, 1920s

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Rare Art Deco Period Bakelite Desk Thermometer, English circa 1920s

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Daum Large French Art Deco Table or Desk Lamp, 1920s

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique 1920S Desk

A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s

Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Antique 1920S Desk

1920s Bradley Hubbard Brass Harp Desk Lamp

1920s Danish Antique 1920S Desk

Early Just Andersen Desk Lamp, 1920s, Denmark

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

1920s Danish Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Set of Just Andersen Desk Lamps, 1920s, Denmark

1920s Danish Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Set of Just Andersen Desk Lamps, 1920s, Denmark

1920s Danish Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Set of Just Andersen Desk Lamps, 1920s, Denmark

1920s Danish Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Set of Just Andersen Desk Lamps, 1920s, Denmark

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Charles Schneider and Charles Ranc French Art Deco Desk or Table Lamp, 1920s

1920s Dutch Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Dutch Art Deco desk lamp by Daalderop, 1920s

1920s American Antique 1920S Desk

Antique Seated Buddha Desk or Table Lamp, ca. 1920s

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Chrome Table or Desk Lamp all adjustable with Shell Shade, circa 1920s

1920s Danish Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Set of early Just Andersen Desk Lamps, 1920s, Denmark

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique 1920S Desk

Japanese Old Low Table 1860-1920s/Antique Desk Sofa Table Coffee Table Wabisabi

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Articulated Brass Gooseneck Desk Lamp with Decorated Shell Shade, 1920s

Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Antique 1920S Desk

English Chinoiserie 1920s Black and Gold Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Vintage French 1920s Art Deco Cast Iron Frosted Glass Table Desk Light

Early 20th Century German Arts and Crafts Antique 1920S Desk

Rare 1920s Wrought Iron Table or Desk Clock, Stamped Kriegsmaterial on the Back

Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

1920s Art Deco Oak, Macassar, Bronze and Ebonized Elements Mantle or Desk Clock

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Bronze Elephant Bookends Signed G. H. Laurent, France, 1920s

1920s British Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Roman Warrior Car Mascot, Hood Ornament by Darel, ca. 1920s

1920s British Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Art Deco Roman Warrior Car Mascot, Hood Ornament by Darel, ca. 1920s

1920s Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Antique French Art Deco Figural Bronze Girl W Orb Marble Desk Mantel Clock

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk

Fantastic Art Deco Elephant Bookends Signed G. H. Laurent, France, 1920s

1920s French Art Deco Antique 1920S Desk