An introduction to Art Deco
Playful, luxurious, exotic, geometric, modern – Art Deco's myriad of influences and characteristics has created some of the most distinctive design of the 20th century
Art Deco
Spanning the boom of the roaring 1920s through to the bust of the Depression-ridden 1930s, Art Deco drew on timeworn traditions while simultaneously celebrating the modern, mechanised world. This extraordinary blend of tradition and progress, combined with a lively eclecticism, is found throughout the V&A's Art Deco objects.
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The Art Deco objects in the V&A collections span furnishings, ceramics, glassware, metalwork, fabrics, prints and fashion. Decorative elegance and exquisite craftsmanship is displayed through the works of Clarice Cliff, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rene Lalique, Emile-Jaques Ruhlmann and Jeanne Lanvin, providing lively insight into the development of one of the world's first truly global design movements.
Collection highlights
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French Committee of Exhibitions, medal, by Pierre Turin, 1930 – 35, Paris, France -
Surfers, dress fabric, manufactured by Calico Printers' Association, 1937, Manchester, England -
(Detail) Furnishing fabric, designed by Gregory Brown, manufactured by William Foxton Ltd, 1922, England -
Panel, designed by Sigmund Pollitzer, made by Pilkington Ltd, 1933 – 38, St. Helens, England -
Cigarette box, manufactured by The British Buttner Pipe Co. Ltd, 1930 – 35, Glasgow, Scotland -
Archers, vase, designed by René Jules Lalique, manufactured by Lalique glassworks, 1921, France -
Figure group, designed by John Rattenbury Skeaping, manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 1927, Etruria, England -
Marseille Porte de l'Afrique du Nord, poster, designed by Roger Broders, 1920 – 32, France -
Paris, 1925: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, poster, designed by Robert Bonfils, 1925, France -
Dressing table, designed by Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, 1919 – 23, Paris, France -
Clock, B.E. Co, about 1935, China. Museum no. FE.565:1&2-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Door surround, designed by Raymond Hood and Stanley Gordon Jeeves, made by Birmingham Guild of Handicraft, 1928, Birmingham, England -
Desk, designed by Sir Edward Brantwood Maufe, made by W. Rowcliffe, 1925, London, England -
(Detail) Frieze panel, designed by Walter Gilbert, made by Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Art, 1933, Birmingham, England -
Evening dress, designed by Jeanne Lanvin, 1935, Paris, France -
Falbalas et Fanfreluches. Almanach des modes…, fashion plate, designed by George Barbier, 1924, Paris, France -
Hat, made by Kilpin Ltd, about 1925, London, England -
Table lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen, made by Louis Poulsen, 1927, Copenhagen, Denmark -
Brooch, designed by Raymond Templier, about 1930, Paris, France -
Hair comb, 1923 – 24, France -
Vogue, cup and saucer, designed by Eric Slater, manufactured by Shelley Potteries, 1930 – 31, Fenton, England -
Wireless, designed by J. K. White, made by E. K. Cole Ltd, 1932, Southend-on-Sea, England -
Josephine Baker, figure, designed by Fritz Lampl, about 1925, made by Bimini Workshops, about 1940s, England -
Victoire, radiator mascot, designed by René Jules Lalique, manufactured by Lalique glassworks, about 1925, Wingen-sur-Moder., France
Features
Art Deco: René Jules Lalique
René Jules Lalique was an exceptional artist, astute industrialist, and a driving force of the Art Deco style
Art Deco: Clarice Cliff
Discover how Clarice Cliff's bold, Art Deco ceramics brought modernity to the kitchen sink
Art Deco in the home
From luxury handcrafted writing desks to affordable factory-made tea services, discover Art Deco in the home
Art Deco fashion
From Jeanne Lanvin's haute couture to the bold geometric jewellery of Raymond Templier, discover the Art Deco aesthetic in the fashions of the 1920s and 1930s
Art Deco around the world
The impact of Art Deco was far-reaching, carried on the winds of commerce and capitalism, new modes of communication, media and transport
Art Deco's global influences
Art Deco designers drew inspiration from across the globe, referencing archaeological discoveries, historical romanticism and the imagery of ancient cultures
Art Deco: where tradition meets modernity
Art Deco's extraordinary blend of tradition and progress is the essence of works by John Skeaping, Eileen Gray and René Lalique
Madeleine Vionnet – an introduction
Couturier Madeleine Vionnet changed the shape of women's fashion with her revolutionary 'bias-cutting' technique
Art Deco printmakers
Explore some of our evocative Art Deco prints and posters by master printmakers of the period
Header image: Background image: Frieze panel, designed by Walter Gilbert, made by Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Art, 1933, England. Museum no. M.262-1984. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Frieze panel (detail), designed by Walter Gilbert, made by Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Art, 1933, England. Museum no. M.262-1984. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London