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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
21st Century Demetra Round Laundry Basket Handwoven with Leather in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Strictly hand woven with meticulous care, Pinetti baskets are made with eco-friendly, washable, and resistant material. Part of the Demetra collections, our short basket comes in a ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Hermes - Rose - Design Sculpture Paolo Giordano Concrete Cement Cast
Located in MILANO, ML
Contemporary Paolo Giordano Hermes abstract sculpture concrete cement cast grey Hermes is concrete sculpture. It's part of a large work that is also photographic: 'Digital Journey i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Concrete, Cement

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

PANTA REI. (non)vase semicircle ceramic with recovered clays
Located in Milano, IT
PANTA REI, Tutto scorre. Progetto in ceramica realizzato con argille recuperate. Il trattamento di superficie (cristallina) che lo rende lucido fa emergere dei colori inaspettati de...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

PANTA REI . (non)vaso cerchio in ceramica con argille recuperate
Located in Milano, IT
PANTA REI, Tutto scorre. Progetto in ceramica realizzato con argille recuperate. Il trattamento di superficie (cristallina) che lo rende lucido fa emergere dei colori inaspettati de...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Smiling Smile Einzigartige Keramikvase Kunstwerk 2023 Vienna Wien Austria
Located in Wien, AT
"[...] Tanzers raue und rätselhafte Keramiken stellen oft ungewöhnliche Charaktere dar." Mailänder Designwoche 2023 - Amy Frearson (Dezeen) "[...] bunt, vielleicht ein bisschen e...
Category

2010s Austrian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Clessidra Hourglass in Gray and Red Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfectly balanced between two different colours, the sand flows through the sleek glass chambers made using the Incalmo technique, taking on its colour and becoming a part of it. Grains of sand, impalpable and imperceptible as a whole, yet so real, like time passing. Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini sealed it in the Clessidra in 1957 Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. Clessidra – designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1957 – evolves in 2015, taking on a more sinuous, feminine appearance. Perfectly balanced between two different colors, sand flows through sleek glass, crafted using the Incalmo technique; as it flows, it gradually colors and becomes an integral part of the glass. Additional Information: Material: Glass, sand Color: Gray/red Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 28 cm Available in other color options: Green river /Powder pink...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Contemporary White Cream Ceramic Watering Can for Vases and Garden
Located in Milano, IT
Altea is a handmade ceramic watering can. It has to be filled with water from the head and poured from both horns. With her proud feminine bearing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Bowl Vase Vessel Centerpiece Imperial Green Marble Handmade Italy Collectible
Located in Ancona, Marche
Bowl sculpted by hand from a solid block of Imperial Green marble. Polished finishing. Dimensions: Small L 35 x W 17 x H 8 cm. Medium L 45 x W ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Bowl Vase Vessel Centerpiece White Calacatta Marble Collectible Design Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
Bowl sculpted by hand from a solid block of Calacatta marble. Polished finishing. Dimensions: Big L 56 x W 27 x H 12 cm. Medium L 45 x W 22 x H 10 cm Small L 35 x W 17 x H ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special L Vase Soft Resin Amber Fuchsia Blue
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra color vase, clear amber, fuchsia and blue Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L Ø 22cm x H 36cm Co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Mothership Catch All - Handblown Contemporary Glass Vessel for the Home
Located in New York, NY
The Mothership Catch All, as the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia was affectionately dubbed by concertgoers, uses blended color bands to embody the spirit of the venue where the Gratef...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Lilly Contemporary Sculptural LED Chandelier, Solid Brass and crystal. Large
Located in Torslanda, SE
Lilly is a contemporary chandelier that challenges the differentiation of room and object. Formed from solid brass milled petals, each LED light source contains a single crystal hemisphere, absorbing and reflecting its environment to make it a part of the piece. Our large sized chandelier...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Green Palm Trees Candlesticks Hand Painted Made in Italy Set of 2
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Light up your table with our palm trees candlestick Size small 15cm Size medium 25cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Bonnie Contemporary LED Pendant @ 65cm/26". Solid Brass, Handmade in Sweden
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence. Each organic flower-like form is st...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

21st Century Peso Concrete Book and Door Holder 2kg Light Grey Color Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Colored book and door holders made in concrete. A touch of color for your bookcase 100% made in Italy. 2kg: measures: L 9, P 9, H 18 cm.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Concrete

21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Light Grey Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Concrete

Black Marble Low Pedestal Cylinder
Located in Mexico City, MX
Monterrey black marble carved cylinder. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 addi...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

White marble carved large Ming
Located in Mexico City, MX
Ming in carved Veneciano white marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 addi...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Round Coasters set in black marble
Located in Mexico City, MX
Set of four round coasters in Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-1...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Amber and Pink Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in grape and pink Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Riedizione. Limited edition in 99 art pieces each. Little grains of sand, im...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Lelapa Hand Carved and Cast Solid Brass Decorative TOTEM Sculpture Set
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
All our TOTEM sculptures are hand carved in Southern Africa from sustainable alien timber by a group of Zimbabwean artists who set their own prices, th...
Category

2010s African Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Steel

Contemporary Bee Hand-Blown Glass Bottle
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
"Contemporary Bee Hand-Blown Glass Bottle" by Simone Crestani Introducing the Bee Bottle, a stunning testament to artistry and nature's intricate beauty, m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Modern Alchemica Hand-Blown Glass Liquor Bottle
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
"Modern Alchemica Hand-Blown Glass Liquor Bottle" by Simone Crestani Introducing the Alchemica Bottle, a mesmerizing fusion of art and functionality meticulously crafted by the visionary glass artist Simone Crestani. As a cherished addition to the illustrious Alchemica Collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Stefania Boemi Pink Terracotta Vase, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2) This unique work of art is sure to make a statement in an eclectic or modern decor, wher...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Les Ottomans "The Peacock Design" Oval Iron Tray by Matthew Williamson
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Matthew Williamson one of the most well known fashion designer has created a tabletop and textile collection for Les-Ottomans. Colors is a must in all Williamsons’ designs as well as the peacock’s references that are here revealed in several new and original patterns. This listing is showing the famous Peacock design by Matthew Williamson on an oval iron tray. Matthew Williamson is an award-winning British designer renowned for his use of kaleidoscopic color, intricate patterns and designs inspired by nature and travel. A graduate from the prestigious Central Saint Martins College, Matthew Williamson showed his critically-acclaimed debut catwalk collection ‘Electric Angels’ in 1997. In recent years, Matthew’s design DNA has translated seamlessly into interiors. Interior design commissions include the courtyard garden at Blakes Hotel in London, the bridal suite at Aynhoe Park, Oxfordshire and suite 67 at Belmond La Residencia. His range of branded products in the luxury lifestyle and interiors arena includes wallpapers and fabrics with Osborne & Little, rugs with The Rug Company, stationery with Museums & Galleries, lighting with one. World and luxury home fragrance...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Contemporary Drop Murano Glass Ruby Vase Handmade and Blown
Located in Murano, VE
Introducing a drop-shaped vase crafted from authentic Murano glass, boasting a uniquely simple design that effortlessly complements any ambiance. Its glossy finish will elevate the d...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Agresti Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Suede, Mahogany

Watch Box in Brown for Five Watches Il Collezionista by Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 5 watches, lined in protective ultra-suede. Hinge in ruthenium. Available in mahogany or polished ebony.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ultrasuede, Wood

Willy Gordon, Terracotta Japanese Girl Akito Head Sculpture, France, 1940s
Located in Firenze, IT
Terracotta japanese girl Akito head sculpture Willy Gordon (1918 - 2023), France 1940s Juvenile work. Signed on the base. Measures: H 35 cm x 20 x 19 cm Conditions: excel...
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta, Wood

Bone Small Bowl in Brass by Tom Dixon
Located in New York, NY
The small bone bowl is part of a series of sculptural artefacts cast in solid brass with a matt finish bearing a bone-like quality. Bone bowls can be displa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

21st Century Karim Rashid Knight Vase Murano Glass Red and Black
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
21st century Karim Rashid Knight vase Murano glass various colors. Color stands out in the Knight vase designed by Karim Rashid, displaying its playful undulating stripes of polychr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

21st Century Karim Rashid Coppa Bowl Transparent Murano Glass Various Colors
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
21st century Karim Rashid Coppa bowl transparent Murano glass various colors. Designed by Karim Rashid, Coppa is a small glass container with round, sinuous, markedly colored shapes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Artistic Handmade Murano Glass Sculpture Gold Soul "Anima"
Located in Murano, VE
Anima is a collection of exquisite sculptures crafted by our skilled artisans in our factory in Murano. Each sculpture embodies the essence of life and spirituality, taking the form ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Contemporary Ceramic Tulipano Corteccia Texture Coral Vase
Located in Porcia, IT
Merging modern design with innovative artistic sensibility, this vase is a daring exercise in balance and visual harmony. Fashioned by artist Paola ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Ceramic Cartocci Texture White and Gold Bowl #1
Located in Porcia, IT
Striking and stately, this bowl features dynamic horizontal and vertical ridges and a distinctive panel insert in gold, whose vibrant color and smooth surface elegantly contrast with...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Ceramic Cartoccio Texture Fide Yellow Vase
Located in Porcia, IT
Combining tradition with innovation, ceramist Paola Paronetto's handcrafted pieces are designed for those who love to surround themselves with refined and exclusive objects. Part of ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Venini Monofiore Sapphire Blue Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Monofiori glass vase in sapphire by Laura de Santillana. “Monofiori” blown handmade glass with stoppers in various forms and colors. Item labelled as “02”, as shown in the ima...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Murrine Romane Multicolor Bowl by Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Romane bowl in multicolor by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. These Murrine are called “roman” due to their graphic signs and because they...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Luna Handmade Blown Glass Candleholder Designed by Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Luna is a handmade transparent candle stick in mouth blown glass designed by Aldo Cibic, it is available in three different sizes. This piece is a timeless object whose curvy Silhoue...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and thin funneled neck with textured hexagonal shaped pattern atop surface of glass in aquamarine. Featured in aquamarine colored glass and designed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Cris G Brass and Walnut Clock
Located in New York, NY
The Cris G is a handmade clock that combines emotive aesthetic with strong impact. The design incorporates contrasting materials, such as brass, walnut ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Set of 3 Small Elemental Spinning Tops in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
The initial inspiration for the elemental top collection by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda was wooda’s iconic logo of a tree. We felt it captured the company’s synergy for working with wood ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Walnut

New Modern Small Pot in Black Marquinia Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Pyxis pot, jar or container for multiple uses. Size: 12.6 x 11 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Pyxis S, Pyxis collection by the Spanish designer Ivan Colominas. Available also...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Seletti "Limited Gold Edition" Porcelain My Robot
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti "Love in Bloom" Porcelain Heart Vase
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti 'Hybrid-Adelma' Vase in Porcelain
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti "Memorabilia" Porcelain My Robot
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti "Memorabilia" Porcelain My Crown
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti "Memorabilia" Porcelain My Spaceship
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

"Giulia" Leather Basket with Handles Designed by C. Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Giulia" is a leather basket with handles, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. Genuine Italian leather vegetable...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Flower Bullet Vase Smoke
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A gold / smoke bullet shape inside embellishes this Classic elliptic vase design. The Bullet vase stands alone as an exquisite decorative object on its own...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Paper Bowl Two, Made of Crumpled Brass Sheet, Handcrafted and Formed in Chicago
Located in Chicago, IL
The Paper Series embodies the Idea of crumpling paper set in time. The materiality of the brass is utilized by the intricate folds and bends that not on...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Paper Bowl 1, Made of Crumpled Brass Sheet, Handcrafted and Formed in Chicago
Located in Chicago, IL
The Paper Series embodies the idea of crumpling paper set in time. The materiality of the brass is utilized by the intricate folds and bends that not on...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Miniature Bud Vase 2, Made from Brass and Patinated Finish
Located in Chicago, IL
Each of these delicately, handcrafted bud vases is perfect as an individual home accessory or whimsical series. Made of brass and hand tarnished, each bud vase has its own unique for...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Miniature Bud Vase 3, Made from Brass and Patinated Finish
Located in Chicago, IL
Each of these delicately, handcrafted bud vases is perfect as an individual home accessory or whimsical series. Made of brass and hand tarnished, each bud vase has its own unique for...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Minimal Bottle Opener Made in Brass, Stainless Steel and Raw Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
Strong in form and heavy in weight, the bottle openers are elegant in their simplicity and precision. Solid bar stock is transformed through the most minimal intervention possible, c...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel

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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