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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Murine Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features...
Murano Glass
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Black with Bubbles and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Discover the epitome of elegance with this exquisite Pulegoso technique box, meticulously crafted in Murano and signed for MOGUL. This box, available in both large and giant sizes, e...
Chrome
Handmade Modern Decorative Box, Black Bone and Wood, Spain, 2022
Located in New York, NY
Hand made dimensional bone box with hand set black centers. Rectangular pieces form a dimensional facade, lined in wood. A great addition to any coffee table to store remote controls...
Bone, Wood
Wooden Lidded Box with Brass-Tone Mirror Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage round storage box crafted from richly stained wood with a sleek ribbed exterior detail and a striking brass-tone mirrored lid. The lid is topped with a sculptural bra...
Wood
American Studio Craft Sculpted Mahogany Wood Coin Bank Art Object
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-crafted studio wood art object. Form + function. One-of-a-kind. Staved and sculpted wood. Original vintage condition, minor wear with nice patina consistent with age and use. Pr...
Mahogany
Natural Horn Keepsake Box
Located in New York, NY
Keepsake /Jewelry box featuring heat set molded natural horn elements.
Horn, Wood
$380Sale Price|20% Off
French Modern Specimen Hardwood Carved Conch Shell Motif Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Specimen Hardwood Carved Conch Shell Motif Box France, Later 20th Century Realistically carved and modeled of book-matched hardwood as...
Hardwood
21st Century Leather Eyeglasses Box Cover with Mirror Handcrafed in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Combining tradition and modern design to provide an unmistakable flair of luxury and elegance. Our glasses box has a wood base and enough space to store up to eight pairs of glass...
Leather, Wood
$1,198Sale Price|20% Off
American Modernist Geometric Inlaid Two-Tone Wood Lidded Bucket /Vessel, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Modernist Geometric Inlaid Two-Tone Wood Lidded Bucket /Vessel, 1950s Presenting a tour de force of unknown American modern design, this inlaid two-tone wood lidded bucke...
Ash, Walnut, Pine
Square Laundry Basket by Limac Design in Regenerated Leather DAVID Standard
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
DAVID is a square laundry basket from the LIMAC Design Home Collection. This splendid laundry bin with a square base is handcrafted in regenerated leather, which makes it a resistan...
Leather, Cotton
Open laundry basket in regenerated leather AQUALIS Standard
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The AQUALIS open laundry basket in recycled leather represents the perfect blend of elegance and practicality. An original creation by LIMAC Design, it is designed for those who seek...
Leather, Cotton
grey and brown stoneware woodfiring ceramic boxe by B. Chassang unique piece
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Brigitte Chassang Unique handamde ceramic Grey and brown stoneware woodfiring decorative ceramic boxe by Brigitte Chassang Realised in 2025 Original perfect condition Signed h...
Ceramic
Chic Modernist Lizard Skin Wrapped Box in Natural Tones
Located in New York, NY
A modernist lizard skin match-wrapped box with removable lid. Its interior is lined in a dark brown ultra-suede with lid supports by means of wooden plinths on two opposing sides of ...
Animal Skin
Modern Laundry Basket HASJA by Limac Design - Regenerated Leather
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
ASJA is a laundry basket for hotel made by LIMAC Design. This very elegant laundry basket is handcrafted in double-layer regenerated leather, a material that makes it a resistant and...
Leather, Cotton
Round Laundry Basket CESTELLEA Deluxe - Regenerated Leather
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The CESTELLEA laundry basket represents the perfect combination of style and functionality. An original creation by LIMAC Design, it is designed for those who seek a laundry basket t...
Leather, Cotton
Wonderful Alfonse La Paglia Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Modernist Box Handle
Located in Roslyn, NY
Alphonse La Paglia sterling silver modern covered box with unusual handle on the lid. Lovely vintage condition. Measures: 4" H x 3" W x ...
Sterling Silver
EGAN Deluxe Oval Woven Leather Laundry Basket by Limac Design, Italy
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The oval woven leather basket EGAN is the ideal solution for those who seek a container that combines functionality and style. Designed by LIMAC DESIGN, this laundry basket enriches...
Leather, Cotton
Oval Woven Regenerated Leather Laundry Basket EGAN - Standard cotton bag
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The oval woven leather basket EGAN is the ideal solution for those who seek a container that combines functionality and style. Designed by LIMAC DESIGN, this laundry basket enriches...
Leather, Cotton
Orange and Natural Bone Cheveron Decorative Box, Modern Design, Spain
Located in New York, NY
Cheveron patterned keepsake, letter box made from dyed orange and natural bone. Box has a wood lining.
Bone, Palmwood
Modernist Hand-Crafted Cornflower Bone Keepsake Box, Spain, 2022
Located in New York, NY
Modernist Cornflower/Hydrangea lavendar bone keepsake box lined in wood. A great addition to any coffee table, bedside or desk.
Bone
Vintage Wooden Trinket Box With Herringbone Pattern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming vintage wooden box featuring a beautifully crafted inlaid mosaic lid with a geometric pattern in varied wood tones. The rich, warm hues and natural grain create a striking p...
Wood
Laundry basket with Regenerated Leather heart ADELE
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
Il portabiancheria di design con cuore ADELE è della linea LIMAC Design Casa. Questo splendido cesto per biancheria con base rettangolare è realizzato artigianalmente in cuoio rigene...
Leather, Cotton
Rectangular laundry basket LUNDRA Deluxe in regenerated leather
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The LUNDRA rectangular laundry basket in regenerated leather is the perfect combination of elegance and practicality. An original creation by LIMAC Design, it is designed for those w...
Leather, Cotton
Set/2 Boxes, Aged Silver, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Madagáscar Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Madagáscar box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and e...
Brass
Set Picture Frame+Table Box Enamel two-tone ruby red and emerald green Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular Photo Frame in Gold-Plated 925/1000 Silver: Imagine a frame that frames your most precious memories with elegance and modernity. This frame is made of gold-plated 925/100...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold, Gold Plate
Rectangular Orange Shagreen Box
Located in Queens, NY
Rectangular orange shagreen wood box with a black trim and a lift-off cover
21st Century Rio Rectangular Closet Box Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The Rio collection, smooth and soft design specially studied for your closet. A box made with the resistant regenerated leather with two practical holes as handles on the short si...
Leather
Brass Lidded Box, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant mid-century Italian brass box with matching lid, defined by its softly rounded profile and warm golden patina. The clean, minimal silhouette reflects refined modernist taste,...
Brass
Elongated Octagonal Lidded Tessellated Bone Box in the Style of Enrique Garcel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A well crafted wooden Octagonal box with Tessellated bone inlay - lidded and ready for many different contents, from desk accessories to television remotes, jewelry, letters, memento...
Bone, Wood
Tessellated Faux Horn Covered Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful tessellated faux horn decorative box made in France. Gorgeous detail work inside and out. Add some French style to you design project.
Resin
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Amber with 24 Karat Gold Flecks and Brass Fitting
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The marriage of amber and 24-karat gold lends a mesmerizing allure to this enchanting hand-blown glass box from Murano, Italy. The warmth from this piece emanates a sense of luxury ...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Set of Four Galvanized Steel Display Cubes — Amsterdam Diesel Flagship Store
By Diesel
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare and highly collectible set of four original display cubes created for the Amsterdam Diesel flagship store. Constructed in galvanized steel, these industrial-modern cubes featu...
Steel
Vintage State Express Cigarettes Metal Cigarette Box with Wooden Interior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage cigarette box features a sleek metal exterior engraved with the classic State Express Cigarettes crest — an emblem of one of Britain...
Chrome
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Milan, IT
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001 Both are fully signed
Bronze
$2,975 / item
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Ruby with Brass Fittings is a radiant celebration of color, craftsmanship, and Italian elegance. Meticulously hand-blown in Murano, this striking piece showc...
Brass
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, White & Pink, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/8 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes five ceramic jars and three ceramic pots, b...
Ceramic
Vintage Italian, Rectangular Cream Bone Inlay Box 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant rectangular box features a refined patchwork of hand-laid cream bone inlay, creating a subtle yet luxurious texture. The smooth, polished finish highlights the natural v...
Driftwood
Giant Hand Blown Murano Bow in Alexandrite with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. This exquisite Murano glass box features the captivating Alexandrite color, ren...
Brass
Italian Round Wood and Tortoiseshell Box, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming Italian round box from the 1970s, crafted in warm wood with a contrasting faux-tortoiseshell lid. Both the interior and underside are lined in deep green felt, giving the pi...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Woven Jewelry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage wooden jewelry box featuring an intricate woven wood exterior and a long, rectangular silhouette. The detailed basketweave...
Wood
Table Box Heart shape Red passion fire-enameled on guilloche Salimbeni.
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché above and below. Modern contemporary style. Dimensions cm. 8.8 x 8 cm high....
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Black with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Discover the epitome of elegance with this exquisite Pulegoso technique box, meticulously crafted in Murano and signed for MOGUL. This box, available in both large and giant sizes, e...
Chrome
Elegant ADUA Baskets by Limac Design, Natural Fiber, Modern
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The elegant baskets in vegetable fiber ADUA is the new proposal by LIMAC Design®. This pair of containers with a minimal and modern style lends itself to multiple uses in your home:...
Natural Fiber
Leather Tray Pocket Emptier HODIE by Limac Design - Modern Style
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
HODIE is the Tray pocket emptier leather from the LIMAC Design Class Collection, made of prestigious leather. This large design tray has multiple uses: it can hold stationery and bu...
Leather
Karl Springer Unique Hinged Box in Polished Sodalite Stone 1980s 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning one-of-a-kind hinged box in polished blue sodalite stone by Karl Springer, American 1980's (shown with original showroom tag from the 1980’s). Blue sodalite is a rare minera...
Stone, Brass
Set of 3 practical boxes in leather SONIA - with Cotton Bag
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The set of practical boxes in leather SONIA is a set of rectangular leather containers from the LIMAC Design Casa Collection, complete with a detachable cotton bag. These handy stor...
Leather, Cotton
Rectangular Orange Shagreen Box
Located in Queens, NY
Rectangular orange shagreen wood box with a black trim and a lift-off cover
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An exquisite showcase of contemporary Murano craftsmanship, this hand-blown giant box in aqua blue is a sculptural treasure that blends clarity, luminosity, and refinement. Encased i...
Chrome, Silver Leaf
Italian Brass-Inlaid Wood Box, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural Italian decorative box crafted from richly grained wood and accented with hand-applied brass inlay forming a bold geometric motif across the lid. The warm tones of the w...
Wood
Vintage Mid-Century Wooden Box with Glass Lid & Brass Ring Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage decorative box featuring a beautifully crafted wooden body with sculpted panel detailing, a thick teal-tinted glass lid, and an elegant brass ring handle centerpiece. ...
Glass, Wood
Vintage Silverplate Box with Malachite Inlay Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage rectangular box featuring a sleek silverplate exterior accented by a striking malachite inlay lid in rich emerald green tones. The interior is lined with warm wood, c...
Silver Plate
Waste Bin in Black Shagreen Rhomboid by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Rhomboid Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterpiece of functional design, combining luxurious materials and artisanal craftsmanship. Its exterior is adorned with m...
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Boîte Corniforme II by Joris Grelet
By Joris Grelet
Located in New York, NY
Glazed ceramic. Abstract form ceramic box with lid. Artist signed on the underside.
Ceramic
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand-Blown Murano Box in Aqua Blue with Silver Flecks and Chrome Fittings captures the essence of Venetian artistry through an exquisite fusion of form, material, and luminosity. Thi...
Chrome, Silver Leaf
Karl Springer Chic Lidded Box with Green Shagreen Lacquer Top 1980s (Signed)
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Artisan box in black lacquer with hand-lacquered shagreen top and interior in green shagreen printed suede by Karl Springer, American 1980's (signed “Karl Springer” on brass label on...
Brass
Giant Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. Handcrafted on the historic Venetian island of Murano, this oversized box comma...
Brass
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Crystal with Bubbles and Chrome Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and functionality, crafted on the renowned Venetian Island of Murano. Distinctive for its unique texture, the Puleg...
Chrome
Tommaso Barbi Vintage Burl Wood & Brushed Metal Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage decorative box designed by renowned Italian designer Tommaso Barbi, showcasing the refined glamour of mid-century Italian modern design. This sophisticated piece feat...
Silver Plate
Giant Hand-Blown Murano Glass Box in Onyx Black with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Impressive in its scale alone, this stunning hand-blown Murano glass box exudes luxury and refinement. This Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and function...
Chrome
Hand Blown Murano Glass Box in Black with Bubbles and Brass Fittings
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Black Pulegoso Murano glass box is a captivating fusion of artistry and functionality, crafted on the renowned Venetian island of Murano. Distinctive for its unique texture, the...
Brass