Art Deco Furniture Set
An art deco furniture set brings together matching tables, seating or cabinetry shaped by the geometric boldness of the interwar decades.
Art Deco Furniture Set
An art deco furniture set comprises matched groupings designed for dining rooms, bedrooms and lounges, appearing frequently as dining suites with a table and chairs, or three-piece lounge suites combining sofas and armchairs.
Buyers encounter matching bedroom suites featuring wardrobes, dressing tables and beds, alongside smaller groupings such as nests of tables.
The objects span periods from the Edwardian era through the 1920s, 1930s, and into the 1940s, reflecting the progression of modern design.
Materials and construction
Craftsmen utilised substantial timber foundations faced with decorative veneers including walnut, burr walnut, maple, satinwood, macassar and calamander, creating striking grain patterns across flat surfaces.
Seating and lounge suites incorporate leather and fabric upholstery paired with polished wood frames, while occasional pieces integrate glass tops and brass or cast iron hardware.
Materials recorded across the selection include leather, walnut, burr walnut, glass, timber, fabric, oak, brass, maple and cast iron.
Distinctions in quality
The tier of a piece depends on the choice of exotic veneers and the precision of the marquetry, where symmetrical grain alignment elevates the status of a cabinet or tabletop.
Execution of distinctive forms, such as cloud shapes or skyscraper silhouettes, separates standard production from work bearing maker attribution.
Cohesiveness within a complete suite, where every chair, table and wardrobe shares identical timber selection and decorative detailing, dictates the standing of the group.
Maurice Adams·Frank Taylor and Co·Epstein·Hille·Harry and Lou Epstein·Heal's·Gaylayde·B Cohen and Sons·Rowley Gallery
The Art Deco Furniture Set Glossary
- Cloud suite
- An upholstered lounge grouping defined by rounded, overlapping padded forms resembling cumulus clouds. This silhouette characterises notable pieces from the period.
- Nest of tables
- A set of graduated tables designed to slide neatly beneath one another when not in use. Sets range from three to five tables in walnut, oak or mahogany.
- Klismos
- An ancient Greek chair form reinterpreted by designers during the period with outward-curving legs and a concave backrest. These chairs appear in select dining suites.
- Quintetto
- A specific configuration of a nest of five tables designed to nest together compactly. They are frequently constructed from walnut.
Art Deco Furniture Set: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for walnut and leather suites?
Maintain timber surfaces by applying appropriate beeswax or furniture polish periodically to nourish the veneer and preserve the sheen. Keep leather supple using suitable conditioners and protect both materials from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
Avoid placing hot items or liquids directly onto polished wooden tabletops. Use coasters and placemats to prevent surface marking.
What defines a cloud suite?
A cloud suite consists of seating with rounded, padded upholstery lines reminiscent of cumulus formations. These pieces include sofas and armchairs with generous proportions.
Such designs often pair with walnut frames and low profiles, representing an influential departure from rigid geometric forms.
How do nests of tables function?
Nests of tables provide flexible surface space by stacking several graduated tables into the footprint of the largest single piece. They deploy easily around a room for entertaining.
Sets range from three to five pieces and appear in timbers such as walnut, oak and mahogany.
Can I mix different wood tones?
Combining contrasting timbers requires careful attention to the surrounding interior and the distinct styling of each piece. The era encompasses diverse veneers from light maple to dark calamander.
Matching suites within the same room maintain visual harmony, whereas individual occasional pieces introduce eclectic contrast.