Art Deco Antiques: How to Identify Real Art Deco Pieces
Identify Art Deco antiques by geometric design, materials, makers and construction in furniture, jewelry, glass, lighting and clocks, and spot later copies.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Art Deco — roughly the 1920s and 1930s — is the style of skyscrapers, ocean liners and jazz-age glamour. Its bold geometry makes it easy to recognize, and its popularity makes it widely copied.
Signature features
- Geometric shapes: zigzags, chevrons, stepped forms, sunbursts, fans
- Symmetry and strong, clean lines
- Streamlining in the later 1930s
- Luxurious and modern materials: exotic veneers, lacquer, chrome, glass, Bakelite, shagreen
- Stylized figures: dancers, animals (gazelles, greyhounds), often in bronze or spelter
Where you'll see it
Furniture
Glossy veneers (often burl walnut or macassar ebony), rounded corners, mirrored and lacquered surfaces, waterfall fronts. See antique furniture identification.
Jewelry
Platinum and white gold with diamonds, contrasting colored stones (onyx, emerald, sapphire), geometric settings. See antique jewelry identification.
Glass
Pressed and molded glass with frosted figures, geometric vases, perfume bottles.
Lighting and clocks
Chrome and glass lamps, figural lamps, geometric mantel clocks. See antique clocks.
Ceramics
Bold hand-painted geometric patterns, angular teapots and tea sets.
Materials as clues
- Bakelite: an early plastic in jewelry, radios and handles. Genuine Bakelite has a distinctive smell when warmed and a particular feel.
- Spelter: a zinc alloy used as a cheaper alternative to bronze for figures; lighter and grayer when scratched.
- Chrome: common in later Deco and streamline pieces.
Spot copies and "Deco-style"
Deco is revived and copied constantly. Signs of later production: modern screws and fittings, poor-quality veneers, resin figures, too-perfect finishes, modern wiring sold as original. See how to spot fake antiques.
Identify it
Scan the piece with AntiqueIQ for an identification, era and estimated value range. Compare with the antique periods timeline and Art Nouveau to see how the two styles differ.
Frequently asked questions
What years is Art Deco?
Roughly 1920 to 1940.
How can I tell if something is real Art Deco?
Check materials, construction and quality against the period, and look for makers' marks. Be wary of later reproductions.
Is Art Deco furniture valuable?
Quality original pieces, especially by notable designers, can be; mass-produced pieces sell more modestly.