If These Shirts Could Talk: The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes
Jockeying for Position: How Boxers and Briefs Got Into Men's Pants
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?
Bizarro Beauty Products, from 1889 to Now
Love at First Kite: How Pizza and Pente Led to One Oklahoman's High-Flying Obsession
Pin-Up Queens: Three Female Artists Who Shaped the American Dream Girl
Say Ahhh: An Oral Surgeon's Quest to Reimagine the Garage-Band Guitar
Tokens for Sweethearts, in Times of War
American Picker Dream, Part I: Mike Wolfe On His Love Affair With Bikes
Art Deco was an international design and art movement in the 1920s and ’30s. Influenced by sources as varied as the Bauhaus School in Germany, the Cubist paintings of Georges Braques and Pablo Picasso, Mayan ruins in the Yucatan, and the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, the style was a rejection of the organic, naturalistic sensibility of Art Nouveau.
Art Deco was a machine-made aesthetic for a fast-paced industrial age, using symmetry and line to bring order to the natural world and suggest movement in objects as inert as chairs and bookends. Even the cinema echoed and inspired the trend, most famously in Fritz Lang’s 1927 vision of dystopia, Metropolis.
For a time, no object escaped the streamline touch of Art Deco. Frank Lloyd Wright filled his geometric buildings with equally angular lamps, tables, and stained-glass windows. Indeed, Art Deco architecture is perhaps the most enduring legacy of the style...
The 1930 Chrysler Building, an Art Deco masterpiece, is one of the most famous landmarks in Manhattan; the 1937 Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is another Art Deco triumph, in this case of both design and engineering. Then there’s Ocean Drive in the South Beach section of Miami, home to some 800 preserved Art Deco structures. Inside all those Art Deco buildings was furniture by the likes of Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, who equipped his armchairs with assertive, mesa-flat armrests. Elsewhere in the house, a host of decorative and functional objects set an elegant tone.
Because most Art Deco objects were mass-produced, a great many survive today, making them terrific and often surprisingly affordable collectibles. Industrial designers Raymond Loewy and Henry Dreyfus created many functional objects (such as clocks, radios, and telephones) with the classic Art Deco angular, streamlined look. Statuettes and figurines, frequently of female nudes, were produced in plastic, bronze, and ceramic. Glass objects — from vases to perfume bottles — were also popular, with René Lalique, Antonin Daum, Henri Navarre, and Maurice Marinot among the most prized practitioners.
Porcelain figurines created for Robj, Rosenthal, and Lenci often depicted characters and caricatures dressed in the fabrics of the day, with Art Deco costume jewelry on their necks and Art Deco watches on their wrists. By the bed would be a bronze and mahogany clock, in the dining room a china service emblazoned with geometric patterns, and in the living room silver and enamel cigarette cases leaning against ashtrays made of Bakelite.
Art Deco had a great ride, but by 1939 the movement had run its course, giving way to World War II and what we now know as the Mid-Century Modern style (which made even the simple flourishes of Art Deco look baroque). A 1966 exhibition in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs reminded the world why Art Deco, previously called modernism, had been so popular in its day. Today, it may be even more so.
Key terms for Art Deco:
Bakelite: One of several patented early plastic resins (along with Plaskon, Beetle, Catalin, etc.) popular in the 1920s and 30s, which are associated with Art Deco style objects. Invented by Leo Baekeland.
Streamlining: In an effort to make everything from radios to railroad trains look modern, designers tried for a streamlined look, which became ubiquitous during the heyday of Art Deco.
by 
by 
by Interviews & Articles
'The Great Gatsby' Still Gets Flappers Wrong New!
Have you heard? There’s a new swell in town named Gatsby, and he’s bringing flapper flair back into fashion. Baz Luhrmann’s latest… [more]
Time Machine Back to the Roaring Twenties
Antiques, oftentimes, are treated like precious and rare artifacts, put on a shelf to be admired—but not touched. In such a settin… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Art Deco 1910-1939
This Victoria and Albert Museum has a terrific collection of Art Deco objects. On the VAM's website, you can learn … [read review or visit site]
Decopix
Randy Juster's survey of Art Deco imagery and reference on all things Deco. Includes pages on murals, houses, gov… [read review or visit site]
Modernism
An overview by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts of the design movements between 1880 and 1940 that comprised Moder… [read review or visit site]
Top eBay Auctions
Ural : Deco Classic Ural Sidecar With Bmw 1000cc Engine
Ural 2000 Ural Deco Motorcycle
Le Coultre Antique Mens Wristwatch Art Deco Dial
Alfred Cheney Johnston Vintage Nude Erotica Photograph Art Deco Oversized Rare
Amazing 1940's Art Deco Jaeger Lecoultre Le Coultre 8 Day Clock Chrome Glass
Vintage 1960s Old Rca 77 Art Deco Studio Ribbon Microphone + Multi-impedance
Very Very Rare Silver Art Deco Mens Watch With Hinged Dial Cover & Stand C1920s 
Patek Philippe & Co Geneve Art Deco Tonneau Chronometer Pocket Watch Movement
Art Deco Emerson Electric Antique Electric Fan Restored
Wonderful And Rare Art Deco Royal Doulton Figure - Fanny!
Superb Art Deco Heavy Large Solid Silver Salver Tray 26oz 750g Birmingham 1933
Outstanding Huge 118 Grams Art Deco Rare Cherry Amber Necklace, Superb!!!
Old Rolex Art-deco Gold-plated From 1930's No Res!!
Omega Skeleton Antique 1944 Art Deco Mens Watch Battle Of Alexander The Great
Rare Antique Chinese Art Deco Carved Wood & Cut Glass Screen Room Divider
Michele Deco Mini Mww06d000012 Wrist Watch For Women
Art Deco Cherry Amber Bakelite Bead Necklace
Scta Ratrod Hotrod Fairbanksmorse Mower Art Deco Vtg Kustom
Vintage 1940s Fada Art Deco Old Catalin Bakelite Radio With No Cracks !!!
Ladies 1951 Hamilton 14k Solid Gold & 40 Diamonds Art Deco Vintage Usa Watch
340 Gr English 1929 Art Deco B'ham Sterling Silver Desk Stand Box S Blanckensee
Vintage Art Deco Cherry Amber Bakelite Bead Necklace - 76.3 Grams.
1950s Nude Art Deco Peter Basch 2 1/4" Negative Erotic Model Bettie Page Rarest
Antique Solid Silver Bakelite Art Deco Coffee Pot Hallmarked Birmingham 1932/33
Antique Solid Silver Bakelite Art Deco Coffee Pot Hallmarked Birmingham 1933/34
Omega Regulateur Antique 1932 Deco Watch Zodiac Dial
Bakelite Vitascope English Art Deco Rocking Sailing Ship Clock Diorama Electric
Deco Bmx Bike Complete
Art Nouveau/ Art Deco Lamp Pair
Carlton Ware Art Deco Lidded Box Sketching Bird Turquoise
Art Deco Vintage Western Electric 102 Antique Vintage Rotary Telephone
Deco Era Exquisite 14k Frog Tie Clip
Extra Large Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver Bowl 611.3 Grams 19.655 Troy Oz 
Vtg Movie Theatre Light Industrial Lamp Art Deco Loft Mid Century Silver Alessi
Michele Dianond Mini Deco - Beautiful & Well Cared For - Retail $1,499
Deco Era Tiffany & Co, Mens Signet Ring W/ Coat Of Arms, Heraldic, Start At Gold
1ctg/vs1 Vintage Antique Art Deco European Platinum Ring
Very Nice Vase Boch Keramis Catteau- No Copy -art Deco 1930- Geometric Ceramic 
Vintage Penny Coca-cola 1940's Deco Gumball Candy Peanut Machine Soda Fountain!
No Reserve Erte Signed Original Gouache Painting Art Deco Antique Costume Framed
Antique Schneider Art Deco Cameo Glass Vase 16" Perfect Signed With Candy Cane
Men's Doxa Playing Cards Antique 1910's Swiss Amazing Art Deco Silver Big Watch
Michele Deco Classic Ladies Mop Swiss Quartz Chronograph Watch Mww06a000141
Vintage Art-deco Gents Rolex Viceroy Windup Watch Circa 1930
Rare Branded 1881 Stunning Swiss Longines Watch Black Art-deco Dial Gold-plated 
Art Deco Telephone Western Electric 202 Antique Phone Vintage - 684 Ringer
12 Art Deco Cubist Knife Rests By Sandoz . Gallia Christofle 
Superb Art Deco Heavy Large Solid Silver Footed Comport 610g Birmingham 1933
Mens Ring Antique Vintage Deco Estate Collectible Lavender Chalcedony 10k Gold
Rene Lalique Opalescent Signed Glass Bowl "coquilles" C1924 N3204 Art Deco 16cms
Art Deco Sterling Silver Mexican Large Pitcher By Fabian 20.5 Troy 637.8 Grams
Art Deco Lady With Hoop Statue[ Signed Alonzo]
Vintage Art Deco Retro Chinese Carved Cinnabar Long Necklace Signed Silver Clasp
Vintage Neon Clock Art Deco Eames Era Old No Reserve
Charles Schneider Ovington Art Deco Glass Vase Flames Cut Cameo New York France
Rare Art Deco Heisey Mermaid Bowl 
Scarce Long Art Deco 1929 14k White Gold Moveable Lug Mens Waltham Wrist Watch
Art Deco 18k Traub Orange Blossom Pattern White Gold Wedding Band Ring Size 6.5
Dive Rite Rg3000ice Stage/deco Technical Scuba Diving Regulator
Swiss Anonim Skeleton Antique Art Deco Wristwatch Amazing Engraved
Recent News: Art Deco
Source: Google News
Art deco heaven: Great Gatsby-inspired hotels
MSN NZ News, May 22ndArt deco heaven: Great Gatsby-inspired hotels. Loading slideshow... Casa Margot, Mendoza, Argentina; La Residence Hue, Hue, Vietnam; Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles, US; Hotel St Augustine, Miami, US; Moreno Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina; The...Read more
The First Art Newspaper on the Net
Art Daily, May 22ndHeadlining the sale is Lot 1092, a magnificent art deco ruby and diamond necklace, by Cartier, circa 1925, with an estimate of HK$3,000,000 – 4,000,000. Featuring approximately 20.00ct of rubies and 30.00ct of diamonds, the necklace's linear outline...Read more
1929 Rand Tower sports art-deco elements — and an aviation theme
MinnPost.com, May 22ndIt wasn't necessarily the urge to recreate that sensation that brought me up into the skyways; I just wanted to explore some of the art deco fixtures in the Rand Tower. The front doors were locked, but the skyway entrance was open. The lobby and the...Read more
Art deco explored
Daily Echo, May 22ndTHERE'S a chance to find out more about Southampton's art deco buildings with a tour of the Civic Centre and a talk on stylish cinemas, industrial buildings and houses. The talk by Southampton City Council's art deco manager Dr Andy Russell is at 11am...Read more
'Art Deco Automobiles' exhibit opens June 14
Columbia Daily Herald, May 19thAn eclectic, machine-inspired decorative style that thrived between the two World Wars, Art Deco combined craft motifs with industrial materials and lavish embellishments. The movement began in Paris in the early 1920s and was propelled to prominence...Read more
Echoes of Deco: 'Gatsby' film renews interest in art deco period
Chattanooga Times Free Press, May 17thHickey-Freeman Building: This architectural beauty at 809 Market St. once housed Hardie & Caudle men's clothing store and is the new home of Blacksmith's Bistro. Its exterior is art deco in the design of the windows and patterned tiles inset in the...Read more
London's best art deco buildings
Telegraph.co.uk, May 13thIn 1933, a wealthy American couple named Stephen and Virginia Courtauld acquired Eltham Palace, the ruined childhood home of Henry VIII. They set about restoring the remaining parts of the palace and created an elaborate home with sumptuous art deco...Read more
Greenbelt Theatre to Receive $75000 to Repair Art Deco Lobby
DCist.com, May 13thThe Greenbelt Theatre, in Prince George's County, will get $75,000 to fix up its once-ornate art deco lobby, which has been in scrappy condition for some time now. And while the $75,000 won't pay for the entire renovation, it will account for a...Read more