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What is the difference between Art Deco and MCM?

1 Answer
What is the difference between Art Deco and MCM?
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
Shop for Art Deco Furniture on 1stDibs
Rare René Drouet Pair of Easy Chairs in Beige Pierre Frey Mohair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
René Drouet, pair of lounge chairs, Pierre Frey Bold Dune mohair, lacquered wood, France, 1940s These magnificent lounge chairs by the French decorator René Drouet, are a quintessen...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Austrian Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Moritz Hergesell for Anton Hergesell, pair of lounge chairs, mahogany, fabric, Austria, late 1920s This pair of lounge chairs can likely be situated within the context...
Category

Vintage 1920s Austrian Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Italian Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Red Stained Walnut, Brass and Mirrored Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cabinet, red stained walnut, brass, mirrored glass, Italy, 1940s This Italian bar cabinet from the 1940s is defined by its rounded shape and finely ribbed exterior. Executed in ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Italian Art Deco Six Arm Chandelier with in Murano Glass 107cm/42 in Wide
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Italian Art Deco chandelier, Murano glass, silver lacquered steel and brass, Italy, 1940s This exceptionally elegant chandelier features six sweeping Murano glass arms, each support...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Steel

Rare Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo Easy Chair in Pierre Frey Lilac Mohair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, lounge chair, variation on model '4949', stained teak, reupholstered in Pierre Frey Bold 'Piggy' mohair, Italy, late 1930s/1940s A b...
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Teak

Paolo Buffa for Galdino Maspero Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa for Galdino Maspero, writing desk, walnut, Italy, first half of the 1940s This writing desk, designed by Paolo Buffa and meticulously crafted by Galdino Maspero in the f...
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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