The History of Art Deco

“The 1920’s were a time of extraordinary vitality and cultural innovation, witnessing a remarkable revolution in all areas of art.

Accelerated by the war years, the move towards a determined modernity embraced painting, sculpture, fashion and jewellery. From this, a new artistic style emerged which was radical, dynamic and very beautiful. This became known as Art Deco.

Art Deco pushes past the lavish forms and evanescent shades of Art Nonveau and represents a return to simplicity and severity. In jewellery, Art Deco finds perhaps its most glorious expression and a virtually unlimited source of renewal. As designers played with colour and texture, like a painter with a palette – they became “sculptors” and “architects” of angle, curve and line.

Art Deco has drawn inspiration from the whole stunning spectrum of the plastics arts: riotous colours and explosive combinations from the Ballets Russes and the Fauves, geometric shapes from Cubism, the contrast of black and white from Neo-Plasticism and a fascination with the mechanical world from Futurism. These components were not only confined to the modern European world – but an “Egyptian” vogue was promoted by the discovery in 1922, of the tomb of Tutankhamun, while other themes were borrowed from China, Japan, Persia and Africa.

Lovers of good taste and superb, ultra clean craftsmanship should not miss the opportunity of viewing such beautiful and exquisite jewellery.”

Referenced from Sylvie Raulet’s “Art Deco Jewelry”, Great Britain 1985 by Thames and Hudson.