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.
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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.
Murano Glass
Aureliano Toso vase in Murano glass emerald circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful vase in Murano glass emerald attributed to Aureliano Toso circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Jay Strongwater Ornate Jeweled and Enameled Metal Scroll Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Jay Strongwater ornate enamelled brass scroll picture frame set with glass gemstones. Beautiful on both sides, the brass back has a botanical cutout pattern, and ornate floral design...
Brass, Enamel
Murano Latticino Venetian Glass Heart Shaped Trinket Box
By Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
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...
Metal
Fratelli Toso vase in 'murrine" glass circa 1970.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful vase in Murano glass attributed to Fratelli Toso circa 1950.
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
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.
Bronze
Montblanc Chrome Cufflinks with Glass Insets – Elegant Vintage Luxury Accessory
Located in Vienna, AT
Montblanc chrome-plated cufflinks with glass insets, exemplifying the brand’s signature blend of precision, elegance, and innovative design. These vintage accessories are a refined s...
Chrome
Roberto Moriconi 1974 steel and wood base.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful sculpture in steel and wood by ROBERTO MORICONI 1974. Futuristic.
Steel
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...
Copper, Enamel
Carlo Scarpa Murano glass blue with gold circa 1950 vase.
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible, in the style of Carlo Scarpa Murano glass blue with gold circa 1930 vase.
Murano Glass
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...
Leather, Velvet
Mid 1900s Italian Hand-Painted Floral Candle Sconces in Iron
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Italy, a charming pair of Tôle Peinte floral candle wall sconces, made of hand-painted iron, circa mid 1900s. Showing a lovely time-worn patina, the floral bouquets of petaled ...
Metal
Barovier & Toso Murano glass vase bicolor with applied glass circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful Barovier&Toso vase in Murano glass bicolor circa 1950.
Murano Glass
TYRA LUNGREN duck in Murano glass acid stamped VENINI circa 1955.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful Tyra Lundgren duck in black Murano glass acid stamped Venini circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Emanoel Araujo brazilian sculpture in fiberglass and wood polychrome circa 1980
By Emanoel Araújo 1
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible EMANOEL ARAUJO abstract sculpture in fiberglass and wood signed and polychrome circa 1980.
Fiberglass, Wood
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.
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass "sfumatto oro" circa 1950 Museo
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso "sfumatto oro"sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950. Museo.
Murano Glass
Pair of Vintage Candlesticks in bronze with eggs
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful pair of candlesticks in bronze with eggs, Mid-20th Century
Bronze
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
Murano Glass
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
Paper
Archimede Seguso Murano glass gold vase "Cartoccio" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano glass vase caroccio" circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Dino Martens vase in Murano glass circa 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful vase in Murano glass attributed to DINO MARTENS in perfect conditions circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Airin Canedo brazilian multicolor sculpture circa 1990
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AIRIN CANEDO multimaterials sculpture circa 1990.
Metal, Other
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
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.
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.
Porcelain
Three Pairs of Brass Candlesticks, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Three pairs of brass candlesticks 19th century From left: A pair of Swedish candlesticks marked N.P.L. for Nils Petter Linderberg, 4 5/8 in.(11.6 cm.) high * A pair of Victoria...
Brass
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
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.
Murano Glass
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...
Bronze, Steel, Chrome
Silver and gold center piece 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.
Gold, Silver
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.
Murano Glass
Large Dino Martens Murano glass green "pulegoso" vase circa 1950 model 2298.
By Dino Martens
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.)
Murano Glass
Remo Bernucci 1970 set of 9 totens in plaster and wood polychrome sculpture.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible RENO BERNUCCI group of sculptures in plaster, wood polychrome with 9 pieces.
Plaster, Wood
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 ...
Copper
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...
Porcelain
Brass Paperweight with Elephant Motif by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A solid brass paperweight designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, featuring a stylized elephant motif. Well-crafted with a warm, even patina and characteristic mid-centur...
Brass
French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cast iron flatback panel originally from a balcony rail in France. Dating to the mid-late 19th century, these decorative objects were used as building or garden elements. Heavy, weighing about 25 pounds, and aged with a beautiful patina, the panel shows a robed figure within an ornate scrolled frame. Imagine it as a piece of outdoor sculpture, used as a fireback, turned into a table base, or framed in a garden gate. Measures: 26.5 inches H x 15.5 inches W x 1.25 inches deep. In very good antique condition with the desired rusted patina.
Iron
Set of two Montblanc money clips, crafted from stainless steel. 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of two Montblanc money clips, crafted from polished stainless steel. These elegant accessories showcase Montblanc’s signature attention to quality and refined design, making them...
Stainless Steel
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...
Copper
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...
Brass
20th Century, Art Deco elephant bookends
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of Art Deco Bookends in the shape of 2 sitting Elephants, solid bronze, Vienna 1920, good condition
Bronze
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.
Murano Glass
Frederick Edward Joseph Goff Painting View of Westminster, Watercolor
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming watercolor on board by Frederick Edward Joseph Goff, depicting a delicate view of Westminster in London. Signed by the artist, this early 20th-century piece measures 11 × ...
Paint
$540
20 th Century
By Looping 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Looping Table Clock with alarm , good condition, 1960.
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 ...
Paint
Large Enameled Ceramic Vase by Scheurich, Germany, 1970
By West German Pottery, Scheurich Keramik
Located in London, England
This very large ceramic Sheurich vase is a striking piece that attracts all eyes. With its 42 cm height, it has a black background adorned with ethnic motifs of a bright blood red, a...
Ceramic
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.
Other
Seguso Vetri D'Arte Murano red vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Vaso em vidro artistico soprado de Murano sendo peça unica em cor exuberante e perfeito estado de conservação.
Murano Glass
Fratelli Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1970 vase
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fratelli Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1970 vase.
Murano Glass
$225Sale Price|43% Off
Sonja Blomdahl Nordstrom Christmas Ornament Art Glass Blown Orb Sphere Spiral
By Sonja Blomdahl 2
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1996 Limited edition, hand blown, Christmas ornament, by renowned glass artist, Sonja Blomdahl exclusively for Nordstrom. The ornament is signed by the artist, Sonja 96' It is in ros...
Art Glass
Candle Holder with Shells by Giovanni Patrini, Vintage Design, 1988
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Candle holder by Giovanni Patrini, famous Italian designer, 1988. The shells are perfectly glued together. There are nr. 4 candle holder: the price indicated is for every item. SN:
Natural Fiber
Fulvio Bianconi by Venini cook in Murano glasscirca 1953
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
perfect Fulvio Bianconi by Venini cook in Murano glass circa 1953.
Murano Glass
Tina Aufiero vase bicolor in Murano glass circa 1970.
By Tina Aufiero
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful vase in Murano glass attributed to Tina Aufiero in perfect conditions circa 1970.
Murano Glass
Bronze Sculpture Nocturnal by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, French glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes, 2021 Measures: H 23 x L 19.5 x P 8 cm / H 9 x W 7.5 x D 3.14 inch Martine and Jacki Perr...
Bronze
Biscuit two men fighting with knives
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible couple of two men fighting with knives in white biscuit.
Porcelain
Pair of candlesticks in ceramic signed A. MINIATTI Firenze circa 1900.
By Casa Bugatti
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
monumental pair of candlesticks in ceramic emblazoned and signed A. MINIATTI FIRENZE circa 1900.
Ceramic
Hand-Carved Amber Flower Sculpture from the Dominican Republic
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.
Other
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.
Murano Glass