AD Collections: ‘1937/2017, the decorative arts from yesterday to today’

'Waves' light by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman

‘Waves’ light in Inox steel by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman for Opinion Ciatti.

This third edition of AD Collections is presented in the magnificent 1930s Musée d’art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, a building originally created for the Exposition Internationale of 1937 on the banks of the Seine. With historic Art Deco pieces nestled in among the contemporary design, it presents this year a subtle connection between the noble materials and artisanal expertise of works by such legends as André Arbus, Pierre Chareau and Jean Dunand and those of contemporary designers.

Chair in sculpted wood by Paul Frederic Follot

Chair in sculpted, lacquered and gilded wood by Paul Frédéric Follot (1877-1941). Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

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'Lamm' chair in patinated bronze by Charles Tassin

Contemporary ‘Lamm’ chair in metallic patinated bronze by Charles Tassin  for Galerie May

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Desk chair by Michel Dufet

Armchair, c1930 in bois de palmier and python skin by Michel Dufet. Collection Musée d’Art modern de la Ville de Paris

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Jean-Luc le Moinnier

Contemporary armchair in ebony, bronze and leather by Jean-Luc Mounier for Galerie Scène Ouverte

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'Eden' chair in forged iron by Elizabeth Garouste

Contemporary ‘Eden’ chair in forged iron by Elizabeth Garouste for Galerie Avant-Scène

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Lacquered wood chair by André Arbus

Lacquered wood chair, 1937, by André Arbus. Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

This focus on the role and skill of the artisan is at the very root of the rich tradition of the decorative arts in France. A skilled artisan practices his craft and through experience and aptitude can reach the expressive levels of an artist. He has a key role in the production of the pieces and when working with  exceptional materials the results reach the heights of the work of such Art Deco legends as Ruhlmann, Printz and Chareau and Arbus, and contemporary designers like Joseph Dirand, Majd Baezerij, Nicolas Aubagnac, Emmanuel Bossuet, and many others showing at this AD Collections.

Secretaire (1926) by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann

Secretaire, 1926, Burmese loupe d’amboine wood, crocodile skin, ivory and ebony by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

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Cabinet in patinated steel by Delos & Ubiedo

Contemporary cabinet in patinated iron by Delos & Ubiedo for Galerie Mougin

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Commode by Eugène Printz

Commode with drawers, 1933, in rosewood, sycamore and copper by Eugène Printz. Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

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Ingrid Donat

Contemporary ‘Tribal’ commode in bronze by Ingrid Donat for Carpenters Workshop Gallery

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Pair of monumental vases by Jean DunandPair of monumental amphora vases, 1930 in lacquered gilded copper by Jean Dunand. Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

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Large porcelain vase painted by Barthélèmy Toguo for Sèvres

Contemporary ‘Grand Charpin’ vase in porcelain by Pierre Charpin, painted by Bathélémy Toguo, for Sévres

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Ann Sevrin, responsible for the scenography for this edition, has arranged the exhibits on small stands set against the walls. Each backdrop is in a subtle pale pink which acts as a discreet foil to the splendor of the design pieces.

Desk in bois de palmier and canon de fusil metal by Eugene Printz

Desk in bois de palmier and ‘canon de fusil’ metal, 1932, by Eugene Printz. Collection Musée d’Art modern de la Ville de Paris

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'Oscar' desk by Joseph Dirand

Contemporary ‘Oscar’ desk in leather, polished steel and wood by Joseph Dirand.

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Coffre à linge by Pierre ChareauCoffre à linge, c1927 by Pierre Chareau. Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

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André Arbus

Console, 1937, in tortoiseshell and bronze by André Arbus. Collection Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris

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'Expansion' console by Patrick Naggar

‘Expansion’ console in ptinated bronze by Patrick Naggar for Galerie Dutko

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'Hommage' cabinet, 'Ce n'est pas' pouf and 'Lis-moi une histoire'' side table by Pinel & Pinel

Contemporary ‘Hommage’ cabinet and chair, ‘Ce nest pas’ pouf and ‘Lis-moi une histoire’ side table in leather and crocodile skin by Pinel & Pinel

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Bedside table by Chahan MinassianContemporary bedside table in bronze, straw marquetry, leather and rock crystal by Chahan Minassian

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Bout de canapé by Majd BazerjiContemporary side table in brass, patinated bronze and inbox by Majd Bazerji for Galerie Patrick Fourtin

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And a few more beautiful pieces:

'Gallipoli' armchair and 'Ruffano' bench by Stéphane Parmentier

This ‘Gallipoli’ armchair and ‘Ruffano’ bench in travertine and sheepskin are a fabulous use of these materials, combining the coolness of the stone with the warmth of the sheepskin. Love these! Stéphane Parmentier

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'Aelita' light and 'Orgues Redux' light by Emmanuel Bossuet for Maison Charles

‘Aelita’ and ‘Organ Redux’ in brass, canon de fusil metal and silver by Emmanuel Bossuet for Maison Charles

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'Helios' low table by Nocolas Aubagnac

Contemporary ‘Helios’ low table, maple and straw marquetry by Nicolas Aubagnac

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'Landscape' lamp by Raphael Navot

Contemporary ‘Landscape’ lamp in bronze by Raphael Navot

Great design truly transcends time, reinventing itself while remaining true to the expertise of the artisan and to the value of superior, carefully-chosen materials.

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Wishing you all a lovely weekend

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