Glossary of Art Deco antiques - Art Deco Treasures

French Art Deco

artdecotreasuresadmin — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 08:21:06 +0000

French Art Deco. France was the birthplace of Art Deco design. It originated in the 1910’s but it wasn’t until the 1920’s to 1930’s when it began to flourish in the USA and Europe.

Parisian department stores and fashion designers also played an important part in the rise of Art Deco. Prominent businesses such as silverware firm Christofle, glass designer René Lalique, and the jewellers Louis Cartier and Boucheron began designing products in more modern styles. Beginning in 1900, department stores recruited decorative artists to work in their design studios. The decoration of the 1912 Salon d’Automne was entrusted to the department store Printemps, and that year it created its own workshop, Primavera. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of French Art Deco antiques including a Parisian cigarette dispenser and a Janesich jabot pin.

French Art Deco-style Brass Parisian Kiosk Cigarette Dispenser
c. 1930, ht. 9 1/4, base rim dia. 3 7/8 in.

Sold for US$153 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023

TWO PANELS OF FRENCH ART DECO RAYON LAMPAS
CIRCA 1920-30

With a black and crimson ground depicting large scale pomegranates in shades of silver and gray atop chinoiserie-style tables
881⁄2 in. (224.8 cm.) long, 48 in. (122 cm.) wide

Sold for USD 252 at Christie’s in 2023

JANESICH, DIAMOND AND ONYX JABOT PIN
Containing triangular and calibre cut onyx and numerous rose cut diamonds. Mounted in platinum. 2 1/4 x 7/16 inches.
Engraved: JANESICH 12872.
Stamp: (French hallmark).
Gross weight: 2.89 dwt.

Sold for US$1,500 at Hindman in 2023

Art Deco Wax Mannequin Head, with glass eyes and period hat. Size: 13” x 8” x 9” (33 x 20 x 23 cm).

Sold for US$250 at Material Culture in 2023

Circa 1920 French Art Deco Bronze Sculptures Dogs on Onyx Base
Dimension: 8-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ x 6″

Sold for US$200 at World of Antiques, Inc. in 2023

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Wrought Iron

artdecotreasuresadmin — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 08:11:42 +0000

Wrought iron is an iron alloy with a much lower carbon content than cast iron. It is malleable and therefore has often been used alongside other materials such as marble or glass because it could be hammered and rolled into shape. It was often used in lamp design as well as garden features such as gates and fences.

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco wrought iron antiques including a pair of Muller Freres lamps and a marble console with wrought iron leg.

Art Deco Wrought Iron Console,
circa 1925, black marble top over metal apron with leaf and vine motif, raised on a single foliate decorated leg, ht. 30, wd. 27 1/4, dp. 13 in.

Sold for US$382.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023

Pair of Muller Frères Art Deco Iron and Glass Parrot-Form Table Lamps
Circa1930
Each fashioned as a wrought iron parrot on a perch holding a lantern with orange orb-form globe shade from it’s beak, iron frame unsigned, each shade etched Muller Fres Luneville. Height 22 inches.

Sold for 10,710 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022

Hand-wrought iron and marble dressing table vanity, France., c. 1925. Art Deco Moderne.

Sold for US$300 at Uniques and Antiques, Inc. in 2023

French Art Deco Wrought Iron & Green Glass Grape Lamp measures H: 27″

Sold for US$150 at Bruce Kodner Galleries in 2023

Art Deco Style of Samuel Yellin (Ukrainian/American, 1884-1940)
Gate
wrought iron, brass
H 70 x W 52 inches.

Sold for US$1,600 at Hindman in 2023

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Greek Revival

artdecotreasuresadmin — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 08:28:07 +0000

Greek Revival. Archaeological discoveries during the Art Deco era led to an interest in ancient designs such as Roman, Egyptian and Greek. The Greek key design found its way onto many items including watches, jewelry and everyday household objects. Statues or figurines, including bronzes, also had Ancient Greek designs to them such as gods and other classical figures.

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco Greek revival inspired antiques including a figure of Orpheus and a travel clock with a Greek key design to the rim.

Percy Bryant Baker (1881-1970)
Music
inscribed ‘© / Bryant Baker / 1932’ (along the base) and inscribed ‘NO.I’ (on the base) and inscribed ‘no 1. B.B’ (underneath the base)
bronze with brown patina
25 in. (63.5 cm.) high, on a 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) high wooden base.

In this work, it is believed that Baker depicts Orpheus, the fabled musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek mythology standing in an elegant contrapposto pose with his right arm extended outward. Cradled in Orpheus’ left arm is his lyre that his father Apollo gave to him and that he played with such mastery that neither enemies nor beasts could resist his melodies. Bryant has given Orpheus’ an expression of anguish and sorrow, suggesting that Bryant is possibly depicting the moment in the story of Orpheus and Eurydice when Orpheus, learning of Eurydice’s death, sung his grief with his lyre, moving every human and God.

Sold for US$5,100 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

Asprey & Co Ltd, an Art Deco 9ct gold cigarette case, of engine-turned design and Greek key motif border, with sliding mechanism, maker’s marks for Asprey & Co Ltd, hallmarks for London 1927, patent number 21914, length 13.5cm, 204.7g

Sold for £2,400 at Kinghams Auctioneers in 2022

18k Gold Platinum Tiffany Greek Key Enamel Watch

18k Gold & Platinum Tiffany Stunning Greek Key Enamel Art Deco Pocket Watch. Pristine condition. Ultra-thin high grade movement with 18 Jewels and 8 Adjustments. Greek Key enamel is in incredible condition. Circa:1920s

Sold for US$1,300 at Hess Fine Auctions in 2022

Art Deco Chain Link 14K Gold and Seed Pearl Choker and Bracelet, each made of green and rose gold chain link with Greek key motif and seed pearl decorated clasp, the bracelet clasp with safety chain (both marked on clasp ’14’ with Greek letter Psi, tests 14K). Dimensions of bracelet: 1 3/4 in. x 6 1/2 in. Total weight: 32.66 dwt.

Sold for US$1,700 Everard Auctions & Appraisals in 2022

Lacloche 14K Gold & Silver Travel Clock
20th century
the Art Deco dial signed “Lacloche, France,” bezel with Greek key motif
2 1/2 x 1 3/4 x 3/4 inches

Sold for US$2,200 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2021

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Silver Mounted

artdecotreasuresadmin — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:26:13 +0000

Many high quality items were silver mounted during the Art Deco era. Silver could be used to mount glass, wood, hardstone and many other materials. Some silver mounted items were hallmarked but many were not as the weight of silver often fell below the amount legally required for hallmarking.

Below are some examples and price guides of silver mounted items from the Art Deco era including a desk set and an emerald satin glass bowl.

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Rose-cut

artdecotreasuresadmin — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 09:35:28 +0000

Rose-cut diamonds are seldom seen nowadays, except in antique and Art Deco jewelry. There have been various forms of the rose cuts since the mid-16th century which have been derived from older types of cuts. The basic rose cut has a flat base and has a crown composed of triangular facets (usually 12 or 24) rising to form a point in an arrangement with sixfold rotational symmetry. The double rose cut is a variation that adds six kite facets at the margin of the base. The classic rose cut is circular in outline. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco items with rose-cut gemstones including some scroll earclips and diagrams of the various single-cuts which can be found.

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Single-cut

artdecotreasuresadmin — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 17:37:10 +0000

Single-cut is the simplest cut used in gemstone cutting. It is most commonly used with small diamonds. This style of cut has changed over the centuries but usually has around 16 or 17 facets. Please see the diagram below.

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco items with single-cut gemstones including some scroll earclips and diagrams of the various single-cuts which can be found.

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Platinum

artdecotreasuresadmin — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 08:02:16 +0000

Traces of platinum have been found in Ancient Egyptian jewelry, showing that it has been around for centuries (1), however, it really gained popularity from the 1900’s and has remained so ever since. Before the metal became popular in Western jewelry, diamonds were often mounted in silver, but by the Art Deco era, platinum was the most popular metal for displaying diamonds. It is harder than gold and less likely to break.

(1) Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco platinum items including a wristwatch and examples of platinum hallmarks.

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Champlevé

artdecotreasuresadmin — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:59:15 +0000

Champlevé is an enameling technique in the decorative arts, or an object made by that process, in which troughs or cells are carved, etched, die struck, or cast into the surface of a metal object, and filled with vitreous enamel. The piece is then fired until the enamel fuses, and when cooled the surface of the object is polished. Reference: Wikipedia

The technique has been used for centuries but it was extremely popular during the Art Deco era and lent itself well to the bold geometric patterns which were fashionable at the time.

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco champlevé items including French gold and enamel timepiece by Cartier and a Swiss watch pendant.

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Enamel

artdecotreasuresadmin — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:45:08 +0000

There are many different types of enamel including cloisonne, champleve and painted enamel. In the Art Deco era, vitreous enamel was popular. This technique involved fusing glass over metal which was usually engine turned. Clock and watch faces were usually enameled and items such as vanity sets and cases were also popular.

The color of enameled objects is obtained by the addition of various minerals, often metal oxides cobalt, praseodymium, iron, or neodymium. The latter creates delicate shades ranging from pure violet through wine-red and warm grey. Enamel can be transparent, opaque or opalescent (translucent). Different colors can be mixed to make a new color, in the manner of paint. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco enamel items including an Art Deco card case and a “Dog of Fo” rose quartz table clock.

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Engine Turning

artdecotreasuresadmin — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 10:59:15 +0000

Engine turning was a popular way of decorating metal items during the Art Deco era. It was particularly used on watch faces as well as cigarette cases. Both silver and gold were popular metals where engine turning was used and could be left as bare metal or enameled. Enameled engine turned items are highly collectible.

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco engine turned items including a rare silver partner’s desk timepiece and a set of engraved cufflinks.

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Rock Crystal

artdecotreasuresadmin — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 10:54:28 +0000

Rock crystal, transparent variety of the silica mineral quartz that is valued for its clarity and total lack of colour or flaws. Vessels and spheres have been carved from large crystals since ancient times, and the application of the word crystal to fine glassware derives from this practice. Reference: Britannica.

The gemstone was popular in the Art Deco era and was often combined with other gemstones such as diamonds or onyx to create bold jewelry and other items. The Art Deco bow pin shown below which was sold at a US auction house demonstrates the stone’s beauty when carved with intricate designs.

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco items made from, or containing, the quartz including an Art Deco brooch by Cartier and a cigarette case mounted with diamonds.

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Diamond

artdecotreasuresadmin — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 16:32:21 +0000

Art Deco diamond jewelry often followed the geometric designs which were fashionable during the era. They were often paired with other gemstones such as onyx to give bold displays.

As Art Deco moved from colour to an all white look at the end of the 1920s, the icy combination of diamonds, rock crystal and platinum came to the fore. Reference: Victoria and Albert Museum

Below are some examples and price guides of Art Deco diamond items including an a lapel watch and an Art Deco bracelet.

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