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What is the difference between Memphis and Art Deco?
1 Answer

The difference between Memphis and Art Deco is that the terms refer to two different design styles. Art Deco emerged in the 1920s, and its pieces often flaunt bold geometric lines and forms, floral motifs and ornamental details, such as mirrored finishes and inlays of mother-of-pearl or ivory. Named after the Memphis Group, which formed in 1980, Memphis design emphasizes freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors. Some people describe it as Art Deco meets Pop art. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Art Deco and Memphis design furniture.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
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Shop for Memphis Group Furniture on 1stDibs
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano Diva Vintage Wall Mirror, Italy, 1984
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
A post-modern wall-mounted mirror, Model „Diva" designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy. This mirror is a vintage original from the 1980s, made from wood and mi...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Laminate, Wood
Casablanca Wood Cabinet, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Casablanca cabinet designed in 1981 for Memphis by Ettore Sottsass, in wood and plastic laminated colors. This is an unlimited edition with a number...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Plastic
Tartar Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Tartar Table in laminated wood was originally designed in 1985, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was born in ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tables
Materials
Wood
California Woolen Carpet by Nathalie Du Pasquier from Memphis Milano
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The California hand woven wool carpet was originally designed in 1983 by Nathalie Du Pasquier for Memphis Milano.
Nathalie du Pasquier was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1957. She has lived and worked in Milano since 1979. Until 1986 she worked as a designer and was a founder member of Memphis for which she designed many textiles, carpets, furniture and objects. When the group broke up in 87, painting became her main activity.
Memphis is the great cultural phenomenon of the 1980s that revolutionized creative and commercial logics in design. Born from the idea of Ettore Sottsass and a group of young designers and architects, in Milan, coupled in the years by famous designers from the international scene, Memphis turned upside down all of the existing parameters on living. Ettore Sottsass as the backbone of the group, design gained a new concept and expression through new shapes, materials and patterns, expanding the creative limits of the industry. Memphis became a symbol of New Design. Its influence is still clear in various sectors of production and beyond.
Additional info:
- Dimensions: W 98.5, D 70.25 inches
- Materials: Wool
- Pricing: Prices do not include VAT.
- Purchased products are shipped with forms of authenticity by Memphis Milano. Carpets and Rugs as well, contain a sewed on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern More Carpets
Materials
Wool
Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The vivid colors and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood, Plastic
Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Plastic


