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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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
American Modern Classical Sterling Silver Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
American Modern Classical sterling silver tea caddy, ca 1950. Oval with straight sides and dentil mouth rim; engraved lion rampant. Cover flat and hinged with leaf-mounted bud finial...
Sterling Silver
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
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
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
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
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
18th Century Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
By Michael Plummer
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique George III sterling silver locking tea caddy has a navette, paneled shaped form. The body of this silver tea caddy box is embellished with bands of bright cut engraved volute spiraling leaf ornamentation on a matte background to the upper and lower portions; these bands flank a plain undulating bordered panel. The ornamentation to the surface of the caddy alternates with panels of concave vertical fluted decoration. This antique Georgian tea caddy is retains the original hallmarked flush hinged covers; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is embellished with further bright cut engraved undulating borders accented with bud motifs, in addition to simplified borders paralleling the domed paneled portion; the domed portions reflects the incurved shape of the body. This impressive cover is surmounted with a cast sterling silver urn style finial, in the Classic Adams style. The caddy retains the original fitted fully working lock and functional key. This sterling silver tea caddy is a highly desirable shape and style. Condition: This Georgian silver tea caddy...
Silver, Sterling Silver
English Silver Plate Tea Caddy / Thin Biscuit
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English sheffield silver plate tea caddy / thin biscuit with exterior design details and attached covered top . The tea caddy ...
Silver Plate, Copper
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
$1,640 / 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
$3,200
H 7.5 in W 6.75 in D 8.25 in
Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog Head Tobacco Jar in the manner of Walter Mader
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
How can this not make you smile? This well-carved antique Black Forest box of an expressive shaggy dog with glass eyes, forward gaze, open m...
Walnut
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
Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval form. The surface of the tea caddy is plain and unembellished, with an applied reed decorated border to the upper and lower rims. This antique silver tea caddy retains the original hallmarked domed flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the fine quality of this piece. The cover is surmounted with the original and exceptional silver topped oval button style finial. This antique Georgian tea caddy...
Sterling Silver
Antique George III Sterling Silver Tea Caddy (1818)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver tea caddy; an addition to our Early 19th Century silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Geo...
Sterling Silver
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 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