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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Corner Laundry Basket by Limac Design in Regenerated Leather SIMON Deluxe
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
SIMON is a corner laundry basket from the LIMAC Design. This splendid laundry bin is handcrafted in double-layer regenerated leather, which makes it a resistant and durable product;...
Leather, Cotton
Vintage Geometric Brass Inlaid Stone Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage stone box is a sophisticated example of mid-century decorative design, combining the natural beauty of richly veined stone with the precision of geometric brass inlay. T...
Stone, Brass
Porteño Small Hand-Painted Wood Box by Studio AIREDELSUR, Modern Design
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly known. Its boxes, trays and flower vases have a ...
Wood
Bell & Ross Watch Box, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bell & Ross watch box, 1990. 20th-century watch box from Bell & Ross. H: 7 cm, W: 31.5 cm, D: 14 cm Please contact us before placing your order to confirm the product's ava...
Leather, Synthetic
Bracelet Box By Baccarat, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bracelet box by Baccarat, 1990. 20th-century bracelet box by Baccarat. H: 6 cm, W: 10 cm, D: 10 cm Please contact us before placing your order to confirm the product's availability.
Leather, Fabric
Box, Mont Blanc Jewellery Case, 1990.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box, Mont Blanc jewellery case, 1990. Case, Mont Blanc jewellery box, very good condition, box, circa 1990. Dimensions : H: 4 cm, L: 17 cm, D: 17 cm Contact us before ordering to c...
Fabric
Vintage Silverplate Tomato Form Lidded Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming vintage lidded bowl designed in a sculptural tomato form, complete with detailed stem and leaf finial. The rounded, segmented shape and reflective silverplate finish give th...
Metal
Vintage Brass and Parchment Box on Chrome Stand After Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sophisticated vintage brass and parchment box on a chrome stand is crafted in the distinctive style after Karl Springer, celebrated for his refined use of luxurious materials an...
Brass, Chrome
Corner Laundry Basket by Limac Design, Leather & Cotton Lunaria
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
Space-saving corner laundry basket LUNARIA made by LIMAC Design, designed for those who value both functionality and elegance in a single product. This exclusive corner laundry baske...
Leather, Cotton
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Eucalyptus Handmade Portugal Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Guadiana serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Guadiana is a sublime serving tray, designed to uplift layback moments. Handcra...
Marble
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
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
Goble View Decorative Box
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Often used as a storage solution for jewelry, watches, or as a standalone sculptural object on a contemporary bookshelf. Leather finish
Leather
Large Modern Leather Laundry Basket CLEXI by Limac Design
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
CLEXI is a laundry basket in prestigious leather from the LIMAC Design Class Collection. It’s born in collaboration with Studio Nove.3 Designers and made in Italy by Italian master ...
Leather, Cotton
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Oak Handmade Portugal Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Guadiana serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Guadiana is a sublime serving tray, designed to uplift layback moments. Handcra...
Marble
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
Set/5 Jars & Pots, White & Mint Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/5 Ceramic Jars & Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes three waterproof ceramic jars and two cer...
Gold Leaf
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
1970's Lucite Box with Foiled Enameled Cloisonné Top, Turquoise, Pink, Black
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage lucite and mixed-media box, vessel or container has a removable foiled enameled cloisonné top with a spectacular signed artistic design. The colors of the enamel top are...
Enamel, Foil
R&Y Augousti, shagreen jewelry box, 1990s
Located in Firenze, IT
Stunning shagreen and ebonized wood jewelry box, produced by R&Y Augousti in the 1990s. It is a very sophisticated jewelry box full of elegant details, the doors are closed by a Japa...
Shagreen, Wood
Set/2 Wooden Boxes, Beige, Gold Leaf, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Dandara Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Dandara box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and enrich ...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Brass
Maitland Smith Tesseliated Marble Decorative Box
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a fine box made by Maitland Smith. The box is made of tesselaited marble and has a teak interior. The top is inlaid with a x designed in marble.
Marble
Knotted Tissue Box Leather Home Office Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
An elegantly detailed tissue box to elevate your daily life. employing refined leather with finely stitched edges, it also features double-knotted detailing. it is a piece that can b...
Leather
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
English Modern Sterling Silver Box with Saudi Arabia Association
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Peter Nicholas & Co Ltd in London in 1989. Rectangular with corner bracket supports and hinged open scroll end handles. Cover hinged and fla...
Sterling Silver
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
James Bearden Containment Box #2
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural "Containment" box, a vessel in blackened steel, dyed bronze, and red glass enamel by American artist James Bearden. Number 2 in a series. Top lifts off revealing an abstra...
Steel, Bronze, Enamel
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
Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.
Brass
Armored Watch Chest in Black, Nine Watch Winders Il Forziere Delle Ore Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Il Forziere Delle Ore armored Chests for 9 Winders. Two variations available, please see information below for details. Ebony: Armoire in polished ebony with safe, anchorable to the wall. Biometric opening device and emergency key system. Watch winders entirely made in Switzerland. Secret compartment, inside lined in ultrasuede. Safe covered with polished ebony and black leather. Bulletproof glass...
Leather, Wood
Set of 3 round design boxes FANNY in Regenerated Leather
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
FANNY is a set of round design boxes from the LIMAC Design Home Collection, complete with a removable cotton bag. These practical storage compartments are ideal for storing what you...
Leather
Refined regenerated leather storage baskets MARTINA - 3 boxes set
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The refined leather storage baskets MARTINA is a set of round leather containers from the LIMAC Design Casa Collection, completed with a remova...
Leather
Elegant Leather Storage Box Set AMOS - Modern Style - 3pcs
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The set of elegant storage boxes in leather AMOS is the new proposal by LIMAC Design®. This trio of containers with a minimal and modern style lends itself to multiple uses in your ...
Leather
Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Cork Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Guadiana serving tray, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. A sublime serving tray, Guadiana was designed to uplift layback moments. A rec...
Marble
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
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
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
Leather Jewelry Box ALFONSO - Modern Style - Diameter 11cm
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The jewelery box in leather ALFONSO is a designer jewelry box in regenerated leather by LIMAC Design. This small round box complete with a leather lid, with a minimal design, lends ...
Leather
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
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
Set/5 Ceramic Pots, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Hailey & Henry Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic vases and three pots, perf...
Ceramic
"Tom" Leather Box Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Oscar Maschera, Claude Bouchard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tom" is a leather box, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors com...
Leather
XXI Century Italian Sterling Silver Modern Table Box
Located in VALENZA, IT
XXI Century Italian Sterling Silver Modern Table Box Modern style 925 sterling silver table box. The box is square in shape and the edge of the body is lined. The lid is hinged and h...
Sterling Silver
$10,320 / item
Privato Biancho white Safe
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Safe for jewelry, available in three finishing options. See information below for details of finishing variations. Copper: Jewelry case in hammered copper finish steel. Drawers in ma...
Steel
French ceramic vase/pitcher by Accolay from the middle of XX century
Located in LE PRÉ-SAINT-GERVAIS, FR
Accolay Pottery France, 1950s–1960s This ceramic piece was produced by the Accolay pottery workshop in France during the 1950s–1960s. Founded by a group of former students of Alexan...
Ceramic
Waste Bin in Black Shagreen Detail by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Detail Waste Bin by R&Y Augousti is a masterful blend of elegance and functionality, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Encased in luxurious white sh...
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
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
Tempo di Rovere Watch Box for Nine Watches in Oak Smoke Grey
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest with two drawers for 9 watches in smoke grey oak. Red ultrasuede internal lining and handles in red leather.
Wood
Vintage Amber Metal Lidded Box with Insert
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking vintage lidded box crafted in thick amber lucite, featuring a sculptural ring-form lid and a removable dark brown inner insert. The rich translucent amber tone creates a war...
Metal
$60,000 / item
Mirror of Enchantment Classic Wall Safe
Agresti Forziere Armored Jewelry Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry chest with pullout / pull-out necklace bars. Available in three finishing variations. See information below for details of finish...
Brass
Vintage Tessellated Horn & Wood Box with Metal Trim
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Distinctive vintage decorative box featuring a striking tessellated horn tile lid framed in polished metal over a warm wood body. The geometric arrangement of natural horn panels cre...
Wood
$720 / item
Cuscino Rosso Watch Case Black Leather
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Travel leather watch case with polished red briar sides. It contains 1 watch in the adjustable leather support.
Leather, Wood
Ceramic bird by Barbara Delfosse, France, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
bird ceramic box by Barbara Delfosse, La Borne, France, 1960's Signed
Ceramic
Meissen Porcelain Bonbonniere Modelled as a Masked Lady, Gilt Metal Mount
Located in Braintree, GB
Meissen porcelain bonbonniere, or patch box, modelled as the head of a lady in a black masquerade domino, her powdered hair dressed over a pink ribbon, in a gilt metal mount with a m...
Metal
American Cowhide and Brass Box
Located in Queens, NY
American cowhide upholstered box with brass nail heads.
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
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 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
Liwan’s Italy Modernist Box, 1970s
By Liwan's Rome
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Refined modernist rectangular box by Liwan’s, Italy, crafted in the 1970s with a clean architectural aesthetic. The piece features a brushed stainless-steel frame with a recessed smo...
Metal
