Art Deco Metal Tableware
May 28, 2014 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
Jean Puiforcat Tea Service
There are so many reasons why we love the Art Deco period: the furniture, the architecture, the sculptures, the music, the glass – it was an era when every artistic medium seemed to feed off each other. With all this inspiration brewing, it’s only natural that every last detail in a home echoed this streamlined aesthetic. Join us as we investigate the unsung heroes of a hostess’ arsenal: tableware.
Decorative Themes in Art Deco Metal Tableware
With the desire for modernity, luxury, and simple sophistication looming, designers gravitated toward the shine of silver. In the 1920s and 30s artisans were refining forms, creating bold and elegant pieces. Like the buildings of the time, geometry and a mastery of proportions were the calling cards for tableware designs. In fact some designers even credit skyscrapers as their best source of inspiration. Like furniture or architecture, chevrons, zig zags, and lines are commonly used motifs. It’s important to remember that while these relatively simple designs were perfectly suited for mass production, collectors can still find beautifully crafted pieces. This was a time when mass production did not equate to lower quality.
Stunning pitcher by Bernadotte
This movement was primarily born in Europe and the American counterparts slowly developed a unique Art Deco aesthetic following the Great Depression. The beloved Russel Wright was one of the first pioneers for this domestic movement. Wright, responding to an enthusiastic (and fiscally-limited) market, successfully experimented with aluminum as a medium. But he was not the only designer to move beyond silver’s hypnotic spell. Alternatives like chrome, silver plate, and Gallia (a form of silver plate) were also employed to help keep consumer cost to a minimum. In time the new wonder material (plastic) would be combined with shiny metal elements. For example, bakelite was an acceptable substitute for ivory. Combinations weren’t just for economic ends, enhancing metal with other materials was seen as a bold design choice. Stylistically designers enjoyed contrasting silver with other fine materials such as exotic woods and stone.
Key Designers for Metal Tableware
When you discuss tableware artisans, perhaps the most influential is Jean Puiforcat. He started life as a sculptor and his keen eye for proportion helped create stunning pieces. Not only did Puiforcat master form, but he was also an accomplished metalworker.
Sigvard Bernadotte with his work
His work (mainly utensils and tea services) are known for their originality, geometry, and harmony. Puiforcat is also one of the designers who was very comfortable with combining metal and other luxurious materials into his compositions. Other important designers include Norman Bel Gedde (responsible for the iconic Manhattan cocktail service), Harald Nielsen, and Sigvard Bernadotte (who worked for the Danish company Georg Jensen).
Cause A Frockus would like to thank their tremendous resources: “Miller’s 20th Century Design: The Definitive Illustrated Sourcebook” by Judith Miller, Wikipedia, and The Art Institute of Chicago.
For our readers: Who is your favorite tableware designer? If you had a Manhattan Cocktail Service in your collection, what music would you listen to as you sipped on your finely crafted drink?