Maurice Dufrene Knihy

This classic work reproduces duotone plates from original volumes first published in 1926 to illustrate the rooms furnished for the 1925 Paris Exposition des Arts D,coratifs which launched the Art Deco movement. The rooms display a treasure trove of original features, including carpets, lighting, wall hangings and classic quality furniture of the period. Among the interiors illustrated are grand reception rooms, bedrooms and boudoirs, artists studios, dining rooms, hallways and a kitchen. Alastair Duncan's scholarly introduction and the detailed documentary captions, which identify the designers, architects and decorators, provide a unique insight into the decorative style of this important period. The book is an essential acquisition for all modern designers, decorators, home furnishers and collectors.

The Art Nouveau movement that flourished at the turn of the 20th century had profound influence on the decorative arts, including jewelry. The style's sweeping, rhythmic curves and use of stylized floral and animal forms lent themselves well to adaptations in precious stones and rare metals. Lalique, Mucha, and Tiffany were perhaps the most famous designers of Art Nouveau jewelry, but there were many lesser-known artists of superior abilities, among them Maurice Dufrène (born 1876), who created the present work. Dufrène later adopted a simpler style, becoming a leading decorative artist of considerable influence. He was frequently represented in the Salon d'Automne and played a major role in planning the Pris Exposition Universelle of 1937. The work features over 300 spectacular Dufrène pieces: pendants, combs, buckles, rings, bracelets, brooches, umbrella handles, penknives, buttons, clasps, and scissors in detailed photographs reprinted from rare, turn-of-the-century folios. The elegant, royalty-free illustrations are exquisitely detailed with flower, foliage, and butterfly motifs, and are readily adaptable to any design use.