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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Tiffany & Co. Clear Crystal Candlesticks With Dragon Motif, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of crystal candlesticks with Chinese dragon motif By Tiffany & Co. (signed at the base) Late 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 4.25"D x 8.25"H. Very good original v...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Black Portoro Marble Vase, circa 1970
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
BLACK PORTORO MARBLE VASE circa 1970 Ovid form vase with a short flaring neck striking variegated marble in black, white, brown and gray. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Sweetsop Candle / Purple
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful scented candle presented in a unique handmade artisan ceramic jar. Infused with the finest botanical fragrance oils. Our premium candles are poured into luxury handmade a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Martinican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Handcrafted Sicilian Ceramic Bowl centerpice
Located in Palermo, PA
Handcrafted Sicilian Ceramic Bowl in yellow. This exquisite handmade Sicilian ceramic bowl is a timeless symbol of prosperity, good fortune, and Mediterranean heritage. Crafted by s...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Home Accessories By André Fu Living
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set. Hand stitched calf leather. Also, available in a larger size tray set of two, size 55 x 35 x 5.8 H cm. Larger quantities available upon reque...
Category

2010s Thai Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Wood

Sculpture, Stone Sculpture Representing a Bas-Relief.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, stone sculpture representing a bas-relief. Our world is populated by angels, cherubim and seraphim, and we are often unaware of this. It is the seraphim who are closest t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sandstone

White Lilac Marble Narrow Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite white lilac marble narrow bowl, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious white marble with deep purple vein...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

1967 Contemporary Alessandro Tagliolini Abstract Metal Sculpture
By Alessandro Tagliolini
Located in San Carlos, CA
🎨 Rare Contemporary Steel Sculpture by Alessandro Tagliolini! 🎨 Dive into the world of exquisite artistry with our latest addition – an extraordinary steel sculpture crafted by th...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

PICASSO Large Pockets - Sky Blue
Located in Torino, IT
Picasso's hand-stitched pocket emptiers, upholstered in Foglizzo leather, are an example of Italian craftsmanship. Perfect on an entryway console or dresser in the bedroom, they styl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Hide, Leather

Agresti Cassette Del Tempo Chest for 9 Watches
Located in New York, NY
Chest for 9 watches. Available in elm briar or polished ebony.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Robot 2, Found Object Sculpture With Iconic Children's Toy Parts
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, uses objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece is made from found and salvaged objects, including a child's...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Josef Hoffmann Hammered Silver Centerpiece and Pair of Vases
Located in New York, NY
Hoffmann encountered an abundance of classical forms during his studies in Rome in 1896, which influenced his designs. Hoffman’s vases and centerpiece merge elements of Orientalism w...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Small Duckling Tray in White Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our Duck and Duckling trays bring a fun and exciting twist to any space, styled in built-ins or filled with eggs, this trays is are versatile as they are playful. Available in two s...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Baccarat Crystal Hypnos Pendulette Table Clock, France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stunning 20th Century "Hypnos" table clock by France's renowned Baccarat company has quartz movement, a glass case, a white dial, and black Arabic numerals. The clock has a few ...
Category

20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Quartz

Seletti "Limited Gold Edition" Porcelain My Robot
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Daum French Pate de Verre Hibiscus Lavender Vase
By Daum
Located in Countryside, IL
Daum French Pate de Verre Hibiscus Lavender Vase This vase measures: 9.5 wide x 9.5 deep x 10 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detail ...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Iside I21, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Golden, Size S
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Collection This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that comb...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Italian Murano Art Glass Handbag Purse Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and rare Italian Murano art glass handbag purse vase in chartreuse green and bright yellow, circa late-20th century, Italy. This Italian Murano art glass handbag purse ha...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Black Turtle Bookcase, Designed by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) In Stock in Los Angeles A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti L Vase Soft Resin Orange Dark Lavender
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, clear orange, matt dark lavender. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measure...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

"Horned Mask" Gio Ponti by Sabattini Silver Plated 1970s Italian Design
Located in Brescia, IT
"Horned Mask" Gio Ponti by Sabattini, 1978 Openwork metal sheet.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Jack Charney Black and White Ceramic Striped Acrobat Sculpture
Located in Bradenton, FL
Jack Charney Black and White Striped Acrobatic Sculpture. Charney (1927-2014) was an American artist best known for his work in ceramics, particularly for creating abstract sculpture...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

"Melograno", Murano Glass Centerpiece, Handmade in Italy, Unique Design, 2022
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The jellyfish is the main element of the Mosche Bianche's "Medusa" Collection: fluid, delicate but also dangerous and deadly. It represents the water, the circle of life. Glass fusing...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

European Contemporary Gold Sculptural Candlesticks by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
Margit Wittig has used her sculptural skills to create beautifully-crafted, well-proportioned contemporary candlesticks, which are compositions of her unique signature pearl-shaped d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

fferrone Contemporary Modern Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Candle Wall Scone
Located in Chicago, IL
Strikingly simple and minimal, the contemporary, modern, asymmetrical candle wall sconce, made from mirror polish stainless steel, reflects the light doubling it’s effect which perfe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set/5 Vases, Ceramic Vases, White, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Henry & Steele Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes five waterproof ceramic v...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Ceramic Ninfea Corteccia Texture White and Gold Tray
Located in Porcia, IT
Inspired by the shape of water lily leaves as they float on the surface of water, this refined tray is handcrafted of white paper clay, a clay-base material enriched with cellulose a...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Agresti Il Grande Scrigno Jewelry Armoire
Located in New York, NY
Agresti Il Grande Scrigno Armoire has twenty lockable drawers are lined for all kinds of jewelry. The three large bottom ones do not have lock. The u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

An High Quality 1990s Modern Wood Italian Picture Frame by Borbonese
Located in Aci Castello, IT
High Quality 1990s Modern Wood Italian Picture Frame by Borbonese Elevate your cherished memories with this exquisite 1990s modern picture frame by the renowned Italian luxury brand,...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Contemporary Sculpture Miraculous Catch Hand Blown Glass Octopus Squid Lobster
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
The Miraculous Catch - (Pesca Miracolosa) Contemporary Glass Sculpture by Simone Crestani Unique Piece Pesca Miracolosa captures a moment of rare grace—a fisherman’s dream made real...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

"Mars" Jellyfish, Murano Glass, Handmade in Italy, Contemporary Design 2020
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The jellyfish is the main element of the Mosche Bianche's "Medusa" Collection: fluid, delicate but also dangerous and deadly. It represents the water, the circle of life. The spe...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Aluminum Rocket Playground Toy Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This aluminum rocket sculpture was originally a playground spring ride located throughout parks. Spring is not included. It's more sculptural and part ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Coke Bottle in Lucite Sculpture, Coca Cola, United States, 1970's
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Coke Bottle in Lucite Sculpture, Coca Cola, United States, 1970's.
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Walking Bowl in Iroko Wood, Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Walking bowl in Iroko wood, Arno Declercq Measures: 34 cm L x 34 cm W x 23 cm H 13.4” L x 13.4“ W x 9“ H Material: Iroko wood Signed by Arno Declercq Arno Declercq Belgian desig...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Bronze Incense Box or ashtray, LINES by Reda Amalou, 2020
Located in Paris, FR
The bronze incense box or ashtray is designed with a patterned removable top. The motif used here, a repetition of lines and voids, has been developed by Reda Amalou and is used in s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze

"Tom" Leather Box Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tom" is a leather box, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors com...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

DeCastelli Screen-Pot 1 Planter in Corten Waxed by Francois Clerc
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Screen-Pot is a contemporary take on the classic flower pot with a trellis for climbing vines. Its design was inspired by the shapes of nature itself: like a leaf among leaves, the t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Amber Resin Fractal in the style of Francois Godebski, ca 1970s
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Amber Resin Fractal in the style of Francois Godebski, ca 1970s Very cool resin sphere in an amber color, unsigned, but certainly has all the hallmarks of Francois Godebski sculptur...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Set/2 Boxes, Aged Silver, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Madagáscar Boxes, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. Madagáscar box set includes two wooden boxes, perfect to be displayed together and e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Nomon Oj Wall Clock By Jose Maria Reina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A wall clock tends to resemble its owner. Its design, color and resolution, the style of the one who placed it in that precise place and that's why the frequent alternatives are so varied. When the wall clock you need meets many of the characteristics of your personality as a taste for the minimalist innovative trends and a lot of originality the option is undoubtedly the Nomon OJ Clock. The OJ is a true designer clock...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Polystyrene

Barovier & Toso Murano Glass "Neolitico Fish" Sculpture/Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Neolitico, Murano glass sculpture /paperweight in this Fish shape by Barovier & Toso, label.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Alfredo Barbini Green and Clear Murano Glass "Bull" Table Sculpture, 1969
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Alfredo Barbini Venetian Murano Green & Clear Glass "Bull" Sculpture. Featuring hand made clear, green with dark interior Murano Art Glass Bull, with cl...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

ISIDE I19, Woman's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Golden, Size L
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The collection This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that combine history and design. The extreme attention to details, supported by twenty years of experience of master craftsmen, is the company’s strength. The production technique hides secrets and art mixtures that make the product unique and exclusive. Mosche Bianche chooses to combine art and design to recall history through ceramic artworks in doing so, history revives, as in a fairy tale, an incredible civilization that is the sicilian culture. The moorish heads in ceramics, tribute to the beauty of ancient Sicily...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Ceramic Vase Vessel 24 Karat Gold Luster Sculpture Spherical Centerpiece, Italy
Located in Recanati, IT
Sculptural vase handmade in Italy and decorated with the luster technique in 24 Kt gold. Dimensions: D 36 cm, H 40 cm. The entire manufacturing process is handmade in Italy. The vase...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Contemporary Bronze Sculpture entitled "Seated Rabbit" by L S Arman
Located in London, GB
An attractive modern limited edition bronze study of a resting rabbit with excellent smooth tactile surface and good colour, signed, numbered and stamped Landowski Foundry ~ Cire Per...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Snow Globe Black White Chanel Number 5
Located in Munich, DE
Rare limited edition of a Chanel Snow Ball with white bags on a white base, which are only for VIP Customers in excellent condition and with the original bo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

Established & Sons Medium Store Storage Container by Estd Collection
Located in London, GB
The gently obtuse angles to be found on this collection of storage jars are inspired by the forms of space capsules. The unlikely homage to all things Space Age is continued in a pal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Dean Santner wood box / jewelry /decorative . Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful wooden box by the well known Dean Santner .
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Wonderful Large Pair Mid Century Modern Murano Art Glass Fluted Ribbed Vases
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large Pair Of Mid Century Modern Style Murano Art Glass Fluted / Ribbed Vases
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

ClassiCon Folding Screen in Red by Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The high-tech look that arose in the 1980s and which is still potentially current had an ingenious predecessor. Over half a century ago, Eileen Gray anticipated the cool Industrial a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Sergio Bustamante, Attributed Hatchling Bird Pottery Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sergio Bustamante, Attributed Hatchling Bird Pottery Sculpture  Unmarked, attributed to Sergio Bustamante  Mexico, late 20th century A whimsical pottery sculpture of a hatchling bir...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

White Lei Lui Armoire in Birdseye Maple
Located in New York, NY
Armoured jewelry armoire in polished white bird’s-eye maple and 24-karat gold hardware. Inside, safe with biometric opening device. Drawers and pull-out trays lined for jewelry. Six ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Suzu Raku Pottery Vase, Half Copper Matte, Handmade Ceramic Home Decor Gift
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Suzu (鈴) ~ (n) bell Our Suzu vase is named after its shape resembling a bell. With a wide base and a narrow mouth, this vase will be a great addition to a modern-style interior spac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Flat Vase Project by 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Flat vase in Shiny White. Designed by Project 213A in 2021. Handmade Stoneware. Creation demands destruction, taking the old and the typical to conceive th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Bonnie Contemporary LED Small Pendant, Solid Brass, Handmade and handfinished in
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence. Each organic flower-like form is ...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Hand Blown Murano Bowl Battuto in Emerald Green Large
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The captivating allure of this Murano bowl lies in its masterful application of the Battuto technique, a traditional Venetian method of glassmaking that creates a unique interplay of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Nomon Cris Wall Clock By Jose Maria Reina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ø80cm clock composed of a walnut wood hour hand and a fiberglass minute hand on top of a metal ring. Contemporary design and great visual impact. Chromed metal details, white fi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Unique Patek Philippe 3844 with Amazing Worldmap Dial / 4. of july !
Located in Munich, DE
A wonderful dress watch by Patek Philippe. Equipped with the geneve seal awarded hand wind caliber no.215. The dial changed to a unique look you will never find again. Really amazing...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

MIGUEL FERNANDO LOPEZ (MILO) - Bronze Rugby Player - Portugal - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
MIGUEL FERNANDO LOPEZ (MILO) - Vintage rugby player bronze sculpture on marble base - signed - Portugal - late 20th century. Good vintage condition - no ...
Category

Late 20th Century Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vase Vessel Sculpture Tulip Block Rose Quartz Handmade Collectible Design Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
Important sculptural vase carved by hand from a solid block of Rose Quartz. Vase dimensions: L 29 x W 20 x H 53 cm. Available in different onyx and marbles. Limited edition of 35. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Rose Quartz

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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