Art Deco, which takes its name from the French “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes”, is a beautiful modern style which started in the 1920s and became popular in the 1930s:
“The distinguishing features of the style are simple, clean shapes, often with a “streamlined” look; ornament that is geometric or stylized from representational forms; and unusually varied, often expensive materials, which frequently include man-made substances (plastics, especially Bakelite; vita-glass; and ferroconcrete) in addition to natural ones (jade, silver, ivory, obsidian, chrome, and rock crystal). Though Art Deco objects were rarely mass-produced, the characteristic features of the style reflected admiration for the modernity of the machine and for the inherent design qualities of machine-made objects (e.g., relative simplicity, planarity, symmetry, and unvaried repetition of elements).”
You’ll find many incredible art deco pieces in our galleries.
Like these:
Lacloche Art Deco Diamond Sapphire Agate Coral Silver and Enamel Desk Clock
Very rare and unusual desk clock by Lacloche, circa 1920s. Clock features an agate body with white and blue enamel accented at each corner and cabochon blue sapphires on what we believe to be gold. Dial is beautifully made with blue enamel backdrop and cabochon sapphires and high grade round brilliant cut diamonds at each hour, as well as a single coral stone that functions as a mystery hour maker. [ Botier Inc. | Gallery #15 | 212.371.2424 | mbotier@hotmail.com ]
Jean Carlu: “Pépa Bonafé
A classic Art Deco poster, by one of the early twentieth-century’s preeminent poster designers, Jean Carlu. This 1928 Color Lithograph, a famous image of Pépa Bonafé showing cubist influences, is one of Jean Carlu’s most celebrated posters. [ The Manhattan Rare Book Company | Gallery #90 | 212.326.8907 | info@manhattanrarebooks.com ]
French Art Deco Carved and Painted Wood Zebra Stools
Pair of French Art Deco carved and painted wood zebra stools, possibly by Jansen, 20th century. Only photographed one. [ Alexander’s Antiques | Galleries #43 & 85 | 212.935.9386 | alex@alexantiques.com ]
1973 Cartier Rock Crystal Black Jade Diamond Earclips and Ring
Elegant 1973 Cartier Art Deco style ear clips and matching ring, of carved rock crystal set on 18K gold, with exagerated cabochons of black jade, each surrounded by a ring of diamonds. Cartier and gold marks. Ring fits size 5 3/4 – 6. [ Kenneth James Collection | Gallery #47 | 212.888.0165 | ken@kennethjamescollection.com ]
Pair of Art Deco Lalique Style Glass and Polished Steel Standing Lamps
Pair of French Art Deco Lalique style frosted glass and polished steel standing lamps. The frosted glass is carved with intricate fauna motifs of leaves and ferns. The light illuminates from behind the glass panel animating the surrounding polished steel, circa 20th century
[ Alexander’s Antiques | Galleries #43 & 85 | 212.935.9386 | alex@alexantiques.com ]
Stop by The Manhattan Art & Antiques Center at 1050 2nd Avenue (at 56th Street) to visit these galleries -and many more.
Open to the public daily: Monday – Saturday 10:30AM to 6PM, Sunday noon – 6PM.
