Modern Decorative Objects
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Japanese Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
20th Century European Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Swedish Modern Decorative Objects
Sandstone
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Shagreen Stingray
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s French Modern Decorative Objects
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Bone, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Reclaimed Wood, Paint
2010s British Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
2010s Chilean Modern Decorative Objects
Stone
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine
2010s French Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic, Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver Plate
1980s English Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Willow
1910s English Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Decorative Objects
Platinum
20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1990s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1990s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1990s German Modern Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver Plate
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
10 On-Point Vessels for Flaunting Your Houseplants and Bouquets
Whether you're a genius gardener or have your florist on speed dial, every stem in your home deserves the best.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.