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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
Paolo Buffa for Galdino Maspero Writing Desk in Walnut
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa for Galdino Maspero, writing desk, walnut, Italy, late 1930s/early 1940s
This writing desk, designed by Paolo Buffa and meticulously crafted by Galdino Maspero in the la...
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega Rare Bar Cabinet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega, bar cabinet, beech, laminated wood, Italy, 1930s
A bar cabinet by the Italian artist and designer Ernesto Valabrega from the 1930s. ...
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Wood, Beech
Art Deco Sideboard in Oak with Breccia Marble Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard or cabinet, oak nickel-plated brass, Breccia marble, Europe, 1940s
A characterful 1940s European sideboard crafted in solid oak. The piece is topped with a striking Brecci...
Category
Vintage 1940s European Art Deco Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass, Nickel
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet, in beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors and with antique brass handles. When opened, on the right side...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Brass
French Art Deco Conchiglie Wall Lamp, 1920s
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Very rare ceiling lamp from the late 1920s - made in France.
4 solid amber colored glasses. Mount made of chrome-plated aluminum.
The corresponding wall lamps are part of the permane...
Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
1930s Pair of French Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, fabric, beech, France, 1930s
These club chairs are a quintessential example of French Art Deco, a style that favored assertive geometry and bold, sculptural ...
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
