The term ART DECO is used to indicate highly stylized objects, architecture, art, sculpture, fabrics, jewelry,  furnishings and decorations produced beginning in the 1920s in Europe and continuing worldwide through the 1930s. The most important aspects in the  style of Art Deco includes circular and spherical shapes,  rectangular and triangular  shapes , parallel lines and  sleek forms incorporating angularity, images of speed and motion and streamlined designs. Many of the motifs are taken from early Egyptian concepts, sometimes using color (but often black) and metallic finishes, in silver, chrome and/or bronze. These artworks often represent symbols of strength , flowing movement and power. The human form is especially "glorified" in Art Deco. The female nude figure has special significance, however male figures are also used..In addition, sleek and graceful animal forms, such as the gazelle or greyhound are often used as deco art objects. The have a sleek appearance that fits well with art of the period. Examples of superb Art Deco can be found in Rockefeller Center, New York and if you want to get a feeling for it, you should tour the buildings and the surrounding area. . Unfortunately, the term Art Deco is much abused and many later and poorly executed objects seem to be called that.                        COLLECTING:  The first step is to understand what Art Deco really is as an art form, and of course there are excellent books on the subject. Go to your public Library and find some books which show the artwork, furniture, architecture  and objects of the period. Purchase some books for yourself which show work of the prominent designers of the day.  Do a search on Amazon.com for Art Deco and you will see what I mean. Once you understand what Art Deco really is,  select a specialty (or two) that interests you. For example, numerous clocks, cigarette lighters, cigarette cases, womens makeup compacts and picture frames of the period were based on Art Deco designs and are readily available for purchase on Ebay and at antiques and collectibles shops and antique shows. Much period Art Deco furniture is still available, however pieces designed  by prominent designers of the day have become very expensive. In fact, any Art Deco work  that can be accurately attributed to a prominent designer  ( based on pictures in books and catalogs, for example) is worth much more than one that cannot be attributed, or is simply "in the syle of".  Most designers of the period did not sign their work with their names, so you need to research the manufacturers they designed  for.  An especially attractive area for beginning Art Deco collectors is the period Art Deco lamp, figural lamp, lighting fixture, table lamp and torchiere. Many of these are available and some are still priced affordably.  Period art deco clocks are also widely available and are fun to collect. There are many Art Deco Cameras that are still priced reasonably and are readily available on eBay. The key word to keep in mind in collecting these Art Deco objects is PERIOD. That is, the best Art Deco collectibles are those that were actually made during  the period of the 1920s through the 1930s. Even better are those period objects that were either signed by or can be accurately attributed to a noted designer of the period. Many objects that you will find are modern reproductions of the classic designs - they may be beautiful to look at but will seldom retain their value as well as "period pieces".   One final bit of advice - Go for the best you can afford - the highest quality objects retain their values  best.