Mikasa On Sale
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Animal Sculptures
Blown Glass
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Vases
Glass
20th Century Sterling Silver
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Glass
20th Century American American Classical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Tea Sets
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Platters and Serveware
Glass
Early 20th Century Futurist Crystal Serveware
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s Japanese Showa Metalwork
Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Vases
Porcelain
20th Century Tableware
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Vases
Art Glass
Late 20th Century Japanese Art Deco Crystal Serveware
Crystal
Vintage 1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Ceramic
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Upholstery, Fabric, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Bronze
A Close Look at Modern Furniture
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Finding the Right paperweights for You
While any heavy object can be used to hold loose papers, there’s nothing as ornate yet perfectly functional as a paperweight. Antique, new and vintage paperweights can unobtrusively enhance the ambience of a room or act as a colorful conversation starter. On a desk or writing table, it can contribute a subtle sense of style.
Glass paperweights emerged in Europe in the mid-19th century. Early paperweight artisans like Venetian glassmaker Pietro Bigaglia often crafted them with a design on the inside. By the early 1900s, paperweight objects became even more popular through innovative iterations by artists like Louis Comfort Tiffany.
As the paperweight became both a luxury and utilitarian object, creators used a variety of materials to set their wares apart. Today, in addition to the classic glass versions, paperweights are made of metal, wood, ceramic and stone.
A vast selection of paperweights as well as a whole range of other desk accessories can be found on 1stDibs — browse by type, price, period, material or style, from Art Deco and Hollywood Regency to metal and glass. Reflecting their widespread appeal, paperweights are available in a diverse array from across the globe, including Italy, France and North America, as well as examples by leading designers and brands such as Fratelli Toso, William Guillon and René Lalique. Whether an office or a study needs a touch of something vintage or a mid-century modern twist, there are paperweights to suit every taste.
- Is Mikasa china valuable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Yes, some Mikasa china is valuable. Generally, older pieces tend to be worth more than newer ones. However, the type, style, condition, rarity and demand also influence the value of Mikasa china. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can provide you with a valuation for a particular piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Mikasa china.