What is Art Deco?

Intro to Art Deco

The early 20th century was a transformative period in design, marked by the emergence of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles that revolutionized the aesthetics of the era.

Art Deco, with its geometric shapes and bold ornamentation, brought a sense of elegance and modernity to architecture and decorative arts.

Streamline Moderne, a later evolution of Art Deco, took inspiration from aerodynamic principles, emphasizing sleek, curving forms and long horizontal lines. This style was particularly influential in lighting design, where it introduced the integration of electric light into architectural structures, creating a new dynamic between light and space.

frankart lamp lady with arms outstretched in front of glass

1920-1930

Art Deco (Zig Zag Moderne)

This was the first form of "Deco" that existed from about 1920-1930. Think vertical skyscrapers, zig zags, chevrons, highly geometric forms, and luxurious materials such as marble.

Influenced by Egyptian, Mayan, Greek, Japanese, & other ancient cultures.

Art Deco Products

1930-1940

Streamline Moderne (Art Moderne)

This was the second form of "deco" that existed from 1930-1940. It was a more curvaceous form of art deco that celebrated horizontal movement, speed, and austere technological progress during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Think trains, nautical elements, horizontal lines, curving lines, machine parts, and new materials such as chrome plating.

Also sometimes called Machine age, Modernist, Steampunk, or Dieselpunk.

Streamline Moderne Products
bauhaus school Germany

1919-1933 & Beyond

Bauhaus

Art Deco is sometimes confused with Bauhaus which was a modernist design philosophy from the 1920's & 1930s German Bauhaus School that focused on functionalism, new materials, and mass production within art/design. It began alongside art deco and ended in 1933 when the school was forced to close. The bauhaus concept of "form follows function" would later inspire designers from the Streamline Moderne era through the Mid Century Modern era.

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    Deco Trove LLC proudly announces the launch of ART LITE mini™, a groundbreaking collection of 3D-printed miniature lamps inspired by iconic early 20th-century lighting designs. As the first exclusive brand...

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    Updated:

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    Pattyn produced several renowned streamline moderne (and bauhaus influenced) lamps in the 1930s and 1940s that now appear in many private and museum collections across the U.S. such as model...

    Uncovering The History of Pattyn Products

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    Pattyn produced several renowned streamline moderne (and bauhaus influenced) lamps in the 1930s and 1940s that now appear in many private and museum collections across the U.S. such as model...

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    Speed Rings Speed rings, also called "discs" or "fins", are one of the most iconic elements of streamline art deco design; so iconic that they were used in designs and...

    Elements of Streamline Design: Speed Rings

    Updated:

    Speed Rings Speed rings, also called "discs" or "fins", are one of the most iconic elements of streamline art deco design; so iconic that they were used in designs and...

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