Paul Follot
1877 – 1941
Born in Paris in 1877 Follot has become known as one of the best art deco designers. He initially trained as a sculptor under the Swiss decorative artist Eugène Grasset and in 1901 he made decorative art objects for La Maison Moderne a showroom in Paris with Julius Meier-Graefe at the helm. A couple of years later Follot started up on his own, quickly gaining a reputation for his high quality and impressive designs. Around the same time, Follot was a founder of "L'Art dans Tout" – a passionate group of likeminded artists who fought fiercely for the French crafts tradition fighting back against the threat of German industrial design.
Follot style over the years developed from a gothic feel into art deco producing stunning silverware designs including tea sets and trays and other objects of art as well as furniture. Follot's exhibition at the Salon d'Automne in 1912 which he featured a combination of dining room furniture is widely considered to be one of the first examples of art deco.
In 1911 Follet joined forces with Wedgwood in England making china designs and later collaborated with Waring & Gillow, an English furniture company. In 1935 he was commissioned to decorate the liner SS Normandie. Follot passed away 1941 and has since been recognised as one of the founders of the art-deco movement.
