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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Venini Regina Vase in Gray Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Regina glass vase in gray by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower part is gla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Dama Glass Vase W & Milk-White & Black Murrine Geometric Pattern
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Dama glass vase in milk-white/black. Handmade blown glass with “Murrine” technique. Color: Milk-White/Black Technique: Murrine Dimensions: Ø 20...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Small Black Belt Oval Glass Vase in Crystal and Green by Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in crystal and grass green with black decoration designed by Peter Marino in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Center Bowl in Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Center bowl 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 a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Venini Opalino Small Vase in Red Milk White Inside Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Rectangular Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry rectangular small tray in copper by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Copper Net weight: 0.4 kg Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Clessidra Glass Hourglass in Grey and Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass hourglass in grey and red. Perfect for indoor home decor or as a statement piece for any room. Limited edition of 199 pieces. Also availab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Ando Time Hourglass in Grape and Red by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Time hourglass, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is a limited edition of 49 art pieces (per color) plus an additional 20 P.d.A. a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Small Paper Basket in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Paper basket in openwork 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 a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Rectangular Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry rectangular small tray in brass by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Brass Net weight: 0.35 kg Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Parallelepiped Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Parallelepiped Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Squared Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry squared small tray in copper by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Copper Net weight: 0.6 kg Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Large Paper Basket in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Large paper basket in openwork 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 crea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Cube Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Flat Tray in Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Flat tray in openwork 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 stret...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Office Set in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Set of 3 Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Opalino Sabbiato Glass Vase in Black by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. It appears in refined colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Grape Red Thread Murano Glass
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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Pigmenti Small Vase in Glazed Grape Glass 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 Regina Vase in Milk-White Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Regina glass vase in milk-white by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower part ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Tiara Small Vase in Horizon and Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara small vase in horizon and amber 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

Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Straw Yellow Red Thread 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

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Indigo by Fulvio Bianconi and Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Estrogeno Happy Pills Vase in Violet & Stra Yellow by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Happy Pills in estrogeno by Fabio Novembre. Numbered Edition Handmade-blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Color: Estrogeno Dimensi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Red 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 Battuti Glass Vase in Blue by Tobia Scarpa & Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Battuti glass series by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 35 cm, H 45 cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Monofiore Bolloton Glass Vase in Horizon with Red Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in horizon blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Large Black Belt Triangular Glass in Crystal and Tea by Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in transparent crystal and tea with black decoration designed by Peter Marino in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. L...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Rio Green by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Cipria Pink 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 Medium Vase in Black Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in Horizon Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color uniqu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Red/Apple Green Inside by Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Opalino Glass Vase in Sapphire Milk White Inside by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Tiara Large Vase in Horizon and Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara large vase in horizon and amber Murano glass by Francesco Lucchese for Venini. The art of glassmaking meets the endless potential of light. A jewel-like creation that carries a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Principe Vase in Milk-White Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Principe glass vase in milk-white by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower part is glazed. Color: Milk-W...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Murano glass bottle designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Venini. Signed and with original label. Biography Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) became famous in the early 1950s, Followi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Murrine Elliptical Opache Plate in Red and Black by Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Murrine Opache plates, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, are available in four different versions. Handmade glass with “murrine” technique. Numbered edition per ye...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Indigo by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Horizon by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Anatre Glass Duck Sculpture in Black & Crystal by Toni Zuccheri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Anatre sculpture by Toni Zuccheri. Numbered edition for year. Sculpture hand-blown glass. Technique: Beaten, Canes and Filigree, Engraved Dimensions: Ø 30 cm, H 19 cm Y...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Orange 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

Venini Opalino Small Vase in Orange Milk White Inside Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Op...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Fazzoletto Sabbiato Large Vase in Rio Green, Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique. A light summer breeze leads us to discover the iconic Venini collection...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Idria Large Round Glass Vase in Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with round body and angular shaped neck in red designed in 2016. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. Also available i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Indigo Red Thread Rim 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 Amber/Milk White 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

Incise Glass Bottle in Bronze by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Deco Sabbiato Glass Vase in Talpa by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historical vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opal glass with round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed with a sandblasted coat. Dimensions available: Ø23xH24,5cm Kg: ~ 2,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Idria Small Round Glass Vase in Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with round body and angular shaped neck in red designed in 2016. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. Also available i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Amber Horizon Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Deco Small Vase in Ox Blood Red 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Contrasto Vase in Crystal and Mint Green Blown Glass by Michela Cattai
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Sleek and opaque blown glass – crafted using the "Mano Volante" technique – is juxtaposed with a shimmering multifaceted gem made from "cotisso" glass. An interplay that lends character and uniqueness to the work. Glass comes to life in a work that is almost organic. These two pieces by Michela Cattai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Incise Glass Bottle in Prune by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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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