Art Deco Cabinets and Cupboards
CABINETS AND CUPBOARDS About 1890-1940
Inlaid cabinet by Bugatti, about 1900-1910.
Walnut bookcases, asymmetrical and carved in the antique oak furniture dealer round with symbolist female nudes and plant forms are among only 20 pieces made in Paris by Carabin of Alsace that influence Messag’s work in bronze for Linke, and anticipate art nouveau designers. These include Cara-bin’s friend Gall& of Nancy, who utilizes plant forms, and Charpentier who uses nude figures and tree stems for his cabinets. Guimard, Gothic revival cabinet. about 1870.
Above right, pair of bun walnut bedside cupboards, 1930.
Majorette and van de Velde also design fine art nouveau case furniture for rich clients.
Bugatti of Milan displays cabinets of highly unusual designs, derived from Moorish and oriental sources, at Turin Exhibition, 1902, where art nouveau style peaks. After that, commercialized versions produced until about 1920 in most regions, but Holland rejects eccentricities in favour of sensible cupboards.
Meanwhile, in 1897, Viennese Sezessionist Movement is founded in reaction to prevailing academic approach. Two members – Hoffmann and Moser – start Wiener Werkstatte (Vienna Workshops) in 1903 to produce artistic furniture. Moser’s cabinets very 20thC, their angularity anticipating Bauhaus and Le Corbusier functionalism, but relieving it with abstract decoration that paves the half moon chest of 12 drawers way for Art Deco.
Le Corbusier (C-E Jeanneret) works in partnership with Charlotte Perriand whose wall units are geometric assemblies of cubic compartments. Eileen Gray, an Irishwoman based in Paris, designs cabinets of adaptable form, richly lacquered. Art Deco wardrobes handsome and functional, sideboards with cupboards often lumpy blocks jutting aggressively into room.
Mahogany less in favour except for reproductions, e.g. revival of Biedermeier, in Germany, early 20thC. Rosewood and walnut popular for art nouveau; oak, walnut, maple, for Art Deco.
Art nouveau: Good examples hand-made using traditional methods, cheaper ones factory-made with machined dovetails and so on. Many Bugatti pieces put together by his own idiosyncratic methods.
Modernist: Le Corbusier favoured machined work but many of his designs could only be carried out by hand.
Art Deco: Best cabinets hand-made, but popular, post-1930 versions mass-produced.
Art nouveau: Fine marquetry, good carving.
Modernist: Very little; Gropius (Bauhaus) inlaid mahogany wardrobes with brass lines.
Art Deco: Some marquetry and parquetry. Oxidized or chromium-plated handles.
Art nouveau: Wax or French polishing. Modernist: Painting,varnishing.
Art Deco: Varnishing, lacquering, French polishing.
Important examples (all styles) expensive. Best buys: hand-made 1930s cupboards.
Plywood backs may indicate low standard throughout. Some makers used it to good effect, but if infected with woodworm, much more difficult to treat successfully than solid wood.
Above, Art Deco cocktail cabinet, 1950s.
Most Popular Keywords for This Article: louis xv1 manner ormolu and glass sided hall lantern, antique tea table cherry fold over top, george jones majolica leaf plate, 19th century english silversmith in india, antique brandt pedestal table, gilded ruby bohemia czech punch bowl, garment racks wardrobe racks sold in new orleans la department stores, large antique regency banquet tables, lnjl paris foundry, pale blue hexagonal gilt plate with birds chrysanths, art deco lampen figurine, antique dining tables with pedestal legs 1850’s, franz bergman foundry marks, antique domed entree dish, george ii silver kettle stand, crests acanthus leaves, time period architectural commode came from, mid 19th century library table, coffer antique carved hinge back, southern antique hall chair, dyes in antique rugs, inlaid wood bookcase, berlin roses bone china, antique clocks with arabic numerals, carving bed posts, bronze oriental tea caddy, colonial antique reproduction porcelain figures, 18th century bookstand, furniture, antique, dresser, 42 cm diameter silver salver scrolled shell form border.
Tags: Art Deco, art deco art, art nouveau style, BOOKCASES, cabinet, CABINETS, CUPBOARDS, design, Display, functionalism, Guimard, le corbusier, Oak, sideboards, walnut, wiener werkstatte