MCM-026 Art Deco Brass & Cobalt Glass Doors — Two Complete Pairs with Headers, c.1920, Verbal NYC Speakeasy Provenance, 91" × 30"

A dramatic and historically evocative find — two complete pairs of Art Deco brass-framed doors with cobalt and clear glass panels, each set comprising a pair of doors and an original header, dating to circa 1920. With verbal provenance stating these were taken from a New York City speakeasy — placing them at the heart of one of the most romanticized chapters in American cultural history.

At nearly eight feet tall and with their original cobalt and clear geometric glass panels largely intact, these doors have an immediate and commanding presence. The brass frames carry the hallmarks of quality 1920s commercial interior work: bold geometric design vocabulary straight from the Art Deco playbook, solid construction built for daily use in a busy establishment, and the rich patina of a century of life. Whether or not the speakeasy provenance can be fully documented, the visual evidence speaks for itself — this is the kind of decorative architectural millwork that was installed in high-end New York commercial interiors of the Jazz Age.

The Roaring Twenties Context:

At the height of Prohibition in the late 1920s, New York City alone was home to an estimated 32,000 speakeasies — ranging from basement gin joints to elaborately appointed private clubs that rivaled the finest legitimate establishments. The upscale speakeasy was a place of theater, designed to impress. Cobalt glass, brass fittings, and geometric Art Deco millwork were hallmarks of the era's most fashionable interiors. Doors like these would have been the first thing a patron encountered — the threshold between the street and the world inside.

What's Included — Two Complete Sets:

• Set 1: Pair of doors + header — brass frame, geometric cobalt and clear glass panels
• Set 2: Pair of doors + header — brass frame, geometric cobalt and clear glass panels
• Both sets retain original brass frames in aged patina
• Some panels with scattered damage consistent with age and use

Dimensions (per set):

• Height: 91" (including header)
• Width: 30" per door

Condition:

Wear consistent with approximately 100 years of age and use. Some remaining glass panels show scattered damage. Brass frames carry original patina. Please review all photographs carefully. Sold as found — these are architectural salvage pieces of significant character and age.

• Maker: Unknown — no maker's mark observed
• Period: Circa 1920, Art Deco
• Material: Brass frames, cobalt and clear glass panels
• Provenance: Verbal — stated to have been removed from a New York City speakeasy

These doors are ideal as architectural focal points in a residential interior (bedroom, library, home bar, study), as restaurant or hospitality design elements, as room dividers or display backdrops, or simply as large-scale decorative objects leaned against a wall. The cobalt glass panels glow beautifully when backlit.

Pickup & Shipping: Local pickup strongly preferred given the scale and fragility of these pieces. For buyers requiring shipping, we are happy to provide referrals to specialist fine art and architectural shippers experienced in handling fragile glass and metal. Please contact us prior to purchase to discuss arrangements.