When one thinks of the Art Deco period, an image of dancing flappers, cigarettes, daring fashions, and strands of long pearl necklaces comes to mind. The characteristics such as strong contrast of light and dark colors, bold symmetry, exotic materials, and oriental influences are easy to spot in Art Deco jewelry. Can you spot them in nearby cars, furniture, consumer goods, and New York architecture?
As part of a project for Walter P. Chrysler, William Van Alen designed the Chrysler building. Van Alen's unusual design included an ornamental jewel-like glass crown. It featured multi-level glass windows along with many stories of glass wrapped corners on the bottom levels. This created the illusion that the building was hovering mystically in the air.[1] It was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1930.
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark in New York City. It is named after New York, the Empire State. It overcame the Chrysler building as the tallest in the world upon its completion in 1931 only to be surpassed by the World Trade Center North Tower in 1972. It now remains the tallest building in New York City.[2]
Furniture was not only decorative but highly functional. Opulence was an important element in furniture design. Many handcrafted pieces featured expensive exotic woods and materials. Many European countries used Art Deco designs for their stamps. Surprisingly, the United States produced stamps which did not adopt this style but rather a more traditional design.Look around you and you will find many Art Deco inspired treasures (jewelry included) in the city!
DuMont Estate Jewelry carries one of the largest selections of Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro, and Collectible Contemporary Jewelry in the world! Please stop by our showroom or our website: www.dumontestatejewelry.com for a visit.
[1] "How two men's dreams changed the skyline of New York" – Article in The New Yorker November 18, 2002
[2] Skyscraper Page – Empire State Building, antenna height source: CTBUH, top floor & roof height source: Empire State Building Company LLC
