10 Art Deco Collectibles That Are Worth More Than You’d Expect
Think Art Deco is just about sleek lines and bold designs? Think again. Some of those beautiful, shiny treasures from the 1920s and ’30s are now worth way more than you’d ever expect. From glamorous jewelry to stylish furniture, the vintage gems from this era have skyrocketed in value, and collectors are paying top dollar for them. Ready to be amazed? Let’s dive into 10 Art Deco collectibles that might be worth more than your car — and in some cases, a whole lot more!
1. Grandma’s Bakelite Radio Can Sell for Hundreds
At first glance, it might just look like a funky old box from Grandma’s attic. But that Art Deco Bakelite radio could be worth way more than you’d ever expect. We’re talking sleek, curvy 1930s design meets early radio magic, all wrapped in that glossy, colorful Bakelite shell that collectors go wild for. Some of these vintage beauties can fetch hundreds, sometimes thousands, depending on the model and condition.
2. From Trendy Jewelry to Jewelry Worth Millions
Think sparkle, think glam, think Cartier Art Deco jewelry. What once dripped from the necks of 1920s socialites is now worth more than most people’s homes. These wearable works of art were crafted with platinum, diamonds, great precision, and a whole lot of wow. That sleek symmetry, the bold geometry, the pops of onyx and jade? Iconic. Back then, it was high fashion. Today, it’s high investment. Some pieces have sold for hundreds of thousands — and millions, even!
3. A Unique Frankl Skyscraper Bookcase
It’s a bookcase, but it’s not just any bookcase. The Frankl Skyscraper bookcase is pure Art Deco magic, and it’s worth way more than you’d ever guess. Designed by Paul Frankl in the 1920s, this towering beauty was inspired by the sleek, rising skylines of New York City. With bold lines, stepped forms, and a style that practically shouts sophistication, it’s less furniture and more sculpture. Back then, it was avant-garde; today, it’s auction gold. Some have sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
4. An Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Masterpiece
A desk is a desk … unless it’s a 1926 Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann masterpiece. Then it’s a jaw-dropping, bank-account-busting icon of Art Deco design. Crafted with exotic woods, ivory inlays, and a level of elegance that practically radiates sophistication, this isn’t where you stash sticky notes. It’s where royalty could sign treaties. Ruhlmann wasn’t just a designer. He was the designer, and his exquisite furniture now commands prices in the tens of thousands — if you can even find one.
5. A Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Clock Wrapped in Sophistication
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clock is timekeeping sorcery wrapped in Art Deco elegance. Invented in the 1920s, this marvel doesn’t even need winding. It runs off tiny changes in air temperature. With its sleek glass case, glimmering mechanics, and silent motion, it’s like a sculpture that just happens to measure time. And the value? Some Atmos clocks have sold for thousands of dollars.
6. Shimmering Art Deco Lalique Glassware That’s Worth Thousands
At first glance, Lalique glassware looks like dreamy, frosted crystal that you might see on a fancy vanity. But here’s the kicker: That shimmering Art Deco glass can be worth thousands. René Lalique’s 1920s pieces, with their flowing lines, mythical creatures, and opalescent glow, are collector catnip. What once held perfume or sat as a centerpiece now commands serious cash at auction. Some vases and figurines have fetched tens of thousands of dollars!
7. The Film Poster That’s Worth a Million
A movie poster worth more than a mansion? Believe it. The 1927 Metropolis film poster is legendary. Designed for Fritz Lang’s sci-fi masterpiece, this Art Deco marvel blends futuristic fantasy with jaw-dropping design. Only a handful are known to exist, and when one surfaced at auction, it sold for over a million dollars. Once tacked to a theater wall, now it’s a prized collector’s gem, encased like a Van Gogh.
8. Not Just Any Poster: A Roger Broders Monte Carlo Poster
It’s a travel poster — just paper, right? Not when it’s a 1920 Roger Broders Monte Carlo original. This isn’t your average vacation ad. It’s a sun-soaked, high-society fantasy captured in bold Art Deco brilliance. With crisp lines, vibrant colors, and chic Riviera vibes, Broders didn’t just sell train tickets — he sold dreams. Today, those dreams go for thousands of dollars.
9. The Hi-Tech Sparton Bluebird Mirror Radio
The Sparton Bluebird Mirror Radio from the 1930s is pure Art Deco magic. Designed by Walter Dorwin Teague, this beauty is a glowing, circular work of art. Its cobalt blue mirrored face, chrome accents, and futuristic flair made it a showstopper then and an absolute treasure now. While it once sat in stylish living rooms as the height of modern design, today it can command thousands of dollars at auction.
10. The Sleek, Timeless Telechron Clock
The Art Deco Telechron clock is a vintage gem that once quietly ticked away on 20th-century mantels and nightstands. Designed with geometric charm and serious flair, it was the epitome of modern cool in its day. Fast-forward to now, and collectors are obsessed. What once cost a few bucks can now bring in hundreds, sometimes even thousands, depending on the model and condition. Yes, that old electric clock in your grandparent’s attic might be worth more than your smart watch.