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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Walnut
20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Leather, Zebra Hide
2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1970s Belizean Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Rosewood
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1990s Polish Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s Central American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel
20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Quartz, Rock Crystal
1950s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Malachite
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Iron
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Clay
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Scottish Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Peruvian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Clay
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ebony
1960s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Pewter
2010s South African Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Decorative Objects
Beech
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Indian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Polyester, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1990s British Modern Decorative Objects
Cut Glass
1980s Finnish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
1980s Unknown Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Quartz, Rock Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
Early 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
2010s Belgian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel
2010s European Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Lacquer
20th Century North American Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Decorative Objects
Wood, Oak
Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
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