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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
fferrone Contemporary Pair of Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Candle Wall Scones
Located in Chicago, IL
Strikingly simple and minimal, the contemporary asymmetrical Candle wall sconce, made from mirror polish stainless steel, reflects the light doubling it’s effect. This listing for a ...
Stainless Steel
fferrone Contemporary Modern Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Candle Wall Scone
Located in Chicago, IL
Strikingly simple and minimal, the contemporary, modern, asymmetrical candle wall sconce, made from mirror polish stainless steel, reflects the light doubling it’s effect which perfe...
Stainless Steel
Luxury Hand-Etched Porcelain Scented Candle - Year of the Rabbit Sweet Memories
Located in New York City, NY
A masterpiece of functional luxury art and astrological heritage, this hand-crafted porcelain scented candle stands as one of the most refined interpretations of the Chinese Zodiac i...
Porcelain
$244 / item
Medium Skapa Candle Holders by V.Brokkr
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Skapa Candle Holders by V.Brokkr Dimensions: W 4 x D 4 x H 13.5 cm Materials: Carved Solid Brass. The metals used for our range oxidize with age and environment, both of whic...
Brass
$3,206 / item
Tall Bronze Candle Pillar by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall bronze candle pillar by Rick Owens 2015 Dimensions: L 7.5 x W 7.5 x H 35 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 2.8 kg Rick Owens is a California-born fashion and furniture has dev...
Bronze
$2,343 / item
Maris Polished Brass Candleholder by MAEVE
Located in Geneve, CH
Maris Polished Brass Candleholder by MAEVE Dimensions: Ø 27 x H 6 cm. Materials: Polished brass. Maris is a peculiar and noble decorative candle holder. Designed to place a candle o...
Brass
$198 / item
Small Skapa Candle Holders by V.Brokkr
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Skapa Candle Holders by V.Brokkr Dimensions: W 4 x D 4 x H 7.5 cm Materials: Carved Solid Brass. The metals used for our range oxidize with age and environment, both of which ...
Bronze
Designed by Vicente Wolf Modern Two-Arm Wall Sconce, Beveled Mirror/ Wood 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A semi-gloss white 2-arm wall sconce with a center candle holder. Mounted on a clear beveled mirror on a wood base. Supplied with 2 white paper translucent shades.
Metal
$291 / item
Large Skapa Candle Holders by V.Brokkr
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Skapa Candle Holders by V.Brokkr Dimensions: W 4 x D 4 x H 18 cm Materials: Carved Solid Brass. The metals used for our range oxidize with age and environment, both of which c...
Brass
$3,497 / item
Grande Candle Pillar by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Grande candle pillar by Rick Owens 2015 Dimensions: L 7.5 x W 7.5 x H 41 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 3.4 kg Available in Black finish or Nitrate (Dark Brown) finish, please c...
Bronze
$2,891 / item
Bronze Candle Pillar by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze candle pillar by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 7.5 x W 7.5 x H 28 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 2.3 kg Rick Owens is a California-born fash...
Bronze
$820 / item
Fort Marble Candle Holder by Essenzia
Located in Geneve, CH
Fort marble candle holder by Essenzia Materials: Brushed Brass, Carrara, Nero Marquina, India Green, Verde Viana Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 18 Brutalist architectural style candle ho...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$151 / item
Awl Aluminium Natural Knob by V.Brokkr
Located in Geneve, CH
Awl Aluminium Natural Knob by V.Brokkr Dimensions: D 3 x H 3 cm Materials: Aluminium Natural The metals used for our range oxidize with age and environment, both of which contribute...
Aluminum
Stunning Pair of Very Large Vintage Chinese Church Candles with Carved Wood Base
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice pair of large vintage Chinese church candles with ornately carved traditional rosewood based A very good looking and well made pair, the candles are old, have a yellow luster, one has three wicks the other one wick The bases and traditional Chinese...
Hardwood
Midcentury Candleholder in Brass from Austria
Located in Vienna, Austria
Decorative midcentury candleholder from Austria. It comes as a set and includes scissors for controlling the wick and another element for snuffing the fra...
Brass
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Evase Vase Black Patina
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The iconic bronze Evase vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Each bronze is hand crafted in France and is signed. Can be used as vas...
Bronze
$47 / item
H 1.54 in W 2.92 in D 4.14 in
Handmade Cast Brass Bird T-Light Candleholder with Polished Finish
Located in London, London
Each of those original and elegant brass t-light holders is handmade individually. Cast using very traditional techniques, they are polished to reveal the luxurious finish of the mat...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck #3470 Polished Brass Candleholders
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck #3470 Patinated Brass Candleholders. Designed in the 1940s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte ...
Brass
Rick Owens Swan Neck Cast Bronze Vase
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze swan neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Originally designed in 2012. Each br...
Bronze
Contemporary Gold Bronze Vase, Evase by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary bronze vase - Evase by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 20 x W 20 x H 18 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 4.2 kg Available in Black, Gold and Nitrate finish. Rick Owe...
Bronze
Contemporary Bronze Swan Neck Vase by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Bronze Swan neck vase by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 20 x W 20 x H 71 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 4.5 kg Available in black finis...
Bronze
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3469 Polished Brass Candleholders
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3469 Polished Brass Candleholders. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished and patinated brass...
Brass
Rick Owens Swan Neck Cast Bronze Vase Nitrate Patina
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze swan neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Originally designed in 2012. Each ...
Bronze
$3,400 / item
H 9 in W 7 in D 7 in
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Duck Neck Vase Black Patina Signed Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze duck neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina but other patinas are available by order. Each bronze is signed. ...
Bronze
$368 / set
H 4.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Vintage Small Brass Cobra Snake Candle Holders – Hand-Etched Revival
Located in Toronto, CA
A rare and captivating pair of vintage brass cobra snake candle holders in a smaller, highly sought-after scale. Crafted in the 1970s, these sculptu...
Brass
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Duck Neck Vase Nitrate Patina
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze duck neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Each bronze is handcrafted in Franc...
Bronze
Pair of Mirrored Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of early 21st-century mirrored candle sconces brings understated elegance to any wall. The oval backplates feature beautifully etched starburst patterns radiating from the ...
Metal
Onnda Flame C-S
Located in Timisoara, RO
Concentric small is a suitable voyage companion or a romantic picnic candle holder. The holder is composed of premium dichromatic glass. The material creates fascinating light effec...
Marble
Set of 7 Black Candle Holders Design Koziol Hommage 2005 Germany
Located in Debrecen, HU
Add a touch of modern elegance to your home decor with this set of 7 black candle holders designed by Koziol. Made of 100% recyclable plastic, these small size holders are perfect fo...
Plastic
Pair of Late 20th Century Plaster Faux Bois Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
These exquisite late 20th century one-arm candle sconces are expertly cast from plaster and designed to mimic the delicate organic form of tree branches. Each sconce features a brass...
Plaster
Bronze Candle Pillar by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze candle pillar by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 7.5 x W 7.5 x H 28 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 2.3 kg Rick Owens is a California-born fashion and furniture has develope...
Bronze
Gamma Candleholder by Frederic Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Gamma candleholder by Frederic Saulou Dimensions: Ø26.8 x H 13 cm Materials: Portoro Paonazzo Frederic Saulou's sculpted design artworks introduce a series of work coming from r...
Marble
Contemporary Ceramic Candleholder
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary ceramic candleholder, modern design, luxury realization quality. Measures: Small - height 8.5 cm, diameter 12.5 cm Large - height ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 23.25 in W 4.75 in D 3.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sculptural Iron Wall Sconce Taper Candleholders
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: Pair of vintage modern iron candleholders, wall sconce. Dimensions: 23 1/4" H x 4 3/4" W x 3 1/2" D color is black. Size is slim -taper. Wall mount candleholders. ...
Iron