American Art Deco

This was a present.

I wanted something which scraped the surface of the american movement and this works just fine for me - lots of pictures

I purchased Alastair Duncan's book, "American Art Deco", expecting a well-illustrated "coffee table book". I got that and so much more!In "American Art Deco", author Alastair Duncan gives the reader a comprehensive history of the decorative arts, beginning with the modernist movement in Germany and the French response to it. The text lays out for the reader the influences of what became known as "Art Deco" in the United States as well as the style's initial rejection in America that, over time, would flourish.The author breaks down his subject into an excellent introduction followed by the modernist works in furniture, textiles, metalwork, silverware and architecture. Leading designers in each area are highlighted and given credit for their works which often were indigenous American styles and innovations.The illustrations and photos, color and black and white, give the reader an excellent idea of the kind of works that were produced by American artists and designers. Some designers were both prolific and created works that spanned many mediums. If I could fault the book, it's that I wanted even more color plates of these beautiful works or practical art!This is an excellent work which covers the entire Art Deco/Modernist movement and I enjoyed both the read and the pictures! I recommend this book with five stars!

Sometimes you know what you like, but don't really know how to define it. I fell in love with art deco from watching a lot of old films or films and TV series set back in those days but didn't quite know what the aesthetic was. I chose this book to learn and I would say I chose wisely. The author explains the two contributing schools of design to art deco and then illustrates the various expressions of art deco by category: furniture, lighting accessories, ceramics, glass and so forth. The book is full of a lot of high quality color illustrations of pieces from the period. This is a great generalist book for defining the art deco expression. As I'm slowly fixing up a house it has inspired me to redo the living room with an art deco look. I only hope we continue to preserve the remaining examples of this design aesthetic.

great reference