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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 Modern Decorative Objects
Clay
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal
2010s British Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Beech, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Pewter
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Marble
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Wire, Stainless Steel, Bronze, Brass
2010s North American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Other
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
2010s European Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Clay
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Other
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass, Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
1980s Brazilian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1990s German Modern Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite
20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century North American Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Other
2010s Indian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass
1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Stone, Metal
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Antique Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
2010s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Granite, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
20th Century Israeli Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum, Sterling Silver
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.