Reclaiming the Age of Excess: Collecting Art Deco and Nouveau

“Can’t repeat the past? ….Why of course you can!” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

When movie mogul Baz Luhrmann endeavored to adapt one of America’s great novels to the big screen for a 21st Century audience, he may or may not have intended to reopen the socio-political discussions Fitzgerald sought to inspire; but, the parallels are hard to ignore.  Set in the roaring 20s, amidst the glamour and luxurious social scene of Long Island (just before the Great Depression chilled even the most hardy West Egg stock), older audiences may bristle at the reminder of their highflying, cares-to-the wind days that came to a screeching halt with the Great Recession.  Like Fitzgerald, Luhrmann’s undertones may not be fully appreciated until we get a bit more distance from those challenging days; but, his effect on pop culture (likely his true intention, anyway) is evident on the runways and on newsstands everywhere.  From Tiffany to Prada, luxury brands are capitalizing on the Gatsby effect, but collectors may find, to their surprise, a great buying opportunity in the decor that styled Gatsby’s infamous mansion.

While Gatsby’s actual decor is open to the imagination, given his propensity for jet-setting opulence and his proximity to The Gold Coast he would have likely been among the stylemakers of the era.  Decor and fashion during the roaring 20’s were a direct reflection of the successes of the industrial era: recent technological and mechanical advances made anything seem possible, and stodgy classicism and staid Victorian restraint gave way to the sexier, edgier, and more modern lines of Art Deco and Art Nouveau style.  The Arts and Crafts movement had offered an appropriate buffer and transition, but for a brief, celebratory decade, we looked ahead with optimism and took risks never before considered.  And, then - in an instant, it was over; and we somberly returned to a refrained, pragmatic reality.  

Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles (see sidebar for a brief discussion of the differences) require a fairly sophisticated eye.  While many may find individual examples aesthetically pleasing, few embrace them in the context of everyday living and as an overall decor.  As a result, the market is what industry experts refer to as “thin” (meaning the number of buyers is few, relative to other segments of the market); and, prices today are relatively affordable for the quality and sophistication of most items from the period.  So, embrace your inner Gatsby and reclaim the treasures of a romantic, optimistic period of American culture - with a singular, statement piece or by recreating the magic of Gatsby’s glamour for your jet setting lifestyle.

Sidebar:

The Arts and Crafts movement began the 1860s with a few thought leaders, most notably William Morris, who rejected the rising industrial era factory-made furnishings of the day.  While much of the world was amazed at the efficiency and speed with which items could be made, Morris and his peers were frustrated and dismayed at a lack of concern for quality, natural design and aesthetic spirit.  Their resulting style movement harkened back to medieval concepts: construction techniques were not only a focus of the maker, but became a part of the design; ornamentation was used sparingly, but when used, called on nature for inspiration.  Although the Arts and Crafts movement persisted until the 1930s in mainstream design and philosophy, during the first quarter of the 20th Century, it inspired two additional styles:  Art Nouveau magnified the reflection of nature in design; somewhat bridging the design gap between the foliate nature of the Victorian era and the simpler, more sophisticated lines of Arts and Crafts; and as the economy prospered, the simple lines of Arts and Crafts gave way to a more modern, geometrical interpretation - almost futuristic in the approach - Art Deco.

This cold painted bronze sculpture is a great example of how the Art Deco movement brought the more natural, curvilinear transition style of Art Nouveau into a more modern design.  Sold at Garth’s, $7,931.

An Art Deco cabinet, in simple, geometric form, makes a sophisticated modern statement thanks to the figured mahogany surface.  Sold at Garth’s, $940.

This elegant bronze by Art Nouveau artist, Harriet Whitney Frishmuth embodies the curvilinear nature that marks the style.  Sold at Garth’s, $4,700.

This Arts & Crafts bookcase by the acclaimed Stickley manufacturing company is a wonderful example of the form meets function simplicity of the movement (note the clean lines and natural wood tone).  Sold at Garth’s, $11,750.

An Austrian vase in the form of a stylized lily is a pleasing example of the subtle sophistication lent to the Arts & Crafts movement by Art Nouveau design.  Sold at Garth’s, $940.

A rare and important Art Nouveau library table by California artisan Julius Stark with wood specimen from 24 different Yosemite area trees, along with the common and scientific names of each, inlaid and carved into the top.  Sold at Garth’s, $11,163.