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Modern Decorative Objects

MODERN STYLE

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

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Style: Modern
Set/2 Lions, Calacatta Bianco Marble, Handmade by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Lions Guardian, Calacatta Bianco Marble, Lusitanus Home Collection by Lusitanus Home. Handcrafted Guardian Lion sculptures in Calacatt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Set/6 Vases, Ceramic Vases, Black, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Annandale & Steele Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes six waterproof cerami...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

African Ceramic Design Vase, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the Hand-Painted Design Vase by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts, directly from South Africa. Handcrafted by Senzo Duma and painted by Zinhle Nene, this 8-inch vase features intri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vase 0025 Grès Roux Chamotté by Marta Dervin
Located in Geneve, CH
Vase 0025 Grès Roux Chamotté by Marta Dervin Dimensions: ø7.5 x H 31-35 cm Materials: Stoneware Marta Dervin works with stoneware and porcelain that she shapes by hand to create sim...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Roger Capron's Wall-mounted Sculpture Portrays a Face Inspired by Picasso.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Roger Capron's Wall-mounted Sculpture Portrays a Face Inspired by Picasso. A Unique piece created in Vallauris, France. Raku, glazes, engravings, and slips. Signed. R. Capron. Emblem...
Category

1990s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

DECÒ TERRACOTTA VASE 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
DECÒ TERRACOTTA VASE 20th Century Handmade HEIGHT 50 cm WIDTH 26 cm good conditions
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Orologio da parete con disegno grafico di Kurt B. Delbanco per Morphos 1980 ca.
Located in MIlano, IT
Orologio da parete, con disegno geometrico e grafico con colori primari, nero e grigio. Prodotto da Morphos nel 1980 ca. e disegnato da Kurt B. Delb...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

Leather Pot Large Glass Vase Covered with Nest Leather Colour Larimar Blue
Located in New York, NY
Leather pot is a transparent glass and soft leather for a family of open vases that can be mixed and matched or used on their own. The Leather Pot vases collection, designed by Poltr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Glass

Leather Pot Large Glass Vase Covered in Nest Leather Colour Salgemma 'Rock Salt'
Located in New York, NY
Leather pot is a transparent glass and soft leather for a family of open vases that can be mixed and matched or used on their own. The Leather Pot vases collection, designed by Poltr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Glass

In Stock in Los Angeles, Green Rabbit Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rabbit Mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Power bank. You can carry Rabbit MINI in your bag as an external battery for yo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

In Stock in Los Angeles, Light Blue Rabbit Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rabbit mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Power bank. You can carry Rabbit MINI in your bag as an external battery for your smartphone or any other device. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

African Ceramic Monkey Urn by Ardmore
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the Ardmore Ceramics Hand-Painted Ceramic Urn, a stunning piece of art that seamlessly blends craftsmanship and creativity. This magnificent urn, standing at an impressiv...
Category

2010s South African Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Mushroom Sculptures in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom Sculpture (Set of 2) Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang ...
Category

2010s Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Contemporary Ceramic Vulcano Corteccia Texture Lilac Low Vase
Located in Porcia, IT
Dynamic and chic, this versatile vase will diffuse a sophisticated aura into a modern living room or entryway decor. The elegant form of the conical Sil...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

New Modern Fruit Bowl in White Marble, Creator Karen Chekerdjian Stock
Located in Milan, IT
The value of change in a simple act, in stock. Karen Chekerdjian’s new creation puts design front and centre: from one foundation, multiple possibilities. An essential shape and cla...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Frieze, Coffee Table, Functional Art Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Contemporary Modern Sculptural Gear Clock by Clockwork Inc.
By Clockwork Inc.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish freestanding clock features a rich wood finish with unique gear face clock. Brass details and sculptural feel make this piece by Clockw...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

New Modern Cigarettes and Cigar Ashtray in Black Marble, creator Chiossi Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Tuscan sculptor Michele Chiossi, has found in marble a medium to describe modernity with its myths and symbols, creating the Contemporary collection. An emoji can be a tray; an emoji heart, not necessarily pierced by an arrow, can be a place of creativity in the kitchen, a chopping board or a working surface; a dash; a zigzag; granting the marble a moment of levity, becoming vertical in a vase; reflecting an ideal image of ourselves. Unique objects to be experienced as a couple, to gift to friends, jewels of our daily lives. Time and smoke pass, ashtrays remain. As everlasting as marble, as elegant as a concentric circle of smoke spreading through the air. Chiossi revisits the most Classic of living room...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Dora Maar Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Serve Surrealism. Our larger-than-life Dora Maar Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl is the grand head-turner every dining experience deserves. Inspired by Dora Maar, the French photographer, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Jaeger-LeCoultre Mystery Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Jaeger-LeCoultre mystery clock in a Lucite case with beautiful chinoiserie decoration featuring a bird in flight and standing on a gilded stepped bas...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite

Rare Emaux de Longwy Ceramic Boule Vase by Garouste and Bonetti Limited 1 of 5
Located in Miami, FL
This Boule vase “Ornament “ is a rare limited edition numbered 1/5 by Elizabeth Garouste was born in 1949 in Paris and Mattia Bonetti in 1952 in Lugano (Switzerland). They pooled their work from 1980 to dedicate themselves to the creation of pieces of furniture and interior decoration. They start with the decoration of the Palace that Fabrice Eamer asks them to design. Then shortly after, the Néotu Gallery publishes them. Their furniture, baroque and barbarian, surprises, made up of heterogeneous and unusual materials, such as rock, hammered bronze, raffia, leather, skin, logs and glass ... They are at the instigation of fashion "barbaric". For their work, they use references such as the Middle Ages, Africa, through the poetry of Cocteau, the Venetian baroque and neoclassicism. They have also been edited by the “Waiting for the Barbarians” galleries, David Gill, Kréo, Lou Fagotin...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Ceramic Cartocci Liscia Texture Yellow Decorative Bottle
Located in Porcia, IT
Italian ceramist Paola Paronetto's distinctive style is epitomized in transforming objects of daily use into exclusive decorative yet functional artwork. This remarkable yellow bottl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Rock Crystal Wash Basin by ARTISS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rock crystal wash basin by ARTISS Dimensions: D 41.5 x H 1.65 cm Materials: Rock crystal ARTIS is named from artist, whose two -S" stands for natural gem and natural mother shell...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal

Bronze Sculpture by Artiss
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze sculpture by Artiss Dimensions: L 67 x W 30 x H 57 cm Materials: Mlachite, Bronze Artiss is named from artist, whose two -S" stands for natural gem and natural mother shell. ...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Vase #1 Colored
Located in Porcia, IT
Italian ceramist Paola Paronetto's Cactus series of decorative objects draws inspiration from the beauty and harmony in nature. Handcrafted of paper c...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Brazilian Leather Baskets
Located in Boston, MA
Leather organizer baskets. Natural color.
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Contemporary Ceramic Cartocci Texture Print White Bowl
Located in Porcia, IT
The contemporary allure of this stunning sculpture will elevate the design of any interior with its handcrafted, unique, and minimal silhouette. A captivating piece inspired by every...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Photo Frame Handmade Wood, Double Heart
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Double Heart is a unique arge Italian hand crafted wood double photo frame by sculptor Massimo Pasini. Wood is a very warm material and it is very m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

21st Century Zazen Collection Concrete Vase Dark Grey Color, Mod. II
Located in Rome, Lazio
The Zazen line combines organic shapes with the texture of concrete, giving life to a family of four highly recognizable vases. Each vase is produced f...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Cement

Set of 3 Outdoor Terracotta Vases from the series "Gardenias" by Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jaime Hayon designed the Gardenia Vases in terracotta as a complement to his outdoor furniture collection. The three vases are unique in form, illustrating Hyaon's unmistakable hal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Murano Glass Centerpiece Organic Shape
Located in Murano, VE
Discover Oculus, a mesmerizing blown glass plate boasting an organic, casual shape. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each piece is a testament to the artistry of glassmak...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Chinese Oxblood Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This tapered, ovoid ginger jar harkens back to the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 AD) when artisans perfected the art of monochrome glazes. The vase's deep, rich red glaze is often called...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Sophia Medium White Ceramic and 24-Karat Gold Details Handcrafted Centerpiece
Located in Bologna, Bologna
Elegant and functional, Sophia M centerpiece is crafted by hand and celebrates the heart of Italian cities: the piazza. Exquisitely made of ceramic, Sophia M features a square portic...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Michael Harris Gozo Malta Art Glass Vase Iridescent Finish Studio Masterpiece
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Stunning Maltese studio art glass vase with an unusual decoration.
Category

1990s Maltese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Luster

"Beach-Combed Mochaware" Memory Jug by Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Elegant Decorative Sculpture by Francesco Faravelli in Enamel Resin, 2008
Located in Brescia , Brescia
Crafted in 2009, this stunning piece, captivates with its intricate details and captivating aesthetics. Fashioned from enamel resin, this sculpture exudes sophistication and allure,...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Resin

Decorative Murano Glass Shell by Guido Ferro , Italy 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Decorative Murano Glass Shell by Guido Ferro. Textured outer shell with colorful smooth surface to the inner shell. Label Undeneath: Guido Ferro Collection Murano
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Abstract Italian Art Glass Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Decorative abstract Italian art glass sculpture. Clear glass, red glass and emerald green glass base.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Rather Large Carved Marble Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
This rather large hand-carved white marble tray is a statement piece of exceptional beauty and craftsmanship. Its square form with tall tapered sides provides both elegance and practicality, while the wonderful beige and gray grain movement in the stone adds a touch of natural sophistication. Perfect for any setting, this versatile tray is ideal for placing on the coffee table of your modern city apartment or on a rustic table in your country house. Use it to display a beautiful array of fruit on your kitchen island or serve a festive charcuterie assortment at your next gathering. Whether used for entertaining or as a decorative accent, this hand-carved marble tray...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Murine Murano Art Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Decorative murine Murano art glass vase. Cased glass in brown with wrap around multi colored band . Signed underneath.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

"Genova" Matte Black
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Created by using a traditional technique of clay slab to fashion all the vase models in limited edition, slip cast and hand finished with layers of glaze and multiple firings. Sculptural and functional design, interior is glazed as well. Available in matte black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

21st Century Abstract Sculpture Blog 80 Cm Height by Renzo Buttazzo
Located in Paris, FR
21st century abstract sculpture BLOG by Renzo Buttazzo from Italy Sculpture in Lecce Stone Delivered with a certificate of authenticity. Since 1886 Renzo Buttazzo work with Pietra ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Stainless Steel

Tony Rosenthal Wall Sculpture "Twenty One- Two"
Located in Chicago, IL
Tony Rosenthal Wall Sculpture "Twenty-One- Two" Painted aluminum, bolted together, Hanging brackets on the backside, to be shown 3" away from wall Signed on backside 21-2 Tony Rosent...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Small Contemporary Art Glass Vase by Martin Postch , Germany 2022
Located in New York, NY
Small decorative art glass vase by German artist Martin Postch. Clear glass, pink glass and amber glass. Signed with etched signature underneath.
Category

2010s German Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Modern Murrine Glass Centerpiece for Cleto Munari , Italy 2018
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful rectangular Modern Centerpiece bowl designed by Alessandro Mendini and Cleto Munari. Made of 4 pointed murrina glass in the style of the great maestro Carlo Scarpa. Limite...
Category

2010s Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murrine

Italian Art Glass Centerpiece, Michele De Lucchi for Cleto Munari , 1991
Located in New York, NY
Italian Art Glass Centerpiece by Michele De Lucchi for Cleto Munari. Purple, black and red glass. With label and etched signature.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Contemporary Red Burgundy Pink Glazed Ceramic Explorer Vase No.3 by Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The shapely forms of the pieces in the Explorer Collection, have been condensed into these vases. They are objects that are part of my cosmos, taken from my drawings. The materialisa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Casa Planter No1
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Casa Planter No 1 in light green Designed by Project 213A in 2023 Artisanal planter created by skilled artisans in Project 213A's own workshop. Hand-sculpted ceramic with textured f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

English Modern Sterling Silver Box, 1938
By W.H. Manton Ltd. 1
Located in New York, NY
George VI sterling silver box. Made by WH Manton in Birmingham in 1938. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Cedar-lined and partiti...
Category

1930s British Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tony Rosenthal Wall Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Tony Rosenthal Wall Sculpture, Untitled 2000c. Painted Aluminum bolted together. Signed lower right side Tony Rosenthal Wall mounting bracket on the backside floats 3" off the wall ...
Category

Early 2000s North American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Ken Warneke Face Painting "Female looking Left"
Located in Chicago, IL
Ken Warneke Face Painting "Female looking Left" Chicago School of Painters Ken Warneke Face Painting "Female Looking Left"
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Masonite, Paint

Aldo Londi rare early pottery / ceramic sculpture of bird , for Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing modern sculpture of a bird with metal stand by the well known artist / designer Aldo Londi.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Landscape and garden sculpture , bronze
Located in London, GB
A large garden and landscape sculpture. Standing tall at 2 meters this substantial sculpture titled 'Climbmate' is crafted with meticulous detail. At the heart of the artwork sta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

White / Lilac Marble Pedestal Bowl XL
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
A substantial white marble bowl with unique lilac veining rests atop a pedestal for a grand presentation of fruits and vegetables. Exposure to the acid of citrus fruits can stain...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Miguel Berrocal Puzzle Sculpture La Mini Cariatide
Located in Washington, DC
Intricate puzzle sculpture by Spanish artist Miguel Berrocal. Sculpture consists of 25 pieces, plus a wearable ring with a brass heart design. Comes complete with original box and book.
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

European Contemporary Red Sculptural Candlesticks by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
Margit Wittig has used her sculptural skills to create beautifully-crafted, well-proportioned contemporary candlesticks, which are compositio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Olio Ceramic Vase by Arianna De Luca
Located in Geneve, CH
Olio vase by Arianna De Luca Dimensions: height 23 x diameter 16 cm Materials: Ceramic Olio vase is part of the Folcloristica series. A collection inspired by the mood and lifesty...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

'Rat Dog' Sculpture in Fiberglass by Finn Stone
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
We love this piece! Number 2 from an edition of 2, the other was sold recently on Saatchi online, and honestly we don't mind rat dog hanging around, he eats no...
Category

2010s English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Fiberglass

Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Venini, RAAQUU, VG-VGnewtrend, and Mosche Bianche. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $6,718,000 while the average work can sell for $1,174.

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