Description

Art Deco Style

Art Deco, short for the French "Arts décoratifs" is an art period that appeared in Paris in the 1910s, just prior to the First World War. Art Deco combined the styles of early 20th century Modernist, with the exceptional craftsmanship and sumptuous materials of French historic design, with designs taken from non-Western traditions. From its inception, Art Deco was influenced by the bold geometric forms of Cubism; the bright colours of Fauvism; the revised craftsmanship of the furniture of the eras of Louis XVI and Louis Philippe I; and the exotic styles of art from China, Japan, India, Persia, ancient Egypt and Maya. Art Deco was not a single style, but a composite of a variety and sometimes contradictory styles. It explored the decorative aspects of geometric elements and forms. Various simple geometric shapes like triangles and squares are the basis of all compositional arrangements. At its height, Art Deco represented luxury, glamour, exuberance, and belief in social and technological progress. The movement featured rare and expensive materials, such as ebony and ivory, and exquisite craftsmanship. It also introduced new materials such as chrome plating, stainless steel and plastic.