Art deco still attractive, collectible
Recently, I took my first tour of Spokane’s landmark Fox Theater.
Like anyone seeing magnificent art deco interior with its impressive light fixtures, cast aluminum balcony railings, etched glass panels, and walls covered by elaborate murals painted in luxurious silver, I was swept away. What a treasure.
It’s hard not to react to the exuberance and bigness of the art deco period. Born around 1920 and lasting into the mid-1930s, the thoroughly modern geometric and symmetrical style of art deco, with its sharp angles and dramatic lines, made a striking change from the flowing, organic, art nouveau period.
Art deco design peaked in 1925 when the Paris Exposition celebrated a modern world highlighting a new energy in architecture, furniture and even utilitarian household items, and brought the glamour of Hollywood and France’s own “City of Light” into homes around the world.
One of my first art deco period pieces was a woman’s compact. It was made to hang from the wrist by a cord and has the image of the Empire State Building on the shiny black cover.
Next, I brought home a small porcelain-top kitchen table with drop-down leaves. The smooth white surface of the table was framed by a bold black border and the image of a tall skyscraper on each side.
Later, when I had a small business making jewelry and accessories out of vintage flatware for stores and boutiques, I kept a few pieces for myself. One of my favorites was a barrette made from a piece of hammered, silver-plated flatware. On it was an engraved building much like the Empire State Building.
That’s when I realized that I am drawn, specifically, to objects with those wonderful, pointing-straight-to-the-sky 1930s icons on them.
Almost anything from the art deco period is collectible. In some parts of the country prices have gone sky-high. But locally, great deals can still be found. Last weekend I looked at a beautiful ceramic ashtray framed between a pair of elegant metal greyhounds with a $125 price sticker. At the same sale, I paid $1 for a pretty 1930s metal brooch set with tiny, glittering marcasites.
Some art deco furniture featured veneer applied in intricate patterns and a smooth, rounded shape. They were mass produced and are still easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
The one-of-a-kind, true art pieces that were made during the period are rare and command steep prices.
When I went to see “The Aviator,” director Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award winning film about the early career of Howard Hughes, I studied the background of each scene. The costumes, as well as the interiors, perfectly caught the style of that time, the 1920s through the 1940s, in Hollywood. It was big and glamorous.
I think it will be interesting to see if the movie influences fashion and interior style in any way, and the art deco look returns to our homes and wardrobes.
If not, Spokane is fortunate. We’ve still got real thing. We’ve got the Fox.
Calendar:
Barn sale – Another group of Colbert entrepreneurs has joined forces to put on a barn sale. Obviously, the fields at the foot of Mount Spokane are fertile ground for collectors. Don’t forget, that’s the place where the successful Farm Chicks sales were born.
Barbara Kalin called to let me know about the upcoming sale. Kalin, along with four friends, has filled a barn with vintage tablecloths, doilies, quilts and bedding. “We all love to hit garage sales. In fact that’s how we met,” Kaline said. “So we decided to have our own sale and see how it goes.”
Kalin says the sale will also offer collectibles and some furniture, and will be held today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 9229 E. Woollard Road. Directions: Take Division Street north past the “Y.” Follow Highway 2 north to Woollard Road. Turn right onto Woollard and follow signs to the sale. Remaining items will be discounted on Saturday.
Forget-Me-Not Antiques Open House in Coeur d’Alene – Sunday, Forget-Me-Not Antiques and Gifts at 1402 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene, will hold a special open house to honor Nora Carlson Douglass. Douglass, 85, grew up in the small house, built by her father, which now serves as a fun and funky antiques and gift shop. Refreshments will be served. For more information call (208) 765-9493
Spring antiques sale coming up – The 30th Annual Custer’s Spring Antiques and Collectors Sale will be at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center next Friday through April 24. The $5 admission is good all weekend. For more information, call 924-0588 or go to www.custershows.com
Fabric Fun at Shabby to Chic Shoppe – April 24, the Fabric Diva at the Shabby to Chic Shoppe at the Lake on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene, will present creative ways to use fabric in your shabby chic décor. The free event, which includes refreshments, runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
To register or for more information, call (208) 676-8485.