The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
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Minton Porcelain "English Rose" Pattern Part Dinner Service, 20th Century
By Minton
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Minton porcelain 'English Rose' pattern part dinner service 20th century. Comprising nine dinner plates 10¾ in. (27.3 cm.) diameter. Nine 6 1/8 in.(15.5cm.) bread and butter...
Porcelain
Period Meissen Signed Blue Onion Plate
Located in Roma, IT
Period Meissen Signed Blue Onion Plate Wonderful and very elegant square plate made by the Meissen manufactory with "Blue Onion" decoration. Available a pair This refined plate, whi...
Porcelain
Period Meissen Signed Blue Onion Plate
Located in Roma, IT
Period Meissen Signed Blue Onion Plate Wonderful and very elegant square plate made by the Meissen manufactory with "Blue Onion" decoration. Available a pair This refined plate, whi...
Porcelain
Contemporary porcelain tea service from the SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
An all-in-one white porcelain service ware set from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri...
Porcelain
Fine Italian Porcelain Dinner Service, Verbano Laveno, 20th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
FINE ITALIAN PORCELAIN DINNER SERVICE, VERBANO LAVENO, 20TH CENTURY The Verbano Laveno dinner service, originating from the 20th century, boasts exquis...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Minton Gold Rimmed Porcelain Ball Dinner Plates
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
One of Minton's most popular patterns is named "Porcelain Ball” which features a large diameter plate bordered by a gold and white floral decoratio...
Porcelain
Pair Meissen Blue Onion Coffee Pots
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair Meissen blue onion coffee pots 9" and 11" tall. Age appropriate wear with very minor flea bites to the finial flowers.
Porcelain
Bloor Derby Tea Service, Witches Pattern Imari, ca 1825
By Bloor Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a rather extravagant tea service serving four, made by the Bloor Derby factory between 1825 and 1830 in the wonderful "Witches" pattern in the Imari colour scheme. The set c...
Porcelain
$4,268
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
Christopher Dresser Aesthetic Movement Japonism Style Green Minton Plate, 1876
By Minton, Christopher Dresser
Located in Paris, FR
Green Aesthetic Minton Porcelain Plate in the style of Japonism creations made by Christopher Dresser. Round plate adorned with an oriental fan representi...
Porcelain
$202Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 3.35 in
Amami, Tea Set with Six Contemporary Porcelains with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Inspired by the coral reef of the Amami Islands in Japan, the Amami collection features tropical fishes and beautiful seaweed. A perfect choice for every spot near the seaside. Tea ...
Porcelain
$22,245 / set
H 17.33 in W 29.53 in D 20.48 in
Salvador Dali Service Porcelain 113 Pieces 1977 Limited Edition N°577/1000
Located in Paris, FR
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) world-famous Spanish painter, graphic artist, and sculptor of surrealism designed this Ceramic edition Painted Porcelain with 24-karat gold rim, complete service for 12 in a fitted trunk in 1977. Plates are signed on front and back, and inscribed number n°577/1000. Porcelain Brand Schirnding Porzellan AG in Bavaria Germany Each piece is decorated with mermaids flanked by red coral, Dali's signatures and small symbolic depictions of a fisherman, an ant, a snail, a sailboat, a nude maiden and a bird, with gilded rims. Complete service of 113 pieces for 12 persons in fitted trunk composed : 12 large plates: Diameter 24.5 cm 12 small plates: Diameter 20 cm 12 soup plates: Height 4 cm; Diameter 23 cm 12 soup bowls + 12 saucers : Height 5.5 cm; Diameter 11.5 cm 12 bowls cereal or fruits bowl: Height 4.5 cm; Diameter 14 cm 2 terrines: Height c. 15-17 cm; Inner diameter: c. 12.5-14.5 cm 1 underdish 1 round serving tray: Diameter 30 cm 2 serving bowls: Height 6.5-7.5 cm; Inner diameter 18-21 cm 2 dishes: Dimensions: 21 x 34 cm; 22 x 35.5 cm 2 sauceboat with 1 saucer h 8 cm 1 coffee pot: Height c. 23 cm 1 teapot with warmer...
Porcelain
Set of porcelain de Paris coffee & tea service
Located in Washington, DC
Set of porcelain de Paris coffee & tea service - eighteen (18) pieces. Made famous during the Napoleon Period 1795 - 1830
Coffee pot - W - 8"; H - 10"
Te...
Porcelain
$68,500 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.75 in
Minton Mazarine Extensive Pristine Dinner Service Cobalt Blue & Gold 232 Pcs
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
It's always time to entertain! This is one of the most elegant and versatile patterns imaginable in a Classic and rare Minton cobalt blue pattern wi...
Porcelain
Meissen, Blue Onion Oval Dish in Porcelain, circa 1900
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen, blue onion oval dish in porcelain. circa. 1900. Fourth factory quality. Perfect condition. Marked. Dimensions: L 35,8 x D 26,3 x H 5,5 cm.
Porcelain
$202Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 3.35 in
Las Palmas, Tea Set with Six Contemporary Porcelains with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Las Palmas Porcelain Collection owes its name to the city of Palmas, in Brazil. It is a true tribute to palm trees, whether it is their leaves, the whole plant, or even the lands...
Porcelain
$75,000 / set
H 1.25 in Dm 8.5 in
English Chamberlain Worcester Porcelain Part Dessert Service, circa 1815
Located in New York, NY
Comprising footed compote, pair of covered sauce tureens, one gallery (partially restored), pair of lozenge-shaped dishes, pair of kidney-shaped dishes, four shell dishes, four squar...
Porcelain
1980s Royal Gallery Gold Buffet Cups and Saucers, Set of 6 (12 Pieces)
By Macy's
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a set of six gold-plated white porcelain flat-shaped demitasse or tea cups made exclusively for Macy's department store in the mid 1980s. Called the "Gold Buffet" pattern, they were manufactured in Sri Lanka by the Royal Gallery company. The six cups measure...
Gold Plate
Sold
H 8.25 in W 8.25 in D 1 in
Set of 12 Hand Painted Porcelain Oyster Plates, Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Located in Houston, TX
Set of twelve hand painted oyster plates (pale blue and pink) by Joseph Schachtel, Sophienau. Octagonal six well, exquisitely hand-painted plates. Elevate your dining table or wall...
Cherry
A 1980s Amazing Set of Four Porcelain Italian Mural Plates by Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Four high quality porcelain plates designed and manufactured in Italy in the Eighties, they are designed and marked on the bottom by Gucci fashion house. These high quality plates de...
Porcelain
1980s, Amazing Set of Four Porcelain Italian Mural Plates by Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Four porcelain plates designed and manufactured in Italy in the Eighies, designed and marked on the bottom by Gucci fashion house. These high quality plates depicting four different ...
Porcelain
Large Meissen Blue Onion Scalloped Edge Platter
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Large Meissen blue onion scalloped edge platter, decorative border, in a stunning blue, in a larger size that makes a statement. The platter meas...
Porcelain
Victoria Karlsbad Austria Gilded Porcelain Oyster Plate
By Victoria Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A porcelain oyster plate showing an overall gilded pattern. Six oyster shell shaped wells, with hand painted eyes, surround a central sauce well, circa 1910. Measures: 9 in diamet...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1 in Dm 9.25 in L 1 in
Staffordshire Porcelain Part Tea and Dessert Service, First Half of 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Staffordshire Porcelain part tea and dessert service, first half of the 19th century, Molded and scalloped form, hand-painted with "lily of the valley" pattern and gilt dentil border. Comprising of six cups and saucers, nine dessert plates, two serving plates, one teapot and cover, one sugar bowl and cover and one slop bowl. The set is unmarked. Condition report: One cup has a hairline crack and teapot has a heat stain on the bottom as visible from the images. Height of the teapot with cover...
Porcelain