Posts Tagged ‘arts and crafts furniture’

FASHIONS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
Right: Part of a wall-painting from Thebes, New Kingdom, circa 14-00 BC, depicting a scene from a banquet. Three Egyptian beauties are wearing the large earrings or earplugs fashionable at the time. Designed as faience or gold discs, they had a groove round the edge which fitted into a hole in the earlobe.
Below from left to right:
A pair of gold, enamel and glass paste earrings designed as a bunch of grapes suspended from a vine leaf, Canosa, late 3rd/early 2nd century BC. The fragments of green enamel on the leaves and the purple-red glass paste beads display naturalistic interest. Although the type is not very common in the Hellenistic world the design is typical of its age.
A gold disc earring with cone pendant, from Tarentum, late 4th/early 3rd century BC. Note the elaborate decoration of the disc surmount rendered with filigree rosettes and acanthus leaves. Disc earrings with inverted pyramid or cone pendant were used in certain areas of the Greek world as early as the 6th century BC, but it was in the 4th century that they reached the peak of their popularity. The type remained in favour throughout the Hellenistic period.
A pair of gold and garnet earrings, from Altamura (Bari), late 2nd century BC. Eros, god of love and death with his double funerary and erotic symbolism, is a popular motif in Hellenistic goldsmithwork. He is represented here standing with a vine garland across his shoulders and with a patera in his hands. The surmount is set with a garnet.
A gold earring from Crispiano (Tarentum), circa 375-350 BC, of disc-and-pendant type. The disc supports three pendants, the central one in the shape of a female head, a motif not as common as inverted pyramids and cones. The head presents an interesting peculiarity: a small hole at the base for the insertion of a piece of sponge soaked in perfumed oils. There are almost invisible traces of polychrome enamels, a technique that was to be much used in the Hellenistic period.
GEMS OF THE BAROQUE
Front and back views of a pair of gold, enamel, emerald, ruby and pearl pendent earrings, first half of the I 7th century. The front is set with faceted gemstones; the
back is painted with red and black enamel depicting three tulips on a light blue ground.
A pair of gold, polychrome enamel, ruby, turquoise and diamond pendent earrings, circa 1640. Each is designed as an openwork garland of floral motifs carrying a fringe of pearls, the centre decorated with a red and white tulip, and suspended on a flowerhead cluster surmount.
What is noticeable in both these examples, besides the intricacy of design, is the interest in floral patterns, especially the tulip, which had become one of the favourite flower motifs of the time following the ‘tulipomania’of the years around 163 4.
THE RETURN OF ELABORATE EARRINGS
Portrait of Anne of Denmark, consort of James I of England, by De Critz (born Antwerp circa 1552-3 — died London 1642). The fashion for open wing-shaped collars and hair swept up on the head prompted the use of long pendent earrings such as those worn by the Queen, each set with a large pear-shaped pearl, connected by a faceted diamond to a red ribbon bow on the surmount. Although long pendent earrings were not worn in Northern Europe until the beginning of the 17th century, in Italy similar earrings, characterized by satin ribbon bows and pearl drops, are already depicted in mid-16th century portraits.
The three designs in pencil, pen and ink, wash body-colour and gold on vellum circa 161o, are by Arnold Lullus, a Netherlands-born jeweller (active circa 1585—circa 1621) greatly favoured by James I of England, the husband of Anne of Denmark. The second consists of a pendent earring designed as a green enamelled snake from which hangs a ruby within a white enamel crescent supporting three green drops. The first is similar, presenting a green enamel snake suspending a single diamond, a crescent in white enamel set with faceted diamonds and a single green drop. The third is set with eleven table-cut diamonds in a polychrome enamel openwork border supporting two pearl drops and a green gemstone. All three are characteristic of the early 17th century for their size, elaboration of design, interest in enamel-work and faceted gemstones, a consequence of the improved gem-cutting techniques of the time.
THE I 7TH CENTURY: EARRINGS REVIVED
Although the Renaissance is a particularly rich century for jewellery, earrings were not worn. Elaborate head ornaments or coiffures concealed the ears, especially in Northern Europe, and the fashion for very high ruff collars prevented the use of long and elaborate pendent earrings. It was only in the 17th century that change in both hair and dress fashions determined the
reintroduction of large pendent earrings. This is exemplified by the portraits illustrated here.
From left to right
Battista Sforza, Duchess of Urbino, circa 1465, by Piero della Francesca. The Duchess is wearing typically elaborate Italian Renaissance head ornaments: a jewel on the crown of the head and three gem-set brooches fastened to the hair coiled over the ear. (Uffizi, Florence)
Elisabeth Stafford, Lady Drury, English, late 16th century, by Sir William Segar. She is wearing the fashionable high lace ruff collar and hair dressed over paddings to form two puffs concealing the ears.
Barbara Kilingerin, German, 1530, by Hans Maler zu Schwaz. She has her long braids coiled over her ears: a fashionable hairstyle since the late 14th century.
Portrait of a Lady, circa 1660, attributed to the Scottish artist David Scougall. The sitter is shown wearing large and important pendent earrings, each set with a pear-shaped drop on an elaborate diamond and gem-set surmount.
Ann Carr, Countess of Bedford, English, circa 163o, by Sir Anthony van Dyck. The countess wears long earrings, each set with two pear-shaped pearls. This fashionable type of earring was known as the union d’excellence and is always characterized by exceptional size and match of the pearls.
Above: A gold earring of boat-shaped design, from Tarentum, second half of the 4th century BC. The boat motif is enriched with rosettes, nikai and palmette surmounts and is suspended with an elaborate arrangement of chain and pendants. A dramatic chiaroscuro effect is obtained here by the exploitation of gold leaf applications, corded wire, chain and beaded work, replaced in later examples by the use of polychrome enamels.
GREEKS AND ETRUSCANS
Heads on Greek and Roman coins bear witness to the popularity of certain types of earrings, for instance those with vase-shaped pendants. Such earrings appear on Greek vase paintings as early as the 6th century BC.
Above right: A silver dekadrachm of Syracuse by Euainetos, circa 400 BC, depicting the head of the water nymph Arethusa surrounded by four dolphins. She wears an earring with vase pendant. And an electrum tridrachm of Carthage, 3rd century BC, depicting the head of Tanit wearing an earring with vase pendant, copied from the Euainetos prototype.
Right: Front and side views of an Etruscan gold earring of a baule type from Cerveteri, second half of the 6th century BC. The a baule type, so called because of its similarity to a travelling case, is typical of Etruria. It consists of a strip of gold leaf bent round to form a cylinder and is often decorated with very fine corded wire and granulation forming geometrical or stylized floral motifs. In this case the decoration is repeated on the side plaque and the elegant palmette surmount. The type was popular throughout Etruria from about 550 BC to about 470 Bc and was revived in the i 9th century.
Far right: A gold earring, from Volterra, circa 330 BC. Another typically Etruscan form of earring consisting of a horseshoe-shaped surmount supporting a cluster of beads, decorated with corded wire and minute beaded work.
THE RANGE OF ETRUSCAN JEWELLERY
Right: A terracotta statue from Lavinium, first half of the 4th century BC, testifies to the popularity of the Etruscan earring in the form of a horseshoe plaque supporting a cluster of beads, like that shown below centre.
Far right: A gold earring, of uncertain provenance, late 6th century BC, designed as a disc decorated with concentric bands of corded wire and granulation and with rosette motifs at the centre. The origin of this type of earring, or better earstud, is probably to be found in Lydia, from where it spread to Greece proper and Etruria. In Etruria it was particularly fashionable in the second half of the 6th century Be as is confirmed by many tomb paintings at Tarquinia where dancers and ladies banqueting are depicted with disc ear ornaments.
Below: A pair of gold earrings from Spina decorated with heads of the river god Achelous, end of the 5th century sc. Tubular earrings terminating with the heads of men, animals or gods were the most popular form of jewellery in Etruria at the end of the 5th
century BC, and were exported to the Adriatic area and to central Europe. With slight variations the type remained popular throughout the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
Below centre: A gold earring designed as a cluster of beads on a horseshoe surmount, from Vulci, circa 3 50 BC, stamped out from a single sheet of gold. This is an entirely Etruscan creation popular throughout the region during the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. The globules are hollow inside and act as perfumed oil containers.
Below right: Gold and glass paste earrings from Tarentum, second half of the 2nd century BC. Earrings with a pendant in the shape of a glass paste or enamel bird were particularly popular in Southern Russia and in Italy in the 2nd and i st centuries BC. Etruscan examples very close to this, dating from 3rd century BC, have been found in Vulci and Chiusi.
A THOUSAND YEARS OF EARRINGS
Top row, left to right:
A pair of gold earrings of hemispherical design. The S-shaped hooks concealed by smaller bosses. Roman, 2nd century AD, from Cyprus.
A pair of gold earrings, each set with an onyx cameo of a Cupid’s head within a reeded gold border. Roman, 2nd century AD. Unknown provenance. The Roman idea of setting
hardstone cameos in simple gold earring mounts became a feature of Neoclassicism.
A pair of gold earrings designed as pear-shaped drops set with an amethyst bead within a border of pearls and beaded wire. Early Byzantine, 6th-7th century AD. From Kyrenia, Cyprus.
A pair of gold earrings, each designed as a plain hoop supporting four chains with pearl drops. Early Byzantine, 6th-7th century AD. From Cyprus.
Centre row, left to right:
A pair of crescent-shaped gold earrings, decorated with scrolls of gold wire. Early Byzantine, 7th century AD, from Polis, Cyprus.
A pair of gold earrings of crescent shape, filled with an openwork design of a vase of flowers between two confronted peacocks. The edges are decorated with gold globules. Early Byzantine, 7th century AD, provenance unknown.
A pair of gold earrings of crescent design, decorated with wire motifs of crosses within medallions and scrolls. Early Byzantine period, 7th century AD, from Polis, Cyprus.
Bottom row:
A pair of gold Greek earrings, 4th century BC, with twisted wire hoops and terminals in the form of Maenads’ heads.
Two Graeco-Roman gold earrings, probably from Egypt, i st century BC/I St century AD, with twisted hoops and terminals in the form of the heads of wild goats, decorated with garnet and green glass beads.
A pair of Roman gold earrings, 1st-2nd century a variation of the popular boss earring, with blue enamel inlays at the centre.
A pair of Roman gold and amethyst earrings, 2nd-3rd century AD, the gold and amethyst circular surmount supporting a gold bead and amethyst drop.
A pair of Merovingian earrings, 6th century AD, designed as a large gold hoop decorated with a polyhedral bead inset with garnets. This type is widely spread through Merovingian, Ostrogothic and Southern Russian areas between the 5th and 9th centuries AD, and seems to be the only original form of earring produced in Europe after the fall of the western Roman empire.
THE GREEK LEGACY TO THE ETRUSCANS
Far left: A pair of gold and amber earrings, from Riparbella, 3rd century BC, designed as negro heads carved in amber, the helmet or headgear decorated with granulation. Hoop earrings decorated at the front with negro heads were very popular in Greek and Etruscan areas in the 3rd century BC. The hook fitting of this Etruscan example is rather uncommon for the type.
Left: A gold earring from Todi, last quarter of the 4th century BC. Designed as an oval boss decorated with filigree and beaded work supporting a female head pendant between chains ending in spindle-shaped drops. An interesting detail is that the female head itself is provided with earrings. The type as a whole derives from Greek prototypes, and shows clear similarities with examples from Tarentum. But this is more than a copy; it is a provincial and overdecorated interpretation, probably created in central Etruria, of more sober and refined Greek or South Italian prototypes. It is very long — over
10 - 5 cms — but such lengths were not uncommon. Such earrings are made out of thin gold leaf and therefore, although large, are light and reasonably comfortable to wear.
Right above: A pair of gold earrings of disc-and-pendant type from Vulci, 3rd/early 2nd century BC. Disc surmounts decorated with fine granulation support miniature amphorae between pairs of chains terminating with tassels and clusters of beads. Earrings of this type were very fashionable in Etruria at the time and widely diffused throughout the Hellenized world.
Right below: A gold and glass paste earring of disc-and-bird pendant from Tarentum, 2nd century BC. The disc surmount is decorated with white and blue glass paste, the hen pendant rendered in white glass paste. Swans, doves, peacocks and cockerels were favourite shapes for pendent earrings throughout the Hellenistic world, from Southern Russia to Greece, from Etruria to Tarentum.

ART DECO CHAIRS: BRITISH WALNUT CHAIR, FRENCH DESK CHAIR, ENGLISH C-SHAPE ARMCHAIR, FRENCH DINING CHAIR, FRENCH MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIR, BRITISH CURVED CHAIR, FRENCH ROSEWOOD CHAIR.

ART DECO CHAIRS tended to delight in
the taste for comfort and luxury. They boast generous proportions and were made from luxurious and inviting materials. Many chairs were designed as part of a salon suite that included a sofa and several chairs. Whether shaped in clean lines based on traditional forms or in more avant-garde, abstract forms, chairs were created to be both comfortable and pleasing to the eye.
LUXURY AND EXOTICISM
The French designers Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, Sue et Mare, and Paul Follot often based their chair designs on 18th-century forms, such as the bergere and the fauteuil d la reine. With shaped backs, slender tapering legs terminating in delicate sabots of ivory or bronze, and graceful, scrolling arm supports, these chairs were made from
sumptuous timbers, such as mahogany rosewood, and macassar ebony, and were often decorated with carving or inlays of exotic materials, including lacquer, tortoiseshell, sharkskin, and mother-of-pearl.
Upholstery played an important part in Art Deco chair design. Luxurious materials, such as the finest leather, exotic animal skins, and velour were used, and vivid colours and geometric or exotic patterns prevailed. The set designs and costumes of Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russel, Cubist and Fauve paintings, and African, Oriental, and folk art were all key decorative influences.
By the 1930s, many Art Deco chairs were designed along more geometric, abstract lines, with simple contours, and were made from new materials, such as laminated wood, tubular steel, chromed metal, aluminium, and vinyl.

The box-like shape and generous proportions of the chair recall the form of the bergere.
The frame is made of walnut - a richly I coloured frurtwood
favoured in the
18th century.
The cream-coloured leather upholstery coupled with the walnut frame creates a sense of opulence.
The black-leather trim contrasts dramatically with the broad, cream-coloured surfaces.
BRITISH WALNUT CHAIR
Part of a three-piece suite, this comfortable and luxurious armchair was produced by Hille & Co., who were manufacturers of reproduction furniture. The chair has a U-shaped walnut frame that forms armrests with gently rounded
corners, and is supported on a square, moulded, block base. The seat and the matching cushion are upholstered in fine cream leather and have a contrasting narrow black-leather trim. The U-shaped frame was a popular feature of many Art Deco pieces of furniture. c.1928.

FRENCH DESK CHAIR
This mahogany desk chair, by Maurice Dufrene, has an arched tub back and padded seat. The armrests end in bold scrolls and the seat is raised on scrolling, tapering legs. c.1920.
ENGLISH C-SHAPE ARMCHAIR
One of a pair of open armchairs, this has prominent, reverse C-shape armrests on squat, sabre legs. The avant-garde Cubist and Futurist movements influenced the pattern of the upholstery. c.1930.
This Swedish club chair is box-like in shape and has rounded, wooden armrests. The back, seat, and sides of the chair are upholstered in matt black leather with brass rivet details on the arms.
One of a pair of chairs designed by Paul Frankl, the armrests are curved and finished in black lacquer. The seat is upholstered in black vinyl with red piping. c.1927.
FRENCH DINING CHAIR
This elegant tall-backed dining chair is one of a set of six designed by Maurice Jallot. The chair is padded and upholstered in red, with elliptical detailing, and has tapering, slightly splayed legs. 1940s.
FRENCH NIAGARA CHAIR
One of a set of four, this chair was designed by Maurice Dufrene. The “Niagara” patterned upholstery sits within a plain moulded frame, on distinctive, stepped, “falling water” legs.
SWEDISH CLUB CHAIR
AMERICAN D-SHAPE CHAIR

FRENCH ARMCHAIR
FRENCH MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIR
This armchair is one of pair designed by Pol Buthion. It has a chrome and red-lacquered wooden frame and flat paddle arms. The seat and back are upholstered in dark brown fabric.
This armchair is one of a pair by Francisque Chaleyssin and is made from black-lacquered wood. The seat, back, and tubular arms are upholstered in brown and beige velvet.
This armchair is one of a pair designed by Soubrier. It has an arched back and is upholstered in a diamond-patterned fabric. The armchair stands on block feet.
One of a pair, this Jules Leleu chair has an arched back, inverted heart base, and stepped, scroll arm terminals. The tapering legs terminate in gilt-bronze sabots. c.1930.
FRENCH ARMCHAIR
FRENCH LACQUERED ARMCHAIR

AMERICAN V-SHAPED CHAIR
One of six mahogany dining chairs designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Co., this armchair has a distinctive V-shaped upholstered back and curved mahogany arm rests.
BRITISH CURVED CHAIR
Tapering splayed legs support this sycamore chair, attributed to Hille and Co. The padded seat and arched tub back are upholstered in a geometrically patterned fabric, with one curving side. c.1930.
FRENCH DINING CHAIR
This Leon and Maurice Jallot dining chair has an ebonized frame and legs. The seat and back are upholstered in green leather, above sides mounted with three chrome rails. c.1930.
FRENCH CHAIR
This black-polished and upholstered chair is one of a pair by Alfred Porteneuve. It has slender, flattened arms and tapering legs, which end in bronze sabots. 1940s.
This Sue et Mare rosewood side chair has an upholstered arched back above a padded seat. The carved frame has feather detailing and the cabriole legs terminate in scroll feet. c.1925.
This mahogany dining chair is part of a dining suite comprising eight chairs. It has a solid, rectangular back and a padded seat upholstered in striped fabric. The chair is supported on tapering, splayed legs.
Designed by De Coene Freres, this Belgian black-lacquered armchair has a framed, square, padded back and seat upholstered in green leather. The armrests are flattened and the tapering legs terminate in nickel feet.
One of a pair, this Dominique cherry armchair is late for the period but its square form, Aubusson upholstery, and tapering legs are all Art Deco in style. 1945.
FRENCH ROSEWOOD CHAIR
AMERICAN CHAIR
BLACK-LACQUERED CHAIR
FRENCH GAMES CHAIR

Early 19th Century Desks: CANADIAN DROP-FRONT DESK, GERMAN PEDESTAL DESK, FRENCH CLERK’S DESK, BIEDERMEIER CYLINDER BUREAU, FRENCH DIRECTOIRE CYLINDER DESK, AMERICAN FEDERAL DESK

DESKS GENERALLY TENDED TO BE Of two
forms: flat- or slant-topped. Neither of these types were new in the early 19th century. Of the former, which were generally intended for a library, several outstanding examples survive. The Jacob brothers of France provided Napoleon with a flat-topped desk for his study at the Tuileries, which is now at Malmaison. A type of mechanical bureau plat, the box-like top slides back to expose the working surface. It is supported on side pylons formed from paired lion monopodia painted and gilded to simulate bronze.
A late Empire “Ferdinandino” style desk in mahogany survives in the Spanish Royal Palace in Madrid. With a leather top, which is typical of flat-topped desks of the period, it is supported on gilt swans linked by a platform stretcher. Chippendale the Younger’s desk for Sir Richard Colt Hoare at Stourhead demonstrates a British variation of this type. Unusually,
the top of the desk is rounded and has Egyptian mask pilasters running around all sides.
Slant-fronted bureaux were still produced, particularly in provincial centres in Britain and the United States. The cylinder bureau, which had a rounded fall that pushed upwards into the carcase of the piece remained popular on the Continent, particularly in the north. The cliatol in Denmark was a variation with a cabinet above it. Similar bureau-cabinets were produced in Britain, as was a much smaller desk called the Davenport. In some instances the slant provided the actual writing surface rather than covering it, while others were made with a piano-top style. They are thought to be named after a version made by Gillows for a Captain Davenport. Other small desks, , were in vogue on both sides of the channel. The secretaire a abottant continued to be popular, especially in France.

The ebony inlay takes the form of leaf sprays and geometric motifs.
Each side panel hasa lion’s head brass ring pull.
The frieze has three drawers.
Arched bracket lion’s paw foot.
ENGLISH REGENCY DESK
This shaped rectangular pedestal desk has a black gilt-tooled leather writing surface and is decorated around the edges with ebony inlay depicting sprays of leaves and geometric motifs. The frieze has three drawers to the front above
a kneehole, flanked on either side by a door enclosing three drawers. The reverse of the desk has three conforming frieze drawers and cupboard doors enclosing a shelf. The case stands on eight arched bracket lion’s-paw feet.
c.1820.

AMERICAN SLANT-FRONT DESK
This Federal maple and tiger-maple slant-front desk from New England has a moulded slope front with a fitted interior and four long graduated drawers. There is a moulded base and the case sits on French feet. The secondary wood is white pine. c.1800.

FRENCH DIRECTOIRE CYLINDER DESK
This roll-top desk has a white marbled galleried top above three frieze drawers. The panelled fall opens to reveal a fitted interior with small drawers and a leather-inset brushing slide. The desk is raised on turned, tapered legs, ending in toupie feet. c.1800.
ITALIAN LIFT-TOP DESK
This desk has a lift-top with iron strap hinges and lock that folds back to reveal a fitted interior. The desk is supported on canted, scrolled ends with carved supports. Early 19th century.

AMERICAN FEDERAL DESK
The slant front of this Federal cherry-wood clerk’s desk encloses a fitted interior of four drawers and valanced compartments on both sides of a central, shell-carved, prospect door flanked by two document drawers. Below is a single long drawer. Early 19th century.
SWEDISH PAINTED DESK
This is a late Gustavian painted desk, with a wide overhanging rectangular writing surface above three reeded frieze drawers. Each pedestal has three graduated short drawers, again reeded, and is raised on a narrow
plinth with block feet. 1800-20.
BIEDERMEIER CYLINDER BUREAU
FRENCH CLERK’S DESK
This German walnut-veneered cylinder desk has a frieze drawer above the roll-top and two long drawers below. The front opens to reveal a fitted interior with six small drawers and compartments. The case is supported on square-section tapering legs. c.1820.
This mahogany desk has a three-quarter gilt-metal gallery and a leather inset slope. There is a gilt-metal mounted frieze with a drawer above a grille door and sides with folio divisions, flanked by turned columns. The desk is raised above a platform with square supports on bun feet.

GERMAN PEDESTAL DESK
This pedestal writing table is covered with cherry wood veneer. The rectangular top has a higher, moulded edge to the back and sits above one long and two short frieze drawers with locks. Either side of the kneehole, the
deep, rectilinear pedestals have unusual tapered doors with applied moulding above, which give the piece an architectural feel. The interiors of the pedestals are fitted with shelving. The whole piece is supported on a plinth base. c.1825.
CANADIAN DROP-FRONT DESK
This rare Quebec pine desk has a fall front, which opens to reveal a fitted interior. On either side of a central cubbyhole are three wide, graduated drawers, and above it is a series of pigeonholes. The case has three long
drawers and is supported on a moulded plinth. The exterior of the desk has been stripped, but still bears traces of its original paint finish. c.1820

Art Deco Table Wares
Companies engaged in manufacturing products for preparing and serving food found it necessary to accommodate the new trends in modern design. Streamlined and angular shapes can be found not only in sets of china but in kitchen equipment as well. In this section, table wares are not confined to dishes but include other utilitarian and decorative pieces. Because of the great diversity of this category, it is possible to show only a sample of items, but the pieces illustrated should alert collectors to the many possibilities table wares offer. Photographs are arranged approximately in alphabetical order according to the function of the item, ranging from candle holders, centerpieces and crumbers, to pitchers and a toaster!
Table wares basically are made of pottery, glass or metal. Ceramics include earthenware or semi-china, stoneware and porcelain. Simplified decoration distinguishes Deco china from that produced during the Victorian years. Floral transfer patterns covering the entire surface of china gave way to colored line borders or abstract geometric patterns. Sometimes china was left undecorated with the shape or mold drawing attention to a modern image. Geometric shapes other than the usual circular form are seen here in the rectangular bowl and the triangular shaped cup and saucer.
Ceramic table wares can be found at all price levels. Pieces designed and handpainted by Clarice Cliff for the Royal Staffordshire Pottery during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s are highly regarded by advanced collectors. Price can reach several hundred to several thousand dollars for some examples, especially those with floral and landscape decor. “Bizarre,” “Geometric,” — and “Fantasque” were some of the pattern names. The English artist’s signature was included on most of her work. Pieces which do not have her name or signature as part of the mark are usually considerably lower in price. “The Biarritz” soup bowl shown here is one such example. Although the pattern is quite simple, it also merits consideration as a form of Deco table ware. Deco patterns by other English potters are also quite collectible. Many good examples in the moderate price ranges are surfacing. These may be found mixed in with other miscellaneous dishes by dealers who do not specialize in Art Deco.
“American Modern, ” designed by Russel Wright for the Ohio based Steubenville Pottery is also quite collec
tible and much lower in price. This line was made from about 1939 through the late 1950’s. Solid colored surfaces without other added decoration implied a modern concept. Many other European and American pottery and porcelain factories produced their own renditions of “modern” style. Japanese table ware companies used similar interpretations to reach the large American market. Deco patterned china made by the Noritake firm has been attracting many collectors during the last few years. Prices are still affordable but not inconsequential. Table china, however, is probably the largest source of Art Deco “sleepers” and possible bargains today.
Angular shapes or stylized designs cut or molded into glass table wares were made to grace the dining tables of the period. Art glass by French manufacturers is usually too expensive for moderate collectors. The large blue centerpiece bowl made by Daum and the smoke glass bowl by Verlys are two such examples. These would fall into the “investment” rather than the “fun” class of Deco collectibles. But, like ceramics, many types of inexpensive table glass were made during the 1930’s and 1940’s by American factories. Depression era glass collectors began to salvage pieces during the 1960’s. A number of the patterns have unmistakable Deco characteristics. “Manhattan,” a clear glass pattern made by Anchor Hocking is just one type finding its way into Deco collections. The ruby red, cobalt blue and deep green colored glass made by other American glass companies also qualifies as Deco. Quite a few pieces are very attractive, some are even elegant and others are just amusing.
Flatware, serving pieces and decorative table articles can be found in silver, brass, copper, chrome and plated metals. Chrome and plated metals are the least expensive. Nude or semi-nude figures were made into metal centerpieces or candle holders. Prices are competitive with other figural items and examples are just as much in demand. A number of metal Deco items were originally silverplated. Because the plating wears off, items become ugly and lose much of their value. Dealers have found it lucrative to have such objects stripped to the base metal which was usually copper or brass. The copper centerpiece with a pot metal nude is an example which was once silver plated. Do not automatically disregard badly worn plated pieces which have obvious Deco signs. It may be wise to have them stripped and polished by a commercial firm which specializes in that kind of work.