The roaring twenties was defined by economic growth, jazz music, the automotive industry birth, wide-lapel suits and flapper fashion, and the opportunity to live the American Dream. The 1920s also brought to life the construction industry and home good consumerism. After a century, Deco Art is having a revival and influencing antique furniture appraisal and appraisal for decorative art.
What Is Art Deco?
Art Deco is a popular French-inspired design and style movement that was popular during the 1920s and ’30s. It is often characterized by visually pleasing aesthetics, bold geometric shapes or lines, lavish fabrics, and vibrant colors. If you are looking to sell your Art Deco pieces, here are a few interesting things to know about the period’s popularity and influence on the creation of furniture and décor.
Art Deco Furniture & Décor
The most prominent artists during the Art Deco era were originators like Pierre Chareau, Jacques Emile Ruhlmann, Paul Follot, Pierre Legrain, Armand Albert Rateua, Jean Michel-Frank, Eileen Gray, and Sue et Mare. These art, décor, and furniture makers had unique styles influenced by culture, style, or materials such as soft leather and lighter frames and lacquered wood aesthetics.
Another aspect that is interesting about the Art Deco era is that its designers influenced architecture, interior design, and furnishing alike. Art Deco furniture was opulent, classy, and at first exclusively made for wealthy clients. The materials used to create these masterpieces were also lavishly made with leather and copper as well as exotic wood like mahogany, maple, and walnut.
Furniture and décor also had inlays made of wood, ivory, stainless steel, pearl, and brass. Exotic materials like shark and zebra skin were also used by some of the more prominent artists like Jean Michel-Frank, whose work was influenced by Egyptian motifs. Betty Joel’s work was also renowned as it was highly influenced by the Hollywood culture, which attracted European royal elites.
Its dark lacquered, shiny aesthetic was most desired, so by the end of the 1920s, more households had adopted a Deco Art aesthetic. Consumer interest in Deco Art expanded and developed into mainstream commerce all around the world. This led to Art Deco wall art, ornamental lighting, and sunburst mirrors, which renown artists like Charles Picquet were known for creating inventively.
The influence of oriental lacquer in the 1920s was soon replaced with the less expensive option of synthetic lacquers. Art Deco furniture was also sold in luxury home goods stores to make it more readily available to stylish consumers, but until recently, was too costly for most. Today, the top online searches regarding art deco are furniture, wall art, ornamental lighting, and sunburst mirrors.
Because of the elegance, layout, and aesthetic, today’s consumers are searching far and wide for original Art Déco pieces. It is a great time for sellers to get an antique furniture appraisal or appraisal for decorative arts from Manzi Appraisers & Restorer. It is also an ideal time to list your items online or in local antique shops so the right buyer can find your Art Deco ad.
If you have Art Deco furniture or décor, there’s no better time to get your items listed on the market. For the right grade, authenticity, and value, contact our office at 617-995-0022. You can also contact us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ManziAppraisers/ where you can network with other Art Deco collectors, get your furniture or décor appraisal, and learn about how to sell your items.
