Modern Natural Specimens
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Style: Modern
Color: Brown
Red Extra-Size Starfish, Océano Pacific, Ophidiaster Ophidianus
By Oceanic Arts
Located in Valladolid, ES
Ophidiaster ophidianus, measures: 495 × 418 × 140 mm, 576 g weight
2018, Océano Pacífico
Red extra-size starfish!
A fantastic specimen of Ophidiaster ophidianus caught in the Solo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pacific Islands Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Other
Marguerite Stix Designed Natural Seashell and Brass Object, circa 1960s
By Marguerite Stix
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and rare 'Stix' seashell by Austrian designer Marguerite Stix, circa 1960s, New York, New York. Marguerite Stix was a designer, sculptor, jeweler and ceramicist known for her later work with shells. This Stix piece is a natural seashell...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Brass
Modern Asian Teak Tree Root Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Modern sculpture comprised of an organic root from an Asian teak tree mounted with two metal rods on a rectangular wooden base.
Category
20th Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Teak, Wood
Set of Three Large Italian Marble Eggs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Unique set of three large Italian polished marble egg specimens from Italy. Beautifully hand-formed and each having a slightly different color. The exquis...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Ruler Selenite with an 18th Century Italian Sunray & Baroque Pearls on Lucite
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Ruler Selenite with an 18th century Italian gold leaf molding and a natural forming baroque pearl on a lucite base. Ruler selenite or "selenite logs" are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spare. It is then adorned with gold leaf wood molding and the baroque pearl which coordinate beautifully with the sleek selenite.
The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece but the Italian fragment sunray is originally 18th century.
Interi transforms Italian artifacts...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Rock Crystal
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 Natural Specimens
Materials
Onyx
Asian Style Carved Semi Precious Stones Floral Bouquet in Stone Vase
Located in Toledo, OH
Carved semi precious multi colored floral bouquet in carved stone base. Jade and other stones shaped into petals and leaves. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 15" diameter x 18" H.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Jade
RAH:Stones
By STUDIO:RAH
Located in San Pedro, CA
Our take on the traditional "Tumi Isihi" stacking toy. Beautifully curated scales and faceted lines. These stones can be used and loved by all ages and eq...
Category
2010s American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Hardwood
Aina One of a Kind Jurassic Fossil Marble Nature Sculpture, Unique Collection
Located in ES
This is a unique piece. It is an Sculpture made by Nature 150 million year ago, with base of natural stone included (base size: 19 x 37 x H 2 cm; weight: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Aina One of a Kind Jurassic Fossil Marble Nature Sculpture, Unique Collection
Located in ES
This is a unique piece. It is an sculpture made by Nature 150 million years ago, with base of natural stone included (base size: 11.5 x 24.5 x H 2 cm). This set has been designed by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Aina One of a Kind Jurassic Fossil Marble Nature Sculpture, Unique Collection
Located in ES
This is a unique piece. It is an sculpture made by Nature 150 million years ago, with base of natural stone included (base size: 29 x 60 x H 3 cm). This s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Ruler Selenite with an 18th Century Italian Fragment & Baroque Pearls on Lucite
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Ruler Selenite with an 18th century Italian gold leaf fragment and natural forming baroque pearls on a lucite base. Ruler selenite or "selenite logs" are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spar.
The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece and the period shows that the Italian fragment is originally 18th century.
Interi transforms Italian artifacts...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Rock Crystal
Aina One of a Kind Jurassic Fossil Marble Stella Bookend, Unique Collection
Located in ES
One of a Kind Stella Bookend sculpted from a solid piece of Jurassic Marble, with Nerineas fossils in relief, combining natural and raw finish. Designed by Nature and manufactured by NERINEA in our factory located in Valencia (Spain), for the Unique Collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Large Sculptural Sphere Made of Wooden Pieces
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Large sculptural sphere made of wooden pieces.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
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 Natural Specimens
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 4.25 inches, width 3.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens
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 5 inches, width 2.75 inches, height 1.25 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens
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 4.5 inches, width 3.5 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Sprin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Brass Lobster Sculpture from the 1970s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A cool 1970s solid brass lobster sculpture.
Dimensions: 5.5” deep 16” wide 2” high.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Brass
Kazuo Kadonaga Peeled Wood Log 'Wood No. 5'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Japanese artist Kazuo Kadonaga: peeled wood log, Wood No. 5, 1981, Signed
Provenance: Space Gallery.
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Set of Three 22K Gold Gilt Crystals by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These 22-karat gold-plated crystal sculptures have a life of their own radiating and bouncing light onto themselves throughout the day and night.
Place them on the dining table near...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Gold
Lump of Recently Carved Burr Walnut Ideal for Making a Stand or Small Boards
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice lump of burr walnut
Ideal for making a display stand, its heavily burred
Dimensions:
Height 8cm
Width 20.5cm
Depth 16...
Category
20th Century English Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Burl
Rusty Quartz on Aluminum Base
Located in New York, NY
Rusty quartz on aluminum.
Category
2010s American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Copper
Authentic Tiger Skull Mounted on Brushed Steel Base, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Authentic tiger skull mounted on Lucite stem with brushed steel base, American, 1970s (this piece was decommissioned from a museum). It is beautifully moun...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Steel
Pair of Carved Fossilized Limestone Bookends with Many Fossils Visible
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a high quality pair of demilune columnar form stone bookends, unmarked. Skillfully carved beige limestone with a large number of spiral shell gastropods, nautiloids, and other fossils polished to show off the beauty of the fossils. There are natural streaks of dark and light limestone, orange iron oxide, and crystalline calcite in the shells. The stone contains a large amount of calcite (or aragonite) with the remainder made of impurities such as dolomite, quartz or silicates, clay, iron oxides, and rock particles of many kinds.
These are of lovely quality and are fascinating to look at. As they are cut from the same piece, the fossils match up when both bookends are placed together and the corresponding portion of fossils can be seen on the opposite interior vertical plane.
Dimensions:
7"h x 5.75"w x 2.75"d (each half)
Condition:
Good, a few scratches and nicks on base, attractive appearance.
Provenance:
A Private Collection: The Sherry Netherland...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
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Pair of 17th/ 18th Century Italian White Marble Baroque Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and very beautiful pair weathered white marble baroque ornaments. They most likely once adorned a church altar.
Original period pieces, Italy, ci...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Marble
Natural Seashell Trumpet Triton Sea Snail
Located in Naples, IT
A beautiful natural specimen, Charonia is a genus of very large sea snail, commonly known as Triton's trumpet or Triton snail. They are marine gastropod moll...
Category
20th Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Shell
Vintage Omersa Leather Turtle Use as Paperweight or Decorative, Retains Label
By Dimitri Omersa, Omersa
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Dimitri Omersa embossed brown leather Turtle with label. Can be used as a paperweight or as decoration. Fun size. In fine condition, retains label.
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Leather
Eroded Teak Tree Skeleton Sculpture on Stand, Late 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This section of eroded teak trunk from the dense jungle of Sumatra will be sure to invoke conversation in any space, a striking naturally formed sculpture. Despite being largely erod...
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Teak
Sculpture in Brass and Wood Design De Stijl Firenze, 1960s
By De Stijl
Located in taranto, IT
Original sculpture from the 1960s designed by De Stijl Firenze, made of brass and hand-worked and painted wood
measure about 50 centimeters
In v...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Brass
Postmodern Glass Cube Paperweight, 1980's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Postmodern Glass Cube Paperweight, 1980's
Category
20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Glass
Brass Asian Bonsai Tree Form Sculpture
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Brass Asian Bonsai tree form sculpture.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Bronze
Italian Small 18th Century Hand Carved Baroque Winged Angel Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful small Hand carved winged angelhead with its original gilding.
Italy, circa 1750
Weathered.
Measurement here below inclusive the wooden base.
H:14cm W:11,5cm D:7cm
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Giltwood
Small Italian 17/18th Century Baroque Carved Wooden Coat of Arms
Located in Buisson, FR
Gorgeous small hand carved wooden coat of arms with several lions heads, a crown and a standing bull,
Italy, circa 1650- 1750.
Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurement ...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
1950s Scandanavian Teak Elephant Sculpture Danish Modern
Located in Spring Valley, CA
Beautiful pair of teak wood elephant figurines. Designer is unkown, but in the manner of Arne Tjomsland, and from the same time period as indicated...
Category
1950s Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Teak
18th Century Spanish Silver on Wood Baroque Reliquary
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and detailed reliquary holder with a thin hammered layer of silver on wood. Beautiful details.,
Spain, circa 1750. Weathered and small losses.
Category
18th Century Spanish Antique Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Silver
Natural Seashell Trumpet Triton Sea Snail
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful natural specimen, Charonia is a genus of very large sea snail, commonly known as Triton's trumpet or Triton snail. They are marine gastropod moll...
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Shell
Previously Available Items
Pair of Carved Fossilized Limestone Bookends with Many Fossils Visible
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a high quality pair of demilune columnar form stone bookends, unmarked. Skillfully carved beige limestone with a large number of spiral shell gastropods, nautiloids, and other fossils polished to show off the beauty of the fossils. There are natural streaks of dark and light limestone, orange iron oxide, and crystalline calcite in the shells. The stone contains a large amount of calcite (or aragonite) with the remainder made of impurities such as dolomite, quartz or silicates, clay, iron oxides, and rock particles of many kinds.
These are of lovely quality and are fascinating to look at. As they are cut from the same piece, the fossils match up when both bookends are placed together and the corresponding portion of fossils can be seen on the opposite interior vertical plane.
Dimensions:
7"h x 5.75"w x 2.75"d (each half)
Condition:
Good, a few scratches and nicks on base, attractive appearance.
Provenance:
A Private Collection: The Sherry Netherland...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Flower Wall Art 02 Norihiko Terayama
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Title: Artificial and dried flowers that were arranged
Unique wall art by Norihiko Terayama. Small cut out piece of artificial flowers and dried flower...
Category
2010s Japanese Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Bahar Bijan Birds in Flight Modern Sculpture
By Bijan Bahar
Located in New York, NY
Bahar Bijan (Iranian/American, 1939-2013), modern contemporary sculpture of five ravens in flight mounted upon a mineral specimen base signed by the artist in marker.
Measures: 34"...
Category
20th Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal
In Stock in Los Angeles, Briccola Sculpture, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products.
In Stock in Los Angeles
This sculpture is made from genuine, recovered Venetian Briccola,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Petrified Wood Sculpture 'Sculpture II' Europe, 2000s
Located in London, GB
Sculpture II is part of a limited edit of unique, hand-carved, and polished petrified wooden sculptures. Petrified wood is made from wood that transfo...
Category
Early 2000s European Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Petrified Wood
Pair of Vintage Italian Tole Strawberry Topiaries
Located in Chicago, IL
The most charming pair of vintage mid-20th century Italian tole strawberry topiaries with hand-painted leaves, berries, and flowers, and potted in tole buckets...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Metal
Vase Hasard 01 by Alice Lahana Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vase Hasard 01 by Alice Lahana Studio
It is waterproof thanks to a glass container slipped inside.
Dimensions: 32,5 x 23 cm
Every vase is unique. The shape slightly varies from ed...
Category
2010s French Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Oak
Contemporary Cut & Polished Ammonite Fossil, Pair
Located in Countryside, IL
Contemporary Cut & Polished Ammonite Fossil - Pair
Each fossil measures: 9 wide x 1 deep x 7.5 inches high
This fossil pair is in Excellent Vin...
Category
2010s American Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Shell
Monolithe, Maxime Perrolle
Located in Paris, FR
Burned and carved wood.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
Spiral5 Kenta Hirai Japanese Contemporary Bentwood Sculpture
By Studio Jig
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Kenta Hirai created it with the technique "Free form lamination." This sculpture mixes free formed wood sculpture and branch. Wood material is...
Category
2010s Japanese Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood
White Glass and Brown Blonde Wood Bird Eggs, Set of 10
Located in New York, NY
A set of ten (10) white blown glass and medium brown, dark brown and blonde polished wood eggs, circa 20th century. There are 4 white blown glass eggs, and 1 blond, 2 dark and 3 medium brown wood eggs.
Other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #s:
Wicker side table, search ref. #: LU1314224254092
Onyx marble compote...
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20th Century Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass
Blue Goldstone with Baroque Pearls on an 18th Century Italian Altar Base
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Blue Goldstone from Milan with natural-forming baroque pearls and silicon carbide on an 18th century Italian gold leaf altar base with pure gold leaf It...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Rock Crystal, Gold Leaf
Modern natural specimens for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern natural specimens 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 natural specimens created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern natural specimens made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original natural specimens, popular names associated with this style include Interi, Studio Greytak, Rinat Design, and Edizione Limitata. 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 natural specimens differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $178 and tops out at $35,800 while the average work can sell for $1,300.
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