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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Martinican Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
2010s Thai Modern Decorative Objects
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Sandstone
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Hide, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble, Metal
Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Decorative Objects
Silver
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal, Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Art Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Lucite
2010s Belgian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Decorative Objects
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
1970s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Polystyrene
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Birdseye Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Gold
Late 20th Century Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Rose Quartz
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.