Modern Decorative Art
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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.
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Style: Modern
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Glass and Marble Mosaic Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Aluminum
Art wall panel scagliola relief decor handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
The title of this work is "Evolution" in this panel the artist Lodovico Cupioli represented a river in his particular vision.
From the primordial Era after the game of time, the orig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Scagliola
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Glass & Marble Mosaic Gold Platinum Leaf
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Aluminum, Platinum, Gold Leaf
Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Gold Leaf Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing 'tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum, Gold Leaf
Pop Art Yellow and Black Perspex Light Panel by Johanna Grawunder Italian Design
Located in London, GB
A 1980s Pop Art yellow and black perspex light panel by Johanna Grawunder
An Art Lighting panel, yellow / black perspex with florencescent light bulbs. I...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Plexiglass
Mondego Handmade Decorative Tile Panel
By Theia Tiles
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, res...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Wood
Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Platinum Leaf
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum, Platinum
Stylish Wall Art Work Polished or Matt Ebony Mosaic Insert Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ebony, Glass
Visionnaire Airone Vetro Artwork by Michele Astolfi
By Visionnaire
Located in Bologna, IT
Airone Vetro, painted satin glass. Frame in chrome lacquered steel.
Michele Astolfi. Passionate about photography and digital processing, Michele Astolfi experiments the combination...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Steel
Over the Desert Au Fil du Désert Textiles from the Nomadic Desert Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Over the Desert - Tents And Weaving Of Nomadic Pastors.
Au fil du de´sert: Tentes et tissages des pasteurs nomades de Me´diterrane´e
(French Edition)
(French language) Paperback...
Category
1990s Moroccan Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Andrianna Shamaris Framed Vintage Courrèges Owl Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Rare, vintage Courrèges cotton scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold pop-art style owl sitting on the Courrèges Paris logo. Set in a modern espresso teak...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Cotton
Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Beulah ‘Elsie Sloan’ Stevenson, Abstract Oil on Board Painting, Signed, Dated
By Beulah Stevenson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a beautiful oil on wood board painting by the well known artist Beulah Stevenson. Her works are in major museums and important collections. Labels in back from the Brooklyn s...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Silk, Polyester
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Polyester, Silk
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Polyester, Silk
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Silk, Polyester
Fabric Tapestry with Artistic Rug Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’.
The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality.
A constant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Polyester, Silk
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Margaret Smith “Near the Zócalo” Abstract Impressionist Cityscape Oil Painting
By Margaret Smith 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
A signed late 1970s/early 1980s large abstract impressionist cityscape oil painting on board titled “Near the Zócalo”, by American artist Margaret Smith.
The Zócalo is the common na...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Stylish Artistic Mosaic Handmade Gold Leaf Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum, Gold Leaf
Untitled, After Keith Haring
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Untitled, After Keith Haring
Vintage unsigned well executed oil on canvas of figures supporting each other, the center image measures 33.5" W x 34" H, on a white background canvas m...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Albanian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Tejo Black and White Handmade Decorative Tile Panel
By Theia Tiles
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, res...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Wood
Very Large Gold Gilt Papier Mâché Wall Hanging Mask of the Gods of Wind in Mask
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and large gold leaf gilt wall sculpture in papier mache of the Gods of Wind
This is one of a pair, the second piece is half the s...
Category
20th Century English Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Abstract Modern Rug Wool and Silk Design 7 x 7 ft
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
A beautiful contemporary abstract art modern design rug, hand knotted using finest Chinese mulberry silk and Tibetan highland wool.
Luxurious, hand-knotted modern design rug, contem...
Category
2010s Nepalese Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wool, Silk
Mid-Century Abstract Oil On Canvas Painting
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Abstract Oil On Canvas Painting
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing 'tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Aluminum
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Glass and Marble Mosaic Platinum Leaf
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Aluminum, Platinum
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Six Round Framed Silk Screen by Edgardo Giménez, Argentina, 1973
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Six round framed silk screen by Edgardo Giménez. Argentina, 1973.
The six are hand signed by the artist.
--
Detail of each silk screen in order of the...
Category
1970s Argentine Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing 'tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Handmade Artistic Marble Mosaic Rug Dimension and Colors Customizable
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass Mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble
Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 2" 'Available Numbers 1-3-4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flatbed press and finished with a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 1" 'Available Numbers 2-3-4'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flatbed press and finished with a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Collection Manhattan Blooms "Number 4" 'Available Numbers 1-2-3'
Located in Scandicci, Florence
From the "Habitat Collection" original limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces. Exclusive contemporary graphic printed by hand in two colors on a flat bed ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Cerchi Gold Leaf by Ongaro e Fuga, Murano
Located in Murano, Venice
This Venetian Cerchi mirror embellishes every room of your house. Designed for the first time in 1962 by Ongaro e Fuga, it is perfect for modern and clas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass
Rick Lee Metal Light Up Wall Sculpture in the Style of Jere
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A contemporary modern abstract wall sculpture with upper light , patina art metal design , satin black rods with chrome details . To the reverse is the artist label signed by Rick Lee...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
"Figure in Blue", Oil on Canvas, Framed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully framed oil on canvas representing a blue figure.
Size: 13 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches canvas, 22 1/8 x 18 1/2 inches frame.
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Artistic Mosaic Handmade Gold & Platinum Leaf Mother of Pearl
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Making Artistic Mosaic, design of unparalleled beauty, inventing ' tromp l'oeil' thanks to the endless colors of the glass mosaic collections, all this allowed us to produce and divu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Marble, Aluminum, Platinum, Gold Leaf
Abstract Painting On Canvas
Located in Denton, TX
Abstract painting on canvas. Yellow, blue, green tones. If you look hard enough, you can spot an umbrella and a duck!
Category
20th Century North American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint, Wood
Victor Vasarely Geometric Print with Purple Frame, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Colorful abstract lithograph with iconic geometric motif by Victor Vasarely, American, 1970s (Signed and numbered 137/250). Vasarely is widely considered to be the father of Op Art.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
1995 Playing Card Collage Artwork by Robert Heckes Mixed-Media Decoupage
Located in Dayton, OH
1995 playing card collage artwork by Robert Heckes mixed-media Decoupage 72"
"Rural or country themed collage, featuring a rooster perched at the cent...
Category
1990s Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
“Nightwind” Abstract Ink Drawing by Syd Solomon
By Syd Solomon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A black and white abstract drawing entitled “Nightwind” by Syd Solomon, c.1964. The piece features expressive movements created by long and harsh strokes and curves of dark ink. A na...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Paint, Crayon
Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold contrasting colors in this beautiful abstract silk vinta...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Silk
Dariel Studio High Blue Candleholders in Laminated Metal for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Graceful geometry characterizes this pair of blue candleholders by designer Thomas Dariel. For this project, he defined space with slender curved ste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
Decorative Colored Mirror with Wood Frame, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Decorative colored mirror with wood frame, 1980s
Big decorative colored mirror, dating to the 1980s. Big mirror with wood frame and coloured gl...
Category
1980s European Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Art Glass, Wood
Tile Panel Floral Handmade Decorative
By Theia Tiles
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resultin...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Wood
Tile Panel Tejo Colors Handmade Decorative
By Theia Tiles
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Faience, Wood
Large Brass-Framed Wall Art
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large brass-framed multi-media wall art on a mirror base.
Signed R. Bushong.
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Paul Slapion, Mixed-Media Abstract Painting, circa 1985
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul Slapion (American, 20th century) mixed-media abstract painting
Title: In Each of Us...All of Us #4
circa 1985
A fine mixed media painting created with many layers of glass, ink and oils.
Visually stunning optical art.
Dimensions 16 inches x 20 inches.
Frame dimensions 20.25 inches x 16.25 inches.
Very good vintage condition. Lightly distressed frame.
Signed verso with the original "OK Harris Gallery...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Paint
Modern decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative art 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 art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative art 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 art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Louise Heighes, Atlasproject, and Peter Keil. 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 art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35 and tops out at $191,803 while the average work can sell for $2,184.
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