International Style Decorative Objects
INTERNATIONAL STYLE
The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: International Style
Stainless Steel Double Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Polished
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Silver Plate Hand Held Magnifying Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A substantial, silver plated hand-held magnifying glass, circa 1980s.
Perfect for the desk top or a library, this heavy magnifying has a ribbed metal handle terminating in a solid b...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Dutch Delft Blue Handpainted Vase
By Delft
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice handpainted Delft blue pottery vase.
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Murano Latticino Venetian Glass Heart Shaped Trinket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A metal braced heart shaped Venetian glass trinket box, Murano, Italy, circa 1970s.
A swirled cobalt blue and white glass box hand made in the process...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Dutch Delft Blue Handpainted Vase
By Delft
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice Delft blue pottery vase, handprinted by Gewina Delft.
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
French Limoges Hand Painted Pink Floral Oval Trinket Box
By Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand painted French Limoges trinket or pill box, circa 1970s.
An oval shaped box with a pink body and a floral spray in a gold cartouche...
Category
1970s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Mazel Tov decorative Collector Plate Metropolitan Museum of Art Jewish Museum
By Metropolitan
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative Mazel Tov plate reproduction , of 18th century delft Metropolitan MMA TJM ,vintage excellent condition Hebrew Yiddish.
Category
20th Century Japanese International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
1970s British Bronze AC.GMT.Co. Industrial Wall Clock Chrome Bezel Black Dial
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back to life in our UK workshop, our expert process allows us to create a high quality clock of luxury standards.
At A.C GMT Co. we apply new paint finishes or lustrous copper and bronze to the clock case. Our high speed polishing machine restores the chrome bezel, which then frames one of our high definition screen printed dials.
These clocks were originally slave or secondary clocks used on cargo ships and super tankers, they would have been controlled by a master clock...
Category
1970s English Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Steel, Chrome
Vintage Philippines Wedding Basket, 4 Pieces
Located in Cordova, SC
Vintage Wedding basket from Philippines in great shape. This item was purchased from the estate of a woman who taught in Philippines for a numbe...
Category
1970s Pacific Islands Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Rattan
Rochard Limoges Paris Perfume Bottle in Porcelain Box
By Rochard Limoges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Rochard, Limoges Paris, a hand enameled trinket box, a scent chest with a metal caged glass bottle, circa 1970-1980s.
The oval metal braced box has a domed lid with a tear-drop...
Category
Late 20th Century French International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Vintage Sterling Silver And Wood English Hinged Small Box Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely small vintage turn of the century sterling silver hinged box has a wood interior with etched design top. There are English hallmarks on the bottom that are clearly visibl...
Category
Early 20th Century English International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Halcyon Days English Bilston Enamel Floral Egg Trinket Box
By Halcyon Days
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Halcyon Days, a Bilston enamel trinket box shaped as an egg, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1970-1980s.
Established in the 1950s, Halcyon Days Ltd ...
Category
1970s English Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Fitz and Floyd Spotted Dogs Porcelain Trinket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Fitz and Floyd, a charming porcelain Dalmation trinket box, dating to 1985.
Two yellow and black spotted dogs sit atop an oval, green glazed lidded box with metal bracing.
The...
Category
1980s American Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Collection of 8 Vintage French Champagne Bottle Props
Located in Houston, TX
Collection of 8 Vintage French Champagne Bottle Props from The House of Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin otherwise known as "The Yellow Widow". All are sealed.
Sizes range from 10.5 to 31.25...
Category
Late 20th Century French International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Vintage Natural Specimen Real Sea Reef Coral - Beach Decor (USA ship only)
By Oceanic Arts
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Natural Specimen Real Sea Reef Coral - Beach Decor (USA ship only).
A stunning piece of nature for the home or office of an ocean lover or beach dweller.
Note: This is a vintage coral reef...
Category
Early 20th Century American International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Coral
French Moustiers Faience Vase, Portuguese Candlestick, Berardos Box & Two Plates
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A French Moustiers Faience Flower Vase
“Bouquetiere Pique Fleurs” Together with
A Portuguese “Real Ceramica” Candlestick
“Berardos” Lided Box and Two “Coimbra” Plates.
All 20th century.
Moustiers polychrome two-handled bell-shaped “krater” flower vase
with twelfve apertures, with grotesque figures amongst vegetation
ended with flower bud finial
Measures: Height: 11"- inches. (27.94 cm) x diameter: 8"- inches. (20.32 cm).
A faience blue and white candlestick...
Category
20th Century French International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Natural size pair of african sculptures in noble wood representing giraffes
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and huge sculptures representing a couple of giraffes polychromed. Fantastic.
Category
1950s Kenyan Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
20 th Century
By Looping 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Looping Table Clock with alarm , good condition, 1960.
Category
20th Century Swiss International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Staffordshire Enamel Old Hall Pink Clover Trinket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Staffordshire Enamels Old Hall trinket box, England, circa 1980s.
A hand-enameled Clover and Butterfly design on a pink base with copper framing.
A Butterfly appears on the interi...
Category
1980s English Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Russian papier mâché box from Tsarina Alexandra, early 1900
Located in Bilzen, BE
A black paper mache box with the portrait of Tsarina Alexandra, wife of Tsar Nicholas II , the last tsar of Russia
this box is from the early 1900
10.5 x 6.2 cm, heigth 3 cm
Category
Early 20th Century International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Paper
Contemporary Swimming Pool Table by RAIN, Small Side Table
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table which also functions as a small contemporary styled side table.
The inspiration for this collection comes fro...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
1950's Italian Gold Embossed Leather Book Jewelry Box with Velvet Lining
Located in New York, NY
1950's Italian finely detailed. leather book form jewellery box with gilt embossed Fleur de Lis design at corners of front and back sides.
The gilt brass wide band central clasp sect...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Velvet
Swimming Pool Table, Large, by RAIN, Contemporary Table, Metal and Painted Glass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table. The inspiration for this collection comes from dreamlike images of leisure and good times that swimming pools...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Archimede Seguso Murano glass "Cartoccio oro" circa 1950 vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano glass "Cartoccio oro" vase circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Pablo Picasso ceramic plate signed and numbered edition 114/200
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible plate hand painted and engraved signed and numbered.
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Large Tina Aufiero for Venini circa 1983 "Alboino" Murano glass green vase
By Tina Aufiero
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large Tina Aufiero for VENINI circa 1983 "Alboino" green vase.
Labeled.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Pablo Picasso ceramic plate signed and numbered edition 80/200
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible plate hand painted and engraved signed and numbered.
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Long Coconut Palm Leaf as Table Centerpiece
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Very rare this long coconut palm leaf, from Indonesia, where it is used by the indigenous people as eating vessel.
It's a perfect centerpiece on our table...
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Palmwood
Halcyon Days English Bilston Enamel Rabbit Trinket Box
By Halcyon Days
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Halcyon Days, a Bilston enamel trinket box shaped as a rabbit, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1970-1980s.
Established in the 1950s, Halcyon Days ...
Category
1970s English Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
20 th Century , Brass massive Table Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Large Work Stylisch Table Clock made by Jaeger LeCoultre 60s, good condition.
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Gucci Gold Metal Letter Opener in Black Leather Case
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
Gucci gold cast metal letter opener with signature double G logo at handle.
Engraved signature on reverse GUCCI Made In Italy
Original black leather case with Gucci stamp on back.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Herend Porcelain Hand Painted Floral Trinket Vide-Poche
By Herend
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand painted trinket dish or vide-poche from Herend Porcelain, circa early 1980s.
Founded in 1826, The Herend Porcelain Manufactory is a Hungarian manufacturing company, specializ...
Category
1980s Hungarian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Canova Italian inkwell in bronze and marble circa 1850.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big CANOVA inkwell in italian old bronze with marble base circa 1850.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Libera Murano glass gray 1950 vase signed.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible LIBERO Murano glass gray 1950 vase.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Biscuit two men fighting with knives
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible couple of two men fighting with knives in white biscuit.
Category
1930s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Tyra Lungren Murano glass black iridized vase circa 1960
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Venini&C by Tyra Lungren Murano glass iridized black vase with two necks circa 1960
Category
1960s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Large Fossil Stone Ammonite
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6416 - Large fossil stone shell - Ammonites were predatory Prehistorie cephalopod mollusks which existed between 400 and 66 million years ago before dying out during the exinction ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Antique International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Large 1980's Dunhill Style Ribbon Mahogany Wood Humidor, Box with Brass Hinges
By Dunhill
Located in New York, NY
Large 1980's Dunhill style ribbon mahogany humidor / document / art box, with brass hinges. Fully lined with wood interior.
Category
Late 20th Century French International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Stainless Steel Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Polished
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Archimede Seguso italian bicolor 1950 Murano Glass 'Coronato oro' vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big Archimede Seguso Murano glass circa 1950 "Coronato oro" vase.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Black Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Franz Weissmann Brazilian Abstract Sculpture steel !979
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible abstract sculpture in steel by Franz Weissmann 1979
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Vintage Limoges France Butterfly Trinket Box Handpainted
By Limoges
Located in BILBAO, ES
Vintage Limoges France Butterfly Trinket Box Handpainted
Type Trinket Box
Brand Limoges
Material Porcelain
Subject Butterfly
Finish Painted
Color Multicolor
Shape Hear Shape
Item Len...
Category
Late 20th Century French International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Large Flavio Poli Murano glass amber circa 1950 center piece.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece amber in Murano glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri dArte circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Alfredo Barbini Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 vase.
By Barbini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Alfredo Barbini Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 vase.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Kralik Bohemian multicolor glass vase circa 1900
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible KRALIK bohemian multicolor Art Nouveau glass vase circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Large Fratelli Toso Murano glass bicolor vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fratelli Toso Murano glass bicolor vase circa 1950. Big.
Category
1950s European Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso sfumato oro center table with applied parts and gold 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large Archimede Seguso sfumato oro center table "piece unique" 1950
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Maghault Fils france Art Deco bronze "Don Quixote" circa 1930.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bronze signed MAGHAULT FILs circa 1930 Art Deco "Don Quixote"with two marbles base.
Category
1930s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
AVeM Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AVEM Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950 "Bizantino".
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Barovier&Toso circa 1948 "zebrato" couple
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible couple of cats in Murano glass by Barovier&Toso 1948 "zebreto oro" circa 1948
Category
1940s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Large Aureliano Toso Murano glass bicolor circa 1950 vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Aureliano Toso Murano glass bicolor circa 1950 vase.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Dino Martens Murano glass blue and white vase circa 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Dino Martens Murano glass blue and white vase circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass abstract sculpture circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Seguso Vetri dArte abstract sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
FABERGE Silver and gold center piece attributed with two Mermen circa 1850.
By Fabergé
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large silver and gold center piece attributed to FABERGE with two mermen. Fantastic.
Category
1850s European Antique International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold, Silver
Primitive pantera onca brazilian stool in noble wood circa 1900
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible primitive brazilian stool in noble wood representing 'Panther'circa 1900
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Gigantic Antique Indian Brass and Bronze Water Vessel Lota Pot
Located in Asheville, NC
India water vessel also called a Lota Pot was used to store water in India and local regions. It was hand-forged of a bronze and brass alloy. It has marked by...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Narciso italian pompeian bronze circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible old bronze reproduction by Narciso found in Pompei 1862.
Category
1860s Italian Antique International Style Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
International Style decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique International Style decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, murano glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Brazil pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Archimede Seguso, Paulo Goldstein, Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), and Barovier&Toso. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $108 and tops out at $70,000 while the average work can sell for $2,350.