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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Bronze Patinated Figurine Little Dancer of Fourteen Years by Degas 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
This stunning cast bronze figurine is made in a rare and original interpretation of Degas' famous work - "Little Dancer of Fourteen Years" (French: La Petite Danseuse...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Minimal Candleholder, Varnished Brass
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Kubbe collection was designed with inspiration from the domes of the courtyards, shops and workshops of the Grand Bazaar, which has been the center of silver-smiting in Istanbul for ...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Cream Contemporary Armored Jewelry Chest Safe with Swarovski Crystals
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry chest in beige leather with Swarovski crystals. Drawers are covered with off white leather, inside is lined for jewelry and watch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

God E12, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily Vase, Size S. Monochrome
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 co...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Italian Art Glass Murano Blue and White Sculptural Bowl Vase Centerpiece
Located in Atlanta, GA
This gorgeous blown Art glass vase or centerpiece bowl was designed in Murano, Italy, in the 1960s. The large organic and sculptural shape has a stylized jellyfish or Medusa pattern ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Chrome

New Modern Fruit Bowl in Black Marble, Creator Karen Chekerdjian Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Inside out fruit bowl in black Marquinia marble, designed by the internationally renowned designer Karen Chekerdjian - it is available also in other colours. It is part of the Inside...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Impressive Unique Piece Art Glass and Brass Box with Lid by Jack Ink
Located in Bochum, NRW
Amazing, large glass lidded box, by Jack Ink. Sinuous form with shallow domed lid, ribbed wall. Colorless glass, with inclusions and fusings. Shallow estuarine and cast brass. Unique...
Category

1980s Austrian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

1980s Modern Tessellated Stone Rectangular Lidded Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a modern, tessellated stone storage box attributed to Maitland Smith, circa the 1980s. This gorgeous box features a tessellated stone exterior with inlai...
Category

1980s North American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Modern turquoise blue Amphora pottery vase, circa early-20th century, USA. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimension...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

fferrone Contemporary Pair of Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Candle Wall Scones
Located in Chicago, IL
Strikingly simple and minimal, the contemporary asymmetrical Candle wall sconce, made from mirror polish stainless steel, reflects the light doubling it’s effect. This listing for a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

White Organic Porcelain Kawa Large Bowl, Tactile Ceramic Centerpiece
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tactile and organic large porcelain bowl with leather textured exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. The Kawa Bowls are expressive and lively. With their fluid forms and pro...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

13 Feet Tall Life-Size White Giraffe Outdoor Chandelier, Designed by Marcantonio
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) 13 Feet Tall Extraordinary Giraffe and Chandelier "Giraffe in Love" is the new produc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Fiberglass

Agresti Gioia Jewelry Armoire
Located in New York, NY
Armored jewelry armoire with inside safe. Numeric digital keypad and emergency key. Available in 4 finishing options; see information below for detail...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Contemporary 'Eye' Sculpture Red Glass, Brass and 24 Kt Gold by Ghiró Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The 'Eye' is not only a luxury refined piece of furniture but it is also a hand carved sculpture designed to embellish with uniqueness, beauty and charming any living area or bedroo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Brass

Contemporary Ironia Hand-Blown Transparent Octopus Black Glass Goblet Crestani
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
"Contemporary Ironia Hand-Blown Transparent Black Glass Sculptured Goblet #06" by Simone Crestani Introducing the exquisite Hand-Blown Glass Gob...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Early 2000 Unique Blown Murano Glass Fuchsia Yellow Sculpture by Juan Ripolles
Located in London, GB
Early 2000 "Pedone" (Pedestrian) a unique and very catching glass sculpture by Juan Ripolles executed in Berengo Studio glass Furnace in Murano Venice Italy. Blown glass fuchsia, yellow and dark gold. Juan Ripolles is a Spanish postwar and contemporary painter and glass artist born in 1932 His glass art works projects were mainly created at the Berengo furnace in Murano, exhibited through out the world in several private galleries and in the epical"Glass Stress" exhibition, started by the founder of Berengo Studio ,Adriano Berengo...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Steps Planter by Pieces, Fiberglass Planters
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fiberglass planters suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Made by hand in Vietnam. Lead time eight weeks unless in stock. Available in: White Ash Pesto Dusty Rose Dimensions: Base 22...
Category

2010s Vietnamese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Fiberglass

Small Tree Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
The initial inspiration for the elemental top collection by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda was wooda’s iconic logo of a tree. We felt it captured the company’s synergy for working with wood ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Ceramic Tea Bowl with Mottled Yellow Glaze by Toshiko Takaezu
Located in Atlanta, GA
A glazed ceramic tea bowl (chawan) by Japanese American artist Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922 - 2011). The hand-built bowl is covered with a striking matte glaze in mustard yellow w...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Modernist 20th Century Soviet Russian Nude Male Sculpture in Blackened Bronze
Located in New York, NY
This handsome sculpture was realized in Russia in the 20th century. Created in blackened bronze, it features a male nude figure in the process of forging a sword. He is portrayed mid swing as he strikes the sword with a Hammer. His body torqued all of his muscles appear flexed. The male figure- with his chiseled physique- appears as the paradigm of male beauty- a true adonis. This sculpture offers a timeless motif- employed from Greek antiquity...
Category

20th Century Belarusian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Nomon Eslabon Wall Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
ø30cm and 68cm length clock. Inspired by jewelry design, where the curved rod holds the marble or natural walnut plate, giving the product a subtle lightness. Hands in walnut wood a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Large Vintage Demijohn Style Dark Green Blown Glass Wine Bottle, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A large pair of vintage dark green blown glass Demijohn style bottles of wines. The bottles are sturdy and very decorative. Embellish you r...
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Hand Blown Murano Bottle in Onyx Black Medium
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Indulge in the sheer elegance of this hand-blown Murano bottle, a true masterpiece crafted from the finest black onyx glass. Its glossy finish and deep, rich hue exude sophistication...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Bonsai "Jacaranda tree", Handmade in Italy, Unique piece, Signed by the artist.
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Unique piece sign by the artist. The sculpture was commissioned for the first time by a customer in Sicily, who had a specific request, namely a tree with purple, turquoise and silv...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Mats Jonasson Whale Art Crystal, Sweden, 1980s
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Mats Jonasson Whale Art Crystal, Sweden, 1980s
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Small Vintage Blown Glass Float
Located in Chicago, IL
Small vintage blown glass float with clear glass and brown spots.
Category

20th Century Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

White Organic Ceramic Kawa Vase Small, Leather Cast Porcelain Bud Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tactile and organic porcelain vase with leather textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. Due to the production process, each item is one-of-a-kind. Use individually as a...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Leather Jewelry Box Made in Spain, Large
Located in New York, NY
A relatively large European leather and suede jewelry box with removable tray, in the Modern style, circa late-20th century, late 1970s, Spain. Exterior is leather wrapped in a camel...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Murmansk Silver Plated Brass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Murmansk Fruit Bowl in Brass with plated Silver. The "Murmansk" is a fruit bowl is one of the first designs produced by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1982. The sleek bowl is plated silver over brass, and sitting on six stepped legs...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Silver

Decorative Bowl Vessel Sculpture Abstract Solid Rose Quartz Marble Hand-carved
Located in Ancona, Marche
Gondola, big elegant bowl, hand-sculpted from a solid block of Rose quartz. The polished finishing underlines the transparency of the onyx making this a very precious object. Bowl ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Rose Quartz

Hana E Mini Vase Raku Ceramic, Smoked Raku, Handmade Home Decor Gift
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Hana E ~ 花 flower Our Hana E mini raku vase bears a miniature contemporary design that is cylindrical in shape. This vase makes for an adorable gift or a tabletop decorative piece ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Wemyss Ware/Plichta Pottery Cat with Chrysanthemum Decoration and Glass Eyes
By Wemyss
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wemyss Ware Pottery Cat with Chrysanthemum Decoration and Glass Eyes, England A charming example of early 20th-century British ceramics, this Wemyss Ware pottery cat captures the wh...
Category

20th Century English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery, Glass

Hana R Mini Vase Raku Ceramic, Smoked Raku, Handmade Home Decor Gift
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Hana R ~ 花 Flower Our Hana R mini raku vase is the most geometric and edgy designs in our series. Its needle like shape creates a slip and faceted surface that stands out. Each pie...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Vintage Michael Nourot Blown Glass Bud Vase
Located in Fairfield, CA
A beautiful blown glass bud vase by master glass maker Michael Nourot who founded the Nourot Glass Studio of Benicia California. Nourot art glass has be...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

The Drago Bianco Vessel by Coseincorso
Located in Geneve, CH
The Drago Bianco Vessel by Coseincorso Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 35 cm. Materials: Ceramic with unleaded glaze. The Drago Bianco takes inspiration from the drug pots produced in Castell...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Desk with Vanity Organic Modern Contemporary Blackened Steel and Walnut Drawer
Located in Bronx, NY
DESK NO. 1 J.M. Szymanski d. 2023 With the combined power of our steel smith and the modern machine, this desk/vanity is hydrology bent from 3/8” thick solid steel. The table is han...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel, Iron

Handpainted Limoges Porcelain Egg Box for Asprey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine diminutive porcelain dresser or vanity box. By Limoges for Asprey. In the size and shape of an egg. Decorated with handpainted green plants, blue devices, and extensive ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Candle Holder Black Granite White Quartz Geode Inlay Unique Mother’s Day Gift
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Candle Holder Black Granite White Quartz Geode Inlay Unique Mother’s Day Gift. This decorative object is a marble candle holder is a unique piece as...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Miguel Ortiz Berrocal Mini Cristina, Puzzle Sculpture, Signed #2874/9500
Located in Miami, FL
Miguel Ortiz Berrocal Mini Cristina Puzzle Sculpture, Signed #2874/9500 Offered for sale is a Miguel Berrocal (1933-2006) Mini Cristina puzzle sculpture from 1969-1970. This sculptu...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Nickel, Enamel

Hand-Blown Amber Murano Glass Box with 24 Karat Gold Flecks
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful modernist decorative box was realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features a v...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Ettore Sottsass Twenty-Seven Woods for a Chinese Artificial Flower Vase G
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Twenty-seven woods for a Chinese Artificial flower vase G by Ettore Sottsass, edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 signed and numered pieces, number 3 / 1...
Category

1990s European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Lalique Dahlia Perfume Bottle
Located in Countryside, IL
Lalique Dahlia Perfume Bottle This perfume bottle measures: 3 wide x 1.5 deep x 3.5 inches high Great Vintage Condition We take our photos in a cont...
Category

2010s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Decorative Sculpture Ornament Rose Blossom Solid Block White Statuary Marble
Located in Ancona, Marche
Rose blossom sculpted entirely by hand starting from a solid block of white statuary marble. Dimensions: D 12 x H 12 cm. Available in different marbles, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Statuary Marble

Twenty-Seven Woods Chinese Artificial Flower Vase U by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
"Twenty-Seven Woods" Chinese Artificial Flower Vase U by Ettore Sottsass: A Masterpiece of Limited Edition Design Presenting the exquisite "Twenty-Seven Woods for a Chinese Artifici...
Category

1990s European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pewter & Brass Metal Cachepot
Located in Stamford, CT
Pewter and brass cachepot with brass ring pulls. Versatile design perfect as a planter or catch all. No makers mark or signature.
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Ritagli Glass Vase in blue by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful Ritagli Vase designed by Fulvio Bianconi and produced by Venini in 1994. “This work by Fulvio Bianconi stems from the most innovative glassmaking technique in the 1900s:...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Stylized Polar Bear Sculpture by Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized polar bear sculpture by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the underside, the...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Hermès, Scissors Equestrian Horse Head in Silver Plate, 1960's-1970's Paris
Located in Lausanne, CH
An elegant pair of scissors designed and retailed by Hermès, manufactured by silversmiths Ravinet d'Enfert, Paris France. The handles are silverplate and the blades are in stainless ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Stainless Steel

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Red 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

Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Hermes Paris magnifying glass desk accessory with domed lens ensconced in a silver frame with a belt design. We've left the oxidation and patina untouched and simply added a ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Signed Paolo De Poli Italian (Rame Smaltato) Modernist Enamel on Copper Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine large modernist bowl. In copper and enamel. By Paolo de Poli. the world-renowned Italian enameller and painter. The interior decorated in black and red enamels and the exte...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Gemme Short Glass Vase in Grass Green by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with shaped body and neck in grass green designed in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other color...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Cat Cave, Bordeaux House for Cats, 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 Cat Cave is project by Stefano Giovann...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

1970s Modernist Blue Black and White Murano Glass Figure of a Tropical Fish
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Murano Glass Figure of a Tropical Fish is a stunning and iconic piece of art that embodies the artistic spirit of the era. Murano glass, hailing from the famous glassblowing isl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Ioan Nemtoi Modern Monumental Studio Art Glass Vase, Bucharest, Romania
Located in Miami, FL
Ioan Nemtoi Modern Monumental Studio Art Glass Vase, Bucharest, Romania Offered for sale is a large and quite substantial studio-blown art glass vase by Ioan Nemoti of Bucharest, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Modern Abstract Sculpture in Bronze Patina Brass by Patrick Coard Paris
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This sculptural masterpiece, "The Deconstructed Tower," by Patrick Coard Paris, redefines modern artistry with its striking architectural form and captivating finish. Handcrafted in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Onyx Stone Modernist Lidded Jar, Italy, 1980's
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Onyx Stone Modernist Lidded Jar, Italy, 1980's.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Onyx

In Stock in Los Angeles, Pink Kong Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Kong mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Easily transportable, Kong MINI becomes a stand hugging the mobile phone and an external battery for fast charging mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

Medium-Sized Photo Frame in Black Nickel Plate with Black Orchid Floral Motif.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary medium-sized photo frame in black nickel plate with black orchid floral motif. Medium-sized photo frame in black nickel plate featuring a floral motif inlaid with black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Nickel, Metal

Casa Bowl
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Casa Bowl in White Designed by Project 213A in 2023 Artisanal large bowl created by skilled artisans in Project 213A's own workshop. Hand-sculpted ceramic with a textured finish in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Casa Bowl
Casa Bowl
$812 / item

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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