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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
$5,827 / item
My Moon by Studio Yolk
Located in Geneve, CH
My Moon by STUDIO YOLK Unique - one of one Dimensions: 45 x Ø 35 cm Materials: Bio Resin Each month, the lunar cycle goes from a full moon to a new moon,...
Resin
$4,873 / item
Stainless Steel Clay Disc S3 by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless steel clay disc S3 by Onno Adriaanse. Hand-sculpted, 2022. Edition: limited edition of 8 for every metal finish. Dimensions: Ø 60 cm x 4 cm Materials: oak wood and stai...
Stainless Steel
Dark Grey Sculpt Art Triangle, Mini by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark grey sculpt art triangle - mini by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl Dimensions: L 37,5 /W 10 /H 52 cm. Materials: Sustainable paper mass Sc...
Paper
Coffee Sculpt Art Face, Mini by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Coffee sculpt art face - Mini by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl Dimensions: L37,5 /W10 /H52 CM Materials: sustainable paper mass Sculp wall Ar...
Paper
Set of 2 Sculpt Art Face, Mini by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Sculpt Art Face, Mini by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl Dimensions: L37,5 /W10 /H52 CM Materials: sustainable paper mass Sculp wall Art qu...
Paper
$1,787 / item
Small Fossus Sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Fossus sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Linden wood, natural oil wax, stain, laquer, iron wool & winegar mixture Dimensions: Width 20 cm Depth 5 cm Height 20 cm...
Wood
Small Dark Sussin Sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Dark Sussin sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Linden wood, natural, oil wax, stain, laquer Dimensions: Width 18 cm Depth 18 cm Height 20 cm Also available: li...
Wood
Small Light Sussin Sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Light Sussin sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Linden wood, natural, oil wax, stain, lacquer Dimensions: Width 18 cm Depth 18 cm Height 20 cm Also Available: ...
Wood
$5,568 / item
Dark Large Sussin Sculpture Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Large Sussin sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Linden wood, natural, oil wax, stain, laquer Dimensions: Width 35 cm Depth 35 cm Height 120 cm Also Available: dark col...
Wood
$6,539 / item
Set of 2 Sussin Sculptures by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Sussin Sculptures by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Linden wood, natural, oil wax, stain, lacquer Dimensions: Width 18- 35 cm Depth 18- 35 cm Height 20 - 120 cm Also...
Wood
$2,965 / item
Medium Fossus Sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Fossus sculpture by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Linden wood, natural oil wax, stain, lacquer, iron wool & winegar mixture Dimensions: Width 20-90 cm Depth 5-10 cm Heig...
Wood
Light Kukkii Sculpture 2 Flowers by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Kukkii sculpture 2 flowers by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Black stained oak, natural oil waxed walnut Dimensions: W 75 / 60 / 40 cm, D 10 cm, H 34 / 42 cm Also Available...
Oak, Walnut
Dark Kukkii Sculpture 2 Flowers by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Kukkii sculpture 2 flowers by Antrei Hartikainen. Materials: black stained oak, natural oil waxed walnut. Dimensions: W 75 / 60 / 40 cm, D 10 cm, H 34 / 42 cm Also Availabl...
Oak, Walnut