Art deco: An Understanding

I have written many articles in the past. Thought I would share this one with you to help you understand the Era that has had a profound impact on all of our lives. Enjoy!

Art Deco

During the period between the two World Wars, an eclectic design style developed that later became known as Art Deco. The name was derived from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes, held in Paris, which celebrated living in the modern world. Today, "Art Deco" is used to refer to a mix of styles from the 1920s and 1930s.The Art Deco era was one of contradictions. Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Art Deco style infused the everyday world with an elegant style of cool sophistication. Singers and songwriters entertained audiences through the new medium of radio, and Hollywood musicals offered the hope of better times and a temporary escape from daily troubles. Travel was in the news with ocean liners racing the Atlantic and trains crossing continents, as speed became a metaphor for modern times.

What characterizes Art Deco design? The architecture and applied arts of the period reveal a varied mix. However, most share the hallmarks of geometry and simplicity, often combined with vibrant colors and simple shapes that celebrate the rise of commerce and technology. From luxurious objects made from exotic materials to mass produced, streamlined items available to a growing middle class, the world of Art Deco represents a "graciousness of form" from a simpler time. The Empire State Building, finished in 1931-32, ended the era of Art Deco skyscrapers. The building's tiered structure, reminiscent of the Egyptian and Aztec pyramids, reflects the popular skyscraper style of the period. The building is topped with a mast for mooring dirigibles, (An Airship or Blimp like the Zeppelin or Hindenberg) an expression of the machine age and its focus on transportation.

Interior Design during the Art Deco era reflected a unified approach. Indeed, the line between Art Deco interior design and industrial design is often difficult to distinguish, with many of the era's top industrial designers and architects often designing interiors as well. Many of the furnishings incorporate industrial materials such as glass and metal and were designed to create a cohesive environment reminiscent of a fine-tuned machine.Industrial Design made a name for itself during the Art Deco era. During the 1930s, industrial design consultants were commissioned by manufacturing companies to produce a variety of goods. Influenced by efforts to develop a more aerodynamic automobile, industrial designers adopted streamlining for a number of objects. Made from the latest materials, such as plastics, chrome and aluminum, domestic goods had a modern, high-speed look and were available to everyone due to mass production.

The popularity of Art Deco has seen a resurgence in the last ten years and it is predicted to continue to attract an even larger following. Collectors from every walk of life are seeking the "Art Deco" look and are paying premium prices to acquire the pieces of their dreams. There appears to be a new "old" movement. Investors are encouraged to take a serious look at this genre of period pieces.

I'm sure you all own and cherish items that are classic Art Deco style. This era will always remain a favorite of the masses. It ranks right up there next to Art Nouveau for me. Enjoy I'll be back with more. I'm full of all kinds of worthless?? or maybe not information.

The Wonderful World of Antiques & Collectibles

"In another time people cared about helping others and took pride in what they did or created. This Blog is dedicated to helping others learn about those wonderful times through the Antiques and Collectibles that survived."

Having run an Antique and Collectibles Store, I am now starting to auction and sell a very large inventory of Victorian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro and every era items. You'll find Porcelain, jewelry, silver, collectible, antique collectible, pottery, glass, doll, Boyd’s, bears, ceramic, figurine, collecting, flea market items, vintage toys, bottles, advertising, collector, furniture, furnishing, vase, ornaments, Asian antiques, oriental, cosmetics, appraisal, antique clocks, Shawnee, Josef, politic, depression glass, dinnerware, comics, Fenton and just about anything collectible.

My goal is to share with you about 35 years of knowledge and experience in the antique and collectible field and to present as many options for learning and enjoyment as possible. There are many resources that are available on this blog. I will be writing articles that will teach you how to repair and restore antiques, how to care for your treasures, how to spot fakes, help you identify your finds, great reference sources, a variety of informational articles, and I will try to help you get answers to any question involving treasures from the past and will answer in this Blog. Stay awhile and enjoy the wonderful world of antiques and collectibles. My first goal is to Define and Differentiate Between Terms in this field:

Antique: Generally this term is used to describe an object made over 100 years ago (It is now common to see 80+ years as the benchmark)

Vintage: Objects made 20+ to 80 years ago

Classic: Term used to describe an object made 20+ years ago and serving as the established model or standard. Example: A 1950's Diner

Collectible: An item which has value due to its rarity and desirability; examples include antiques, coins, and art.