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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Brass Photo Frame, Tokyo Song, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Brass Photo Frame, Tokyo Song, Viya by Vikram Goyal Photo frame in brass. Handmade in India. Repoussé involves hammering low-relief designs into malleable metal sheets from the rev...
Brass
Brass Photo Frame, Jaipur Repoussé, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Brass Photo Frame, Jaipur Repoussé, Viya by Vikram Goyal Photo frame in brass. Handmade in India. Repoussé involves hammering low-relief designs into malleable metal sheets from th...
Brass
Decorative Photo Frame with Brass, Dreamscape, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Decorative Photo Frame with Brass & Semi Precious Inserts, Dreamscape, Viya by Vikram Goyal Photo frame in brass with semi precious inserts. Handmade in India. Repoussé involves ha...
Brass
Leather Travel Picture Frame or Keepsake Wallet for Photos, Papers, by T Anthony
By T. Anthony
Located in New York, NY
A red Bordeaux leather travel picture frame and keepsake wallet from American luxury house T. Anthony, made in Germany, circa mid to late‑20th century (1960s–1970s). Crafted in smoot...
Brass
Brass Photo Frame, Peacock Paradise, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Brass Photo Frame, Peacock Paradise, Viya by Vikram Goyal Photo frame in brass. Handmade in India. Repoussé involves hammering low-relief designs into malleable metal sheets from t...
Brass
Murano Art Glass Picture Frame with Multicolor Murrine, circa 1990
Located in Atlanta, GA
This superb Murano art glass picture frame was hand-crafted in Italy circa 1990. Murano mosaic Murrine plaques adorn the frame's picture view, which features an L-shaped Plexiglass f...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Lucite, Plexiglass
Gucci Cocoa Brown Stitched Leather Picture Frame, circa 1990
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian designer Gucci created this exceptional leather picture frame for its Interior Collection. The rare piece was crafted in Italy, circa 1990. The photo frame boasts the timeles...
Leather
Gucci Lizard Skin Leather and Gilded Brass Picture Frame, Italy circa 1970
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Designed by the legendary House of Gucci, this exceptional picture frame is a rare example of Italian luxury mastery. The piece was expertly crafted in Italy, circa 1970. The photo f...
Metal, Brass
5 x 5 inch Sterling Silver Picture Frame in the Style of Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful sterling silver picture frame in the style of Ralph Lauren. The hammered surface is accented by subtle detailing at the center of each side, adding depth and visual inter...
Sterling Silver
Federico Simone for Artek Modernist Pine Picture Frame, circa 1970
By Artek
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning pine wood photo frame, designed by renowned Italian designer Federico Simone for Artek, captures the essence of Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship. The rare piece was cra...
Pine
Emilia Castillo Monkey Picture Frame with Malachite Inlay, Taxco Mexico
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A whimsical and highly collectible vintage picture frame designed and manufactured in Taxco, Mexico by Emilia Castillo, one of the most celebrated figures associated with the legendary Los Castillo tradition. This sculptural frame is crafted in solid brass with silver plating and showcases Castillo’s unmistakable blend of playful narrative and refined Mexican silversmithing. The design features two charming sculptural monkeys, each playfully holding a picture frame, suspended from a central stem modeled after bamboo—a recurring motif in Castillo’s work. The top of the stem is adorned with leaf forms inlaid with crushed malachite...
Malachite, Silver, Brass
Tommaso Barbi Black Picture Frame with Mother-of-Pearl Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant picture frame by Tommaso Barbi, featuring a wide black surround accented with geometric mother-of-pearl squares at opposing corners. The iridescent details reveal subtle shad...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Wonderful R&Y Augousti Shark Skin Bone Picture Frame
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful R&Y Augousti Shark Skin & Bone Picture Frame
Bone, Faux Leather
Alvar Aalto for Artek Pine Picture Frame, circa 1970
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional pine wood photo frame, designed by renowned Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto for Artek, captures the essence of Scandinavian craftsmanship. The rare piece ...
Pine
Tiffany Modern Small Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1930. Plain and flat rectangular surround. With glass, silk lining, stained-wood back, and hinged easel si...
Sterling Silver
$3,264 / item
Multiple Tag Wall Tile by Jennifer Midoz
By Mydriaz
Located in Geneve, CH
Multiple Tag Tile by Jennifer Midoz Dimensions: 15 × 15 cm tile Materials: Glazed ceramic. Price is per m2. Tag revisits the symbol of the Hip Hop movement by zooming in and refram...
Other
Christian Dior White and Gilded Ceramic Picture Frame, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This spectacular Christian Dior Paris white and gilded ceramic picture frame is a rare piece from the Dior Interior Collection, circa 1980. Crafted from delicate white ceramic with a...
Ceramic
Vintage Asprey Sterling Silver Picture or Photo Frame with Gilt Sunflower
By Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Asprey International Limited
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed English silver picture or photo frame. By Asprey. In sterling silver. With a raised gilt sunflower device to the top of the frame. With a wooden easel-back. Marked...
Sterling Silver
Ivory and Brass Picture Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant tabletop picture frame with a wide ivory-colored border, mitered corners, and a warm brass-tone inner trim. Its clean geometric design makes it a lovely accent for a desk,...
Metal
Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Swid Powell Floating Picture Frame by Richard Meier is a masterclass in refined modern design—architectural in spirit and minimal in execution. Created for Swid Powell, the fram...
Silver Plate, Chrome
Italian Red Marble Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian picture frame crafted from richly veined red marble, featuring a bold beveled geometric profile. The natural white veining makes each section unique, while the warm w...
Marble
$636Sale Price|20% Off
Elephant Skin #4 Bronze Frame by Denis Mathews (British, 1913-1997)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elephant Skin #4 Bronze Frame by Denis Mathews (British, 1913-1997) Posthumous Casting This work is titled at the top 'Elephant Skin #4' and at the botto...
Bronze
Photo Frame with Cane & Brass, Namsai Large, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Photo Frame with Cane & Brass, Namsai Large, Viya by Vikram Goyal Photo frame in cane with brass. Handmade in India. A craft that naturally adheres to restraint and rhythm, cane we...
Brass
Vintage Gucci Silver & Gold Tone Picture Frame 7 x 9
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage Gucci photo frame crafted in a polished silver-tone metal with gold-tone bamboo-inspired trim accents. The frame features Gucci’s iconic interlocking GG logo centered...
Silver Plate
Modernist Maroon Stitched Leather Picture Frame, France circa 1950
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning Modernist Leather Picture Frame, France, circa 1950 This exquisite modernist picture frame exemplifies mid-century French craftsmanship, dating circa 1950. Wrapped in fine-g...
Leather
Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois Chrome and Lucite Picture Frame, 1960s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois designed this stunning Machine Age metal and Lucite picture frame. The rare photo frame was expertly crafted in France, circa 1960. The modernist design...
Metal, Chrome
Signed Tommaso Barbi Italian Burl Wood and Brass Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant signed Italian picture frame designed by Tommaso Barbi in the 1970s, featuring a richly figured burl wood veneer framed by polished brass borders. The striking contrast be...
Wood
Picture Frame Silver Squared Blue Enamel modern contemporary style Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
A Modern Heirloom: Large Square Guilloché Enamel Frame by Giorgio Salimbeni Presented is a commanding and radiant square photo frame, a masterwork of contemporary Florentine jewelry...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Photo Frame with Cane & Brass, Namsai Small, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Photo Frame with Cane & Brass, Namsai Small, Viya by Vikram Goyal Photo frame in cane with brass. Handmade in India. A craft that naturally adheres to restraint and rhythm, cane we...
Brass
Pair of Brass and Malachite like 8 x 10 Picture Frames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome pair of picture frames featuring elegant ribbed brass borders accented by richly veined green panels with the appearance of malachite. Whether executed in faux malachite, ...
Stone, Malachite, Brass
Tiffany Large & Modern Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Plain and flat rectangular surround. With glass, silk lining, stained-wood back, and hinged easel si...
Sterling Silver
Morpho Anassibia Butterfly Frame, Mid-20th Century, Modern Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Morpho anassibia is a stuffed embalmed butterfly in a frame. Species Morpho anassibia blue. 19.5 x 25 cm. Very good conditions!
Animal Skin
Christian Dior Paris Modernist Silver Plate Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional Christian Dior Paris silver plate photo frame designed from the Dior Interior Collection. The stunning piece was expertly crafted in France circa 1980. This tall, rect...
Silver Plate, Metal
Christian Dior Paris Chrome Metal Picture Frame, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This outstanding Christian Dior Paris chromed metal picture frame features a plain and minimalist geometric shape with an oval picture view. The rare piece was crafted in France circ...
Chrome
Vintage Italian Hand-Woven Silver Plate Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking vintage Italian picture frame featuring a meticulously hand-woven silver-plated metal surface in an intricate basketweave pattern. The textured mosaic-like design creates ...
Silver Plate
House of Gucci Fine-Grain Exotic Wood Picture Frame, Italy, circa 1980
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian designer Gucci created this exceptional fine-grain wood picture frame. The rare piece was crafted in Italy circa 1980. The rich wood's texture and inherent beauty will give y...
Metal
Christian Dior Sterling Silver Multiple Views Picture Frame with Bow Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning sterling silver picture frame was crafted for The Christian Dior Interior Collection circa 1980. With its three oval perspectives, the multiple-view frame can show a fa...
Sterling Silver
Turquoise Murano Glass Picture Frame with Brass Accents, 1960s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a striking vintage picture frame, crafted with a bold combination of twisted turquoise Murano glass and brass detailing. Its design reflects the luxurious craftsmanship and a...
Art Glass
Christian Dior Interior Collection Silver Plate Picture Frame, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Christian Dior Paris silver plate picture frame was designed for the Dior Interior Collection. The piece boasts a tall rectangular shape with molded and raised edges al...
Silver Plate
Owl Butterfly Specimen in Frame, Modern Style, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Owl embalmed butterfly species. Suffed brown butterfly with frame, 1970s. 19 x 25 cm. Good conditions!
Animal Skin
Italian Polished Brass Geometric Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian picture frame from the 1970s, crafted in solid polished brass with a bold, architectural presence. The design features a stepped geometric composition, with layered r...
Brass
Blue and Ivory Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Picture Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant picture frame featuring a hand-applied mosaic of iridescent blue and ivory mother-of-pearl tiles. The wide, geometric border and clipped corners give the frame a refined Art ...
Mother-of-Pearl
Italian modern lucite frame for Guzzini, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern lucite frame for Guzzini, 1970s Transparent lucite frame composed of two pieces, a square base with a recess into which a round is inserted. Produced by Guzzini in 197...
Lucite
Contemporary Picture Frame Handmade Blue Crystal, Brass and Gold by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Crystal photo frame of excellent craftsmanship and artistic quality. The crystal has been hand sculpted and has an intense and brilliant blue fi...
Gold, Brass
$7,532 / item
Patina II Ceramic Mural by Audrey Vo Van
Located in Geneve, CH
Patina II Ceramic Mural by Audrey Vo Van Dimensions: D 7 x W 59 x H 78 cm Materials: Brown clay (stoneware) - Handbuilt - Brown/yellow glaze - 2 firings - Framed Audrey Vo Van is a ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Plain and flat rectangular surround; with glass, silk lining, and velvet back with hinged easel supp...
Sterling Silver
Pink Murano Glass Picture Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Murano glass picture frame featuring a soft pink hue and a twisted, rope-like texture. The rounded rectangular glass border is complemented by gold-tone inner trim and a ribb...
Murano Glass
Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Frame for 3 Special Pictures
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1970. Horizontal rectangular surround with three vertical windows: central oval flanked by rectangles. Wit...
Sterling Silver
Animalier Zebra Pattern Frame hand painted Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamel, hand-painted with spotted zebra fur type in a modern contemporary style. External measurements cm. ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Large American Midcentury Classical Sterling Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern Classical sterling silver picture frame. Rectangular surround. On front, wraparound reeding, and vacant rectangle on top rail; sides plain. With glass, silk lining,...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Round Brass & Burl Wood Picture Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage round picture frame featuring a striking combination of warm burl wood and brushed brass. The circular design is accented by a wide brass outer rim and inner ring, fr...
Wood
$3,195Sale Price / set|54% Off
Edmund Pick-Morino "Animated Countryside Landscapes" Pair of Oils on Canvas
By Edmund Pick-Morino
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice pair of oil on canvas depicting animated countryside landscapes. signed by Edmund Pick Morino, Early 20th Century Artist. Beautiful landscapes of nature, which gives a feel...
Canvas
Picture Frame Silver rectangular sterling silver enamel on guilloché Salimbeni
By Renato Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 9251000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché. Modern contemporary style. Blue velvet panel. External dimensions 18 x 24 c...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$502 / item
Morpho Helenor with Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Morpho anassibia is a stuffed embalmed butterfly in a frame. Species Morpho anassibia blue. 19.5 x 25 cm. Very good conditions!
Animal Skin
Vintage Burl Wood & Chrome Double Photo Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant vintage double photo frame featuring a rich burl wood veneer panel accented by a polished chrome border. The frame holds two square images side by side, creating a stylish di...
Metal
Lauren Ralph Lauren "Vows" Silver Plated 5x7 Wedding Photo Picture Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lauren, Ralph Lauren "Vows" Silver Plated 5x7 Wedding Photo Picture Frame with Glass Front (Discontinued, New old stock). Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 9.5" H x 7.5" W x 0.7...
Silver Plate
$200Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Marquis Picture Frame Waterford Crystal Germany
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1990s Marquis Waterford Crystal Picture Frame Germany 10.63 h x 8.75 w x 2.75 d stamped Marquis Waterford Crystal Germany Preowned vintage condition Re...
Crystal
Picture Frame Silver Rectangular Emerald Green Enamel modern style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Mid-Century Elegance: Rectangular Guilloché Enamel Frame by Renato Salimbeni This refined rectangular photo frame is an exquisite example of the Salimbeni atelier’s mastery, blendin...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Tiffany Midcentury Modern Sterling Silver Oval Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Plain and flat oval surround. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back and hinged support fo...
Sterling Silver
Contemporary Photo Frame in 24kt Gold plated Brass and Handmade Blue Crystal
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
24 kt gold plated brass photo frame. The frame is embellished with entirely handmade blue glass. Each crystal is set into the metal seat individually with extreme care and attention....
Gold, Brass