Art Deco
MovementFrance, then global — including Bombayc. 1920–1940
Streamlined luxury — symmetry, metallics, and speed rendered as ornament.
Art Deco took the geometry of modernism and made it luxurious. Stepped forms, sunbursts, chevrons and lacquered surfaces spread from Paris to Shanghai to Bombay, which holds one of the world's largest concentrations of Deco buildings. In art it appears as stylised figures, strong symmetry and an unembarrassed appetite for gold, chrome and black.
What to look for
- Symmetry and stepped, fan or sunburst forms
- Metallic gold, silver and deep lacquer black
- Stylised, elongated figures
- Ornament that celebrates machinery and speed
How it is made
Lacquer, gouache, screenprint and inlay, with a strong emphasis on flawless finish and precise edges.
Before you buy
Deco suits rooms with strong architecture and low evening light. Check metallic surfaces for oxidation and ask how they have been sealed.
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