Modern Decorative Objects
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1990s Unknown Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
2010s South American Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary African Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1920s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Earthenware
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Swedish Modern Decorative Objects
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
20th Century North American Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
20th Century Israeli Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum, Sterling Silver
1990s German Modern Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite
1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Travertine
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Stone
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Chrome
1960s British Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
Mid-20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Nickel
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects
Plaster
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal
2010s South American Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
1990s American Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Pacific Islands Modern Decorative Objects
Other
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Wood, Ash, Beech, Oak
Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
10 On-Point Vessels for Flaunting Your Houseplants and Bouquets
Whether you're a genius gardener or have your florist on speed dial, every stem in your home deserves the best.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.