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

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 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

How do I know if my ring is Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

To know if a ring is Art Deco, examine its style. The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. Makers often incorporated geometric motifs in jewelry designs. Materials may also provide a clue about the era of the piece. Platinum, rubies, sapphires and emeralds were some of the most common precious metals and gemstones used at the time. Keep in mind that there are many convincing reproductions of Art Deco rings and other high-quality pieces inspired by originals. As a result, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or expert within the field of antique jewelry design to evaluate the ring. Shop a selection of Art Deco rings on 1stDibs.

Question 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

What are the key features of Art Deco?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

How was Art Deco furniture made?

Accepted Answer

Art Deco furniture was largely made by hand. Crafters often employed exotic hardwood like zebra wood, rosewood and Macassar ebony. Many pieces had a polished Japanese lacquer finish, which gave a high-gloss shine to the wood. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Art Deco furniture.

Question 20

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.

Art Deco Greyhound

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Polbert French Art Deco Terracotta Lady with a Greyhound, 1930s

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Silvered Bronze Greyhound Bookends Georges Gori, France, 1930

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Greyhound Dog Jean Luc 1930 France

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco sculpture two greyhounds signed by Plagnet France 1930.

20th Century Ceramics

Pair of Art Deco Ceramic Greyhounds by Lemanceau

20th Century French Glass

Art Deco Period Rene Lalique Greyhound Car Mascot

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bookends

Art Deco Sculptural Bronze Greyhound Bookends on Nero Marquina Marble Bases

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

French Art Deco Terracotta Sculpture by Polbert, Lady with Greyhound, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

French Art Deco Young Girl Greyhound Sculpture by P.Sega, 1930s

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Greyhound Dog Racing by Charles 1930 France

20th Century Table Lamps

Pair of Art Deco Style Greyhound Metal Table Lamps

Vintage 1930s French Sculptures

French Art Deco Bronze Sculpture "Greyhounds" by "A. Bazzony"

Vintage 1930s Czech Sculptures

Large Art Deco Porcelain of Nude with Racing Greyhounds

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

French Art Deco Terra Cotta Young Woman Greyhound by Pacheco, ca.1930

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Art Deco Sculpture Lady with Greyhound Dogs by Demetre Chiparus, France, 1930

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Art Deco Onyx, Bone Silver Pewter Lady w/ Greyhounds Sculpture, After Chiparus

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Drawings

Antique Art Deco Framed Etching of a Woman Greyhounds Signed Louis Icart 1927

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Two Greyhounds, Whippet Dogs on Marble Base France

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Sculpture Greyhounds Jules Edmond Masson Max Le Verrier France 1930

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Art Deco Plaster Medallion from New Orleans Brothel of a Female Greyhound

20th Century Austrian Art Deco Bookends

Pair of Art Deco Leaping Greyhound Book-Ends in the Manner of Hagenauer‎

20th Century European Animal Sculptures

Pair Life-size Bronze Greyhounds Art Deco Dogs, 20th Century

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Sculpture Greyhounds by Jules Edmond Masson for Max Le Verrier France

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco French Black Bronce Greyhound with a Black Marble Stand, circa 1930

Early 20th Century French Animal Sculptures

Bronze Art Deco Sculpture of a Pair of French Greyhounds

Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Art Deco Bronze and Marble Sculpture of a Woman with Greyhounds Signed S Melani

Mid-20th Century European Bookends

Dog Greyhound Bookends Sculptures on Marble Base Style Art Deco Silvered Bronze

Vintage 1960s French Posters

Original Vintage Art Deco Style Erte Exhibition Poster Ft Lady and Greyhound Dog

20th Century American Art Deco Paintings

Oil on Canvas Greyhound Dog Painting

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Screens and Room Dividers

Karen Kariya Four-Panel Hand-Painted Greyhound Screen

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

20th century French Terracotta GreyHound Statue, 1930s

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Porcelain

Amphora Porcelain Figure of Greyhound/Borzoi Czechoslovakia, 1930-1940s

Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Ceramics

Goldscheider Vienna Lady with Muff and Greyhound Claire Weiss, circa 1937

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

1928 René Lalique Car Mascot Hood Ornament Levrier Greyhound Glass

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Unique French Cire Perdu Bronze of Greyhounds by Irénée Rochard

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures

Demeter Haralamb Chiparus 1886-1947 , "Woman and her Greyhounds", 1920s

2010s French Art Deco Vases

Danillo Curetti Levriers Greyhound Vase Limited Edition from Emaux de Longwy

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Dynamic Bronze Greyhound Sculpture with Vintage Patina on a Portor Marble Base

Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Ceramics

Goldscheider Vienna Lady with Russian Greyhound Dog Model 7367 Claire Weiss 1936

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Deco Sculpture Greyhounds Jules Edmond Masson  Max Le Verrier France 1930

Art Deco Sculpture Greyhounds by Jules Edmond Masson  for Max Le Verrier France

Arthur Sleight
Still Life - Art Deco Flowers Pineapple Greyhound Cup Antique Oil Painting, 1936