In 1919 artist René Joubert and theater designer Georges Mouveau founded Décoration Intérieure Moderne in Paris to promote contemporary decorative arts. After 1924,when Philippe Petit replaced Moveau, the company became popularly known as Joubert et Petit, one of several French firms that created interiors in the Art Deco style. A team of artists and craftsmen designed glassware, carpets, and furniture, including VMFA’s desk, which was initially displayed in the “Bedroom for Madame de G”at a 1924 Paris exhibition. The next year it was on view at Joubert and Petit’s booth at the celebrated International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris. The palisander veneer and ivory highlights are the desk’s only ornamentation. The stepped pyramid shape of the upper section is reminiscent of Maya temples in Mexico.
Gift of Sydney and Frances Lewis
Displayed at the Exposition Internationaledes Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes, Paris, 1925;
Displayed at "A selected collection of objects from the International Exposition of Modern Decorative & Indusstrial Art," Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (plus 7 venues), 1926
Displayed at "A selected collection of objects from the International Exposition of Modern Decorative & Indusstrial Art," Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (plus 7 venues), 1926
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
