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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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
Italian Modern Rectangular Silk-Screen Printing of a House in Frame, 1980
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Rectangular silk-screen printing of a house in frame, 1980 Rectangular silk-screen printing on white paper, representing a silhouette of house. The colors present are...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Artistic Mosaic Handmade on Aluminum Panel Dimension and Colors Customizable
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

Grasses: A Piece of 3D Sculptural Putty Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Grasses: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of putty coloured leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 50 x 30 inches or 127 x...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Skateboard Marcantonio Wood Inlay Scapin Light Blue Turquoise
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Life After Life Board Old Skull Board/ Life After Life Board è una tavola da skateboard decorativa, disponibile in due varianti colore e con un disegno intarsiato simbolo della con...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Plywood

Fabric Tapestry with Heron Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
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 Tiger Design Upholstered Panel on Demand
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

Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Pink & Orange, C 1975
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Frieze, Proserpina, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
"I Classici" - An innovative collection in which classical sculpture, contemporary design elements and augmented reality coexist. From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most importa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Sheep Tapestry by Studio Ahead
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sheep Tapestry designed by Studio Ahead. The tapestry is made of custom cream merino wool felt from Northern California sheep. The fluid shapes are inspired by the smooth lines of stones and pieces of driftwood found on Muir Beach...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wool, Felt

Art Glass Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
Located in London, GB
Special slabs available Two-sided Curved Extra treatments Temper glass Non-slip finishing Special glasses Borosilicate glass Finishings Chrome, Opalescent, Satin Us...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Heart Shaped Bicolor Watercolor, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Heart
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in wh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Art Glass Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
Located in London, GB
Special slabs available Two-sided Curved Extra treatments Temper glass Non-slip finishing Special glasses Borosilicate glass Finishings Chrome, Opalescent, Satin Us...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Quarry Wall Hanging in Black Patina
Located in Austin, TX
The Quarry Wall Hanging draws inspiration from the worn shapes of river rocks. The curved bar adds a layer of softness and the form of the organic shapes creates inviting dimension, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Style of Helmut Newton "Sie Kommen Dressed' and 'Sie Kommen Naked" '1981'
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Note: This is a decorative reproduction of the same year Helmut Newton set of two pieces Sie Kommen (Dressed)’ & ‘Sie Kommen (Naked) Both printed in Silver Gelatin and mounted on ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Other

Art Glass Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
Located in London, GB
Special slabs available Two-sided Curved Extra treatments Temper glass Non-slip finishing Special glasses Borosilicate glass Finishings Chrome, Opalescent, Satin Us...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Frieze, Gaddi Torso, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Blossom, a Piece of 3D Sculptural Grey Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Blossom: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of grey leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 50 x 30 inches or 127 x 77 cm. ...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Les Pins, Customizable, Digital Printing, Mural Decor, Isidore Leroy
Located in Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
All our products are custom made. The price per square meter is 91$. The price shown is for a 350cm wide by 250cm high wall Take a walk through the colourful landscapes of the Cap Ferret...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Majolica Plate Centerpiece Hand Painted Wall Dish Bowl Blue Aquamarine Italy
Located in Recanati, IT
Large plate Made and hand painted in Italy according to the original Renaissance painting technique. The plate is decorated in polychrome painted majolica, according to a rich grotes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Original Abstract Acrylic on Board by Rick Orr
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Original large abstract painting by American listed artist Rick Orr. This is an acrylic on board, with a gold leaf wood frame. Measurements: 53.25” Wide, 29.25” High. 1.25” Deep.
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Frame by the French manufactory " DELF - Cadre d' Art - Paris " 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
FRAME, arched and multi-coloured frame moulding; model frame by the French manufacturer DELF - Cadre d' art - Paris Overall dimensions 75 x 65 cm; inlay dimensions 60,5 x 50,5 cm. Inscribed with the original selling price...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Grape Hyacinth, a Piece of 3D Sculptural Cream Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Grape Hyacinth: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of cream leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 17 x 17 inches or 43 x 43 cm...
Category

2010s European Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Corona, Sculptural 3D Wall Art, Hand Veneered in Wenge, by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Inspired by the 2015 solar eclipse, Corona captures that magical moment when only the glowing ring of the sun can be seen as the moon blocks out direct sunlight. This mesmerising piece of illuminated wall art...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Vintage 1985 Francine Tint Large Abstract Expressionist Contemporary Painting
By Francine Tint
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage, circa 1985, large abstract expressionist style painting by contemporary American artist Francine Tint. This work is signed, dated, titled and inscribed verso. There is evi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Continuum Mobile Black Patina
Located in Austin, TX
The Continuum Mobile is our most stunning mobile in both design and scale with visually cacophonous clusters of shapes that artfully glide between each other. The striking black patina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Frieze, Laocoon, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Painting by Peter Keil New Frame with Linen Matting, Signed on Paper, C 1975
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Frieze, Rodin, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
"I Classici " - An innovative collection in which classical sculpture, contemporary design elements and augmented reality coexist. From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most import...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Fiberglass, Ceramic

Frieze, Vestal, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
"I Classici" - An innovative collection in which classical sculpture, contemporary design elements and augmented reality coexist. From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most importa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Handwoven Telephone Wire Accent, Harlequin Green
Located in Jersey City, NJ
It is said that this stunning art form started with the African night shift security workers being bored on duty. They brought these weaving skills back to their villages and shared ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wire

Wildflower: A Piece of 3D Sculptural Cream Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Wild flower: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of cream leather woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 19.5 x 19.5 inches or 49 x 49...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Leather

Figural Modern Painting on Canvas by George D'Amato, 1990s
Located in Chicago, IL
A large figural modernist painting on canvas by George D’Amato, 1990s. This gorgeous artwork features vibrant red, green and black hues. Artist signature on the lower right. Georg...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Art Glass Decorative Panel for Multiple Uses Dimension Customizable
Located in London, GB
Special slabs available Two-sided Curved Extra treatments Temper glass Non-slip finishing Special glasses Borosilicate glass Finishings Chrome, Opalescent, Satin Us...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Art Glass

Wassily Kandinsky Print from Painting
Located in Miami, FL
Wassily Kandinsky print. Titled: Yellow-Red-Blue, originally painted in 1925, harmonious and perfect form among geometrical shapes. This is a...
Category

20th Century German Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Schumacher Orissa Sisal Wallpaper Mural in Sky
Located in New York, NY
Capturing the look of artisanal processes like ikat or shibori, this 12-foot tall panel wallcovering is printed on sisal for tactile dimension and alludes ...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper, Grasscloth

"For Saturday" Large Square Abstract Painting by Jim Condron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large multi colored abstract wall painting titled "For Saturday" by American Artist Jim Condron, signed and dated 2015. “For Saturday,” 2015 was made durin...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Linen

Beautiful Handmade Artistic Mosaic Merilyn Wind Bespoke Options Available
Located in London, GB
This colourful pop inspiration mosaic is an ode to the popular and unique Marilyn Monroe. The diva is still one of the most emblematic actresses of the big screen. Surrounded by mult...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

Continuum Mobile in Black Patina and Brass
Located in Austin, TX
The Continuum Mobile is our most stunning mobile in both design and scale with visually cacophonous clusters of shapes that artfully glide between each other. The striking contrast b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Heart Shaped Dart & Gold Set, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Unique Piece
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in wh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Heart Shaped White Wall Decor, 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Unique Piece
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in wh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Frieze, Gladiator, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Oil on Canvas by José Herrera
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oil on canvas by José Herrera (Spanish, 1943-). Signed and dated 1973. Original stainless steel frame. A beautiful piece.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Stainless Steel

Frieze, Caesar, Contemporary Art Decorative Sculpture by Eduard Locota
Located in Timisoara, RO
From extremely detailed 3D scans of the most important classical sculptures of all times, Eduard Locota has digitally sliced and extracted the essential portion of the artwork, then ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balkan Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Fiberglass

Contemporary Italian Green "Bonnet" Mirror Designed by Elena Salmistraro
Located in Madrid, ES
Mirror mod. "Bonnet" designed by Elena Salmistraro. Composed of beveled mirror, white lacquered ring and two green printed Krion (high-resistance resin) pieces. Wall-mounted with a m...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal, Gold

Thomas Eriksson Cross Cabinet in Red Glossy Metal for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed to store medicine, the cross cabinet by Thomas Eriksson is wall-hanging, available with a glossy varnished finish, in red, orange, green, blue a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

George Charles Haité Modern Seascape Landscape
Located in Roma, IT
Important watercolor painting representing a beautiful landscape with sailboats in front of a rocky coastline Dimensions without frame cm 5...
Category

Early 20th Century British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Fernandez Arman, Plexiglass, Paint Tubes, Mixed Media, Lucite/Plastic Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Arman sculpture showing paint tubes acrylic and plexiglass structure. He was very well known for musical instrument in parts and accumulation of objects inside clear plexiglass...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Plexiglass

Signed Acrylic on Wood Painting Titled "Watching the Detective"
Located in North Miami, FL
This large signed acrylic on wood painting by Walsh from 2012 is titled Watching the Detective. He was a professor of painting college level. ...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Eight NYC, New York Porcelain over Metal Enamel Street Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Eight NYC, New York porcelain over metal enamel street signs. Double sided. Priced individually.
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Colourful Handmade Artistic Mosaic Merilyn Wind Bespoke Options Available
Located in London, GB
This colourful pop inspiration mosaic is an ode to the popular and unique Marilyn Monroe. The diva is still one of the most emblematic actresses of the big screen. Surrounded by mult...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

Pair framed vintage print of drawings by Diego Rivera
By Diego Rivera
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of vintage prints of Diego Rivera's drawings of indigenous Mexican children. Framed on linen board in a pair of period frame. In print sign...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

Continuum Mobile in Brass
Located in Austin, TX
The Continuum Mobile is our most stunning mobile in both design and scale with visually cacophonous clusters of shapes that artfully glide between each other. This statement piece is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Brass

Original Round Acrylic Abstract Painting by Paul Maxwell 1925-2015
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1990 Original round abstract acrylic painting on canvas that is stretched over board title ‘Gibbous’’ by American listed artist Paul Maxwell 1925-2015. Hand sign on the front and ba...
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Vintage Modern New York Skyline Mirrored Wall Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish vintage modern wall art features mixed metal, acrylic, and mirror to create a New York City skyline effect with twin towers, Empir...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Mirror

Vortex, Contemporary, Sculptural, 3D Wall Art in Newood, by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Vortex, is a purely decorative piece, which originates from the curiosity as to what lies at the end of a black hole. It is one of the latest additions to the Celestial Series which ...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Laminate, Wood, Resin

Heart Shaped White "Frame", 2022, Handmade in Italy, Anatomical Unique Piece
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Celebrating the human body by dissecting it. The human body as a great system of signs and symbols. We are expression, beyond words and gestures. A perspective of the flesh in wh...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Convergence Limited edition sculpture, cast in Marble Resin by David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Convergence is a limited edition, wall mounted, abstract sculpture which draws on my recurring theme of movement with sleek flowing lines. It emerged from a series of sketches influe...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Marble

Alexander Calder, Original Lithograph 15/90, Les Queles Deqoulinantes 1966
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lithograph by Alexander Calder namned Les Queles Deqoulinantes. This is number 15 in an edition of 90. It is 76 x 59 cm (framed), 61 x 44 cm (picture). It is reframed but have the ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

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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