Art Deco is a starting point
Art Deco is associated with geometric forms, stylised ornament and an interest in modern materials and luxury craft. The 1925 Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes in Paris is an important reference point. However, a stepped outline or sunburst motif does not establish that an object was made during the interwar period.
Later revivals borrow the same vocabulary. Dealers may use “Art Deco” to describe style rather than age, and an inexpensive decorative piece can be perfectly enjoyable on that basis. Ask whether the claim is “period Art Deco,” “Art Deco style” or a specific, documented date. Have the distinction recorded if it affects your decision.
For modest collecting, proportion often matters more than a name. Look at the relationship between a vase’s body and neck, the weight of a handle and the balance of ornament against plain surfaces. A small unbranded object with coherent design can be more satisfying than a compromised example attached to a hopeful attribution.
Glass, ceramics or metal?
Glass offers colour and sculptural clarity. Inspect rims, feet and handles under good light for chips and cracks. Mould seams can reveal manufacture but do not, by themselves, mean an object is new or low quality. Interior cloudiness may be difficult to remove; do not purchase on the assumption that every deposit will wash away.
Ceramics can offer strong shapes at a manageable scale. Look across glazed surfaces for lines that continue into the body, and check whether a lid actually fits. Fine glaze crazing is different from a structural crack, although both require context. Staining around a line may indicate that liquid has entered it.
Metalwork is often easier to transport than fragile glass, but plated surfaces may be worn or aggressively polished. A silver-coloured object is not necessarily solid silver. Ask what the seller believes the material to be and why. Mixed-metal construction, replacement screws and soldered repairs can change both appearance and durability.
Read the underside carefully
With permission, lift the object using both hands and inspect its base. Factory marks, impressed numbers and labels can aid research, but individual marks may have been used over long periods or imitated. Photograph the whole object and the mark rather than saving a cropped symbol without context.
A handwritten stock number is not automatically an artist’s signature. A retailer’s label may identify a seller rather than a manufacturer. Compare marks with reliable museum or specialist references, and avoid treating an image-search resemblance as confirmation.
Repairs deserve plain questions: has anything been glued, filled, repainted or replaced? A repaired object can still be decorative, but its asking price should not depend on undisclosed perfection. If the seller will not allow reasonable inspection, leaving it behind is a sensible decision.
Make one small object do the work
For an under €50 brief, investigate unbranded dishes, small trays or simple decorative ceramics rather than chasing famous manufacturers. Under €100, you can still apply the same discipline: stable condition, appealing design and a clear description. These are budget categories, not verified prices or promises about current stock.
Compare the object with its practical alternatives. A complete, stable piece may be better value than a damaged one with a more exciting story. Include packing, luggage space and any specialist work in your total. Avoid buying a set with missing parts unless you would be happy keeping it incomplete.
Decorative does not always mean usable
Do not assume old ceramics, painted metal or glass are suitable for food and drink. Historic materials and finishes can present risks that visual inspection cannot resolve. Display an uncertain vessel rather than using it for food. Likewise, vintage lamps need assessment by a qualified electrical professional before connection to power.
Avoid unidentified materials that might be protected wildlife products or regulated cultural objects. Ask about composition and export restrictions before crossing borders. Wrap objects separately, cushion handles and never lift a heavy vase by its rim. A good find is one that arrives home intact and remains safe to enjoy.