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
Meissen Blue Onion Plate by Documented Cabinetmaker, Germany, 1880
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
Meissen Blue Onion Plate by Documented Cabinetmaker, Germany, 1880
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
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 decoration and...
Porcelain
$4,043
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
Christopher Dresser Aesthetic Movement Japonism Style Green Minton Plate, 1876
By Christopher Dresser, Minton
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
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
Large English Porcelain Dinner Service, Minton, circa 1845
Located in New York, NY
With a soft turquoise ground, painted with a fine spray of flowers, with gilt scroll and dash borders. Comprising pair of covered tureens and stands, pair of vegetable tureens, well and tree platter...
Porcelain
$191Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 3.35 in
Mont Blanc, Tea Set with Six Contemporary Porcelains with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Inspired by the highest mountain of the Alps, the Mont Blanc, this collection of plates is a photography of the changing seasons. Winter is here and all the animals of the woods are ...
Porcelain
$191Sale 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
$5,500 / set
H 2 in W 7.25 in D 10 in
English Minton Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service / Twelve People
By Minton
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Minton hand painted and decorated porcelain dinner service for twelve people. Made in England between 1948 -1970 "with impressed marks "Minton / china / 2-65" and pattern numbers in gold. Discontinued pattern. Green rim with hand painted floral interior setting in a white background with hand painted gilt gold design. Each piece is in excellent condition. The set include 12 dinner plates 12 bread and butter plates 12 compote dishes 12 coffee cups 12 coffee saucers...
Gold
$400
H 0.79 in W 11.82 in D 5.91 in
Meissen, Germany. Rectangular serving tray with Blue Onion pattern. Mid-20th C.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen Blue Onion large tray. Rectangular serving tray in the classic Zwiebelmuster (Blue Onion) pattern with hand-painted blue underglaze decoration and gently shaped side handles....
Porcelain
French porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 10 People
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice coffee or tea service from the first half of the 20th century for 10 people. Beautiful porcelain quality, white with fine gold edging and gold patterns on each piece. High Porce...
Porcelain
$191Sale 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
$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
$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
18th Century Italian Doccia Porcelain Dinner Service
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A dinner service comprising six dinner dishes and six soup dishes made by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, circa 1750. Italy was the site of Europ...
Porcelain
$34,500 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.63 in
Minton for Tiffany Complete Dinner Service for 12 Caramel, White & Raised Gold
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
As we approach the holiday season, this complete Minton for Tiffany dinner service for 12 will work with many decorating themes to dress up any even...
Porcelain
$628Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 9.06 in
20th Century Meissen Iconic Blue Onion Set Germany First Choice
Located in Uppsala , SE
These fine porcelain pieces are decorated with the iconic Blue Onion pattern from Meissen. This reticulated plate features the iconic blue and white "Onion" pattern, a hallmark desig...
Porcelain
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
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