Art Deco although originally short for the French Arts décoratifs, a style that first appeared in 1910s as Art Moderne. It was after the 1925 Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes that that Art Deco as an international style began in earnest. Art Deco had origins in the bold geometric forms of seen in the Vienna Secession and Cubism Movements.  It embraced the bright colours of Fauvism, the theatricality of the Ballets Russes, as well as style signifiers from the Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Persian, ancient Egyptian, and the Mayan civilisations.

Art Deco used rare materials such as ebony and ivory, as well as chrome, stainless steel, and plastic. The iconic Chrysler Building in New York shows how transport became a showcase for the style, particularly seen in the glass mascots created by Réne Jules Lalique, one of the key influencers and designed to light up on the radiator of your Hispano Suiza.

To celebrate the Centenary of the Art Deco Movement, many of the dealers exhibiting have some key pieces from the Art Deco period to show collectors. Celebrating the speed of the motor car, examples of the Lalique Siréne (1) and Longchamps (2) car mascots can be seen at Hickmet Fine Arts.

The iconic Lalique vase entitled Bacchantes (3) was created in the 1927 which depicts the voluptuous young priestesses of Bacches and can be seen with Solo Antiques. The famed Belgian famed glass house Val St Lambert commissioned Charles Graffart and Joseph Simon to create spectacular jewel coloured angular statement vases, which can be seen with Mark J. West. (4)

Jewellery was a particular field where the glamour of the Art Deco style can be seen with a sapphire ring (5) and the Night and Day earrings (6) for the girl about town. from T. Robert. Pieces from Plaza Jewellery include an Art Deco blue zircon ring  (7).

Cocktail Hour? Then head to Jeroen Markies Art Deco for superb examples of period furniture by Harry & Lou Epstein, Hille, Waring & Gillow including a splendid barrel fronted cocktail cabinet with a mirrored interior (8) and The Master Incolor Guinness Cocktail Shaker in silver-plate and black and white bakelite and eight built-in cocktail recipes in the lid from Mark Goodger Fine Arts (9).  

The flare of the Ballets Russes and style of the elegant flapper is captured with sculptural pieces, which include the stunning Dancer with a Thrysus staff in silvered and cold painted bronze by Pierre le Faguays from Solo Antiques (10) and Josef Lorenzl and Creio’s evocative piece ‘Con Brio’ from Hickmet Fine Art encapsulates the Jazz Age with cold painted highlights on silvered bronze pyjamas and ivory carved hands and face. (11)

Although the Art Deco period is being celebrated at the Spring Fair, if it not your thing, there are plenty of pieces to intrigue and entice, from the Roman period to the 1950s for sale.

A 19th Century animal portrait from Blackbrook Gallery of three prize pigs who won first prize in Birmingham 1860, owned by Sir George Orby Wombell 4th Baronet, who was in the Charge of the Light Brigade (12). A wide selection of Minton Pate sur Pate, and British and European ceramics from Scottow Antiques and Julian Eade (13).

Art Nouveau glass including Daum from M & D Moir; Silver from Stephen Kalms Antiques and Marsh Antiques; watches and contemporary jewels from Scarab (14) and Les Petits Tresors; clocks and vintages from Kembery Antique Clocks, including a porcelain panelled 8 day carriage clock from 1885 (15); a Henry Clay papier mache tea caddy from 1800 from Mark Goodger Antiques (16).

A wide selection of signed and period jewellery include an iconic 1960’s suite of Chatham emerald and diamond jewellery by Gillian Packard, comprising of a brooch, earrings and a ring from Markov (17);Tiffany ruby and diamond double clip brooch from 1950s from Plaza Jewellery, (18) and a ruby ring dating from 1940 from Shapiro & Co. (19)

One the largest examples of a bronze sculpture by Seraphim Denecheau of Diana couchee sur croissant de Lune’ from c1870 at 99cm in height by from Garret and Hurst (20), and design items from Scottish and Scandinavian Design. The ‘Ondines’ vase depicts water nymphs in the waves designed by Marc Lalique in 1952 (21). Or perhaps a recently discovered diamond and ruby Fabergé bracelet from T. Robert would be the perfect Easter present (22).

Something for everyone, see you there. To obtain tickets and reduced cost parking please go to: www.classicantiquefairs.co.uk