Art Deco became popular in the late 1920s and early 1930s and was a movement against the naturalistic feel of the Art Nouveau designs. Art Deco drew together various elements, such as structured floral motifs, stylized curves, geometric shapes and abstract patterns. Art Deco was also known as Art Moderne. It was characterised by geometric patterns to symbolise the expanse of the machine age. Art Deco was influenced from Far and Middle East design, Greek and Roman themes, and also Egyptian and Mayan influence. It was popular in silver, glassware and jewellery.
Georg Jensen; a stylish Art Deco three piece silver cruet set by Jorgen Jensen, 1932-1945 Of pattern 793, the salt and pepper casters of slender cylindrical form, the hinged covers to mustard pots enameled to the inside, all with Art Deco borders, height 12cm and 8cm respectively, weight 6.4oz. (3)
Sold for £ 937 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
A RARE PAIR OF ART DECO JADE, MULTI-GEM AND SILVER-GILT CACTI, BY CARTIER One jade cactus extending turquoise and coral blossoms in a grey agate pot, the step scalloped silver-gilt border set at the top with a series of moonstone cabochons; the other jade cactus extending moonstone and turquoise blooms in a black onyx pot, the step scalloped silver-gilt border set at the top with a series of black onyx cabochons, circa 1925, 4 ins. diameter x 5 1/2 ins. and 4 ins. diameter x 5 1/4 ins., with jeweler’s mark, each in a Cartier red box Each signed Cartier, Made in France
Sold for USD 106,250 at Christies in 2017
Towle Art Deco Sterling Silver Six-Piece Tea and Coffee Service and Tray Circa 1930 Comprising a teapot, coffee pot, cream jug, covered sugar bowl, waste bowl, kettle-on-stand and tray. Length of tray 22 1/2 inches, height of coffee pot 9 inches, total approximately 177 ounces, all in.
Sold for $4,062 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2018
Vintage Eterna Art Deco, engine turned sterling silver pendant watch in a pink enameled compact case with a sterling chain-attached rhinestone lapel pin. Watch and case is in excellent working condition. Measures 1.3″ x .85″.
Sold for $325 at MG Neely Auction in 2019
Australian Art Deco cocktail set by W J Sanders Made by Somme, Louis in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1935. This striking cocktail set in the Art Deco style was made by W J Sanders.
Cocktail shakers were extremely fashionable in the 1920s and 1930s and most were designed in the popular Art Deco style. Most were also made in electroplated silver. Hand raised in sterling silver for the Sanders family’s personal use, this set is therefore a very rare example of Australian silver. the choice of a Rococo cartouche to frame a possible inscription (not realised) for this Modernist shape is unusual.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
Jeweled casket 1929 Edward Everett Oakes (American, 1891–1960)
The rectangular paneled box is made of silver, green gold, 143 amethysts, 86 Japanese pearls, and 88 onyx, set on a laurel base. It has a hinged, slightly domed lid and round and faceted amethyst ball feet and sits on a narrow, two-tiered, shaped wooden plinth. Round columns form each of the four corners. Two pairs of channel-set amethysts intersect across the lid to create nine panels, at the center of which is a large faceted, elliptical amethyst, from which radiates rays of onyx and pearls. The amethyst bands continue down the sides of the box, where they flank triangular clusters of amethysts, onyx, and pearls; large rectangular amethysts form two shallow handles on the sides as part of these designs. At the base of each corner is a vertical cluster of graduated, rectangular onyx settings with pearls and auricular metalwork. Clusters of delicate gold foliate decoration are found throughout, and large pearls are featured prominently on the lid, at intersections of the amethyst bands and on each corner.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
AN AMERICAN SILVER ART DECO THREE-PIECE COFFEE SET WITH MATCHING TRAY, ERIK MAGNUSSEN FOR GORHAM MFG. CO., PROVIDENCE, RI, CIRCA 1930 comprising a Coffee Pot, Creamer, covered Sugar Bowl, and matching circular two-handled Tray marked on bases and numbered 14051-54 height of coffee pot 8 1/4 in.; length of tray over handles 14 5/8 in. 21 cm; 37.2 cm 72 oz gross 2239 g
Sold for 8,750 USD at Sothebys in 2019
Slim rectangular case with hinged lid, decorated with a geometric pattern in green, black and white
The flat, rectangular form characteristic of a cigarette case makes it an ideal vehicle for a geometric Art Deco design. Gérard Sandoz was a Parisian jewellery designer whose stark, linear style was highly influential. He was one of the founders of the Union des Artistes Modernes in 1930 – an organisation which drew inspiration from the strong, simple forms of machinery, and championed the use in jewellery of materials that were neither precious nor rare
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
This magnificent brooch is an outstanding example of Lalique’s jewelry. Here, layered fern leaves, in opalescent cameo glass and green enamel, are connected by diamond-set “stalks.” At the center a large cushion-shaped opal is mounted in a silver-gilt frame set with small diamonds of varying size. The lateral segments are hinged to the central unit to permit movement. Henry Walters bought this piece from Lalique in 1904 at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. The symmetrical design anticipates Lalique’s future work. Within several years, the artist abandoned both jewelry and the Art Nouveau style to devote himself to the production of glass molded in the Art Deco style
Reference: The Walters Art Museum
