Art Deco Bakelite Radios

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Bakelite Radios including AWA RadiolettePhotos on this page by Scott Beveridge (rollerboy76) Sydney

In the 1930s Bakelite radios became a perfect medium for the expression of the Art Deco machine age style.   During the Depression years the wireless became the focal point of the home,  the major source of entertainment and news and provided a point of contact with the outside world. 

But it was more than that, it was a symbol of a technological future which held out hope for a better world.  It symbolised the jazzy, glitzy world of the music halls, cocktail dances, fun and drama.   Designs were influenced by the skycraper, airplane, kitch automobile grills and the colours of modern art.


Little Nipper Radio in Rare Green ColourLittle Nipper Radio in Rare Green Colour

Bakelite had been invented by 1907 but was only used for small objects and came in fairly dull colours.  The radio set in the 1920s was a home made affair attached to an old bread board or covered with a crude wooden box. 

As broadcasting took off in the late 1920s manufacturers realised that the demand was there for the radio as a piece of furniture, as part of the home. 


Australian Art Deco Radio SetThe first Bakelite radio made in Australia by General Electric, 1932.

Wood was an expensive material and difficult to work with, so Bakelite was the ideal solution.  By the 1930s larger factories had been established with the technology to mould larger pieces of Bakelite, and the Bakelite radio was born.

In the USA, the Catalin Corporation had introduced 15 vibrant new colours of Bakelite in the early 1930s.  They soon became renowned for their distinctive solid coloured or marbled radio casings.  

The United States provided the most varied market in Bakelite wirelesses, with a myriad of shapes, colours, and designs and now has the largest number of vintage wireless collectors.  


Red and Cream Deco RadiosFun Coloured Radios!


Some Classic Art Deco Radios

One of the last of the classic Catalin radios by Motorola was a fabulous Art Deco design solid red and black radio. It had an S shaped grill and a striking dial face.  It is one of the most collectable radios around. 

But my favourite American radio is the Roosevelt inspired Scottie radio by Remler.  It is a reminder of the little scottie dog as one of the enduring images of the Art Deco era.


Ekco Round Bakelite RadioEkco Round Radio


Bakelite Radios from Around the World

There is a strong collectors market for vintage wireless in Great Britain due to their extensive and inventive production of Bakelite radios from the early 1930s. 

One of the most daring Art Deco designs was the round Ekco radio by the designer Wells Coates for the company E K Cole Limited who had imported a complete moulding plant from AEG in Germany in 1932.  Most examples were in imitation walnut which were the most popular at the time, although the radio also came in machine age jazzy black and chrome and could be ordered in onyx white or pale green.  Of course, these are now the most sought after and rare examples.


AWA Radiolette - Skyscraper ModelAWA Radiolette - Skyscraper Model

Some of the most beautiful Art Deco examples were made in Australia.  Due to their small population these were made in smaller numbers than in the USA or Great Britain and consequently are now very rare.  The skyscaper shaped AWA Radiolette was modelled on the Australian Wireless Association's office building in Sydney. 

This link leads to a video of an amazing collection of radios by an Australian collector. 

Another gorgeous Australian Art Deco radio is the Fisk Radiolette with its green fretwork and feet.    

Fisk RadioletteFisk Radiolette

Germany, France and Czechoslovakia all produced distinctive radios which are highly collectable in their own rights.  Though Spain only started producing Bakelite radios after WWII due to the Civil War.


Read more in this definite guide by Robert Hawes. 

Book Cover - Bakelite Radios by Robert HawesBuy from Amazon

Check out the listings currently on Etsy

> > Bakelite Radios


Etsy has a surprisingly good range of Art Deco furniture, interior decor, art and prints, 1920s and 1930s fashion, accessories, jewellery and Bakelite.  Click the banner to explore.  



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