Doris Hatt

Art Deco furniture is characterized by its celebration of modern life. More than its emphasis on natural wood grains and focus on traditional craftsmanship, vintage Art Deco dining chairs, tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture — which typically refers to pieces produced during the 1920s and 1930s — is an ode to the glamour of the “Roaring Twenties.” 

ORIGINS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN

• Emerged in the 1920s 
• Flourished while the popularity of Art Nouveau declined
• Term derives from 1925’s Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) in Paris, France
• Informed by Ancient Egypt, Cubism, Futurism, Louis XVI, De Stijl, modernism and the Vienna Secession; influenced Streamline Moderne and mid-century modernism 

CHARACTERISTICS OF ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGN

• Bold geometric lines and forms, floral motifs
• Use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood
• Metal accents, shimmering mirrored finishes
• Embellishments made from exotic animal hides, inlays of mother-of-pearl or ivory

ART DECO FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

• Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
• René Lalique
• Eileen Gray
• Jean Dunand
• Donald Deskey
• Jean Perzel

VINTAGE ART DECO FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

Few design styles are as universally recognized and appreciated as Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship.

Widely known designers associated with the Art Deco style include Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Eileen Gray, Maurice Dufrêne, Paul Follot and Jules Leleu.

The term Art Deco derives from the name of a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. “Art Deco design” is often used broadly, to describe the work of creators in associated or ancillary styles. This is particularly true of American Art Deco, which is also called Streamline Moderne or Machine Age design. (Streamline Moderne, sometimes known as Art Moderne, was a phenomenon largely of the 1930s, post–Art Nouveau.)

Art Deco textile designers employed dazzling floral motifs and vivid colors, and while Art Deco furniture makers respected the dark woods and modern metals with which they worked, they frequently incorporated decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides as well as veneers in their seating, case pieces, living room sets and bedroom furniture.

From mother-of-pearl inlaid vitrines to chrome aviator chairs, bold and inventive works in the Art Deco style include chaise longues (also known as chaise lounges) and curved armchairs. Today, the style is still favored by interior designers looking to infuse a home with an air of luxury and sophistication.

The vintage Art Deco furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes dressers, coffee tables, decorative objects and more.

Antique and vintage wall-mounted sculptures can tie a room together and will work well with existing decor. From mid-century modern works to Art Deco to brutalist sculptures, there’s something to pair with every furniture style and aesthetic taste.

Whether you tend toward the dramatic or prefer to keep things casual with understated works of metal or wood, introducing wall-mounted sculpture as part of your decor is going to make a statement. Any sculpture, no matter its size or shape, will bring life into a space and accentuate the work you’ve already done to create a welcoming environment.

A unique three-dimensional figurative sculpture mounted on your dining-room wall is definitely going to stir reflection and conversation over meals and cocktails, while a trio of abstract works arranged on the bookshelves in your living room can add spontaneity and draw attention to your collection of first-edition artist monographs. And while decorating with busts, which are sculpted or cast figurative works, hasn’t topped the list of design trends every year, busts are back.

In your living room, perhaps you’re thinking about integrating a dazzling wallpaper design or large-scale landscape paintings.

If you’re instead considering creating a single focal point with a wall-mounted sculpture, there is an array of objects that you might not have top of mind. Art Deco wall mirrors, your collection of Fornasetti dinner plates or a grouping of ceramic wall planters, for example, when positioned to face the main entrance of your living room, will help you plan for furniture placement and can amount to a warm and inviting touch for an area that will see a lot of foot traffic.

The good news is that design is personal. Perhaps your space will benefit from a maximalist touch? Alongside his scores of Instagram followers, for example, unapologetic maximalist James Kivior, a design enthusiast and national educational manager for French cosmetics brands, is inspired by the idea of too much tiger print. If a maximalist approach sounds like too much for your modest-sized space, consider a sparse distribution of your collection instead — some vintage mid-century modern wall sculptures can go here, some vibrant folk art or Italian art glass can go here. Get creative!

Whatever your preference, find an extraordinary range of antique, new and vintage wall-mounted sculptures today on 1stDibs.