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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
Fratelli Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1970 vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fratelli Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1970 vase.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini&C by Tyra Lungren Murano glass black iridized vase circa 1960
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

Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass green "corroso" circa 1950 vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass green "corroso" vase circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Set of Four Thai Gilt Wood Musician Sculptures
Located in New York, NY
Four Thai gilt wood sculptures depicting figures playing instruments, mounted with green, blue, and colorless glass cabochon accents, fitted with hooks for wall mounting. Dimensions...
Category

Early 20th Century International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

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

Venetian Murano Glass Toucan
Located in New York, NY
Venetian Murano Glass Toucan figurine, the body in black and white spiral blown glass with scarlet and gold beak, apparently unmarked. Dimensions: 9.5" H x 7" W x 5" D Dealer: S138XX
Category

21st Century and Contemporary International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass 'Sfumato oro' circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano glass sculpture in "sfumato oro" bird circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Napoleone Martinuzzi Murano glass circa 1930 Art deco vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Napoleone Martinuzzi circa 1930 Murano glass vase Art deco.
Category

1930s 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

Barovier&Toso Murano glass rubi circa 1950 vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso Murano glass rubi iridescent 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

Fratelli Toso Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fratelli Toso Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage 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

Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass green circa 1950 "corroso" vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass circa 1950 "corroso"green vase.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Dino Martens Italian Multicolor 1950 Murano Glass "Fazzoletto"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Dino Martens italian Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 "fazzoletto" vase with applied glass.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

PAULI&C Murano glass black and white circa 1990 vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible attributed PAULI&C. Murano black and white vase circa 1990.
Category

1990s Italian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

AVeM Murano glass multicolor vase circa 1950 "Bizantino"
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

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

Airin Canedo brazilian multicolor sculpture circa 1990
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AIRIN CANEDO multimaterials sculpture circa 1990.
Category

1990s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Other

Barovier&Toso Murano Glass green vase with gold circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso Murano glass green with gold vase circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Clown in Murano glass attributed to Seguso Vetri dArte circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in Murano glass attributed to Seguso Vetri dArte circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Guido Cacciapuoti italian porcelain "Putan" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Guido Cacciapuoti porcelain representing "Putan" circa 1950 signed and sealed.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Cenedese Murano glass set of pears with bubbles circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible set Cenedese Murano glass pears multicolor circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Tamandua Bandeira brasilian sculpture in noble wood circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible brasilian Tamandua Bandeira big sculpture in noble wood circa 1950
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Silver and gold center piece attributed to FABERGE 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

Sculpture in Murano glass with gold representing a fish circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in Murano glass with gold representing a fish circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Barovier&Toso Murano glass "zebrato" with gold circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso Murano glass "zebrato" vase circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso pair of sculptures in Murano glass red fishes 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of fishes in red Murano glass by Archimede Seguso with air bubbles circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Carlo Scarpa Murano glass blue with gold circa 1950 vase.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible, in the style of Carlo Scarpa Murano glass blue with gold circa 1930 vase.
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

Dino Martens bicolor Murano glass with venturine vase circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Dino Martens Murano glass bicolor with venturine vase circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Aureliano Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 bowl.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Aureliano Toso Murano glass circa 1950 multicolor bowl.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Murano glass bicolor apples with bulicante.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of Murano glass of apples bicolor with bubbles circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso Murano glass gold vase "Cartoccio" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano glass vase caroccio" circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Decorative Bergmann Dish Mde from Lime Stone with Trout Figurine
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a vide poche/decorative dish. It is made from grey polished lime stone. this way the beautiful veiny structure of the material, similar to marble, gets accentuated. It is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Barovier&Toso Murano glass iridized basket circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso Murano glass iridized basket with flower circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Murano glass incolor hourglass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible Venini Murano glass incolor hourglass circa 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Antonio Canova italian brown bronze circa 1850 "Gladiator"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big italian brown bronze after Antonio Canova circa 1850 representing "Gladiator"
Category

1850s Italian Antique International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Tall Barovier&Toso vase in Murano glass iridized circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier&Toso Murano glass iridized 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

Art Deco bronze woman naked signed B Forslund circa 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible bronze Art Deco signed B Forslund representing woman naked.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano opalino glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture by Archimede Seguso circa 1950 in opalino Murano glass in big size and perfect conditions, To collectors.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Barovier&Toso Murano glass with silver and gold center piece circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier &Toso Murano glass center piece with silver and gold circa 1950
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso "sfumato oro" sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso "sfumato oro" circa 1950 in perfect condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

E. Aurelio italian Art Deco brown bronze male circa 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in italian bronze signed E. Aurelio Art deco circa 1930 depicting naked boy sitting on edge of cliff.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

Hexagonal Columnar Brass Picket Sticks, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of hexagonal columnar brass pricket sticks on circular bases, each with round drip pans above shaped hexagonal uprights. Dimensions: 16" H x 6" diameter at base Dealer: S138XX
Category

Mid-20th Century International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Terracota polychromed bust of woman with flowers signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big bust of woman with multicolor flowers in terracota signed A.TALLARI 1992
Category

1990s Brazilian International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Nicolas Vlavianos Greek steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible steel sculpture with wood base signed VL 74 to Nicolas Vlavianos 1974
Category

1970s Greek Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Le Faguays bronze Art Deco "Pierrot e Columbine" signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Art Deco bronze signed Le Faguays from 1930 original representing "Pierrot and Columbina"
Category

1930s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Jonathan Adler Acrylic Pop Art Pill Sculpture, 150 MG Yellow
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Get your daily prescription of surrealism with Jonathan Adlers’ lustrous homages to fab pharmaceuticals. Crafted from solid acrylic in poppy colors with laser-etched dosages. Use as ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic

Couple of cats in Murano glass by Barovier&Toso circa 1948 "zebrato"
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

Hour Lavigne Paris Portico Mantle Clock
Located in New York, NY
Hour Lavigne Paris portico mantle clock, comprised of four fluted columns of amber-colored resin resting on a resin and brass base, marked. Dimensions: 11" H x 8.75" W x 3.75" D. ...
Category

20th Century International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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

Steel Sculpture by Nicolas Vlavianos, 1970
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Steel sculpture signed and dated Vlavianos in perfect conditions.
Category

1970s Greek Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

SET Suitcase and Beauty Case with Kilim and Leather, Vuitton Model
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Anatolian Old Cicim manufactured suit-case and beauty-case, with Italian fine red Bordeaux leather . They are not recommended by plane, but elegant on Your car. If you don't use as...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

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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