Q: What is the history of Art Deco?

The history of Art Deco begins in the early 20th century.Art Deco emerged as a global design style around the start of World War I, during the last years of Art Nouveau's popularity. The style conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. Its hallmarks include the use of geometric designs influenced by Cubism. Major discoveries of Egyptian tombs during the era also influenced the movement.The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition, the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in Paris in 1925. After World War II, tastes shifted toward more functional, less ornate modernism, but today, the Art Deco style is still favored for its luxurious sophistication. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of vintage Art Deco furniture.

Question 1

What is the history of Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

The history of Art Deco begins in the early 20th century.

Art Deco emerged as a global design style around the start of World War I, during the last years of Art Nouveau's popularity. The style conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. Its hallmarks include the use of geometric designs influenced by Cubism. Major discoveries of Egyptian tombs during the era also influenced the movement.

The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition, the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in Paris in 1925. After World War II, tastes shifted toward more functional, less ornate modernism, but today, the Art Deco style is still favored for its luxurious sophistication. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of vintage Art Deco furniture.

Question 2

What defines Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

A few things define Art Deco. Date is one factor, as the style emerged in the 1920s and remained popular during the 1930s. Art Deco design usually includes bold geometric lines and forms or intricate repeating floral motifs. Designers working in this style tended to use expensive materials, such as shagreen or marble, as well as exotic woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. Furniture often featured metal accents, mirrored finishes and embellishments made from exotic animal hides and inlays of mother-of-pearl or ivory. Shop a wide range of Art Deco furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is an Art Deco lamp?

Accepted Answer

An Art Deco lamp is any lamp that’s made in the styles of the Art Deco movement, which was dominant in the 1920s and 1930s. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of Art Deco lamps from some of the world’s top sellers.

Question 4

What is art deco ring?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco rings were made during the early 20th century. Named for a design movement that originated at a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925, Art Deco rings are generally quite geometric, symmetrical and incorporate a variety of gemstones — especially sapphires and emeralds. Find a wide variety of Art Deco rings for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 5

When did Art Deco originate?

Accepted Answer

The Art Deco period originated in France. Its name comes from the title of a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925, credited with introducing the style to the world. It was informed by ancient Egypt, Cubism, Futurism, Louis XVI, De Stijl, modernism and the Vienna Secession and went on to influence the Streamline Moderne and mid-century modern movements. Shop a wide range of Art Deco furniture, decorative objects and jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What was Art Deco influenced by?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco was influenced by a number of things. The discovery of ancient tombs around the turn of the century led to a renewed interest in Egyptian furniture and architecture that inspired Art Deco designers. Art Deco was also informed by Cubism, Futurism, Louis XVI style, De Stijl, modernism and the Vienna Secession. Shop a large collection of Art Deco furniture, decorative objects and jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 7

How do I identify Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

To identify Art Deco, look for the characteristics of the period. Furniture produced at the time is generally lacquered metal with a mirror-like glossy finish. Wooden items should be an exotic wood. Most items feature symmetrical designs, and geometric forms were popular motifs during the period. In addition, Art Deco often shows the influence of Hellenistic, Egyptian and Asian designs. Shop a variety of Art Deco furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is an art deco watch?

Accepted Answer

An art deco watch is defined by its geometric case, which is either circular or rectangular. The watch style was highly popular between 1920 and 1950, and is still sought after today. You’ll find a collection of art deco watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs

Question 9

What is art deco jewelry?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco jewelry was popular during the design movement of the 1920s and 30s. Art Deco jewelry is typically characterized by geometric patterns and gemstones of contrasting colors.

Question 10

What was the Art Deco movement?

Accepted Answer

The Art Deco movement was a decorative style popular during the 1920s and ’30s. Few design styles are as universally recognized and appreciated as 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, celebrating society's growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Widely known designers associated with the Art Deco style include Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Eileen Gray, Maurice Dufrêne, Paul Follot and Jules Leleu. The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Art Deco furniture and decorative objects.

Question 11

What is the difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco is that the former is detailed and ornate, and the latter is sharp and geometrical. When the movement started at the end of the 19th century, Art Nouveau was heavily influenced by nature and the curved lines of flowers. Art Deco, which became popular in the beginning of the 20th century, was inspired by the geometric abstraction of cubism.

Question 12

What is the difference between Art Deco and MCM?

Accepted Answer

The difference between Art Deco and mid-century modern (MCM) is that the terms describe two distinct design styles. Art Deco typically refers to pieces produced between the 1920s and 1930s. Furniture produced in this style tends to display bold geometric lines and forms, floral motifs, metal accents, shimmering mirrored finishes and embellishments made from exotic animal hides, inlays of mother-of-pearl or ivory. MCM, or mid-century modern, emerged after World War II. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. Designers working in this style frequently used industrial materials, including steel, fiberglass, molded plywood, and alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak. Explore a wide variety of Art Deco and mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

Was Eileen Gray Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

The answer to whether Eileen Gray's designs were Art Deco depends on which piece you're considering. Gray was ever-evolving as a designer. By the early 1920s, she was creating geometric works that embodied the essence of Art Deco and the nascent modernist design movement. Some pieces, like her Bricks screen, employ the planar forms favored by Gerrit Rietveld and other De Stijl architects of the Netherlands. Others feature the tubular chrome framing used by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who are associated with the mid-century modern design style. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Eileen Gray furniture.

Question 14

What are the main features of Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

The main features of Art Deco are geometry-influenced shapes, bright color schemes and bold patterns. Art Deco architecture and design are both heavily influenced by the Cubism movement, which relied on the use of non-traditional angles and shapes.

Question 15

What are the key features of Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco features bold geometric designs, clean lines and vibrant colors.

Question 16

What is Art Deco style furniture?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco style furniture appeared right before the start of World War I and is defined by sharp lines, vibrant colors and bold patterns. Heavily influenced by geometry, Art Deco furniture was born out of the Cubism movement.

Question 17

How do I identify Art Deco furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Art Deco furniture, first look for maker's markings in inconspicuous areas. Once you've found them, use trusted online resources to research the manufacturer and determine whether they were active during the Art Deco era, which spanned from the 1920s through the 1930s. You can also look for classic characteristics of Art Deco furniture, such as bold geometric lines and forms, intricate floral motifs, metal accents, mirrored finishes and fine materials such as shagreen, marble, mahogany wood, zebra wood, ebony, exotic animal hides, onyx and mother-of-pearl. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can also assist you with making identifications. Shop a collection of Art Deco furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 18

Is Art Deco jewelry valuable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some Art Deco jewelry is valuable. Jewelry from the 1920s and ’30s has remained consistently popular. It experienced a major revival in the 1960s, and even today, jewelry makers continue to be inspired by the period. As a result, demand for Art Deco jewelry is typically high, but the actual value of a piece depends on its style, maker, age and condition. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can help you determine how much your jewelry is worth. Explore a large selection of Art Deco jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 19

What are Art Deco engagement rings?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco engagement rings are accessories that were produced during the 1920s and '30s and are characterized by details associated with the Art Deco style. They're often very colorful and feature bold geometric lines as well as gemstones cut in nontraditional ways. While the style got its name from an arts exhibition in Paris in 1925, Art Deco was inspired by Cubism and a shift from Art Nouveau's floral aesthetic. The modern look of Art Deco engagement rings reflects an evolution in fashion, visual art and more, as well as the sweeping societal changes taking hold at the time. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage Art Deco engagement rings.

Question 20

What are art deco lamps made of?

Accepted Answer

Art deco lamps come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Vintage art deco-style lamps were made of natural materials such as metal, glass and pottery. You’ll find a variety of art deco lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Art Deco Gouache

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Paintings

Witold Gordon Gouache "Park Row Theater - Vanity Fair"

1940s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

E DavisGraphis International Poster, magazine cover design by W. C. Gibbs, 1947

1910s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

George BarbierPierrot et Colombine, 1914

1940s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

E DavisGraphis International Poster December 1947, magazine cover design by E. Davis, 1947

20th Century Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Erte - Romain de TirtoffLe ventriloque by Erté, 1974

20th Century Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Erte - Romain de TirtoffLes sisters by Erté, 1974

1940s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

E DavisGraphis International Poster, magazine cover design c.1940s, 1947

1920s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Eller (Lucien Roudier)Chanteuse Esagmole, 1925

1950s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

ErtéMADELEINE (ORIGINAL GOUCHE), circa 1950s

1950s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

ErtéBEYLA (ORIGINAL GOUCHE), circa 1950s

1940s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Pamela Denyer Crime , c.1945 painting by Pamela Denyer, c.1945

1920s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

ErtéLA PRINCESSE LOINTAINE: LES FEMMES DE MILISSINDE, 1929

1910s Art Deco Landscape Paintings

Wallpaper design, Chinese masks

1950s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Arabian Nights - Guard and Sitting King - Islamic Golden Age - Gustaf Tenggren, 1957

1940s Art Deco Animal Paintings

Antonio PetruccelliAmerican Eagle Fortune Magazine Cover Illustration ( alternate ), 1940

1920s Art Deco Landscape Paintings

Gerald Mac SpinkDorking, Southern Railway

1950s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Tales of the Arabian Nights with Flying Carpet - Random House Gustaf Tenggren, 1957

Early 20th Century Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Antonius Johannes KristiansAntonius Johannes KRISTIANS (1883-1957), "At the Bar", Circa 1920

1650s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Arabian nights The Thousand and One Nights Gustaf Tenggren attrib. Scheherazade, 1957

Early 20th Century Art Deco Landscape Paintings

Projet de papier peint, paysage chinois

1980s Art Deco Figurative Paintings

Michaele VollbrachtFashion Illustration of Elegant woman in Bob Mackie dress perhaps for Cher, 1980 circa

Early 20th Century Art Deco Portrait Paintings

Romain de Tirtoff (Erté)"Les Rois de Legendes #24 Musicien" The Kings Of Legend #24 Musician, Unknown

1930s Art Deco Portrait Paintings

Jaro FabryWoman with a butterfly in her hat. Colliers Magazine Cover, 1938

1940s Art Deco Animal Paintings

Arabian Nights, Sea Monster - The Thousand and One Nights, 1940s

1950s Art Deco Landscape Paintings

alexander leydenfrostFuturist Vision - Mid-Century New York Skyline - Industrial Progress, 1950 circa

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Paintings

"Three Doves, " Art Deco Painting with Surrealistic Edge by Hentschel

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Paintings

"Conversing by the Scented Pool, " Gorgeous Art Deco Chinioserie Painting

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Paintings

"Two Women with Peony Blossom, " Superb Art Deco Painting, circa 1939

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Paintings

"Bacchante, " Bold, Richly-Hued Art Deco Painting in Purples and Blues

1920s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Boris AronsonYiddish Theatre Cubist Costume Design 1924 Deco Color Field Modernism Broadway, 1924

1910s Art Deco Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

ErtéUntitled Fashion Design, 1919, 1919

1920s Art Deco Figurative Prints

Paul AllierLes Quatre Saisons, 1928

20th Century Art Deco Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Erte - Romain de TirtoffConte Hindou En Blanc By Erté, 1922

1930s Art Deco Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

BrownbridgeFletcher gas fires brochure 1937 painted design by Brownbridge, 1937

1920s Art Deco Figurative Prints

Umberto BrunelleschiPhili ou Par le Bien et le Mal, 1921

1920s Art Deco Animal Prints

Eugene Alain SeguyInsectes, 1924

1930s Art Deco Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

BrownbridgeContinental Cookery Radiation cooker brochure design by Brownbridge, 1930s

1910s Art Deco Figurative Prints

George BarbierModes et Manières d Aujourd hui

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Paintings

"Nude with Scimitar, " Fabulous, Sensual Art Deco Painting by Forster, 1929

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Paintings

E Davis
Graphis International Poster, magazine cover design by W. C. Gibbs, 1947

George Barbier
Pierrot et Colombine, 1914

E Davis
Graphis International Poster December 1947, magazine cover design by E. Davis, 1947

Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Le ventriloque by Erté, 1974

Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Les sisters by Erté, 1974

E Davis
Graphis International Poster, magazine cover design c.1940s, 1947

Eller (Lucien Roudier)
Chanteuse Esagmole, 1925

Erté
MADELEINE (ORIGINAL GOUCHE), circa 1950s

Erté
BEYLA (ORIGINAL GOUCHE), circa 1950s

Pamela Denyer
Crime , c.1945 painting by Pamela Denyer, c.1945

Erté
LA PRINCESSE LOINTAINE: LES FEMMES DE MILISSINDE, 1929

Antonio Petruccelli
American Eagle Fortune Magazine Cover Illustration ( alternate ), 1940

Gerald Mac Spink
Dorking, Southern Railway

Antonius Johannes Kristians
Antonius Johannes KRISTIANS (1883-1957), "At the Bar", Circa 1920

Michaele Vollbracht
Fashion Illustration of Elegant woman in Bob Mackie dress perhaps for Cher, 1980 circa

Romain de Tirtoff (Erté)
"Les Rois de Legendes #24 Musicien" The Kings Of Legend #24 Musician, Unknown

Jaro Fabry
Woman with a butterfly in her hat. Colliers Magazine Cover, 1938

alexander leydenfrost
Futurist Vision - Mid-Century New York Skyline - Industrial Progress, 1950 circa

Boris Aronson
Yiddish Theatre Cubist Costume Design 1924 Deco Color Field Modernism Broadway, 1924

Erté
Untitled Fashion Design, 1919, 1919

Paul Allier
Les Quatre Saisons, 1928

Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Conte Hindou En Blanc By Erté, 1922

Brownbridge
Fletcher gas fires brochure 1937 painted design by Brownbridge, 1937

Umberto Brunelleschi
Phili ou Par le Bien et le Mal, 1921

Eugene Alain Seguy
Insectes, 1924

Brownbridge
Continental Cookery Radiation cooker brochure design by Brownbridge, 1930s

George Barbier
Modes et Manières d Aujourd hui

Erté
Geometry (Earrings), 1980s

George Barbier
L Eventail et la Fourrure chez Paquin, 1911

Edouard Garcia Benito
La Dernière Lettre Persane, 1920

Erté
Erte (Roman de Tirtoff) Original Set Design for the Opera Dreams of Vienna

Erté
Clip or Broach (No.18.843), 1980s

Hugó Scheiber
Landscape with Tree and Houses, 1930

Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Cow Boys

Frank Henry Mason
S.S. Arankola in Rangoon, Early 20th Century British Watercolour, 1930

Erté
"Lakme" Decca design

Erté
"Mignon" Decca design

Benjamin Stahl
Classic Car Lincoln Nash Illustration - Automobilia Timeless Aesthetic, 1935