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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
Very Fine Detailed Figural Peruvian Shipibo Conibo Pottery Effigy Pot or Vase
Located in Red Lion, PA
Very Fine Detailed Figural Peruvian Shipibo-Conibo Pottery Effigy Pot or Vase This beautifully detailed figural pottery effigy pot was crafted by the Shipibo-Conibo people of Peru, ...
Category

20th Century Peruvian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

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

Rochard Limoges Paris Perfume Bottle in Porcelain Box
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

Dutch Delft Blue Handpainted Vase
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice Delft blue pottery vase, handprinted by Gewina Delft.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

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

French Limoges Hand Painted Pink Floral Oval Trinket Box
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

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

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

Halcyon Days English Bilston Enamel Floral Egg Trinket Box
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

A pair of Fornasetti porcelain vases by Rosenthal
Located in Vienna, AT
A fine pair of Vases : Il Sole Di Capri, porcelain vase, designed by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, circa 1990s. perfect conditions. Hight : 18.5 diameter 12.5 the large one and Hi...
Category

Late 20th Century German International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Enzo Mari cubs 60‘s
Located in Vienna, AT
Two resin cubes, each containing a sphere, designed by Enzo Mari. Made in Italy by Danese Milano, 1950s. 7 x 7 cm .. large ones Danese Milano (Hersteller*in),Enzo Mari (Designer*in)
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Dutch Delft Blue Handpainted Vase
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Nice handpainted Delft blue pottery vase.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Picture Frame Silver Sterling Enameled on guilloche Red and Green Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large rectangular photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloche in two colors, in a modern contemporary style. External cm. 18 x 22,...
Category

Early 2000s Italian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Mancioli Raymor Florenz Ceramic Majolika Bagni Bugi Baggi
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely large cat handpainted flower-decoration Stands 18“ tall
Category

1960s Italian 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

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

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

Contemporary Minimalist Brass and Glass Solitary Vase V3
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
V3 vase - Monstera by Paulo Goldstein, Brazilian contemporary design is part of a series of vases inspired in the observation of the natural lines of the flowers and leaves held in t...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Steel

Salimbeni Purse Cigarette Case Two-Color Enamel Stripes Blue and White
Located in Firenze, FI
Purse cigarette case, oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-color enameled stripes. Early 20th century English style. Measures 9 x 4.3 x 2.6 cm. Weight 96 g. ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

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

19th Century French School Still Life of Field Flowers
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A brightly colored 19th century French school still life of field flowers Signed J. Levy, lower Left. The painting measures: 25 5/8" inches ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint

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

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

Signed and Numbered Original Bronze Mouse Sculpture by Artist Siggy Puchta
By Siggy Puchta
Located in San Diego, CA
Petite solid bronze original sculpture by listed artist Siggy Puchta, sitting on a travertine Base.
Category

20th Century Canadian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Travertine, Bronze

AVeM Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950 "Bizantino"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AVeM Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950 vase "Bizantino"
Category

1950s 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

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

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

Large Stone Bust Of An African Chief Shona From Verdit Tendayi Tandi
Located in Hannover, DE
This beautiful stone sculpture is a true masterpiece of African art from the beautiful country of Zimbabwe. This bust is lovingly hand-carved from stone that is said to have healing ...
Category

1960s Zimbabwean Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

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

Contemporary Minimalist Small Brass and Glass Solitary Vase
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Paulo Goldstein's Piccolo vase, Brazilian contemporary design is part of a series of vases that are inspired in the observation of the natural lines of the flowers and leaves held in...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel

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

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

Gouache by James Coignard
Located in Long Island City, NY
James Coignard ( France 1925-2008), gouache & collage on paper, signed, framed. Sheet size 48 x 61 cm.
Category

1960s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Gouache by James Coignard
Gouache by James Coignard
$4,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Limoges France Butterfly Trinket Box Handpainted
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

Barovier&Toso "cordonato oro" tall vase circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible tall vase by Barovier&Toso "cordonato oro" circa 1950. Beautiful and perfect.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Fratelli Toso Murano glass green iridescent circa 1950 vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fratelli Toso Murano glass green iridescent circa 1950 vase. Design Dino Martens.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Alessandro Mandruzzato Murano glass red and yellow circa 1950 vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible large Alessandro Mandruzzato Murano glass red and yellow circa 1950 vase.
Category

1950s 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

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

Large Dino Martens Murano glass green "pulegoso" vase circa 1950 model 2298.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso Murano glass green "pulegoso" vase circa 1950 model 2298 (Dino Martens Marc Heiremans.)
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

FABERGE Silver and gold center piece attributed with two Mermen circa 1850.
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

Lot of 7 rare Bertoncello Vases and trays
Located in Vienna, AT
This is a beautiful collection of 7 sculptural Italian ceramic vases, made by Bertoncello Ceramiche D'Arte, Italy, in the 1960s and 1970s. They are all in very good condition, with n...
Category

1970s Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Alessandro Mandruzzato Murano glass blue and yellow circa 1950 vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Alessandro Mandruzzato Murano glass blue and yellow circa 1950 vase.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Halcyon Days English Bilston Enamel Rabbit Trinket Box
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

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

Early 21st Century Vietri Hand-Crafted Italian Porcelain Leaf Set- 3 Pieces
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Each leaf encapsulates the essence of Italian artistry, offering a timeless blend of elegance and nature. The exquisite hand-crafted pieces will grace your gatherings adding a touch ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

URSS Ceramic Sculpture of a Seal from the 1940s
Located in Milano, MI
Russian USSR ceramic seal figurine, made in the 1940s Ø 14 cm Ø 13 cm h 13 cm
Category

1940s Russian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

Amber Flowers
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Dominican amber flowers : to be mounted as You wish: as an object or as a jewel. ref. G/281 (light) : cm. 4 x 4 x 0,5. ref. G/283 (dark): cm. 5 x 5 x 1 cm.
Category

Late 20th Century Dominican International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Amber Flowers
Amber Flowers
$1,068 / set
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

Italian 19th Fauno in bronze circa 1850.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible FAUNO in bronze made in Italy circa 1850 playing flutes.
Category

1850s Italian Antique International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Auguste Rodin french museu reproduction in plaster and wood signed "Le Penseur"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible museu reproduction in plaster and wood by Auguste Rodin sculpture "Le Penseur" circa 1950 signed in the piece.
Category

1950s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Large Flavio Poli Murano glass amber circa 1950 center piece.
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

Dino Martens Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 "Fazzoletto" vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Dino Martens Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 "Fazzoletto" vase.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Alfredo Barbini Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 vase.
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

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.

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