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 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 9

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 10

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 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.

1970 Art Deco

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Benches

Art Deco Steel and Bronze Bench

Vintage 1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Candlesticks

Pair of Art Deco Candle Holder in Stainless Steel 4 Flammes, Spain, 1970

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Paintings

1970's Art Deco style Oil on Canvas "Angel on my Shoulder" Custom Art Deco Frame

Vintage 1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Candlesticks

Pair art deco candlesticks in stainless steel 3 flames blue stones, Spain 1970

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Art Deco Mirrored French Coffee Table, Circa 1970

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Floor Lamps

Pair of Floor Lamp Art Deco 1970, France

1970s Art Deco Figurative Prints

Édouard DermitButterfly, Art Deco Silkscreen by Edouard Dermit, circa 1970

Vintage 1970s Dutch Art Deco Busts

Rare Sophisticated 1970 Buste in Art Deco Style

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Art Deco Style Baguette Briolet Rubies Diamonds Earrings Box, 1970

Mid-20th Century Turkish Art Deco Turkish Rugs

Art Decò Turkish Rug, 1950-1970

Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Sunburst Mirrors

Art Deco Sun Mirror, 1970, France

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Vases

Large Floral Crystal Glass Centerpiece Shell Bowl by Art Vannes, France, 1970

Vintage 1970s Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces

Wall lighting Art Deco marble pair , Italy 1970

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Wall Mirrors

1970's Gloria Eriksen Frosted Art Mirror With Brass Frame

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéThe Blue Dress, Art Deco signed lithography by Erte, 1979

1970s Art Deco Figurative Prints

ErtéThe Curtain, Art Deco Print by Erte 1977, 1977

1970s Art Deco Figurative Prints

L'Amour - Lithograph after Aubrey Beardsley - 1970, 1970

Mid-20th Century Turkish Art Deco Turkish Rugs

Art Deco Rug Turkish Minimalist Design, 1950-1970

Vintage 1970s Swiss Art Deco Vanity Items

Art Deco Rare Iconic Vintage & Elegant Dunhill Silver Plated Circa 1970s

Vintage 1970s Italian Art Deco Sofas

Breathtaking Art Deco Revival Sofa in Rattan Parquetry, Italy, circa 1970

1970s Art Deco Figurative Prints

L'Amour - Lithograph after Aubrey Beardsley - 1970, 1970

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Floor Lamps

1970's Hollywood Regency Art Deco Brass Floor Lamps - a Pair

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Dining Room Tables

1970's Art Deco Hollywood Regency Brass & Smoked Glass Dining Table

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéPREMIER Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco Portrait, 1975

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéELEGANCE Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco Portrait, 1975

1970s Art Deco Prints and Multiples

Jean Monneret1979 Art Deco poster designed by Monneret fot the 90th des indépendants, 1979

1970s Art Deco Abstract Paintings

Kid Utah"Radio City Music Hall" Art Deco Geometric Painting on Canvas with Gold Diptych, 1973

Vintage 1970s North American Art Deco Paintings

XL 1970's Vintage Art Deco Style Oil Painting on Board " Diana the Huntress"

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Paintings

Vintage Framed Art

1970s Art Deco Landscape Photography

Mitchell FunkThe Empire State Building Art Deco Skyscraper Silhouetted, New York in the 1970s, 1971

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéBON SOIR Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco Portrait, 1975

1970s Abstract Sculptures

Colin Webster WatsonBronze Modernist Biomorphic Sculpture Horse, Stand Colin Webster Watson Art Deco, 1970

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Art Déco Style Cubist Craquelé Polar Bear , L&v Ceram, France, circa 1970

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéTRES CHIC Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration Art Deco Lady Portrait, 1975

1970s Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

David Edward ByrdThe WHO original 1970 TOMMY concept drawing, 1970

1970s Art Deco Figurative Prints

ErtéMelisande from the At the Theatre Suite, Art Deco Lithograph by Erte, 1983

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéZSA ZSA Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco, Black Cape, 1975

1970s Art Deco Portrait Prints

ErtéSet of four Art Deco fashion lithographs: BON SOIR, PREMIER, TRES CHIC, ELEGANCE, 1975

1970s Art Deco Figurative Prints

ErtéThe Letter 'C' from the Alphabet Suite, Art Deco Screenprint by Erte, 1976

Vintage 1970s North American Art Deco Credenzas

Édouard Dermit
Butterfly, Art Deco Silkscreen by Edouard Dermit, circa 1970

Erté
The Blue Dress, Art Deco signed lithography by Erte, 1979

Erté
The Curtain, Art Deco Print by Erte 1977, 1977

Erté
PREMIER Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco Portrait, 1975

Erté
ELEGANCE Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco Portrait, 1975

Jean Monneret
1979 Art Deco poster designed by Monneret fot the 90th des indépendants, 1979

Kid Utah
"Radio City Music Hall" Art Deco Geometric Painting on Canvas with Gold Diptych, 1973

Mitchell Funk
The Empire State Building Art Deco Skyscraper Silhouetted, New York in the 1970s, 1971

Erté
BON SOIR Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco Portrait, 1975

Colin Webster Watson
Bronze Modernist Biomorphic Sculpture Horse, Stand Colin Webster Watson Art Deco, 1970

Erté
TRES CHIC Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration Art Deco Lady Portrait, 1975

David Edward Byrd
The WHO original 1970 TOMMY concept drawing, 1970

Erté
Melisande from the At the Theatre Suite, Art Deco Lithograph by Erte, 1983

Erté
ZSA ZSA Signed Lithograph, 1920's Fashion Illustration, Art Deco, Black Cape, 1975

Erté
Set of four Art Deco fashion lithographs: BON SOIR, PREMIER, TRES CHIC, ELEGANCE, 1975

Erté
The Letter 'C' from the Alphabet Suite, Art Deco Screenprint by Erte, 1976

Erté
The Letter 'Y' from the Alphabet Suite, Art Deco Screenprint by Erte, 1976

Erté
The Letter 'C' from the Alphabet Suite, Signed Art Deco Screenprint by Erte, 1976

Erté
Costume Design - Gouache by Erté - 1970, 1970

Erté
Costume Design - Gouache by Erté - 1970, 1970