--- title: The Inspiration Behind Art Deco Finishes on Aluminum description: Iron workmanship from 1920s art deco gates inspired the detailed design of aluminum match box covers. image: https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191636-jpg/images/art-deco-grip-lg-front.jpg --- //cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/60349/file-26191636-jpg/images/art-deco-grip-lg-front.jpg [](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/27231/The-Inspiration-Behind-Art-Deco-Finishes-on-Aluminum#main-nav) [![Norcorp](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Northern-Engraving-Logo-white.png?width=530&name=Northern-Engraving-Logo-white.png "Norcorp")](https://www.norcorp.com/) - [Surfaces on Aluminum Design Blog](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog) - The Inspiration Behind Art Deco Finishes on Aluminum # The Inspiration Behind Art Deco Finishes on Aluminum [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/facebook_footer.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F27231%2FThe-Inspiration-Behind-Art-Deco-Finishes-on-Aluminum) [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/linkedin_footer.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F27231%2FThe-Inspiration-Behind-Art-Deco-Finishes-on-Aluminum&title=&source=%2F&summary=) [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/twitter_footer.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Check%20out%20this%20great%20blog%20post%20I%20just%20read&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F27231%2FThe-Inspiration-Behind-Art-Deco-Finishes-on-Aluminum) [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/googlefooter.png)](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F27231%2FThe-Inspiration-Behind-Art-Deco-Finishes-on-Aluminum) [Previous← Faux Finishes - Leather, Carbon Fiber, Marble and Patinas on Aluminum](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/27701/faux-finishes-leather-carbon-fiber-marble-and-patinas-on-aluminum) [NextAluminum Diamond Plate Finish →](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/28108/Aluminum-Diamond-Plate-Finish) [Deidre Kruser](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/author/deidre-kruser) **Tue, Jul 13, 2010 ** Understanding inspiration behind a finish, seeing how an idea is translated from concept to metal surface, illustrates the design process on aluminum.  This article educates you on the inspiration and design of [art deco aluminum match box covers](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/18472/Art-Deco-Aluminum-Match-Box-Covers).  ![art deco aluminum matchbox](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191636-jpg/images/art-deco-grip-lg-front.jpg) The seed of inspiration for each of the art deco designs was a series of vintage 1920 French books, *La Ferronnerie Moderne,*by Henri Clouzot.    ![La Ferronnerie Moderne books](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26190986-jpg/images/art-deco-books.jpg) The books highlight artistic iron workmanship from the 1920s art nouveau and art deco style exemplified in gates, balconies, screens, tables, lamps and a variety of doors and entrance ways. ![art deco iron work](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191098-jpg/images/art-deco-gate.jpg)![art deco iron work](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191902-jpg/images/art-deco-iron-work.jpg)![art deco iron work](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191805-jpg/images/art-deco-inspired-gate.jpg) The symmetry and repetition of large and lavish architectural ironwork translated onto tiny match box covers creates elegant jewel-like surfaces.  Our designers translated the designs using brushing, engine turning, printing and texture. ![art deco inspiration](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191259-jpg/images/art-deco-gates-inspiration.jpg) ![art deco inspiration](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191729-jpg/images/art-deco-inspiration.jpg) ![art deco inspiration](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26191179-jpg/images/art-deco-gates-.jpg) One of our goals in the design of this series was to really feature the aluminum surface.  This was done through a series of mechanical finishes applied selectively to the metal.  The result is a surface that *dances* before we have even started printing.  ![mechanical aluminum finish step](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26192007-jpg/images/art-deco-matchbox-mechanical-finish-step.jpg)  Building on the foundation of brushed and bright aluminum, we layered transparent inks and clear textures on the metal.  A *mixed metal* effect was created with the addition of gold accents. ![art deco matchbox grip front](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26190697-jpg/images/art-deco-aluminum-matchbox-grip-front.jpg) ![art deco matchbox grip back](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-26190441-jpg/images/art-deco-aluminum-matchbox-grip-back.jpg) The possibilities are endless.  Change the scale.  Change the colors.  Or change the process.  What would you do? 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