Modern Decorative Objects
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Decorative Objects
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Agate, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, Silver
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Ukrainian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass, Steel
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Quartz, Rock Crystal
Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
1980s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1990s European Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel, Wire
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Plexiglass, Acrylic
1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Lucite, Plexiglass
1920s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Granite
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Central American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s Chinese Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Aluminum
2010s South American Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
2010s Central American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
10 On-Point Vessels for Flaunting Your Houseplants and Bouquets
Whether you're a genius gardener or have your florist on speed dial, every stem in your home deserves the best.
Jeff Andrews Captures Old Hollywood Glamour in His Cinematic Spaces
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.