Art Deco Vs Art Moderne: Which One Do You Have?

• Posted on 3rd November 2018
• in Antique Art, Antique Art Deco
• by Alan

Some pieces of art are too similar that it is too hard to differentiate them. Art deco and art moderne are good examples of such art types that are hard to differentiate. If you have any of them, it is possible that you have no idea which one it is. Even though they originated from different countries and were introduced at different times, the two overlap stylistically and chronologically. But then, how do you tell which one you have?

Art Deco

Art deco is French. Though it had begun years earlier, the art style was introduced to the world at the Paris Exposition International des Arts Décoratifs et industriels in 1925. Art deco was influenced by different cultures including those of Asia and Africa. The designers of art deco were all about ornamentation but a restrained kind of ornamentation. Vintage paintings from the era of art deco and furniture from the era are highly valuable.

Art Moderne

Art Moderne is American. It is loosely based on art deco and this is why they are similar to some extent. This art type dates back to 1930s to 1940s. As you can expect, antique paintings and anything associated with the art were bigger, bolder, and literately brassier. The furniture emphasises its geometric outline. Serious interest in art moderne stems from the precision of line and duplicate of functional features like bolts, handles and knobs.

Which of them do you have?

If you have a piece of furniture and wondering if it is art deco or art moderne, the following information can be helpful:

• Deco is chic while Moderne is sleek
• Deco is about restrained craftsmanship while Moderne boasts of great geometric shape that look machine-made
• Deco is mostly designs of European origin while Moderne is American in every sense

In terms of their value, there may not be significant difference between art deco and art modern. It is truly important, however, that you know the exact one you have. This helps you understand the worth better whether you want to sell or keep the item.