Three hammered wrought iron panels designed by Edgar Brandt (1880-1960). Made in Paris for Selfridges’ new Oxford Street (London) entrance, which included four pairs of lift cages, opened in 1929. The Lift Compartment epitomised the luxe style of the Art Deco period, whilst embarking the brashness of this combination of metalwork, naturally eluding to a mature approach of this period of design.The three sections of the lift compartments are currently displayed at the Brighton museum and art gallery, with the fourth at the V&A museum in London. The objects are displayed within the Twentieth Century Art and Design Gallery of each institution. Brandt’s Lift Compartment panels are segregated on a separate plinth, illuminated by spotlights; consequently eluding to the beholder to recognise their unique nature. The lifts were removed in 1971 from the Selfridges’ store to comply with new fire regulations, and have remained at these museums until the present day.
