Art Deco Abstract

Art Deco Abstract

Do you know why you don't see Art Deco books or collectors guides in your local Antiquarian bookshops?

Well, the term only started to be used in the 1960s to describe the decorative arts of the 1920s and 1930s. Before that time, the design and crafts of that era were referred to as "Style moderne", modernist, abstract, Cubist, Bauhaus, constructivist or geometric. Many terms were used to describe the arts of the time, but there was no one term which could unify that indefinable something which we now refer to as Art Deco.

So the Collectors Guides and books that we have now were all written from the 1970s onwards. Bevis Hillier was the first to use the term in his 1968 book to accompany a revival of the style in Minneapolis. The deco revival saw an outpouring of Collectors guides from then on, to describe all areas of Art Deco collecting.

But perhaps its only recently, with the publication of "Art Deco Complete" by Alistair Duncan that we have a definite guide which really covers the whole gamut of deco expression. This is a fabulous coffee table book with over 1000 colour photos, and many informative essays on the different artistic themes.

Whether your collecting passion is deco Jewelry, Glass, Bakelite, Lamps, Posters, or Fashion, or you have an interest in architecture, or you are renovating an 1930s house, there is a specialist guide to suit. There are also books on individual artists or craftsmen who are now recognised as the greatest in their field. Such names as Lalique, Clarice Cliff, Paul Poiret, Cassandre, and Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann come to mind.

So, there are not a lot of secondhand books on Art Deco around, and those that do come onto the market, at auction or online, tend to be very popular and attract a lot of bids. However, there are some sellers online who have a fantastic range of Art Deco books and collectors guides at very competitive prices. I like to buy mine new at the best price I can find, and keep them in great condition. At least, these books are highly prized and one of the few types of books that seem to hold their prices.

And they are always such a pleasure to browse through, and admire all the fabulous objets d'art from the 1920s and 1930s - an era when quality and excellent design went hand in hand.

Decolish is a site for Collectors and Fans of Art Deco. See recommendations for the best Art Deco books and where to buy them.

http://www.decolish.com/CollectorsGuides.html

http://www.decolish.com

is it cheesy that im in to vintage and abstract art?

i have been an artistic unique person my whole life. i have always been into things other people consider weird. like collecting animal skulls (great for anatomy) old jewellry, things from the garbage. recently ive been getting into 60's vintage art deco type stuff. i have collected quite a few odd pieces and im proud of them all and love each one and the story behind it. nothing i own coordinates at all and i like it that way. is it cheesy to be into this type of collecting/art?

I'm into the same stuff. Whenever the whim catches me I'll do a found art composition. And I recycle and reuse all kinds of things in creative ways.

It's tough when others don't share your tastes. Right now I have a 1930's radio cabinet. Big wonderful piece furniture and I can't use it right now and no one else wants it. I have to free up some space because I can clutter a house quickly.

There's something special when you can find beauty and wonder in things and places others just overlook. I think it's only cheesy when it's so bizarre that no one else is with you and you become a minority of one or your art gets in the way of your life -like the one man who collected so much stuff he structurally damaged his home and made it unlivable.

So enjoy yourself.