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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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

Venini Re Vase in Milk-White Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Re 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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Paladini Limited Edition Vase in Multicolor by Emmanuel Babled
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Eternal and motionless, frozen in a proud and wise pose, they turn into glass in the hands of the master glassblowers. They are the paladins of the ancient art of glassblowing. Thei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Ox Blood Red 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. PIGMENT is proposed in a rich colour palette and is created in two sizes. Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Glazed ox blood red Dimensions: Ø 14.5 x H 36.5 cm Available in other color options: Glazed amber, glazed red, glazed amethyst, glazed grape, opaline amber, opaline red...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Battuti Large Bowl in Cipria Pink Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From the solid blown glass base grow shapes with undulating edges. Transparencies that thicken with furrows and lines carved by the glass masters’ beating of the grindstone. Addit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Small Clessidra Hourglass in Grey & Red
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Clessidre glass vase in Gray/red. Limited edition in 199 art pieces for each color. Color: Gray/Red Technique: Incalmo Dimensions: Ø 13.5 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Opalino Small Vase in Amber 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

Venini Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Tea
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Carnevale glass vase collection, designed and manufactured by Venini, features two different shaped vases. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 13 cm, H 12 cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Tiara Large Vase in Amber and Horizon Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara large vase in amber and horizon 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 Ando Time Hourglass in Crystal 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

Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Horizon Red Thread 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 'Where Are My Glasses?' Single Lens Glass Vase in Blue by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim shaped neck and black glass glasses sculpture. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Milk White 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

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in 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

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Black 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Grey 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

Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and thin funneled neck with textured hexagonal shaped pattern atop surface of glass in aquamarine. Featured in aquamarine colored glass and designed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Medium Vase in Grey Red Thread Murano Glass
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 Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Milk White 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 Apple Green 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 Deco Glass Vase in Grey by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in aquamarine designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Dimensions: 26 cm diameter x...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Opalino Small Vase in Sapphire 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 Opalino Large Glass Vase in Milk White 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Indigo 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

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Grey 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

Opalino Glass Vase in Indigo 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

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Sapphire 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

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Gemme Oval Glass Vase in Sapphire by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with shaped body and neck in sapphire designed in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Principe Vase in Grey Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Principe glass vase in Gray by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower par...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Fazzoletto Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with pinched rim in aquamarine designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1948. Perfect for indoor home decor as container, vide-poche or statement piece for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Glass Vase in Green & 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

Venini Port Vase in Coral & Milk-White Glass by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Port vase in coral/milk-white by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Limited Edition in 30 art pieces Color: Coral/Milk-White Technique: Opal Dimensions: Ø 30 cm, H 40 cm Yea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Odalische Small Glass Vase in Cipria Pink by Leonardo Ranucci
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sensual movements dance mysteriously in enchanted oriental nights. Additional information: Material: Blown opal Color: Powder pink Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 34 cm Available in othe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Small Vase in Opaline 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

Deco Small Vase in 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

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Gray 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Anelli Crystal Glass with Mint Green & Red Bands by Venini Riedizione
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“The master skilfully plays with sheer glass: four red rings alternating with four light blue or blue ones, running its full length. A new glass star is born in 2019: Anelli. Color is hot-applied before blowing the glass, thanks to the exclusive Fasce (bands) technique.” Additional Information: Material: Crystal glass Color: Crystal with mint green & red bands...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Fazzoletto Bicolore Large Vase in Powder Pink & Green River
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

Odalische Small Glass Vase in Rio Green by Leonardo Ranucci
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sensual movements dance mysteriously in enchanted oriental nights. Additional information: Material: Blown opal Color: Green river Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 34 cm Available in othe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Venini Palpito Glass Vase in Clear with Bronze Flakes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palpito glass bowl and vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, feature a crystal body with metal decoration. Limited edition of 49 art pieces (per version). Indoor use only. Di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Gemme Triangular Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with shaped body and neck in aquamarine designed in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Signed Venini Turquoise, Sapphire Blue, Orange Green Rare Glass Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This unbelievable rare vintage glass Italian Murano object or sculpture or glass sword has the most gorgeous colors, signed Venini Murano Itlalia". A piece de resistance. It looks even more amazing in person; the color saturation and brilliance is exquisite. The range of colors are: sapphire blue from the middle to the tip turquoise, emerald green, red, amber/orange, black with gold aventurine, white, etc. Most likely one of a kind. It is fantastic! This could be great displayed in a custom lucite box...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Port Vase in Black Glass by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Port vase in black by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Limited Edition in 30 art pieces Color: Black Technique: Opal Dimensions: Ø 30 cm, H 40 cm Year of Manufacture: 201...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Double Lens Vase in Blue and Horizon by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini double glass vase in aquamarine and horizon blue designed by Ron Arad in 2018. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in ot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Double Lens Vase in Mint and Green by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini double glass vase in mint green and grass green designed by Ron Arad in 2018. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in oth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Ghidini 1961 Small Knotted Cherry Box in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small box available in brass and rose gold finishes.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Perished Large Bowl by Studio Job
Located in Milan, IT
This large bowl is a superb object of functional decor that will elegantly serve food at a modern table while adding a unique and mesmerizing decorative accent. Entirely made of bras...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

"Kelo" Art Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
"Kelo" Italian art glass vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini & Co. Glass, clear, black, white and red. Marked: Venini 90 Sarpaneva (engraved).
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 1 Small Cube Tray 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 Axonometry Pen and Cards Desk Trays 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 Omini Cards Holder in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Business cards holder in brass, ideal for holding cards.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Desk Trays Set in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. Dimensions for trays: 35.4 x 23 x 2H cm; 23.5 x 7.5 x 2H cm; 12.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray 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 Joe & Ema Medium 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

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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