Gateway Object: Art Deco Handle

Shiny brass art deco ring handle with rectangular fixing

Production

This brass handle was produced using the process of sand casting, in which liquid brass is poured into a mould and allowed to cool and solidify. The handle was burnished (smoothed out) by using polishing mops on the surface.

History and Design Qualities

Newman Brothers produced a select range of high-quality Art Deco handles during this period.

Art Deco kept the nature motifs of its predecessor, Art Nouveau, but left behind its organic shapes and pastel shades for bolder materials and colours such as chrome and black, as illustrated here. The movement began in Europe in the early 20th century and was popular from after First World War until the outbreak of the Second World War. Its distinguishing features are simple, clean shapes, often with a streamlined look.

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