While its origins date back to the 1920’s, Art Deco really never hit the major markets until the early 1970’s as any kind of a favorite with collectors. Much, but certainly not all of its was produced in the United States by various china, glass, and metal companies. Art Deco stereotypes of angular shapes, geometric patterns and nude figures characterize most pieces. World art collectors probably first became aware of this style as a result of a decorative arts exposition held in Paris in 1925. One of the purposes of the exhibit was to demonstrate that elements of art and industrial techniques could be combined as applied art to make both utilitarian and attractive products. Thus, function and design were “married” in an art form.
Some art historians see Art Deco as a reaction against the Art Nouveau style popular from the 1890’s up to the years just prior to the outbreak of World War I. While the Art Nouveau style is based on romantic images connected by graceful curvilinear lines, it is not regarded as the gaudy ornamentation typically associated with the Victorian period.
Art Deco is considered more of an interpretation of the future based on straight angles and clear lines without superfluous decoration. While France is considered to be the birthplace of Art Deco, Austria, Germany, and the United States contributed to its development. While there is not a general agreement among art historians as to the exact dates, Art Deco has, in recent years, become a recognized age of art, as are its Victorian and Art Nouveau predecessors. In Mary Glasto’s book Collector’s Guide To Art Deco, she states that the term includes a wide range of objects, from fine art to mundane, produced as early as the first decade of the twentieth century, until the beginning of the fifth decade.
Gaston further explains that the style may be characterized by several different design elements, including understated and restrained elegance, sharply angulated geometric lines, futuristic concepts, vivid and contrasting colors, and Jazz and Flapper influences as well as Aztec, African, and Egyptian cultural symbols. Objects have been made of Bakelite, celluloid, chrome, and dark-colored glass.
Many Art Deco objects are very affordable and there are many categories of affordable Art Deco. These include: Bar Ware, including cocktail shakers, soda fountain slezer bottles, and ice buckets; clocks, with elaboral and figural adornments; dress accessories, with beaded bags, combs, compacts, bracelets, dress pins, and necklaces; dresser accessories, with jewel boxes, powder boxes, and perfume bottles; lamp and light fixtures, including boudoir lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces; library accessories, including bookends, calendar holders, and door knockers; smoking accessories, including ashtrays and cigarette boxes; statues, made primarily of porcelain and ceramic materials although some were of copper and bronze; table ware, including candelabras and vases.
Interest in this art form and its many manifestations has increased in recent years. There is a wide variety of materials to collect, ranging from ceramic, glass, ivory, marble, metals, wood, and metal alloys to synthetic materials. Art Deco has been described as chic, clever, elegant, smart, sophisticated, streamlined, and tailored, but also as amusing, flippant, risque, and fun.
Whatever it is for you, may you have great fun collecting it!
Editor’s Note: Dr. Dickson is a college professor and freelance writer who lives in Hickory, North Carolina.