Art Deco 1925-1940 …. Looking to the Future.
Radio with art deco streamlined styling.
The predominant motif in Art Deco design was the appearance of "Speed". Streamlined sweeping curves based on aerodynamic principles – a symbol of forward movement.
The pessimism – some critics considered it decadence – that pervaded society at the end of the 19th century was replaced with a sense of optimism and excitement. People looked ahead to the new century witnessing the industrial progress that was giving them hope for an economic and social revival.
The term "Art Deco" derived from the 1925 Paris L'Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. The purpose of the exhibition was to "unite art with industry". The concept was to embody the ideas of this modern age with a complete break from the past. The work of designers was not to imitate earlier historical periods. They could, however, draw on ancient designs for inspiration, as long as the artisans adapted the designs in the modern style.
Gathering from diverse sources, we see motifs from Mayan and Aztec cultures; Egyptian themes that coincided with the discovery and worldwide interest in King Tut's tomb, and interest in the striking patterns and colors inherent in African and Japanese art.
The cost of fine handcrafted objects was out of the reach of many. Exotic woods, and other expensive materials made this new design form available only to the very wealthy. A need was created for production of machine-made objects in quantity, cost-efficient, modern looking and affordable to all; items that were not only functional, but beautiful in their simplicity.
Streamlined designs were applied to cars, trains, ships, and objects whose purpose was certainly not forward movement. Buildings, gas pumps, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, radios and gramophones, kitchen utensils, toasters, ceramics, pottery and glassware, clocks and wall sconces, and other everyday items all displayed this new form of design. Striking geometric patterns, bold and contrasting use of color, symmetry, lack of frills and of anything faintly romantic defined the style.
Art Deco concepts permeated all things in the 1920s and 1930s – architecture, fine art, cinema, graphics and advertising posters, and in fashion design for both men and women.
Bakelite and other new synthetic materials were particularly well-suited to the mass production of Art Deco jewelry. Now anyone regardless of their social position could afford the trendy and decorative pieces that were now available to all.
Sleek-looking metals, stainless steel, aluminum and chrome appeared in even the most common household items. The cocktail shaker became the symbol of fashionable sophistication in many middle-class homes. If you enjoy the "Thin Man" movies or any movie from the 1930's, spot the cocktail service that was always present as part of the set decoration.
Walk into a home department at Macy's, and you will most likely see a display of Fiesta Ware. Still popular with its simple, streamlined forms in brilliant colors, it was introduced by the Homer Laughlin China Co. of West Virginia in 1936.The line was noted for its Art Deco styling which featured concentric circles and a variety of bright colors and shapes. It was discontinued in 1972 due to changing tastes in dinnerware styles, but was reintroduced in 1984 with new glazes and colors. Popular again, Fiesta Ware is considered to be the most collected brand of china in the United States.
An organization devoted to the preservation of Art Deco in all its forms is the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles. They are sponsoring a festival aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California from August 18-20. It will be a weekend of total immersion in the Art Deco era. They are also planning their annual Avalon Ball in January in the Casino on Catalina Island. The Catalina Casino on Avalon Bay, built in 1929, is a remarkable example of Art Deco design. Information and many interesting articles on preservation as well as other topics and events can be found on their website.
The theme of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair – "A Century of Progress" sums up the underlying ideas of the period known as Art Deco: Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Adapts.
Art Deco survived into the early 1940's when it evolved to mid-century modernism.
One of the most interesting assignments I've had was to appraise a large collection of Art Deco period furniture and posters for insurance purposes. Identifying the exotic veneers was a challenge.
Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s. Alastair Duncan.
Harry N. Abrams New York, 2009.
Art Nouveau and Art Deco Jewelry. Lillian Baker. Collector Books Paducah, Kentucky, 1981.
During the years 1890 to the beginning of the First World War, Art Nouveau, or the "new art" movement encompassed graphic arts, interior design, architecture, the use of technology and new scientific discoveries, as well as many of the decorative arts including textiles, jewelry, silver, ceramics and glassware, tile, ironwork, lighting, and the fine arts. It was considered a "total art style", more of a movement than a style, which promoted the philosophy that art should be a way of life. In the words of William Morris, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." It was rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement of the mid to late 19th century which called for a closer union between the fine and decorative arts and away from the academic styles of the overly fussy and conservative Victorian tastes of the time.
Designs were inspired by all things in nature, employing flowers, vines, and other flora and fauna. Intertwining curvilinear forms, asymmetrical and dynamic, flowing one into another, always striving for harmony. It was described in 1894 as "sudden, violent curves generated by the crack of a whip ". Through exhibitions in Europe and the U.S. in the late 19th-early 20th century, Japanese woodblock prints became popular and were an important influence in Art Nouveau designs with their many references to the world of nature.
Art Nouveau designs have a distinctive appearance, instantly recognizable. The artisans of the Arts and Crafts movement frowned upon the use of the machine as an aid in creating their art forms. Their ideal was to create a more humane and just society through their artistic endeavors. The artists of this "new style" enthusiastically adopted new materials and new technology in developing innovative, imaginative, and fanciful designs, particularly in jewelry, glass, and the new medium of cast iron, which was artistically utilized in architectural interiors and exteriors. It was truly "art for art's sake" and beauty, grace, and harmony were the desired results.
In the United States, Art Nouveau is often referred to as "Tiffany style", although there were several other well-known and highly regarded American design studios. Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) and his studio were most famous for their lamps. He experimented with the processes of coloring glass, and in 1894 patented favrile glass, which used metallic oxides to color the interior of molten glass giving it an iridescent effect. Among Tiffany's most notable designs was the dragonfly. Gossamer-winged dragonflies, mysterious and ethereal, are admired in many cultures. They are a symbol of agility and purity because they are always found hovering and darting about near water. To the Chinese, they symbolize harmony and prosperity. Dragonfly lampshades became one of the Studio's most popular designs, and were produced in many colors and styles. The most valuable and most highly prized by collectors have a matching base inset with mosaic glass. Tiffany lamps can be worth anywhere from 4000 to several hundred thousand dollars.
On June 6th, 2017, Sotheby's will feature the estate of Carol Ferranti: Masterworks by Tiffany Studios. On June 16th, James D. Julia, Inc. will be featuring lighting from Tiffany studios in their upcoming auction of Rare Lamps, Glass, and Jewelry. Among other designs, a dragonfly lamp and a remarkable wisteria leaded-glass window will be highlights. Another resource, Liveauctioneers, is an excellent free website to view realized prices from various auction houses.
In my travels last year, I was fortunate to go to the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum in Salamanca, Spain. Among their collections are wonderful examples of glass by Loetz, Galle', Daum and Lalique.
The ideal of this movement can be summed up in the words of Christopher Dresser, a botanist, and a strong influence on American Art Nouveau design: "…nothing is too mundane to be transformed into a thing of beauty" if it was from nature.
Arts & Crafts period tile mural for the Santa Fe train at Union Station, San Diego.
"Convinced that industrialization had caused the degradation of work and the destruction of the environment, Arts and Crafts reformers created works with deliberate social messages. Their designs conveyed strong convictions about what was wrong with society and reflected prescriptions for living. The aim was to incorporate art into everyday activities and thus, to democratize it".
Groups of like-minded artisans formed guilds and collectives to produce handcrafted wares including tall vases, tiles, utilitarian shapes for daily use, original designs with simplified shapes, experimental glazes and painting techniques, many with incised and raised decorations. From the 1880's to post World War 1, highly decorated Japanese porcelain and artifacts inspired American pottery artists and designers.
Many pottery-making collectives sprang up across America during these years, and especially in California, incorporating new ideas about design, philanthropy, and social consciousness. The Arequipa Pottery located in Marin county in Northern California, was established as part of a tuberculosis sanatorium for young working-class women who were taught the craft as part of their recovery program and produced wares for sale in stores across the country, as well as being displayed at the Pan Pacific Exhibition in San Francisco in 1915.
The popularity of the Arts and Crafts movement began to decline after World War 1 as newer design forms began to evolve. The design aesthetic of the movement continued to influence modernism in the 1930's and 1940's and into the post-modernism period of the 1950's and 1960's. Sunnylands, the Walter Annenberg estate in Palm Springs, is a fine example of post-modernism architecture as it echoes the idealism, beauty, grace, form in nature, and simplicity of the earlier movement.
There are a few Arts and Crafts potteries still producing today, but almost all of them were out of business by 1930. There was a resurgence of handcrafted pottery and objects late in the 20th century and there are many artisans producing fine handcrafted works today. American Art Pottery can be found in antique stores, auctions, and on line. There are collections in many museums around the country. There are walking and home tours in San Diego and Pasadena focusing on arts and crafts design and architecture at various times of the year and many websites, books, publications, organizations and dealers can be found on line relating to the Arts and Crafts movement and, specifically, art pottery.
A worthwhile show for those who are interested in handcrafted art pottery, old and new, is the upcoming Los Angeles Pottery Show at the Pasadena Convention Center on May 20-21, 2017. It is the largest pottery and tile show in America.
Art Pottery collections displayed in many Museums around the US.
The American Cut Glass Association has a very informative website. In addition to membership information there are tips on identifying cut glass, dating and patterns.
There are several free articles from past issues of their journal "The Hobstar". Among them are two articles by Vickie Matthews.
"The Care and Cleaning of Cut Glass" has tips on handling, washing and displaying. Since I'm located in an area prone to earthquakes, I especially like the suggestion of using a neutral wax or gel product sold at antique shops, hardware stores or on-line. These products can be removed without harming the glass or signatures.
"Packing and Shipping of Cut Glass" has tips on wrapping, boxing and using various shipping services. Many of these tips can be used for transportation of glass, china or collectibles in general.
One of the best places to view cut glass in Southern California is the Historical Glass Museum in Redlands. They have an entire room dedicated to American Cut Glass. Located in a Victorian house, they have many other types of American made glass; the largest collection West of the Mississippi. Check their website for upcoming lectures.
The Collector's Handbook, 10th edition is written by James Halperin, Gregory Rohan and Mark Predergast in conjunction with Heritage Auctions. Updated in 2016, it contains sections on administering, estate planning, evaluating and selling your collection. There are good references in the appendices as well. At 181 pages, there is a wealth of information and advice for collectors and their heirs on how to protect their investment.
There are discussions in several chapters about the importance of having your collection appraised for different reasons including insurance, planning, donation, selling, estate tax or division. It also mentions the importance of using professional and qualified personal property appraisers.
The book is available by free download on the Heritage Auctions website (registration required) or by hard copy for a nominal fee. I highly recommend taking the time to download and keep a copy of this handy reference book.
2016 Revised Edition, Ivy Press, Inc.
Artfix Daily ran a good article titled "Four Reasons Why Historic Art Remains Important To The California Market" written by the editorial staff at William A. Karges Fine Art.
We don't like to think about it, but there are several situations where our art, antiques and collectibles will be affected in a major way. Life's events have a way of separating us from our possessions.
The Canadian Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers recently posted a good article on the subject titled "Not Till Death, Debt, Divorce Do We Part" by Julia McLaren. It discusses the first three D's and how proper planning and use of professional appraisers can assist during these times.
I would like add a fourth "D" to the list ….. disaster. Our beloved objects can be damaged or in the worst case scenario, destroyed. I discussed this subject in an earlier post titled "Protecting Your Valuables from a Disaster".
Protection of your collection and planning for the future is essential. By having an inventory and professional appraisal, you can make informed decisions regarding insurance, donation, division or liquidation. At the end of every episode of the TV show "Strange Inheritance" they remind us "you can't take it with you".
The Appraisal Foundation sets the guidelines for all appraisers and publishes the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Links to major appraisal societies with searchable databases of personal property appraisers (including the International Society of Appraisers, of which I am a member).
Brochure titled "The Personal Property Qualification Criteria", effective Jan. 1, 2018.
Informational brochures describing the process of valuation for different types of property including Gems and Jewelry, Fine and Decorative Art (see below), Machinery and Equipment.
Users of appraisal services are encouraged to take advantage of these informative resources.