Modern Paperweights
MODERN STYLE
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Style: Modern
Teign Valley Glass English Sculptural Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual sculptural form English art glass paperweight made by Teign Valley Glass in Devon dating from the latter 20th or early 21st century. Foun...
Category
20th Century English Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Horn 1 Sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Horn 1 sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Dimensions: W 8 cm D 6 cm H 7 cm
Materials: polished bronze.
Horn 1
Paper weight / sculpture
FAKASAKA is a de...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Emerald Green Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors.
It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Peach Bookend Mould Project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Peach bookend mould project by Theodora Alfredsdottir.
Unique
Materials: Jesmonite
Dimensions: 110 x 80 x 180mm.
Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in Lond...
Category
2010s English Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cement
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Orange Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can cr...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Shell Sculpture Paperweight by Mikasa
By Mikasa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Intricate hand blown glass shell sculpture with silver specks / Made in Japan by Kurata for retailer Mikasa, circa 1980s
Original sticker on the base
...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Paperweights
Materials
Blown Glass
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Lime Green Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Clear Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Blue Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Se...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Caithness Glass Elixir Paperweight No. 189/500, Scotland, Circa 1980s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a glass paperweight named "Elixir", limited edition 189/500, by Caithness Glass, Scotland, made after 1970 in the last quarter of the 20th Century.
This is a very attractive cone shaped clear glass paperweight, well handmade (hand blown) with a very intricate internal design called Elixir. These were produced as a limited edition, this being 189 out of 500.
The makers mark is etched to the base with the number 189/500 scratched alongside.
This paperweight weighs about 500 gram.
Caithness Glass
The company was founded in 1961 by Robin Sinclair and initially only made bowls, vases and drinking glasses. After Paul Ysart joined the company a year later that paved the weigh for Paperweight production, with regular factory production starting in the late 1960s.
In 1974 the first millefiori and lampwork paperweights...
Category
20th Century Scottish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Blown Glass
Collection of Six Glass Multicolored Paperweights
Located in London, GB
These glass paperweights are wonderful decorative pieces which will make perfect desk accessories or collectables.
The paperweights are all slightly different in their shape and ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Sculptural Desktop Pen Holder by Jiri Jelinek
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Art glass hand-carved, pen holder / paper weight featuring etched linear motif and layered red glass stripe by Jiri Jelinek.
Jiri Jelinek (b. 1967, Czechoslovakia) graduated with ...
Category
2010s American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Murano Decorative Obelisk by Seguso
By Venini
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful obelisk, handmade in Italy, by Seguso, Murano. Quite tall-16". Unusual color-light purple that changes with light. Polished pointed top. Nicely cut and polished edges-see p...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Contemporary Teardrop Glass Paperweight, Signed, Canada, Circa 2012
Located in Chatham, ON
Contemporary studio glass 'teardrop' paperweight sculpture - hand made/mouth blown with striking green, white and yellow swirl center - indistinctly signed and dated on the base (unk...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Murano Penguin Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage hand blown Murano glass penguin sculpture in clear, black, and white colors / Made in Italy, circa 1970s
Measures: height 5 inches, width 3...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Murano Glass
Aqua and Clear Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and fun...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Resin Color Grape by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
This sculpture is ve...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Villeroy and Boch Crystal Votive Candle Holders Set of 4
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Villeroy and Boch Made in Germany New Wave Crystal Votive candle holders.
This is a gorgeous contemporary votive candle holder by Viller...
Category
20th Century German Modern Paperweights
Materials
Crystal
Smoke Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Se...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Bronze Scarab Paperweight
Located in Milan, IT
Made entirely by hand from a block of bronze, the Scarab Paperweight—by Florentine luxury experts Badari—offers eternal charm and allure. Hailed by ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Faceted Perthshire Spaced Millefiori Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine faceted Perthshire spaced millefiori art glass paperweight.
It has pink and light blue canes centered on a 1972 'D' date cane.
The base has a st...
Category
1970s Scottish Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Kerry Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Kerry glass paperweight hand blown in dark green color with small bubbles / Made in Ireland, circa 1980s
Original stickers on the glass ...
Category
Late 20th Century Irish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Orange Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Se...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
1989-90’s Clear Crystal Lexus LS 400 Car Paperweight
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a clear crystal Lexus LS 400 car paperweight. Very nicely you can see through the crystal the inside details of the car, like the seats and the b...
Category
20th Century Japanese Modern Paperweights
Materials
Crystal
Lime Green Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
White Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Se...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
White and Clear Marbled Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Hermès Cleopatra Eye Magnifier Silver Plated Vintage Desk Accessory
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
This ever so chic Hermès vintage silver plated Cleopatra eye magnifier is a great desk accessory. This is from the 1960s and was originally designed by J...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Silver Plate
Emerald Green Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Art Glass Millefiori Collectable Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Millefiori Italian art glass paperweight
Beautiful glass art paperweight in millefiori design in various shades of blues, red and white, accenting the close concentric complex.
Mur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Arman Violins Accumulations Paperweight for Christofle, France, 1980s
By Arman, Christofle
Located in Milan, IT
Arman violins accumulations metal paperweight for Christofle, France, 1983.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Metal
Enzo Mari, Rare Cube Resin with Black Ball Sphere, Sculpture/Paperweight
By Enzo Mari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice modern resin cube by the very well known designer Enzo Mari, Measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Kosta Boda Green and Clear Art Glass Collectable Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Sweden round green and clear glass paperweight. Vicke Lindstrand Kosta style Swedish art glass paperweight. Beautiful vintage glass art paperweight with multi sized controlled bubbles in green and clear accenting the close concentric complex. Hand blown bubble design Scandinavian Modern Art glass paperweight...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Italian Onyx Marble Desk Paperweight Decorative Object, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A chic 1970s modern Italian geometric onyx marble desk paperweight or decorative object sculpture piece, circa 1970s, Italy. Piece is multicolored in white and neutral hues. A great piece for a desk, table, credenza, etc. Dimensions: 2" x 2.13"
Pen/pencil holder in image #3, search 1stdibs ID#: LU1314218067801 (SOLD.)
Ashtray shown (SOLD.)
Picasso book...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Contemporary Hand-engraved Aquamarine Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The "Cactus" Sculpture is not only an elegant and modern piece of furniture but it is also a unique and unrepeatable sculpture.
This incredible object has been worked and sculpted...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Small Egg Color Green, in Glass, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The charm of the shapes is enhanced by the material with which the collection is made: glass.
Transparency, lightness and shine meet the design, transforming into sculptured object...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Pair of Bookends Balls, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of bookends balls, 20th century"
Pair of Bookends forming two marble balls on a stand, 20th Century decorative object.
Category
20th Century European Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
Italian Modern Alabaster Marble Round Decorative Sphere or Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
An Italian '70s modern alabaster marble round decorative sphere or paperweight, circa 1970s, Italy. Marked "Genuine Alabaster", "Hand Carved", "Made ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Carl Aubock Set of Smoking Accessories
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass and Wicker Wrapped pipe stand (Or Paperweight) with two brass spoon rests.
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: diameter 4 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 50% OFF SALE...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
20th Century Enzo Mari Danese Paperweight Mod. Tokelau in Iron and Polyurethane
Located in Turin, Turin
Very modernist Paperweight designed by the great designer Enzo Mari for the manufacturer Danese Milano in 1983. The paperweight is called model "Tokelau" that is a Polynesian word me...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stainless Steel, Iron
21st Century by Arch. Aldo Rossi "Sannazzaro" Marble Paperweight
By Aldo Rossi
Located in massa, IT
Marble Paperweight designed by Aldo Rossi.
Size: cm 20 x 4 x H4
Materials: Bianco Carrara - Red Travertine - National Travertine - White Lasa
Designed by: Aldo Rossi.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.25 inches, width 3.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.75 inches, width 4.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
Daniel Salazar Lundberg Studios Cherry Blossom Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Lundberg Studios paperweight by Daniel Salazar.
With a lampwork cherry blossom and 3 small cherry flower buds on a branch.
Bearing a Lundbe...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
By Hermès
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Hermes Paris magnifying glass desk accessory with domed lens ensconced in a silver frame with a belt design. We've left the oxidation and patina untouched and simply added a ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Sterling Silver
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 5 inches, width 2.75 inches, height 1.25 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
Enzo Mari, Rare Resin Cube, Sculpture, Paperweight, with Polyhedral Inside
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare Mari resin cube from the 1950s, it measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7, has a couple of flee bites in 2 corners. Similar sample with black inside in Progressione di sculptur...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Resin
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4 inches, width 3 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs O...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
"Love me Now" Marble Heart Gift by On Entropy in White Marble
By on entropy
Located in Athens, GR
"Love me Now" is a marble item designed to evoke the senses. It is shaped as an off-centered heart with a longer tail. Its finish and tactile surface make it a hearty volume, which i...
Category
2010s Greek Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
Steven Lundberg / Lundberg Studios Glass Tiger Lily Pedestal Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Lundberg Studios pedastal paperweight.
By Steven Lundberg.
With an upright tiger lily lampwork flower.
Signed and dated at the foot.
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
21st Century Minimalist Paperweight in Portuguese White Marble "Pele de Tigre"
By Techxture
Located in Nelas, PT
S.Voxel - 21st century modern Portuguese "Pele de Tigre" marble paperweight
S.voxelexplores the importance of object scaling and user experience. Voxels coffee tables and side tab...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.5 inches, width 3.5 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Sprin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
Vintage Zellique Art Glass Pear
Located in Vallejo, CA
A beautiful vintage Zellique studio art glass pear. Beautiful satin semi iridescent finish to the glass. Signed on the base.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spherical onyx desk paperweight, in natural neutral hues / Made in Italy circa 1970s
Measures: diameter 4 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 50% OFF SALE for $199 !...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Onyx
21st Century Minimalist Paperweight in Black granite "Negro Zimbabwe"
By Techxture
Located in Nelas, PT
S.Voxel - 21st century modern Portuguese "Negro Zimbabwe" marble paperweight
S.voxelexplores the importance of object scaling and user experience. Voxels coffee tables and side ta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
Small Egg Color Black, in Glass, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The charm of the shapes is enhanced by the material with which the collection is made: glass.
Transparency, lightness and shine meet the design, transforming into sculptured object...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 5 inches, width 4 inches, height 2.25 inch
1 in stock in Palm Springs ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
Modern paperweights for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern paperweights for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paperweights created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern paperweights made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paperweights, popular names associated with this style include Paola Valle, Flensted Mouritzen, VG design and laboratory department, and Caithness Scotland. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paperweights differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $53 and tops out at $3,500 while the average work can sell for $343.
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