Interior design trends: spotlight on Art Deco antiques
Striking geometry, bold jewel tones and vintage patterns are making a comeback with the current Art Deco interior design movement.
Interior design website Houzz recently reported that searches for Art Deco have jumped 72 per cent since March 2019. Art Deco involves a clean yet striking style, reminiscent of the mid-twentieth century - an era that represented a revolutionary shift from the intricate décor of the Victorian era.
Short for Arts Décoratifs, this style is characterised by bold geometry, rich colours and decadent details.
Here is a round up of iconic Art Deco pieces to look out for to incorporate into your lookbook at all budgets:
Statement mirrors, hangings and clocks featuring strong lines
Think symmetry, sunbursts, triangles and decadence when searching for Art Deco mirrors that make a statement.
Japy Freres & CIE: an Art Deco sunburst style wall timepiece, with copper and gold coloured mirror panels and drum movement.
Bold upholstery
Strong jewel tones and retro patterns add dimension to your Art Deco interior.
A Victorian tub chair, upholstered in buttoned velour, raised on short turned and reeded front legs with brass castors, shaped back legs stamped 'Holland & Sons AR'.
An Art Deco oak three-piece suite, with padded backs and seats upholstered in multicoloured lozenge material, solid oak sides and splayed arms with foliate detail. Sold for £170.
A Regency rosewood chaise longue, the shaped back, scrolling arms and loose seat cushions upholstered in brown and black checked material, raised on turned legs terminating in brass castors, sold for £450.
A pair of late Regency parcel gilt hall chairs, later painted in black, the ornate scallop shell backs on scrolling supports, the seats covered in yellow floral patterned material, raised on octagonal and turned tapering legs, sold for £150.
Poetic statues and elegant lamps
Luxurious pieces featuring imagery like globes, angels and scales are iconic Art Deco antiques. Look for items made of marble, bronze and glass.
In the manner of Josef Lorenzl: an Art Deco style bronze effect patinated spelter table lamp, in the form of a female dancer with frosted crackle glass globe shade, raised on onyx and marble base, sold for £450.
An Art Deco carved alabaster bust of a female figure, sold for £150.
Josef Lorenzle (Austrian 1892-1950): an Art Deco silvered and cold painted bronze figure of a dancer, decorated with flowers by and signed ''Crejo'', inscribed ''LRENZL'' to edge of octagonal base, raised on onyx plinth, sold for £1,100.
After Marcel Bouraine: an Art Deco patinated, gilt bronze and ivory-coloured composition table lamp, in the form of a lady-harlequin standing on one leg with outstretched arms holding two stepped light fittings, on a marble arch base and rectangular plinth
Fine antique wooden furniture in unique shapes
Art Deco antique furniture is sophisticated, geometrical and functional. Look for bold shapes and textured details to complete this look. Pieces that combine natural elements with bold colours or shine add an extra modern dimension to your space.
Art Deco walnut three-tier trolley of circular form, sold for £140.
Zevi square-shaped maple veneered Art Deco style coffee table, sold for £520.
An Art Deco birdseye maple and rosewood banded three-piece bedroom suite, sold for £920.
A mid-20th Century walnut veneered occasional table, sold for £110.
A mahogany bureau bookcase, George III and later, inlaid with boxwood stringing and boxwood and ebony chequer banding, sold for £200.
Harry & Lou Epstein (attributed): a pair of Art Deco burr walnut and later cream leather upholstered cloud type tub armchairs, sold for £2,800.
View other Art Deco pieces we’ve previously sold at auction for more inspiration or set up a lot alert for upcoming auctions.