Characteristics of Art Deco furniture

Between World War I and World War II, escapism through art was born and found its way into all lifestyles. It was seen in furniture, jewelry, and architecture. This new art revolution became known as “Art Deco” and it was elegant, luxurious and extravagant. After World War I, the artists wanted to create hope and optimism for the future.

The Art Deco movement began to decline when World War II began because the furniture was considered extravagant for the economic hardships people were facing. Many of the pieces are now part of art collections.

Characteristics of Art Deco furniture

In the furniture, the artist incorporated themes of fountains and sunbeams to symbolize the dawn of a new modern age. There were also geometric shapes that were symbolic for technology and machinery. The artists also drew inspiration from ancient cultures such as the civilizations of Central America, Egypt, and Asia. They used lush fabrics and vibrant colors. Dressed in satin metal finishes, glaring mirrors, exotic embellishments such as jewels, and lush leathers. The artists did not use classical materials for their furniture, but instead used materials with glass, inlaid and lacquered wood, stainless steel, and aluminum. They also used bold symmetries and repetitions, sweeping curves, sunburst motifs, and chevron patterns.

types of furniture

• The mirror-dressing tables, coffee tables and dressers and dressers were made with mirrors
• Exotic Wood Furniture: Various pieces of furniture were being created using rare woods such as ebony, amboina, violet wood, and mahogany. They were also using woods that were not as expensive as ash, broad, and oak. Once the furniture is complete, it will be given a coat of lacquer giving it a classy and glamorous look. When making Art Deco cabinets, the use of lacquer was widespread.
• Metal finishing- In the 1920s, the industrial boom and the Machine Age were symbolized, which were transferred to furniture. It had a futuristic look with stainless steel and metal finishes.
• Leather furniture: During the Art Deco period, leather furniture was a big hit. The furniture was made of soft, richly textured leathers in three main colors, which were tan, black, and brown. Some dyed the leather in garish colors like tangerine orange or cherry red. You could find ottomans, armchairs and sofas made of leather.
• Wood Inlays: A main feature of the Art Deco era was giving armchairs and sofas a classic wood inlay. This gave the furniture an expensive and sophisticated appeal. The colors the artists primarily used were rich gold, copper, and metallic tones.
• Luxurious Trims: Furnishings are adorned with accents of luxurious quarts, onyx, ivory, Murano glass, jade and other stones. Artists mainly used them on wall clocks, chandeliers, lamps, and radios to give them an epicurean, modern look.