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Art Deco objects in detail

Inspiration from the East
Eileen Gray (Irish): screen and Lacquer panels from a shrine.

Eileen Gray (Irish): screen. Lacquer on wood, with silver leaf veneer. 207 x 435 x 1.7 cm (each panel: 207 x 54 x 1.7 cm). French, 1928. V&A: W.40-1977.Lacquer panels from a shrine. Lacquer on wood. 153.5 x 34.5 cm; 153.5 x 35 cm; 148.5 x 37.5 cm; 148.5 x 36.8 cm. Japanese, 19th century. V&A: W.1A/9-1913, W.1A/10-1913, W.1A/11-1913 and W.1A/12-1913.
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Art Deco 1910 - 1939

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The increasing fascination of Deco designers with sensuality, luxury and rich surface finish led to a craze for lacquer.

A traditional Asian technique, it became one of the most favoured of modern materials.

The versatility of lacquer meant that it could be applied to wood, metal, leather and textiles and used for a variety of different objects, but it was perhaps used to greatest effect in the stunning furniture and screens created by both European designers and Japanese masters of the medium.

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