Decorative art is a form of fine art that involves turning objects into ornamental works of art. The decorative arts under this category of fine arts include glasswork, ceramics, jewelry, and textiles.
Who Are Some of the Greatest Decorative Artists?
William Morris is perhaps the most famous of decorative artists. Born in 1834, this legendary artist believed that decorative arts improved the lives of both the artists and the users of the decorative objects. Although he died in 1896, William’s firm is still, to this day, known for producing tapestry, carpets, furniture, wallpapers, fabrics, and stained glass. Other legendary decorative artists worth a mention include Louis Comfort Tiffany and Clarice Cliff.
Why Some Pottery Is Known as China
The term “china” is sometimes used synonymously with crockery. However, china is actually a porcelain, which is a special type of ceramic that originated in China, around the 7th or 8th century. This ceramic is hard in nature, and it allows light to pass through (translucent). It took close to a millennium for this masterpiece to be made in Europe, after it was invented in China. Meissen, Germany, is the cradle of china in Europe, and the place still produces china even today.
Art Deco
Also known as Deco, Art Deco was a style of architecture, design, and visual arts that originated in France, just before the Second World War. This art style influenced the way furniture, fashions, trains, cars, jewelry, buildings, and other objects were designed. Combining Aztec jewelry, ancient Egyptian jewelry, and Cubist paintings, Art Deco brought to life a vivid style, characterised by geometric forms, sleek lines, and bold colours. Art Deco was later subdued during the Great Depression in the 1930s, as a result of the arrival of new materials, such as plastic, stainless steel, and chrome plating that could be tweaked into a more sleek style.