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COLLECTIONART DÉCOLo-Cantou ↗
The Art Deco encyclopedia

A world of objects.
An eye for detail.

Furniture, jewelry, lighting and the art of everyday life. Explore the movement, learn to read its objects, and collect with better questions.

Explore the encyclopedia ↗Start with Art Deco
Art Deco-inspired dressing room with walnut console, stepped mirror, opaline lamp and perfume bottle
AI-created Art Deco illustration · Imagined objects, not stock for sale
A reference, not a showroom

Understand an object before choosing one. Our developing encyclopedia connects design history with practical observation. When you are ready to look for a piece, explore the associated merchant site, Lo-Cantou.

Explore by subject

Twelve ways into Art Deco.

From a cabinet’s grain to a ring’s setting, begin with the details that catch your eye.

01

Foundations

History, visual language and the differences that help you read an object.

02

Furniture

Forms, veneers, construction and the questions to ask before choosing a piece.

03

Lighting

A guide to lighting forms, decorative details and condition questions.

04

Decorative Arts

Explore glass, ceramics, sculpture, mirrors and objects for the home.

05

Jewelry

Understand settings, motifs and evidence before choosing a jewel.

06

Beauty & Accessories

Perfume, powder, mirrors and personal accessories in the interwar home.

07

Interiors

Understand period interiors and make considered choices for a home today.

08

Architecture

Buildings, materials and architectural details across regions.

09

Art & Graphic Design

Paintings, posters, typography and the visual culture of Art Deco.

10

Designers & Makers

Research designers and workshops through documented works.

11

Materials & Techniques

An introduction to construction and decorative techniques.

12

Collecting & Care

Evidence, condition and practical preparation for buying and caring.

Look closer

A style is a starting point.
Evidence tells the story.

Shape, material, construction and provenance answer different questions. Learn to separate what you can see from what still needs research.

Read the collecting introduction →
  1. 01Observe the whole object, then its details.
  2. 02Compare with documented museum examples.
  3. 03Keep style, date and attribution separate.
  4. 04Record condition before making a decision.
The library

Articles & collecting guides.

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