Art Deco Lighting
Art Deco Lights are stylish, timeless, tasteful and classic. In vogue for a short period of time, they remain a firm favourite to this day, and for good reason. Inspirational, always in vogue and forever elegant, Art Deco style lighting transforms a home into something special.
Brief History of Art Deco
Art Deco roots can be traced back to La Societe des Artistes Decorateurs (society of decorator artists) in Paris. They were founded in 1901 to encourage higher design and production standards. By 1908 the Art Deco (decorative art) style had begun to take hold.
This was a brief affair that lasted until the beginning of the 1st world war and years of austerity. By 1920 Art Deco influences were everywhere and this included electric lighting. As the electricity network expanded, so did the demand for electric lights.
Stylish Art Deco lamps and lighting spread throughout Europe and into the USA from around 1918. Early designs relied upon geometric angular shapes, with chrome and glass featuring heavily. Bold black and white contrasts were often used to create a dramatic effect. Many Art Deco lamps used glass adorned with nature motifs such as shells, flowers and sunrises.
Europe had been through a long war and electric lights became more widely available. The roaring 1920s was a time of boom and prosperity that saw a rise in the middle classes, who flocked to buy the latest Art Deco designs.
Art Deco Influences
In 1922, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and the contents were widely publicised and put on display. The splendour and grandeur of the find gripped the imagination of the public and designers alike. They complemented the bold shapes and forms and before long, pyramids, sphinxes and Egyptian inspired motifs were to be found in many 1920s Homes.
Early Hollywood had a major influence in bringing the glamour of Art Deco to the people. The new world of moving pictures brought images of ladies wearing shiny elegant fabrics, subdued styles and elaborate decorative mirrors. Josephine Baker was the quintessential flapper and the inspiration for the popular Art Deco Lady and Flapper table lamps, which are still sought after.
By 1930, mass production techniques enabled Art Deco designs to be produced cheaply. Whereas the preceding Art Nouveau period had been the privy of the rich, the 1920s Art Deco style was available to everyone. New-fangled plastics and in particular Bakelite now took the place of more exotic materials, making them cheap to produce.
Art Deco Lamps In the 1920s Style
Inspired 1920s style Art Deco lamps remain popular due to their timeless elegance and beauty. Art Deco designs are bold, structurally sound and geometric in style. These captivating features remain fresh and contemporary to this day.
Original Art Deco Lamps are prohibitively expensive to buy, some costing many thousands of pounds. Some have been badly restored and can often fail due to deterioration of the wiring over time, especially the insulating material.
Today, many manufacturers design ceiling fittings in the Art Deco, whilst others create contemporary lighting designs that fall nicely into this category. Our Art Deco style lighting section features replica designs suitable for any Art Deco themed home.
For more comprehensive information and inspiration, please have a look at our Art Deco lighting history article.
Art Deco Lighting FAQ’s
Q) When was the Art Deco period?
A) The Art Deco style was created in 1908 by La Societe des Artistes Decorateurs (society of decorator artists) in Paris. By 1920 Art Deco influences were everywhere and this included electric lighting. The great depression of the 1930s and the start of World War 2 saw the end of what was possibly the most stylish period in history.
Q) What is Art Deco Lighting?
A) Art Deco Lighting designs are bold, structurally sound and geometric in style. Designs relied upon geometric angular shapes and soft curves, with chrome and glass featuring heavily. Bold black and white contrasts were often used to create a dramatic effect. Many original Art Deco lamps used glass adorned with nature motifs such as shells, flowers and sunrises.
Q) Are Your Art Deco Lamps Originals?
A) No, original Art Deco Lamps are prohibitively expensive to buy, some costing many thousands of pounds. Some have been badly restored and can often fail due to deterioration of the wiring over time, especially the insulating material. Our Art Deco style lighting section features replica designs suitable for any 1920s or Art Deco themed home. Our selection allows you to choose many different styles to complement every room in your home.
Q) Why are Art Deco Lights Still Popular Today?
A) Inspired 1920s style Art Deco lamps remain popular due to their timeless elegance and beauty. Art Deco designs are bold, structurally sound and geometric in style. These captivating features remain fresh and contemporary to this day.
Q) What’s The History of Art Deco Lady Table Lamps?
A) Hollywood moving pictures brought images of ladies wearing shiny elegant fabrics, subdued styles and elaborate decorative mirrors. Josephine Baker was the quintessential flapper and the inspiration for the popular Art Deco Lady and Flapper table lamps, which are still sought after to this day.
