Pennies In Lucite
Late 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Lucite
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Lucite
20th Century American Space Age Historical Memorabilia
Copper
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Paperweights
Copper
Late 20th Century American Modern Obelisks
Lucite
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Obelisks
Marble
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Modern Glass
Murano Glass
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Tin, Copper, Brass
Vintage 1960s Spanish Art Deco Tea Sets
Silver Plate
Vintage 1930s North American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Copper
2010s Italian Modern Glass
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Glass
Murano Glass
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Lucite
2010s Italian Modern Glass
Murano Glass
Vintage 1940s Chinese Vases
Porcelain
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Acrylic, Lucite
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Barware
Lucite
Late 20th Century Unknown International Style Desk Sets
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Egyptian Islamic Metalwork
Brass, Copper
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Resin, Lucite
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Paperweights
Lucite
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s American Modern Bookends
Copper
Vintage 1970s American Decorative Objects
20th Century American Modern Paperweights
Acrylic, Lucite
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Copper
Vintage 1980s American Modern Bookends
Copper
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookends
Copper
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Lucite
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Acrylic
Vintage 1960s American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Wood, Paper
Materials: plastic Furniture
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right decorative-objects for You
Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style.
Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.
Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation. Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?
Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”
To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- What is a penny scale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023A penny scale is one of the first coin-operated vending machines ever made. When you deposit a penny and stand on the scale, the machine displays your weight in pounds on a dial. The first penny scales appeared in drugstores, carnivals and other public places during the 1880s. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of penny scales.
- Who invented the penny scale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Percival Everitt is believed to have invented the penny scale. He obtained the first patent for one in England in 1884. The first penny scales arrived in the U.S. in 1885 and were popular methods of tracking weight through the 1930s and 40s. On 1stDibs, find a selection of penny scales.
- What is a penny rug used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Penny rugs are not actual rugs for the floor, but decorative coverings for beds, tables and dressers, and mantles. Sometimes they are used as wall hangings or pillows. Find a great variety of penny rugs on 1stDibs.
- What color is Lucite?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Lucite is crystal clear but can be dyed with various colors. Lucite is an acrylic plastic resin used primarily in windows and fashionable interior and furniture design due to its strength, crystal transparency and flexibility. Find a vast collection of Lucite items ranging from furniture, lighting and jewelry pieces on 1stDibs.
- How do I make Lucite grapes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To make Lucite grapes, pour a resin mixture by using a funnel into small sphere molds. After roughly 24 hours, you can remove your grapes from the mold and style as you like. Save the hassle and shop Lucite grapes from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How is a Lucite purse made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Lucite is a high-end version of acrylic. Shaping acrylic simply requires heating up the material and then bending or molding it. Once lucite or acrylic cools, it then holds its shape and is rigid and durable. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic lucite handbags from some of the world’s top sellers.
- How do I clean a Lucite purse?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To clean a Lucite purse, use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and mild dish soap. Wipe all over and then dry with a second soft cloth. Remove fingerprints with window cleaner and a lint-free cloth. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Lucite purses.
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