That theater is amazing

 

I’m afraid I can’t agree with your definition of Art Deco.
Whilst some Art Deco designs can include references to nature themes, flowers, leaves etc, it was in principle in fact a reaction to the ornate organic design themes of art nouveau.
These items are very Art Deco and not a natural theme in sight.
- apologies for the clockwork penguin.
(although because of that I have added some rather lovely deco penguins - I guess they could be deemed ‘natural’)

 

Thank you, unfortunately, I sold the Patek Philippe as it was too small, 30mm. I loved the design, it just never found
wrist time. Still have this one though... wore it on my wedding day also from 1930s, the watch not my wedding day.

 

The first two images are from a theater in Amsterdam.... absolutely perfectly restored and a must see.

"Pathé Tuschinski, originally Theater Tuschinski, is a movie theater in the Netherlands in Amsterdam commissioned by Abraham Icek Tuschinski in 1921 at a cost of 4 million guilders. The interior and exterior are a spectacular mix of styles, as designed by Hijman Louis de Jong; Amsterdam School, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. The main auditorium hosts many premieres of Dutch films. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world." (source Wikipedia)


The next image is of the lobby ceiling of the Paramount Theater in Oakland California; another incredibly preserved Art Deco theater and a must see for theater fans.


The last image is of the Casino Ballroom ceiling in Avalon, Catalina Island, California. The Casino also has a beautifully preserved theater which until just recently was still showing films.

 

Is this theather Art Deco?

 

I showed the image to my son who has an interest in historical architecture and city planing which he studied at Berkeley. He recognized the theater which is in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The Teatro Yagüez is a neo-baroque theater designed by Francisco Maymón Palmer, and features some eclectic elements that are misconstrued by many as Art Deco. Built in 1909, it was completed well before the style or the term Art Deco existed.

 

Thats correct. Didn't imagine this theater can be that recognizable.

 

That’s the value of a UC Berkeley education.
Go Bears!!

 

Been there, my dad worked at the university in Mayaguez

 

Nice my dad was catedratic mechanical engineering profesor there.

 

That watch would better suit the typography thread. Unique numerals.

 

This appears to be art deco, I believe.

 

Have a look at @Syrte's thread on the "Egyptian" Longines - it has the same awesome numerals.

 

Hi, just checked out that thread, i can't believe i hadn't seen it yet. Alas, i don't think they are the exact same numerals. I can post a picture of another watch with the same numerals tomorrow. Thank you for the amazing comparison.

 

Apart from the ones on your watch being slightly wider they are a match. Doesn't mean anything really other than giving a possible time frame I guess.

I just noted the purple hands on yours - those are gorgeous!

 

Thanx, Yes...the time frame. I wonder about that too.

 

Dear @SkunkPrince, sorry I’m now only catching up with these latest posts.
Art deco is an aesthetic inspired by the industrial era with straight clean lines, in fact very streamlined ones— even though sometimes it also uses quite ornate stylized natural motifs. However those ornate natural motifs are a variant of art deco, which art deco subverts by twisting the lines to make them look artificial. Ornate natural patterns are quintessential to Art Nouveau, which on the contrary emphasizes wild organic curves.
Natural plant motifs are also found in Jugendstil, which was born in Vienna in the early 1900s, and which also relies on streamlined stylized figures. (And which seems to be an early inspiration of art deco?)

The Empire State building and the Chrystler building in New York are the quintessence of art deco.

PS add/

PS this is a lovely watch albeit not art deco IMHO.
When you look at watch catalogues of the 1930s, Art deco was the “modern style” - with straight or angular Arabic numerals.
this silver watch has traditional curvy numerals, curvy case.

 

Similar numerals on this Dantes. Early art- deco maybe

 

Here is a Bulova Templan from 1929/1930. Not for the first time, I have to scratch my head, because it seems to combine some Art Deco-ness (dial, case shape) with callbacks to Art Nouveau (hands, scrollwork on case). I suppose a watch in this bracket (retailed for about $37.50 at the time) was intended as a commercial proposition rather than an aesthetic statement. I'm not sure whether to celebrate or deplore the red paint on the numerals, which were originally radium - quite effective, I'd say. Any views?

Disclosure - now, I don't want to fall foul of either the auction or copyright patrols, but this watch is being auctioned this afternoon, and I have made a fair use rip of the seller's photo. I have no connection.

 

Nice watch, however, I don’t believe it is representative of Art Deco. There have been a lot of posts to this thread which incorporate similar “graphic” design elements as the etching on the case of the watch you shared, the font used on the numerals, etc.. I believe these design elements are more representative of the Arts and Crafts movement, which was also popular during this period. Art Deco is perhaps better known to most people than Arts and Crafts and, as such, gets associated with items from the period.