August 4th, 2009
The Art Deco style was resolutely orientated towards modernity as demonstrated by the choice of materials, techniques, and often futuristic lines. Art Deco mantels were very graphic and geometrical, whilst the ultimate focus of the Art Deco style was elegance and sobriety.
Historical influence was discarded in favour of modern ideas and decorative detail was sacrificed to function. Industrial designs and methods were adopted. Modern fireplace designs were often reflected in the worldwide craze for Egyptology, after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
The typical characteristics of the Art Deco mantel are clean lines and sharp edges, stylishness and symmetry, often with references to ancient Egyptian and Greek designs – Stylised flowers, women and animals, geometric patterns, zigzags, chevrons and lightning bolts show this clearly.
Also, elements of the Orient, tribal Africa and the Ballet Russes were to be found in Art Deco mantels. Other common motifs included geometric patterning, steps, setbacks and sunbursts.
There was a wealth of Art Deco mantel designs, using traditional materials but in a more spectacular way. The majority of mantels were made of wood, usually oak, walnut or mahogany, and these were lacquered to give a modern feeling without being overtly ornate.
Whilst the traditional homeowner would have incorporated a simple wooden surround with a modern ceramic insert, a true follower of Art Deco would have had a machine-manufactured complete ceramic unit.
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Tags: Fireplace Mantels, Modern Fireplaces
August 1st, 2009
Art Deco originated in Europe, particularly Paris, at the beginning of the twentieth century. Its popularity was at its peak during the inter-war period and remained so until the outbreak of the Second World War. Unlike many other design movements which were driven by political or philosophical intentions, the purpose of Art Deco was purely decorative. Art Deco was seen as elegant yet modern and functional – perfect for the advancing modern age. In fact, Art Deco celebrated the machine age through the explicit use of man-made materials, such as glass and stainless steel.
Art Deco fireplaces were rectangular and bold, with tiled surrounds in pink, green and beige – glazed finishes were often dramatic, with mottles, pastel colours 
and iridescent glazes. The fireplaces were often made of concrete (reinforcing the commitment to man-made materials) and not many have survived until today. The Art Deco fireplace was all about surfaces and planes, with the revivalist and decorative Edwardian influence quickly swept away. Corners became bevelled or rounded off and flat surfaces moulded into simple, repetitive patterns. In short, Art Deco was inspired by the ultimate in art forms – the art of sculpture.
Very few Art Deco fires and surrounds were hand made – with massive increases in technology, most were made by machine. As well as concrete, Art Deco Fireplaces were often made from ceramic, fitting in with the need to have materials that could be machine made and mass-produced. Ceramic fireplaces were extremely heat resistant and easy to dismantle and clean and as a result, ceramic art deco fires became best sellers in the 1930s.
Art Deco fireplaces were literally works of art, featuring geometrical designs, zigzags, sunbursts, fashionable curves and Egyptian or oriental motifs. However, like Art Nouveau before it, Art Deco had a fairly short shelf life. Due to mass production, the style was seen as gaudy and presenting a false image of luxury and fell out of favour by the Second World War. From this time onwards, fireplace design was rather bland and the introduction of central heating meant that fewer fireplaces were made.
However, the Art Deco fireplace, with its elaborate stylised motifs, made a lasting impression and has experienced several revivals in the last seventy years.
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Tags: Modern Fireplaces
