Although the term "Art Deco" is now universally recognised, it was not widely adopted until several decades after the style's heyday. While the phrase derived from the title of the 1925 Paris exhibition, it only entered common usage during the 1960s. Two events were particularly influential in establishing the term: the exhibition Les Années 25: Art Déco, Bauhaus, Stijl, Esprit Nouveau at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and Bevis Hillier's pioneering 1968 publication Art Deco of the 20s and 30s, which helped define and popularise the movement for a new generation.
A Style for the Modern Age
Emerging during a period often described as the Roaring Twenties, the Machine Age and the Golden Age of Travel, Art Deco reflected a world transformed by technology, industry and international exchange. It celebrated modernity while maintaining a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, luxury and artistic excellence.
Art Deco was never a single, uniform style. Instead, it developed distinct regional characteristics while retaining an international appeal. Designers drew inspiration from a remarkable range of sources, including ancient Egypt, Africa, Asia and South America, combining historical references with contemporary innovation.
The movement embraced both traditional materials and new technologies. Exotic woods, lacquer, ivory and precious metals appeared alongside aluminium, chrome, glass and other modern materials. Geometric forms, streamlined silhouettes and bold decorative motifs became defining characteristics across architecture, furniture, jewellery, sculpture and the decorative arts.
Art Deco Across the Decorative Arts
The influence of Art Deco extended into virtually every aspect of design. Furniture makers, metalworkers, glass artists, ceramicists, jewellers and sculptors all contributed to the movement's rich visual language.
Among the most celebrated figures associated with Art Deco are:
- Edgar Brandt
- Jean Dunand
- Demétre Chiparus
- Ferdinand Preiss
- René Lalique
- Daum
- Gabriel Argy-Rousseau
- François Décorchemont
- Jean Puiforcat
Their work exemplifies the diversity of the movement, from sculptural bronze figures and luxury furniture to innovative glass, silver and decorative objects.
Why Art Deco Remains Popular Today
A century after its defining exhibition, Art Deco continues to attract collectors, designers and enthusiasts worldwide. Its combination of elegance, innovation and optimism remains remarkably contemporary, while its emphasis on quality craftsmanship ensures lasting appeal.
Whether expressed through architecture, jewellery, furniture, glass or sculpture, Art Deco remains one of the most recognisable and enduring design movements of the modern era, continuing to shape tastes and inspire new generations a hundred years after its emergence.
