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.
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.
Features
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Art Deco: René Jules Lalique
René Jules Lalique was an exceptional artist, astute industrialist, and a driving force of the Art Deco style
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Art Deco: Clarice Cliff
Discover how Clarice Cliff's bold, Art Deco ceramics brought modernity to the kitchen sink
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Art Deco in the home
From luxury handcrafted writing desks to affordable factory-made tea services, discover Art Deco in the home
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Madeleine Vionnet – an introduction
Couturier Madeleine Vionnet changed the shape of women's fashion with her revolutionary 'bias-cutting' technique
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Art Deco printmakers
Explore some of our evocative Art Deco prints and posters by master printmakers of the period
Collection highlights
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French Committee of Exhibitions, medal, by Pierre Turin, 1930 – 35, Paris, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Surfers, dress fabric, manufactured by Calico Printers' Association, 1937, Manchester, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
(Detail) Furnishing fabric, designed by Gregory Brown, manufactured by William Foxton Ltd, 1922, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
Panel, designed by Sigmund Pollitzer, made by Pilkington Ltd, 1933 – 38, St. Helens, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Cigarette box, manufactured by The British Buttner Pipe Co. Ltd, 1930 – 35, Glasgow, ScotlandV&A East Storehouse -
Archers, vase, designed by René Jules Lalique, manufactured by Lalique glassworks, 1921, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Figure group, designed by John Rattenbury Skeaping, manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 1927, Etruria, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Marseille Porte de l'Afrique du Nord, poster, designed by Roger Broders, 1920 – 32, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Paris, 1925: Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, poster, designed by Robert Bonfils, 1925, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Dressing table, designed by Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, 1919 – 23, Paris, FranceV&A South Kensington -
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, EnglandYoung V&A -
Desk, designed by Sir Edward Brantwood Maufe, made by W. Rowcliffe, 1925, London, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
(Detail) Frieze panel, designed by Walter Gilbert, made by Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Art, 1933, Birmingham, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Evening dress, designed by Jeanne Lanvin, 1935, Paris, FranceV&A East Storehouse -
Falbalas et Fanfreluches. Almanach des modes…, fashion plate, designed by George Barbier, 1924, Paris, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Hat, made by Kilpin Ltd, about 1925, London, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
Table lamp, designed by Poul Henningsen, made by Louis Poulsen, 1927, Copenhagen, DenmarkV&A South Kensington -
Brooch, designed by Raymond Templier, about 1930, Paris, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Hair comb, 1923 – 24, FranceV&A East Storehouse -
Vogue, cup and saucer, designed by Eric Slater, manufactured by Shelley Potteries, 1930 – 31, Fenton, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Wireless, designed by J. K. White, made by E. K. Cole Ltd, 1932, Southend-on-Sea, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
Josephine Baker, figure, designed by Fritz Lampl, about 1925, made by Bimini Workshops, about 1940s, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Victoire, radiator mascot, designed by René Jules Lalique, manufactured by Lalique glassworks, about 1925, Wingen-sur-Moder., FranceV&A South Kensington
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