The term "Art Deco" comes from the Exposition Internationale des Arts decoratifs et industriels modemes held in Paris from April to November 1925. This style is also called "1925 style" (Le Style 1925). It is a generic term for the decorative style that swept France and other parts of Europe from the 1910s to the 1930s, affecting crafts, architecture, painting, fashion, and all other genres of art.

Industry gave rise to an array of new materials such as synthetic resins, reinforced concrete, and tempered glass. With the beginning of mass production, the world entered the era of affluence and mass consumption, marking a clear distinction from the 19th century. This new sense of value was an inspiration to applied artists who had been seeking compatibility between function and aesthetics, and encouraged them to create new standards of beauty. This led to the gradual development of a new style featuring the intellectual composition of straight lines and solids as well as geometric ornaments. These originated in various artistic styles such as cubism, the simplest representation of Art Nouveau, and Russian ballet.

The 1920s witnessed the development of the modem lifestyles that prevail today. During this period, airplanes appeared in the sky, tourism by steamship grew in popularity, trains and cars traveled at higher speeds, and all aspects of society began to move at a dramatically quickened pace. The rhythmical and mechanical movements of the age replaced the organic form of Art Nouveau, and constituted the basis of the metallic and linear design characteristics of Art Deco. These characteristics can be observed in zigzag patterns designed to mimic radio waves, the streamlined forms implying a sense of speed, and fountain designs.

In today's world, our society tends to give too much weight to rationalism and functionalism. We therefore find novelty in Art Deco that is both functional and highly decorative. This style of art, which prevailed in the 1920s and 1930s when the basis of the modem lifestyle was established, is now becoming a focus of attention.