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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Tempo Unico Brown Watch Winder in Polished Briar and Leather Lined by Agrest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Watch winder in polished briar for automatic watch. Leather lined. Winder made in Switzerland, battery operated. Watch is not included with winder.
Leather, Wood
Black Ebony Polished Wood Box for 24 Cufflinks with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 24 pairs of cufflinks in black polished wood with leather handles.
Leather, Wood
Etched Metal Box With Nude Line Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Etched line drawing of a nude figure on its smooth, polished metal surface. The delicate engraving captures the elegance of the human form with graceful, fluid lines—an homage to cla...
Chrome
21st Century by Up & Up "BARGA" Marble Jewels in White Carrara & Black Belgio
By Up & Up
Located in massa, IT
Name: BARGA Materials: White Carrara - Black Belgio Size: Diameter cm 9 x Height 3.5 Designed by Up&Up.
Marble
Jean Boggio, Suite of 4 Covered Pots on the Theme of the Circus
By Jean Boggio
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Jean bOGGIO, suite of 4 covered pots on the theme of the circus, Edition Les Héritiers France.
Ceramic
Italian modern plastic storage for Olivetti, 1970s
By Olivetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern plastic storage for Olivetti, 1970s White plastic storage box. It has three compartments, two of equal size and one larger. The logo is printed on two sides. It can al...
Plastic
22:15 _ White Ceramic and Copper Details Handcrafted Jewelry Box
By LatoXLato
Located in Bologna, Bologna
The white painted ceramic box with lid 22:15 of the 'Meridiane' collection can be the container where you find a candy to relax after dinner, as well as the storage in which to put the jewelry on the night table before going to bed. This object is hand made in refined white ceramic and finished with precious copper based paint. It is a decorative piece that can be placed in any room of the house and give it a touch of uniqueness. The box is inspired by Casa Malaparte...
Copper
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 4 by José A. Gandía Blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could ...
Aluminum
Gandia Blasco Fez Candle Box 2 by José A. Gandía-blasco Canales
Located in New York, NY
“All the magic you need for lighting a dinner with friends, a party, your garden, a deserted beach or a romantic dinner where only moonlight could be more attractive” - José A. Gandí...
Aluminum
Perlino and Marble "Rovinette" Business Card Holder, Ilaria Bianchi
Located in Geneve, CH
Perlino and marble "Rovinette" business card holder - Ilaria Bianchi Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 16 cm Materials: Pink Perlino, Macauba marble Rovinette, the new desk...
Marble
$14,437 / item
Pixel Ziggurat Boxes by Oeuffice
By Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Pixel Ziggurat boxes by Oeuffice Edition: 12 + 2AP 2012 Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 55 cm Materials: Wood box, acrylic The Pixel edition is a playful interpretation of the Ziggurat ...
Acrylic, Wood
$4,559 / item
Met Ziggurat Box by Oeuffice
By Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
MET ziggurat box by Oeuffice Edition: 12 + 2AP 2018 Dimensions: 22 x 22 x 38 cm Materials: Wood box, acrylic, solid stained wood Other 3 different MET collection boxes available...
Acrylic, Wood
Set of 4 Smoked Oak Frame 10 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 smoked oak frame 10 box by Lassen Dimensions: d 10 x w 10 x h 10 cm Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 0.85 Kg Frame box is a square box in a ...
Metal, Other
$1,113 / set
Set of 4 Smoked Oak Frame 14 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 smoked oak frame 14 box by Lassen Dimensions: D 10 x W 10 x H 7 cm Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 1.10 Kg Frame Box is a square box in a cubistic shape. The simple boxes are inspired by the Kubus candleholder by Mogens Lassen, that are based on strict mathematical formulas and designed with the greatest precision. The Frame boxes are available in three sizes: 10, 14 and 20, which can be combined to exactly match your storage needs. The cubistic boxes can be easily stacked on top of each other, as the handle contains a spring function, which is easily pressed down when a box is stacked on top of another box. The Frame boxes provide a flexible storage solution – perfect for storing office accessories...
Metal, Other
Set of 4 Dark Grey Frame 14 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 dark grey frame 14 box by Lassen Dimensions: D 10 x W 10 x H 7 cm Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 1.10 Kg Frame box is a square box in a cu...
Metal, Other
$1,228 / set
Set of 4 Oak Frame 20 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 oak frame 20 box by Lassen Dimensions: d 20 x w 20 x h 10 cm Materials: Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 2.00 Kg Frame box is a square box in a cubistic shape. The simple boxes are inspired by the Kubus candleholder by Mogens Lassen, that are based on strict mathematical formulas and designed with the greatest precision. The Frame boxes are available in three sizes: 10, 14 and 20, which can be combined to exactly match your storage needs. The cubistic boxes can be easily stacked on top of each other, as the handle contains a spring function, which is easily pressed down when a box is stacked on top of another box. The Frame boxes provide a flexible storage solution – perfect for storing office accessories...
Metal, Other
$953 / set
Set of 4 White Frame 14 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 white frame 14 box by Lassen Dimensions: d 10 x w 10 x h 7 cm Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 1.10 Kg Frame box is a square box in a cubist...
Metal, Other
$838 / set
Set of 4 White Frame 10 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 white frame 10 box by Lassen Dimensions: d 10 x w 10 x h 10 cm Materials: Finér, Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 0.85 Kg Frame box is a square box in a cubistic shape. The simple boxes are inspired by the Kubus candleholder by Mogens Lassen, that are based on strict mathematical formulas and designed with the greatest precision. The Frame boxes are available in three sizes: 10, 14 and 20, which can be combined to exactly match your storage needs. The cubistic boxes can be easily stacked on top of each other, as the handle contains a spring function, which is easily pressed down when a box is stacked on top of another box. The Frame boxes provide a flexible storage solution – perfect for storing office accessories...
Metal, Other
Set of 4 Dark Grey Frame 10 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 dark grey frame 10 box by Lassen Dimensions: D 10 x W 10 x H 10 cm Materials: finér, melamin, melamine, metal, veneer Weight: 0.85 Kg Frame Box is a square box in a c...
Metal, Other
$1,228 / set
Set of 4 Smoked Oak Frame 20 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 smoked oak frame 20 box by Lassen Dimensions: d 20 x w 20 x h 10 cm Materials: Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 2.00 Kg Frame box is a square box in a cubisti...
Metal, Other
$1,113 / set
Set of 4 Light Grey Frame 20 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 light grey frame 20 box by Lassen Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 10 cm Materials: melamin, melamine, metal, veneer Weight: 2.00 Kg Frame Box is a square box in a cubisti...
Metal, Other
$1,228 / set
Set of 4 Black Ash Frame 20 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 black ash frame 20 box by Lassen Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 10 cm Materials: Melamin, Melamine, Metal, Veneer Weight: 2.00 Kg Frame Box is a square box in a cubistic...
Metal, Other
$1,113 / set
Set of 4 Dark Grey Frame 20 Box by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 dark grey frame 20 box by Lassen Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 10 cm Materials: melamin, melamine, metal, veneer Weight: 2.00 Kg Frame Box is a square box in a cubistic...
Metal, Other
$1,338 / item
Ash Do-Ri Tray by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Do-Ri tray by Matthias Scherzinger. Dimensions: L 47.4 x W 19.8 x H 6.5 cm. Materials: ash: white stained lacquered. inside tin: hard wax. Also available in Olive Ash and ...
Ash
Set of 3 White Ash Nun Vases by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 white ash nun vases by Matthias Scherzinger Limited edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size Engraved brass-label with number Dimensions: Small: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 46 c...
Ash
Set of 2 White Ash Nun Vases by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 white ash nun vases by Matthias Scherzinger. Limited edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size. Engraved brass-label with number. Dimensions: Small: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 4...
Ash
$2,172 / item
Small Acacia Nun Vase by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Small acacia nun vase by Matthias Scherzinger. Limited edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size. Engraved brass-label with number. Dimensions: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 46 cm. Materia...
Wood
$2,538 / item
Large White Ash Nun Vase by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Large white ash nun vase by Matthias Scherzinger. Limited Edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size. Engraved brass-label with number. Dimensions: L 19 x W 19 x H 73 cm. Materi...
Ash
$1,755 / item
Small White Ash Nun Vase by Matthias Scherzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Large white ash nun vase by Matthias Scherzinger Limited Edition of 30 pieces, each colour each size Engraved brass-label with number Dimensions: L 14.5 x W 14.5 x 46 cm Material...
Ash
$1,940 / item
Box in Polished Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ashtray, box in polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 15.5 x D 15.5 x H 13 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$2,147 / item
Ava Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ava box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 16 cm D 16 cm H 28.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting,...
Bronze
$2,147 / item
Ava Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ava box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 16 cm D 16 cm H 28.5 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighti...
Bronze
$1,171 / item
Joan Small Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Joan small box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 6.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a de...
Bronze
$1,171 / item
Florence Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Florence box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 9 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of...
Bronze
$2,078 / item
Gilmour Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gilmour Box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 28 cm D 12 cm H 10 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting, ...
Bronze
$1,814 / item
5 Mailbox by Lluis Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
5 Mailbox by Lluis Clotet & Oscar Tusquets Dimensions: D 32 x W 40 x H 40 cm Materials: Made up of steel sheets painted in a black polyester powder coating (RAL 9005). Doors ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,194 / item
3 Mailbox by Lluis Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
3 Mailbox by Lluis Clotet & Oscar Tusquets Dimensions: D 32 x W 24 x H 40 cm Materials: Made up of steel sheets painted in a black polyester powder coating (RAL 9005). Doors ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,480 / item
4 Mailbox by Lluis Clotet & Oscar Tusquets
Located in Geneve, CH
4 Mailbox by Lluis Clotet & Oscar Tusquets Dimensions: D 32 x W 32 x H 40 cm Materials: made up of steel sheets painted in a black polyester powder coating (RAL 9005). Doors ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,963 / item
La Che Pot by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
La Che pot by Sebastian Herkner Materials: 100% fique fibers from Furcraea leaves from Furcraea leaves. Technique: Hand-woven in Colombia. Dimensions: diameter 45 cm x width 24 ...
Ceramic
$1,756 / item
Medium La Che Basket by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium La Che basket by Sebastian Herkner Materials: 100 % natural fique agave. Technique: Hand-woven in Colombia. Dimensions: diameter 58 cm x height 30 cm Available in colors...
Natural Fiber
