Questions & Answers
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What is the difference between Art Deco and MCM?
1 Answer

The difference between Art Deco and mid-century modern (MCM) is that the terms describe two distinct design styles. Art Deco typically refers to pieces produced between the 1920s and 1930s. Furniture produced in this style tends to display bold geometric lines and forms, floral motifs, metal accents, shimmering mirrored finishes and embellishments made from exotic animal hides, inlays of mother-of-pearl or ivory. MCM, or mid-century modern, emerged after World War II. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. Designers working in this style frequently used industrial materials, including steel, fiberglass, molded plywood, and alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak. Explore a wide variety of Art Deco and mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
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Shop for Art Deco Furniture on 1stDibs
Swedish Modern Alabaster Ceiling Pendant with Rope & Brass Details, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural Swedish hanging pendant lamp from the 1940s, featuring a hand-carved alabaster shade with beautiful natural veining in soft ivory, grey, and warm translucent tones. When...
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Art Deco Octopus Chandelier in Bronze & Orb Glass attributed to Aage Rafn, 1920s
By Aage Rafn
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small unusual pendant chandelier elegantly fashioned from patinated bronze embossed with floral details and set with 12 glass orbs floating silently around its perimeter. The chandel...
Category
Vintage 1920s Danish Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass, Bronze
"Champs Élysées" Chandelier by René Lalique, France, 1960s
By René Lalique
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A "Champs Élysées" frosted glass chandelier of Sycamore leaf design and a gilt solid bronze frame, France, 1960s.
All glasses signed "Lalique France".
In an excellent original cond...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Round Pewter Vase by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Elegant Round Pewter Vase made by Just Andersen in the 1930s.
* Round pewter vase with lugs
* Designer: Just Andersen
* Style: 1662 (stamped ‘Just 1662’)
* Year: 1933
* Condition: G...
Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Vases
Materials
Pewter
Swedish Art Deco Ceramic Vase by Einar Luterkort, Uppsala Ekeby, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Striking Swedish Art Deco ceramic vase designed by Einar Luterkort for Uppsala Ekeby, circa 1930s.
This sculptural piece features a beautifully rounded form with applied relief deco...
Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Art Deco Figured walnut double bef
Located in Barnstaple, GB
A beautiful highly figured walnut Art Deco Double Bed. The headboard and footboard boasting beautiful heavily figured matching book paged and quartered American walnut veneer with ba...
Category
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Walnut


