The Art Nouveau
period ran from around 1880 to 1910 and was the first 20th century
modern style. It began in Paris, hence the name, in French - "New
Art". Unlike most previous design movements it did not look
backwards to previous historical periods for its inspiration …
it preferred not to revive past styles, but took ideas from things
around, particularly the natural world.
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THE
AMSTERDAM
An all cast iron combination fireplace typical of the British
Art Nouveau period with its sleek uncluttered rectilinear
styling, minimal decorative motifs and overall elegant appearance.
CLICK
HERE TO SEE
ENLARGED IMAGE
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It had two major forms: in continental Europe the style was predominantly
curvilinear (curving lines) and was typical of posters by Alphonse
Mucha, glasswork by Louis Tiffany, the architecture of Victor
Horta and the jewellery of Rene Lalique. The rectilinear (straight
or square lines) which was preferred in Britain, had a more austere,
linear look which was typified by the Glasgow School of Art, and
especially the designs of artists like Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
This style was also preferred in Vienna, Austria and developed
into its own sub-branch, which became known as the Vienna Secession.
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THE
PARIS
An all-in-one combination fireplace, in a highlight finish,
typical of the period with its florid interlaced French
Art Nouveau style motifs - shown here with a black granite
hearth
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HERE TO SEE
ENLARGED IMAGE
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The feminine opulence and extravagance of much of European Art
Nouveau was often considered too un-British for local tastes,
and the style was widely unpopular, and the more robust masculine
rectilinear forms were more favoured. However, this the more florid
style has recently seen a widespread revival of interest and has
become very collectable. Its exuberant flowing lines, often based
on the interlaced and interwoven tendrils of plants, and deep
rich colours found in fabrics, stained glass and tiles
have struck an accord with contemporary taste.
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THE
KELMSCOTT
An all-in-one cast iron Combination Fireplace, in a polished
finish - a distinctive European Art Nouveau style, shown
here with a black granite hearth.
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Both the curvilinear
and rectilinear forms are evidenced in our collection of Cast
Iron Fireplaces and Fascias, and
we believe that our styles bear all the marks of character and
quality found in the originals, exhibiting that same attention
to detail and high levels of craftsmanship that typified the original
Art Nouveau movement. We can offer, not only all-in-one Combination
fireplaces like those illustrated on the upper part of this
page, but examples with Inset Tube-Lined
Tiles or as Arched Inserts.
We urge you
to take a moment to look at examples in large format image Gallery,
where the quality has to be seen to be believed, and where we
are confident that we can offer an option for virtually every
taste.
