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.

Style: International Style

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

Terracota polychromed bust of woman with flowers signed

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

PAULI&C Murano glass black and white circa 1990 vase

LENCI porcelain hand painted representing a surreal bird circa 1950

By Lenci

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

incredible surreal bird signed LENCI hand painted circa 1950. Fantastic.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

LENCI porcelain hand painted representing a surreal bird circa 1950

Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass 'Sfumato oro' circa 1950.

By Archimede Seguso

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

Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass 'Sfumato oro' circa 1950.

Natural size 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 NATURAL SIZE

Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Natural size Tamandua Bandeira brasilian sculpture in noble wood circa 1950

Napoleone Martinuzzi Murano glass circa 1930 Art deco vase.

By Napoleone Martinuzzi

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

Napoleone Martinuzzi Murano glass circa 1930 Art deco vase.

Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 jar

By Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass multicolor jar circa 1950

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 jar

Venini zanfirico and filigrana bowl with venturina circa 1950

By Venini

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible bowl in Murano glass with venturina, zanfirico e filigrana circa 1950

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini zanfirico and filigrana bowl with venturina circa 1950

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

Art Deco bronze woman naked signed B Forslund circa 1930

Large Venini Murano glass gray, black and gold circa 1950 vase

By Venini

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible large VENINI Murano glass gray, black and gold circa 1950 vase.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Large Venini Murano glass gray, black and gold circa 1950 vase

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

Italian 19th Fauno in bronze circa 1850.

Vase in ceramic signed .Dubois

By Paul Dubois

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Vase in ceramic signed P Dubois and dated 67 in perfect conditions

Category

1960s French Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vase in ceramic signed .Dubois

Archimede Seguso large astray in Murano glass circa 1950

By Archimede Seguso

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible astray in Murano glass attributed to Archimede Seguso circa 1950 in green and blue applied and molded hand made.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso large astray in Murano glass circa 1950

Dino Martens Aureliano Toso pigmentati iridium tall vase circa 1950

By Aureliano Toso

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible tall and rare Aureliano Toso iridium pigmentati vase circa 1950

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Dino Martens Aureliano Toso pigmentati iridium tall vase circa 1950

ZANETTI fish Murano with applied parts "piece unique"

By Antonio Zanetti

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Murano glass by ZANETTI "piece unique" with applied parts sculpture.

Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

ZANETTI fish Murano with applied parts "piece unique"

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.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Carlo Scarpa Murano glass blue with gold circa 1950 vase.

Cenedese Murano glass set of pears with bubbles circa 1950

By Cenedese

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

Cenedese Murano glass set of pears with bubbles circa 1950

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

E. Aurelio italian Art Deco brown bronze male circa 1930

Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass "sfumatto oro" circa 1950 Museo

By Archimede Seguso

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Archimede Seguso "sfumatto oro"sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950. Museo.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass "sfumatto oro" circa 1950 Museo

Cenedese Murano glass pink with gold circa 1950 center piece.

By Cenedese

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Cenedese Murano glass pink with gold center piece circa 1950.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Cenedese Murano glass pink with gold circa 1950 center piece.

Hour Lavigne Paris Portico Mantle Clock

By Hour Lavigne

Located in Astoria, 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

Hour Lavigne Paris Portico Mantle Clock

Itamo Pustetto Murano glass bicolor circa 1950 basket.

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Itamo Pustetto Murano glass bicolor 1950 basket.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Itamo Pustetto Murano glass bicolor circa 1950 basket.

Bronze Sculpture Alto by Perrin & Perrin France

By Perrin & Perrin

Located in Paris, FR

Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, French glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes. Measures: H 21 x L 18 x P 7 cm / H 8.3 x W 7.1 x D 2.7 inch Martine and Jacki Perrin scu...

Category

2010s European International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture Alto by Perrin & Perrin France

Cenedese Murano glass pink circa 1950 basket.

By Cenedese

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible CENEDESE Murano glass pink circa 1950 basket.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Cenedese Murano glass pink circa 1950 basket.

Nicolas Vlavianos steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed

By Nicolas Vlavianos

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible NICOLAS VLAVIANOS brazilian steel 1970 abstract sculpture with wood base.

Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Nicolas Vlavianos steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed

Archimede Seguso pair of sculptures in Murano glass red fishes 1950

By Archimede Seguso

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

Archimede Seguso pair of sculptures in Murano glass red fishes 1950

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.

Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Remo Bernucci 1970 set of 9 totens in plaster and wood polychrome sculpture.

Murano glass in blue Cornucopia vase circa 1950

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Murano glass in intense blue cornucopia vase circa 1950

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano glass in blue Cornucopia vase circa 1950

Barovier&Toso Murano glass rubi circa 1950 vase.

By Barovier&Toso

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

Barovier&Toso Murano glass rubi circa 1950 vase.

Bronze Sculpture Bolero by Perrin & Perrin France

By Perrin & Perrin

Located in Paris, FR

Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, Galerie Negropontes, 2021 Measures: H 22.5 x L 19 x P 7 cm / H 8.7 x W 7.5 x D 2.7 inch Martine and Jacki Perrin sculpt together as one, forming ...

Category

2010s European International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture Bolero by Perrin & Perrin France

Venini Murano glass incolor hourglass circa 1950

By Venini

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

Venini Murano glass incolor hourglass circa 1950

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.

Category

1980s Brazilian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Fiberglass, Wood

Emanoel Araujo brazilian sculpture in fiberglass and wood polychrome circa 1980

Dino Martens bicolor Murano glass with venturine vase circa 1950

By Dino Martens

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

Dino Martens bicolor Murano glass with venturine vase circa 1950

Beautiful Wall Assembled Figure of King David playing the Harp by Emaus workshop

Located in Mexico, DF

Very well-designed stylized decorative piece depicting King David playing the harp with the walls and buildings of Jerusalem suggested in the elements in the background. The work com...

Category

1960s Mexican Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Sheet Metal

Beautiful Wall Assembled Figure of King David playing the Harp by Emaus workshop

Tall Barovier&Toso vase in Murano glass iridized circa 1950

By Barovier&Toso

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

Tall Barovier&Toso vase in Murano glass iridized circa 1950

Barovier&Toso Murano glass iridized basket circa 1950

By Barovier&Toso

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

Barovier&Toso Murano glass iridized basket circa 1950

Aureliano Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 bowl.

By Aureliano Toso

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

Aureliano Toso Murano glass multicolor circa 1950 bowl.

Tall Orrefors scandinavian bicolor 1950 glass vase

By Orrefors

Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ

Incredible Tall Orrefors scandinavian bicolor 1950 glass vase.

Category

1950s Scandinavian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Tall Orrefors scandinavian bicolor 1950 glass vase

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

Airin Canedo brazilian multicolor sculpture circa 1990

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

Pair of Murano glass bicolor apples with bulicante.

Nicolas Vlavianos Greek steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed

By Nicolas Vlavianos

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

Nicolas Vlavianos Greek steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed

Steel Sculpture by Nicolas Vlavianos, 1970

By Nicolas Vlavianos

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

Steel Sculpture by Nicolas Vlavianos, 1970

SET Suitcase and Beauty Case with Kilim and Leather, Vuitton Model

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

Why not go on a mountain holiday with this set ? Anatolian Old Cicim manufactured suit-case and beauty-case, with Italian fine red Bordeaux leather . They are not recommended by pl...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage International Style Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

SET Suitcase and Beauty Case with Kilim and Leather, Vuitton Model

Early 21st Century Vietri Hand-Crafted Italian Porcelain Leaf Set- 3 Pieces

By Vietri

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

Early 21st Century Vietri Hand-Crafted Italian Porcelain Leaf Set- 3 Pieces

Barovier&Toso Murano glass with silver and gold center piece circa 1950

By Barovier&Toso

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

Barovier&Toso Murano glass with silver and gold center piece circa 1950

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.