Argentina - From 1880 to 1940 there was a great wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war.

The immigrants' options included New York or Bueno Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed, and religious freedom was assured.

In the immigrant museum 'Ellis Island Immigrant Building' in New York, you can see the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1986, Argentina had the highest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index. This situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements. Beams with the inscription 'Made in England' is common to see this in the historic buildings of the neighbourhood of San Telmo, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such as the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street.

With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France. This resulted in the inauguration of 'La Maison Argentinienne', on the 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians.

Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was referred to as 'The Paris of South America' at the time.

Between 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue, the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. In 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an 'international engineering milestone', now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture.

At the time, it was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer and the Ukrainian architect Vladimiro Acosta.

Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrived in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and, in 1938, designed the iconic BFK chair.

At the same time, several famous designers decided to immigrate to Argentina. Among them, we can find the well-known French designer Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and worked for the Rockefeller family.

Special pieces were made, which were sold exclusively in the country, such as the well-known German company “WMF”, who sold their products by catalogue, which the ladies of high society chose in the list of wedding gifts, as well as the pieces designed by Christofle, a French manufacturer of high-end tableware and home accessories. In 1970, the brand Rigolleau Argentina made pieces authorised by Lalique.

Argentina has been a refuge for works of art and antiques from different periods. That is why many collectors, museums and antique dealers from all over the world visit.

Laura Guevara Kjuder, architect.

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Images show just a few of the antique furniture and lighting pieces for sale on SalvoWEB from The Luxury Design Store, based in the historic centre of Buenos Aires city, Argentina and specialising in Art Deco and Art Nouveau.