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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Freestanding Holy Water Font in Giallo Reale Marble – 21st Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Freestanding Holy Water Font in Giallo Reale Marble – 21st Century A beautiful holy water font crafted from Giallo Reale marble, expertly turned and finished. Handmade Height 98 cm...
Siena Marble
Large illuminated fountain made of Murano glass, Italy, Mid-Century Modern, 195s
Located in Vicenza, IT
A large, spectacular Italian illuminated fountain made of Murano glass, created around the mid-20th century and designed as a true decorative element in which glass, water, light, mo...
Brass
ANTIQUE CAST IRON WALL FOUNTAIN FROM THE EARLY 1900S 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
ANTIQUE CAST IRON WALL FOUNTAIN FROM THE EARLY 1900S Antique cast iron fountain with a brass tap Height 76 cm Width 42 cm Inside the basin depth 17 cm Weight 14 Kg Maximum proj...
Iron
Modernist 20th Century Wall Fountain
Located in Denton, TX
Trapezoid shaped granite wall mounted with copper lighted shroud on top and copper catch basin at the bottom. Nice patina on the copper. shipped in pieces ...
Granite, Metal, Copper
Ukiyo Saucer, Concrete Fountain/Fishpond by OPIARY (D50")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. This modern, minimalist fountain is a tasteful way to incorporate aquatic life into any indoor or outdoor space. The Ukiyo Saucer...
Cement
$20,272 / item
James de Wulf Custom Concrete Fountain
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf's two-tier concrete fountain boasts simplistic beauty with a smooth polished concrete surface, accented with a bronze waterfall. The beauty of bronze, ductile and resis...
Concrete, Bronze
Ukiyo Saucer, Concrete Fountain/Fishpond by OPIARY (D62")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. This modern, minimalist fountain is a tasteful way to incorporate aquatic life into any indoor or outdoor space. The Ukiyo watersaucer can house multiple floating islands...
Cement
$14,650 / item
Concrete Three-Tier Ukiyo Fountain by OPIARY
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. This modern, minimalist fountain is a tasteful way to incorporate aquatic life into any indoor or outdoor space. The Ukiyo three tier fountain...
Cement
LITTLE TERRACOTTA WALL FOUNTAIN IN TWO PIECES 21stCentury
Located in Madrid, ES
LITTLE ITALIAN TERRACOTTA WALL FOUNTAIN IN TWO PIECES 21stCentury Patinated terracotta Beautiful tulip-shaped vase with a front decorated with nine pomegranates. The central hole f...
Terracotta
LARGE STONE FOUNTAIN - 13 PIECES 220 CM LONG 21th Century HANDMADE
Located in Madrid, ES
LARGE STONE FOUNTAIN - 13 PIECES 220 CM LONG 21th Century HANDMADE Height 140 cm Width 220 cm Depth from 90 to 100 cm Weight 1800 Kg Material...
Sandstone
Modern Genesi Circular Ceramic Fountain White Crackle Blue
By LAAB Milano
Located in monza, Monza and Brianza
The most elegant of the Genesi fountains, it's a pleasure to the eyes and to the ears. The Raku elements let the water flow perpetually from the tallest to the smallest recipient and finally into the large vessel creating a soothing sound while the ripples on the water will create a slow game with the bottom of the large container. The water that flows into different vessels symbolises life and is a metaphor for no one is untouched by what is around him, and that everything is connected. This fountain can donate any interior a relaxing corner and repose to the mind of the listener...
Ceramic
Monolithic Font - Two part fountain carved from Roman Travertine
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Originally designed for Wallpaper* Magazine's annual Handmade exhibition at the Salone del Mobile 2017, Tino Seubert teamed up with Pibamarmi to create a two-levelled indoor font. Tu...
Travertine
Wall fountain consisting of tile mural, basin and foot Nymphenburg majolica
Located in München, Bavaria
This wall fountain consists of a tiled back wall with relief "Aquarium" by Max Dellefant. The design was made for Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg in 1940. The standard version is gl...
Majolica
Sabine Marcelis Fountain From the series “No Fear of Glass”, Rotterdam, 2019
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sabine Marcelis From the series “No Fear of Glass” Manufactured by Sabine Marcelis Produced exclusively for Side Gallery Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2019 Layered curved glass. Polish...
Cut Glass
ORIGINAL ANTIQUE CONCRETE VASE, H.50CM, FROM THE EARLY 1900S 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
ORIGINAL ANTIQUE CONCRETE VASE, H.50CM, FROM THE EARLY 1900S 20th Century Height 50 cm Inside the basin depth 18 cm Weight 38 Kg Round base diameter Ø 31 Maximum diameter 57 cm ...
Concrete
Monolithic Font - Two part fountain carved from Calacatta Marble
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Originally designed in Travertine for Wallpaper* Magazine's annual Handmade exhibition at the Salone del Mobile 2017, Tino Seubert teamed up with Pibamarmi to create a two-levelled i...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Modern Genesi Globe Ceramic Fountain Black White Crackle
By LAAB Milano
Located in monza, Monza and Brianza
The mightiest of the Genesi fountains. Its large Raku components are already a masterpiece by themselves, combined in the form of this perpetual murmuring fountain become something m...
Ceramic
Monolithic Font - Two part fountain carved from Rosso Etrusco sandstone
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Originally designed in Travertine for Wallpaper* Magazine's annual Handmade exhibition at the Salone del Mobile 2017, Tino Seubert teamed up with Pibamarmi to create a two-levelled i...
Sandstone
ITALIAN GREY LIMESTONE SIMPLE FOUNTAIN 21th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
ITALIAN GREY LIMESTONE SIMPLE FOUNTAIN 21st Century This is one of our favorite fountains: minimalist, very simple, and beautiful. Made of gray limestone. Made of three pieces, the ...
Limestone
Majolica garden fountain - pedestal with basin and figure of a boy
Located in München, Bavaria
This fountain was designed by Josef Wackerle for Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg. It is hand crafted and hand painted by the artisians in Nymphenburg located at the palace in Munich, Germany. The material is fired to a high temperature to ensure that your fountain is weather and fade proof. It consists of the pedestal, basin and figure. The pump needed for water transfer is included. All other technical elements - water hose...
Majolica
Giant Shell Fountain 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Giant shell fountain the structure is in iron and the springs are in authentic giant shell (Tridacna gigas) the arms are mobile and have the shape of a veg...
Iron
Patinated Bronze Fountain with Colorful Stone-like Wood by Pierre De Valck
Located in Geneve, CH
Fountain With Stone, Pertrified Wood by Pierre De Valck One of a kind Dimensions: W 110 x D 110 x H 100 cm. Materials: Stone, Petrified wood, white patinated bronze. Fountain with s...
Stone, Bronze
$14,850
H 60.63 in W 30.5 in D 28.5 in
Whimsical English 19th-20th Century White Marble Figural Outdoor Dog Fountain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Whimsical English 19th-20th century white marble figural fountain with dogs fountain. The Baroque Revival six-sided tripod marble base surmounted with three upright seated Yorkshire Terriers resting on a leaf and acanthus center stem, topped with a semi-circular scalloped carved basin...
Marble
Antique Cast Iron Garden Fountain att. to Fisk c. 19th C.
By Fiske Or Mott
Located in New York, NY
Antique cast iron three tier garden fountain, 19th century vintage attributed to Fisk, or Mott. The fountain feature three graduated basins, mounted on a decorative segmented center...
Cast Iron
Wonderful Modernist Kenetic Motion Copper Fountain / Water Feature, Hand Made
Located in Buffalo, NY
Ingenious copper fountain / water feature, solid copper construction, Modernist design Artisan made, hand executed. Sculpture in motion, great for garden, or indoor space.
Copper
$10,194 / set
H 82.68 in W 35.44 in D 204.73 in
Village Water Pump in Antique Limestone from France, 18th Century
Located in Udenhout, NL
Village water pump fountain in limestone with a double trough also made from limestone in front of it.
Limestone
Rare 1950's Murano Indoor Aqua Fountain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very rare 1950's Murano Indoor Aqua Fountain by Barbini. The base measures 11.75 inches. The widest area measures 28 inches.
$24,551
H 12.21 in W 10.63 in D 5.91 in
Meissen style porcelain and gilt bronze table fountain by Samson
Located in London, GB
This colourful porcelain table fountain, fashioned in the German Meissen style, was crafted in the 19th Century by the French porcelain company Samson et Cie. The table fountain co...
Ormolu
Antique-patinated Wall fountain, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain made of hand-chiseled, antique-patinated natural stone with a large rectangular basin. The simple back panel with subtly profiled side elements and a central spout comb...
Stone
Cast Aluminum Lions Head Wall Fountain Planter Patterson London 1893
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous wall fountain or planter in aluminum. Cast lions Head and Patterson London 1893. Lots of patina on this one, peeling white paint. In excellent vinta...
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Lead Putti Fountain, Circa 1920
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming early 20th century lead garden fountain featuring a delightful putti figure supporting a scalloped basin. Dating to around 1920, this piece captures the romantic appeal of...
Iron
$2,750
H 12.75 in W 15.5 in D 22.5 in
American Giant Stone Frog with Patina, Originally Used as a Fountain
Located in Atlanta, GA
An American giant stone frog from the 20th century, with great patina. Made in the USA in 1987, this giant stone stone frog used to be a fountain (notice the remnants of a pipe below...
Stone
18th Century Italian Holy Water Font in Carved Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Italy during the 1700s, this holy water font was crafted from beautiful Verona rosso marble. Known for its reddish color and light veining, this particular stone has a...
Stone, Limestone, Marble
French Antique Cast Iron Fontaine Décorative Wall Fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Crafted from warm terracotta clay, this English wall fountain features a finely detailed putto emerging from an ornate backdrop, channeling water down into a wide, contoured gatherin...
Terracotta
Fontana Le Colonne Bianco, Azzurro di Alessandro Mendini
Located in Busnago, IT
Colonna composta da 3 elementi, base in ceramica policroma, 24 piastrelle grés bianche con decorazioni e una scultura di pesce in bronzo. Questa fontana è chiamata "Le Colonne" perch...
Bronze
LIMESTONE FOUNTAIN OF VILLA BOCCELLA 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
LIMESTONE FOUNTAIN OF VILLA BOCCELLA 20th Century Handmade, Italian production early 20th Century Deliberately crudely made product in imitation of the French fountains in the trian...
Limestone
Patinated Bronze Dolphin Fountain, 20th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Patinated Bronze Animalier Dolphin Fountain, 20th century, apparently unsigned. Dealer: S138XX
Bronze
Contemporary Stone Floor Fountain, Sphere Stone Ball
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful contemporary fountain. Round floor basin with stone ball. Imported from France in the early 2000's. Measurements detailed in the listing.
Cast Stone
Small Patinated Bronze Fountain Frog Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small lazy frog patinated bronze sculpture fountain. The frog is laying down and enjoying the sun. It is piped below the base, so a...
Bronze
Sold
H 46 in W 30 in D 30 in
'Pyramid' by Tom Torrens Patinated Copper Fountain Bird Bath, 1990s, Signed
By Tom Torrens
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This patinated copper and steel sculpture is called the 'Pyramid' Triple Fountain by renown artist and sculptor Tom Torrens, circa 1990s. Featuring a patin...
Steel
L. Filippi Abstract Bronze Outdoor Fountain on Granite Base
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern abstract bronze fountain by L. Filippi. The piece has an organic shaped bowl atop a more geometric base, all atop a granite pedestal. Signed by the artist L. Filippi on one of...
Granite, Bronze
French Modern Limestone Fountain
Located in Dallas, TX
This French modern limestone fountain with sleek, clean lines is a wonderful addition to your courtyard. Origin: France Measurements: 63 3/16" W x 39 11/16" D x 51 1/2" H.
Limestone
Bronze Boy Flutist Mid Century Fountain by Sylvia Shaw Judson
By Sylvia Shaw Judson Hawkins
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Bronze fountain of a boy flutist by Sylvia Shaw Judson Hawkins. Famous artist from the Chicago area who has created the bronze which is on the cover of the book Midnight in the Garden...
Bronze
Lifesize Bronze Garden Sculpture/Fountain of a Boy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lifesize bronze garden sculpture and fountain of a boy, realistically modeled and cast. Crisp detail and beautiful verdigris patina, the figure...
Bronze
French Modern Limestone Fountain
Located in Dallas, TX
This French modern limestone fountain with sleek, clean lines is a wonderful addition to your courtyard. Origin: France Measurements: 63 3/16" W x...
Limestone
Curtis Jere Owl Fountain
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This charming fountain fills the room with the soothing sound of a babbling brook.
Metal