Modern Decorative Objects
MODERN STYLE
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Style: Modern
Creator: Venini
Creator: Ghidini 1961
Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Grey Red Thread by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Orange Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Grey Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Orange Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Sapphire Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Amber Murano Glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Indigo by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes.
Rhythm"...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes.
Rhythm"...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Sapphire by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes.
Rhythm"...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Grey by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes.
Rhythm"...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Grey with Ox Blood Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in cobalt blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Orange with Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in cobalt blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Grey Ox Blood Thread Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton large vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini from 1970 lies in its name: Ballot...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Riflessi Large Vase in Multicolor Glass by Michela Catta
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Endless shades of lagoon water enliven, like strokes of paint, the glass surface in all its forms. These unique creations, blown and crafted free-hand with the skilful Canne techniq...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Rio Green Glass by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes.
Rhythm"...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Pigmenti Large Vase in Opaline Ox Blood Red Milk White inside Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Amber Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Grape Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Pigmenti Large Vase in Opaline Grape Milk White inside Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a Classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Venini Tiara Small Vase in Amber and Horizon Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara small vase in amber and horizon Murano glass by Francesco Lucchese for Venini. The art of glassmaking meets the endless potential of light. A jewel-l...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Monofiore Balloton Medium Vase in Amber Horizon Thread Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton medium vase in amber Murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini from 1970 lies in its name: Ballo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Satin Medium Vase in Horizon Crystal Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Satin medium vase in glazed horizon/crystal Murano glass by Venini. Sheer glass is hand blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, whi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Satin Small Vase in Horizon Crystal Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Satin Small Vase in glazed Horizon/Crystal Murano Glass by Venini. Sheer glass is hand-blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, whic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Double Lens Vase in Red and Violet by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini double glass vase in red and violet designed by Ron Arad in 2018. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Grey with Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in red designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Red with Green Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Aquamarine with Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in aquamarine designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Glass Vase in Red and Crystal by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with round body and glass glasses sculpture. Featured in red colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room.
Di...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Monofiore Balaton Glass Vase in Grey with Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in grey designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Venini, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Large vase Simirone in blown glass intertwined polychrome canes on a base in faceted glass block designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini in circa 1989. Limited edition of 50 pieces...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Italian modern blue Murano glass pair of vases by Venini, 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern blue Murano glass pair of vases by Venini, 1990s
Pair of round base vases in blue Murano glass. The structure is curved and s...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Gonzaga Model by Emmanuel Babled for Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Glass vase designed by Emmanuel Babled and produced by Venini, 1994s. Signed. With original label.
Biography
Born in France in 1967, Emmanuel Babled graduated in 1989 from Industria...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Gonzaga Model by Emmanuel Babled for Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Glass vase designed by Emmanuel Babled and produced by Venini, 1994s. Signed. With original label.
Biography
Born in France in 1967, Emmanuel Babled graduated in 1989 from Industria...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian modern Decorative bowl in transparent yellow Murano glass by Venini 1990
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Decorative bowl in transparent yellow Murano glass by Venini, 1990s
Decorative bowl with a round base in transparent yellow Murano glass. Perfect as a centerpiece or p...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Simira Model by Alessandro Mendini for Venini.
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Simira filigree glass and solid glass base molded to the wheel, circa 1987- 1988. Signed.
Biography
Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. After a long experience...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Model Medusa by Ettore Sottsass for Venini.
Located in Milan, Italy
A beautiful Murano vase designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Venini in 1997. Limited edition 99 piece. Signed and numbered 71/99. Original label. Model out production. Exposed...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Murano Glass
Ghidini 1961 Omini Medium Bowl in High Brass Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bowl in stainless steel.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Walkman Short Candlestick in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This delightful polished brass short candlestick is a creative accent for any modern interior. The streamlined design features a flat base and a long c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Small Paper Basket in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant small paper basket is in stainless steel. It is part of the Tip Top series which consists of hexagonal pieces made of layers of triangles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Desk Trays Set in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with rose gold finish. Dimensions for trays: 35.4 x 23 x 2H cm; 23.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm; 12.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Thinker Short Candlestick in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This delightful polished brass short candlestick is a creative accent for any modern interior. Embodying classical allure and imaginative flair, this s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Climber Short Candlestick in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This delightful polished brass short candlestick is a creative accent for any modern interior. Designed for taper candles, the streamlined design boasts a rounded bobeche with a wide rim supported by a short column...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set of Three Small Parallelepiped Tray Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in polished brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Omini Large Bowl in High Brass Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bowl in stainless steel.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Ema & Lou Tall Vase in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vase available in brass or rose gold finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pencil holder in stainless steel. When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Centre Bowl in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant bowl is part of the Tip Top collection and was made in stainless steel with a charming copper finish. Its rigorously geometric silhouette is ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Diver Tall Candlestick in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This delightful polished brass tall candlestick is a creative accent for any modern interior. Ideal for displaying tall dinner candles, the minimalist design is marked by a bulbed bobeche with a wide rim supported by a short column and a flat base. A small figurine stands...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Ema & Lou Tall Vase in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vase available in brass or rose gold finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Squared Small Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tray in copper with a rose gold finish. Tray in brass. Elegant in living and dining spaces alike, this tray can be used to display objects in the living room and bedroom, store paper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays Set in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Rectangular Small Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tray in brass. Elegant in living and dining spaces alike, this tray can be used to display objects in the living room and bedroom, store papers in the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Nowhere Bullet Vase in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape of this exquisite casted copper vase is that of a giant bullet. The whimsical etching decorating the side of the vase is evocative of a wild trip across the US.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Perished Small Bowl in Polished Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of the Perished collection, this small bowl was made in steel and its classic conic shape is reinterpreted using contemporary sensibility, thanks to the openwork decorations tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 1 Small Cube Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 4 Large Parallelepiped Tray Set in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Medium Knotted Cherry Box in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Medium box available in brass and rose gold finishes.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Perished Medium Bowl in Polished Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of the Perished collection, this medium bowl was made in steel and its classic conic shape is reinterpreted using contemporary sensibility, thanks to the openwork decorations th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern 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, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Venini, RAAQUU, VG-VGnewtrend, and Mosche Bianche. 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 $15 and tops out at $6,718,000 while the average work can sell for $1,174.
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