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
Art Deco Period Photo Frame Handmade in Oak with Fan Sides, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful photo frame from the Art Deco period, handmade from oak with a fan design and with a glass insert, which we date to circa 1925.
The photo size is 3.5 inches wide...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Picture Frames
Materials
Glass, Oak
Beehive Opaline Glass & Burnished Brass Ball Pendant, Germany 1930s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This elegant Art Deco pendant was designed and manufactured in Germany in the 1930s during the Bauhaus period.
The light features a ribbed marbled opaline glass shade in warm honey...
Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
Dutch Art Deco Executive Desk, Curved Front, Brass Hardware, 1940s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Art Deco executive desk features a distinctive curved front edge and brass hardware throughout. Dark stained detailing on the desk top edge and base creates elegant visual cont...
Category
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Pendant Light, Pink Marbled Glass Shade, Bakelite Holder, Germany 1930s
Located in Schwerin, MV
Pink Art Deco rod pendant light from the first half of the last century - 1930s - with a curved glass shade.
This rod pendant light looks especially good with antique furnishings.
...
Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Italian 1960s Art Deco Mid-Century Burl Walnut Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern drinks dry bar cabinet with black glass top and beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors and great central wooden decor cra...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Brass
Large Art Deco Pendant Lamp with marbled glass, Germany, 1930s
Located in Schwerin, MV
Large Art Deco rod pendant light from the 1930s - 1940s with a beautifully contoured beige glass shade. The glass shade is marbled and in very good condition, with the lower decorati...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal, Brass


