Art Deco Chess Pieces

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Not just a style, or design, but more of a movement – the streamlined, geometric elegance of this beautiful chess set reflects the essence of Art Deco design. From the mid 1920s until the outbreak of the Second World War, Art Deco epitomised all that was glamorous in contemporary design. It was this style that Hollywood embraced during its golden age. Deco, popular originally in the 1920s and 30s, took its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, an exhibition held in Paris in 1925. There the style was first seen in the work of French designers who had been in experimenting and refining it for some years. Its origins are rooted in a reaction to the flowing motifs and fussiness of Art Nouveau with its emphasis on individual craftman made pieces. After the First World War people wanted a modern, functional style for their furniture, jewellery and decorative objects. There was a cross-fertilisation of ideas between architects and designers of costumes, stage and ballet sets, jewellery, furniture, ceramics and glass. Film sets, publicity photographs and the luxury goods that surrounded film stars were inevitably Art Deco in spirit. Today the work of Art Deco designers is admired for its beauty, energy and imaginations. These inspiring qualities are mirrored in the sophisticated design of this hand finished Chess set.