Reproductions will be on thick, modern paper. To see whether they're reproductions, feel the quality of the paper. Posters - especially ones by Alphonse Mucha, Jules Cheret and J M Cassandre.Emile Galle glassware - usually have a cameo or signature.Original Tiffany lamps - have a marked pad on the shade.However, if the pieces is by a known designer, the price soars. Flowers - and peacock feathers are the epitome of art nouveau style.ĭue to mass production, many art nouveau items are not valuable although still highly desirable.Lalique glass is usually a pearly opaque with etched designs. Typical art nouveau glass is iridescent with patterns of liquid oil. There are hundreds of outlets selling Mackintosh-style clocks, frames, jewellery boxes etc. Ornaments - in silver, pewter and glass.If you're unsure whether a salvaged item is art nouveau, study the design carefully: it should grow from the ground upwards with a continuous organic movement. Many original ones can be picked up in salvage yards but make sure you know whether you're buying a repro or an original.
Fireplaces - look for cast iron hoods with the raised sinuous curves of flowers growing up each side and tiles.Original ones cost the earth but most of the high streets stores produce very good imitations. Lighting - you've got to have a Tiffany lamp - the beautiful umbrella-shape rainbow of favrile glass with bronze and metal latticework.Door handles - beaten metal for door handles and light fittings are perfect for that handmade finish.Stained glass - panels went in doors as well as furniture - wardrobe doors, cabinets, mirrors etc, with curved leading for the stalks and leaves, ending in a flower made from pearly enamels or semi-precious stones such as amethysts.If that's not your style go for curvy shapes upholstered in a stylised floral fabric. Furniture - Mackintosh is renowned for extremely high-backed chairs in glossy black lacquer.A technique called tube lining was used to make the design stand out from the surface - think of piping icing on a cake. Tiles - use in panels and intersperse patterned ones with white.Wallpaper - designs are highly stylised flowers, particularly poppies, water lilies and wisteria branches, tendrils, leaves, stems, thistles, pomegranates peacock feathers, birds and dragonflies.Walls - can either be painted in one of the colours of the palette or off-white, or papered.Mackintosh experimented with all-white interiors.
Team these with lilac, violet and purple, peacock blue.