Modern Building and Garden Elements
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
31
to
4
24
6
31
31
31
43
31
11
8
7
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
2
309
1,714
16
65
146
1
6
4
12
21
44
31
19
Height
to
Width
to
16
8
6
5
5
19
19
9
6
2
5
4
1
1
1
Style: Modern
Period: 1980s
Sculptural Pedestal by Maitland-Smith
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s polished tessellated fossil stone and travertine pedestal by Maitland-Smith.
In beautiful original vintage condition.
Constructed of wood with tessellated fossil stone and t...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Unique Decorative Panel, Roger Capron, France 1987
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Large decorative panel consists in 20 glazed lava plates fixed on wood and
executed on order for an italian collector from the Milano area in 1987
This panel with a lively line and ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lava
Danny Alessandro Fireplace Tool Set in Lucite and Chrome 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Fireplace tool set in chrome with upright post in Lucite by Danny Alessandro LTD, American 1980's. A very elegant design. Danny Alessandro, Ltd. was sold through Holly Hunt in the 19...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Chrome
Danny Alessandro Fireplace Tool Set In Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Fireplace tool set in chrome with upright post and handles in figured Brazilian rosewood by Danny Alessandro LTD, American 1980's. A very elegant design. Danny Alessandro, Ltd. was ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Chrome
Danny Alessandro Pair of Andirons in Polished Steel and Brass 1984
Located in New York, NY
"S Andirons" in polished steel and brass with wrought-iron posts by Danny Alessandro and sold through Holly Hunt, American 1984. These are meticulously crafted and very luxurious. D...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Steel, Wrought Iron
White Glazed Ceramic Cloud Garden Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful white glazed ceramic cloud garden seat. Great addition to your patio and outdoors for drinks.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Glazed Porcelain Planter by Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare burgundy purple glazed porcelain planter by renowned designer Karl Springer.
In beautiful vintage condition, with minor wear consistent with age( see detail photos).
Measureme...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Round Slate Table
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Round Slate Table from France, raised upon two-piece shaped slate base. Two similar tables in same dimensions available and sold individually, pric...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Slate
1980s Contemporary Iron Fireplace Grate
Located in London, GB
A contemporary iron fire grate by or from a design by Stuart Hill. This ingenious design is formed from a single steel plate. A near identical grate is on display in the iron-work se...
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Stainless Steel and Black Powder Coated Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful 1980s Polish stainless steel and black powder coated steel sculpture.
The stainless steel cylinders are all different sizes and are arr...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Italian Modern Planters in Black Metal, White Wood and Blue Plastic, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern planters in black metal, white wood and blue plastic, 1980s.
Pair of semi-oval base planters in metal, wood and plastic. The external structure is in black painted me...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Handcrafted Maple Pedestal in the Manner of Michael Graves
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sleek handcrafted maple pedestal with ebonized details; great for display.Top is 8.25 square.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Maple
Modern Twist Pedestal Stands in Ombre Lacquered Finish
Located in North York, ON
Modern twist pedestal stands in ombre lacquered finish. Unique twisted modern design in composition fiberglass material. Masterfully finished by...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Composition
1980s Natural Mactan Stone End or Side Tables with Glass Tops
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique Postmodern 1980s design, freeform end or side tables. Each table base in rough edged brick motif Mactan stone. Three stone balls holding the removable circular glass tops. Can...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Italian Modern Camilla Bench with Armrests by Achille Castiglioni Zanotta, 1984
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Camilla Bench with armrests by Achille Castiglioni Zanotta, 1984
Fantastic folding bench with armrests mod. Camilla Bench with seat and back in light gray painted laminate. The structure is in black painted metal. Totally resealable. Suitable to use in the garden or outside. it is suitable to create a vintage outside...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Studio Ceramic Cachepot Planter by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s Studio ceramic cachepot by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase.
Grate for orchids or indoor plants.
The finish is a crackle high gloss glaze with brush...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Door Handles in Murano Glass, Italy 1980s
Located in London, GB
A fantastic pair of door handles in Murano glass with gold inclusion. Italy, 1980s.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Three Blue Barstools with Leather Seats, Legs Powder Coated
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Iron and leather barstools set freshly powder coated in soft Tiffany-blue.
These modern stools have just been kicked up a notch with cheeky blue tall slender legs. The stitched leather top is a perfect warm contrast. Comfortable with clean lines, these stools will work well in modern, industrial...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Studio Ceramic Planter by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful emerald green studio ceramic planter by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase. The planter has a matted glazed with black abstract design. Hand signe...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Studio Ceramic Cachepot by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980s Studio ceramic planter or cachepot with purple and copper glazing by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase. Hand signed and marked exclusively for Steve Chase....
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
1980s Maitland-Smith Tessellated Stone and Brass Pedestal Table Base
Located in Chicago, IL
I have never seen this before! Believed to be custom made by Maitland Smith, the pedestal base has vertical lines of brass. Impeccable condition. The glass oval top shown is how the ...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone, Brass
Studio Ceramic Cachepot by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s Studio ceramic planter or cachepot with purple and copper design glazing by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase. Hand signed and marked exclusively for Stev...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Carrara Marble Console or Fireplace Mantel
Located in New York, NY
Carrara marble console / fireplace mantel in three parts. Nice shades of gray.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Carrara Marble
Large Rectangular Powder Coated Sunshine Yellow Cocktail Table, Italy, 1980s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Modern shine yellow powder coated rectangular coffee table.
This Italian bold and bright Mid-Century Industrial style coffee table has a glass top with etched silvered diagonal lin...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Woodard Patio Recliner Chaise Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of aluminum frame with nylon upholstery outdoor chaise longue chairs by the Woodard Furniture Co., circa 1980. Please confirm item lo...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Aluminum
1980s Natural Mactan Stone Square End/Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique Postmodern 1980s design, freeform end/side tables. Each table base in rough edged brick motif Mactan stone. Four stone balls holding the removable circular glass tops. Can be ...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Pair of Steel Door Handles
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Monumental pair of steel door pulls. Each door pull measures 9" wide, 5" deep and 30" high.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Lluminated Pedestal Faux Goatskin with Lucite
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Highlight your artwork with this impressive illuminated pedestal.
Faux goatskin with Lucite, 1980s.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Goatskin, Lucite
Danny Alessandro Fireplace Tool Set in Lucite and Brass 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Fireplace tool set with upright post in lucite and tools in brass with black resin handles by Danny Alessandro LTD, American 1980's. This iconic tool set is both useful and very chi...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Stunning Danny Alessandro Fireplace Surround in Stainless Steel and Brass 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Fireplace surround in polished stainless steel with polished brass keystone by Danny Alesandro Ltd, American 1980's. This artisan fireplace surround is beautifully made and in the s...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Italian Modern Semi-Oval Outdoor Armchair in Rattan, Orange Tubular Metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Semi-oval outdoor armchair in rattan and orange tubular metal, 1980s
Semi-oval armchair in wicker and metal. The backrest and the long sea...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Modern building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern building and garden elements 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 building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern building and garden elements 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 building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Myface, Aimee Wilder, sicis, and Bari Ziperstein. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $10 and tops out at $375,000 while the average work can sell for $2,919.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage White Patio Chairs
Flat Iron Vintage
Iron Outdoor Patio Chairs
Large Size Garden Sculptures
Teak Deck
Small Iron Patio Furniture
Antique Garden Tools And Accessories
Turquoise Garden
19th Century Antique Shovel
Retro Wrought Iron Patio Set
Teak Deck Furniture
Cast Iron Basket
John Salterini Wrought Iron
Carved Stone Roman
Retro Outdoor Dining Set
Used Cast Iron Outdoor Furniture
Castle Stone
Woodard Wrought Iron Patio Furniture