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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Tea Caddy - Elie Bleu Paris
By Elie Bleu
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful vintage tea caddy, made by the French brand Elie Bleu Paris. The box is made of beautifully veneered / greened wood with black piping. Th...
Silver Plate
Ceramic Zebra And Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the Ceramic Zebra Teapot from Imvelo Natural Art, a remarkable fusion of artistry and cultural heritage from South Africa. Hand-sculpted by Bernard and hand-painted by Sn...
Ceramic
Ceramic Elephant Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Elephant Teapot Hand-Painted by Swelihle Khanyeza, Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024 Introducing the Elephant Teapot, a stunning ceramic piece that beau...
Ceramic
Japanese Lacquer Padded Teapot Caddy
Located in Savannah, GA
Antique Japanese hand-painted lacquer teapot caddy. Interior is padded and fitted for blue and white porcelain teapot. The teapot stands 4¼ inches tall and features a fish on one si...
Porcelain, Lacquer
Unique ceramic Tiger Teapot, hand made in South Africa
By Elvis Bonginkosi Mkhize
Located in North Miami, FL
This one-of-a-kind tiger teapot is a striking sculptural creation by Imvelo Studio, hand-sculpted by Sibongiseni Biyela and painted by Natebyron in South Africa. The tiger—rarely dep...
Ceramic
English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
A lovely bow front tortoiseshell tea caddy inlaid with mother of pearl flowers and topped with a silver badge. English, circa 1870.
Silver
Jewelry Box in Exotic Tigers Eye
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Decorative jewelry box in tessellated exotic tigers eye with velvet interior.
Precious Stone
Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The burgundy / brown lacquer is decorated with gold depicting figures and buildings in a landscape. The caddy stands on four carved wooden feet in the shape of claws. The interior contains a single pewter canister...
Paper
Beautiful Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Southall, GB
A fine Regency period rectangular tea caddy, veneered in panels divided by fine metal stringing. Silver metal escutcheon and key. Complete with an initialled plaque on the lid and ro...
Ivory, Tortoise Shell
Post World War II South African Hebrew Inscribed Metal School Supply Box
Located in New York, NY
Metal school supply box sent by the South Africa Jewish Wars Appeal to the Wels displaced persons (DP) camp in Austria, 1947. Painted blue and white with th...
Metal
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 8.75 in D 6 in
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Decorated Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese for the English market, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...
Pewter
$1,628 / set
H 5.32 in W 11.23 in D 7.88 in
Chinese Export Tea Caddy, Lacquered Wood with Gilded Decorations
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautifully crafted Chinese export tea caddy made of wood with black lacquer, richly adorned with gilded motifs featuring classical Chinese scenes of people, houses, and more. The ...
Wood
Asian Embroidery Tea Caddy
Located in Pomona, CA
A handmade embroidery in birds and flowers Chinese tea caddy.
Fabric
Antique Chinese Export Black Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning antique Qing Dynasty Chinese export twin canister tea caddy / decorative table box. circa 1860 Hand-crafted in China for the European market when rare and exotic oriental...
Pewter
Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
With Tuscan Columns & Fan Inlay. From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of octagonal shape with a Harewood veneer...
Boxwood, Harewood
Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro by Yutokusai
Located in Atlanta, GA
A four-case lacquered Japanese inro by Yutokusai (Gyokkei), a lacquer artist active from 1845-1900 (end of Edo to Meiji period). The slightly round inro features a very intricate design with three unfolded fans on the front and two on the back: each reveals a vignette landscape scenery, likely real places in Japan. Using a combination of hiramaki-e and slight takamaki-e, the artist deftly created the pictures with fine details, rendering the inro as a miniature artwork...
Wood, Lacquer
Ceramic Elephant Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Elephant Teapot Hand-Painted by Swelihle Khanyeza, Sculpted by Sfiso Mvelase Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2024 Introducing the Elephant Teapot, a stunning ceramic piece that beau...
Ceramic
Japanese Art Glass Natsume Tea Caddy By Kuniaki Kuroki Heisei Period
Located in Norwich, GB
Japanese art glass Natsume tea caddy by Kuniaki Kuroki (b. 1945). - Heisei Period. Circa 2000. One of Japan’s leading glass artists and pioneers. Kuniaki Kuroki is the recipient of ...
Gold Leaf
Ceramic Monkey Teapot , Hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
This enchanting "Monkey Teapot" from Ardmore Ceramics, crafted in South Africa, is a delightful fusion of artistry and cultural symbolism. Standing 12 inches high, 12 inches in lengt...
Ceramic
Ceramic Elephant Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The ceramic Elephant and Monkey teapot from Imvelo Natural Art in South Africa is a captivating piece standing 11 inches high, 13 inches long, and 8 inches wide. Hand-sculpted by Ber...
Ceramic
Ceramic Sunbird Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Crafted at Wiseman Ceramics in South Africa, this ceramic Sun bird teapot stands 16 inches high, with dimensions of 19 inches in length and 7 inches in wid...
Ceramic
Ceramic Monkey Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Monkey Teapot by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts is a captivating blend of artistry and African cultural symbolism. Hand-sculpted and hand-painted by Senzo Duma in South Africa, this tea...
Ceramic
Ceramic Sable Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Sable Teapot by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts is a masterpiece of African artistry, hand-sculpted and hand-painted by Senzo Duma himself. Standing 12 inches high, 14 inches long, and 8...
Ceramic
Ceramic Lion Teapot , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Lion Teapot by Senzo Duma Ceramic Arts is a striking testament to African culture and craftsmanship. Hand-sculpted and hand-painted entirely by Senzo Duma, this teapot stands 14 ...
Ceramic