What is a 1930s art deco buffet?

A 1930s art deco buffet is a substantial storage piece designed for the dining room, combining bold geometric forms with figured wood veneers. These items served as both functional serveries and decorative statements during an era of modern interior design.

How do I use a buffet in a modern room?

A buffet functions well as a dining room storage cabinet for tableware, glassware, and linens while providing a surface for serving food. In contemporary spaces, these cabinets also serve as media consoles or hallway focal points due to their sculptural presence.

Which woods were used on these buffets?

Makers relied heavily on walnut, burr walnut, and macassar ebony for the primary exterior surfaces of these storage pieces. Contrasting timbers like sycamore, mahogany, and maple were frequently introduced as geometric banding and inlay details.

How do I distinguish French and British art deco pieces?

French examples often favour exotic veneers like macassar ebony and dramatic serpentine shapes with heavy brass mounts. British pieces from makers like Epstein or Hille typically showcase figured burr walnut and architectural, rectilinear volumes.