One is all curves and flowers, the other is all lines and glamour. Here's how to tell them apart at a glance.
Art Nouveau and Art Deco sound alike, and both get stuck on a lot of antiques and vintage pieces. But they're nearly opposites. Once you know the trick, you'll spot the difference from across the room.
Which came first?
Art Nouveau came first, from about 1890 to 1910. It overlaps the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Art Deco followed after World War I, from about 1920 to 1940, and is the look of the Roaring Twenties and the 1930s.
Art Nouveau: about 1890 to 1910
The name means "new art" in French. It was a rebellion against heavy Victorian style and mass production, inspired by nature.
What it looks like: flowing, curving "whiplash" lines, and nature everywhere.
- Motifs: lilies, irises, poppies, vines, dragonflies, peacocks, and women with long, flowing hair.
- Colors: soft and earthy, like sage, mauve, amber and muted gold.
- Materials: enamel, horn, art glass and silver. Names to know include Lalique, Tiffany, Gallé and Mucha.
- Shapes: asymmetrical. Nothing is perfectly straight or perfectly matched.
Art Deco: about 1920 to 1940
The name comes from a 1925 design exhibition in Paris. It celebrated speed, machines, modern cities and glamour.
What it looks like: bold, symmetrical and geometric.
- Motifs: zigzags, chevrons, sunbursts, stepped shapes, fans, sleek animals like greyhounds, panthers and cats, and Egyptian designs after King Tut's tomb was found in 1922.
- Colors: high contrast, like black and white, black and gold, jade green and chrome.
- Materials: chrome, Bakelite, onyx, lacquer, mirror, and rhinestones and paste in jewelry.
- Shapes: symmetrical and streamlined, with straight lines and clean angles.
How to tell them apart
- Curves or lines: if it flows like a vine, think Nouveau. If it looks like a skyscraper, think Deco.
- Symmetry: Nouveau is usually lopsided on purpose. Deco is usually perfectly balanced.
- Nature or machine: Nouveau copies plants and insects. Deco celebrates machines, speed and the modern city.
- Color: soft and muted for Nouveau. Bold and contrasting for Deco.
One thing to know: both styles have been copied ever since. "Art Deco style" on a listing means the piece has the look, not that it was made in the 1920s. Look for age clues too. Our guide on how to date vintage costume jewelry can help.
See the look: Deco-inspired and Jazz Age pieces in the shop
Each one is a single piece, so when it's gone, it's gone.
What came before and after?
Before Art Nouveau came the heavy, ornate Victorian era. See Victorian vs. Edwardian. After Art Deco came Mid-Century Modern in the 1940s to 1960s, with organic shapes, atomic starbursts and bright colors.
Quick cheat sheet
- Art Nouveau: about 1890 to 1910, curves, flowers, insects, soft colors
- Art Deco: about 1920 to 1940, geometry, symmetry, bold contrast, glamour
Keep browsing:
Vintage brooches →Rhinestone jewelry →Vintage home decor →
Keep reading: Georgian vs. Victorian · How to Date Vintage Costume Jewelry · What Is Lucite?
Curves or lines? Which side are you on? Tell us whether your heart belongs to Art Nouveau's flowers or Art Deco's glamour.