Art Deco Style used to be a popular one in the 1920s and 30s. It covered almost the whole spheres of human life: interior design, architecture, fashion, movies, furniture, painting and even industrial art. This style was a combination, a successful mixture of the existing styles and peak of is popularity was in the 1920s. Art Deco Style was one of the styles, lack of political orientation. Its name came from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (took place in Paris, in 1925).

At first time, there was only a small couple of Art Deco Style followers and supporters. But, after an exhibition in 1969 and publication in 1971 – this kind of art became really flourishing. So, what Art Deco is? First of all, of course, a style. Then, this style was popular in all spheres of life. As a rule, it was taken as a combination of modernism and various native arts (arts of Egypt, Africa, Mexico, together with modern and industrial filed of technique: aviation, radio, ocean liner and lighting). Popular shapes: zigzag, trapezium, various curves, broken lines etc. Moreover, a lot of materials were used: wood, leather, aluminium, stainless steel.

Saying Art Deco, you mean something with extensive usage of details, unnecessary things, bright colours and million of details. Art Deco style influenced a lot of buildings, a lot of furniture items and turned to be extremely interesting style. It combined everything, that seemed to be impossible to combine and gave birth to a number of interesting things and buildings. In 1920s it used to be bold, bright and fresh. Almost all Art Deco representatives refused the usage of traditional materials, this style has penetrated even in jewellery.

So, after making a small excursion into history let’s find out more about Art Deco in various spheres of life.

Furniture

So, as a rule, it was made from very rare materials and wood, that’s why only very rich people could buy it. The following materials made it even more expensive: lacquering, ebony, shark and snake skin, chrome-plated steel. These all provided a super decorative effect, each piece of this furniture used to be a masterpiece. Only with the creation of metal furniture, people from the whole classes could buy it. Jacques-Emile Ruhlman was one of the most successful furniture designers in Art Deco style. His first exhibition was in 1913 at the Salon d’Automne. It was a great success! His furniture can’t be mistaken with another, because of its ideal proportions, unusual shape of legs. Each piece of furniture was made from a lot of details, but while looking at it, you can mention the only one – it looks like a completely integral thing.

Jewellery

Jewellery of this period considered to be stunning. Jewellery of previous periods used to be dull, classic and so predictable, but Art Deco items were bright, bold and the emphasize was on straight lines. The attitude to the life was boyish, childish and cheerful. Egyptian culture (sphinx and falcon) has influenced the design of Art Deco jewellery. The whole items possessed new shaped (long earrings, big rings with precious stones), diamond watches, various kind of pearls and precious stones: sapphires, rubies and emeralds.

Nowadays, Art Deco style survives its renovation, it became popular again. “Machine theme” won’t die. Today, we can see it in video games production and creation. It gives a game a retro-futuristic feel. Art Deco style can be seen in Shanghai. You have never been there? It is right a time to repair an omission!