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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Villeroy & Boch Neon Color-block Lucite Vase, a pair, 1990s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Villeroy & Boch produced that stunning pair of vases circa 1990. This playful design is modern with an incredible color combination. Each vase has a multilayer sandwich shape of Acry...
Category

1990s German Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite

Murano Vintage Seguso Signed Gold Aventurine Glass Bowl Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This over scaled elegant vintage Murano blown glass bowl is signed by Seguso. It is abundant with gold aventurine and the top portion has hints...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Contemporary Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Rachel Peters, Grey Clay, In Stock
Located in Wirral, GB
Contemporary Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Rachel Peters, Grey Clay, In Stock. Untitled Ceramic Sculpture 205. This contemporary sculpture has been hand built from Rokk Grey Ston...
Category

2010s British Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Set of 2 Large Ada Planters by Llot Llov
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 large Ada planters by Llot Llov Dimensions: Ø 32 cm x H: 52 cm Pot 1: Ø 19 cm x 22 cm; Pot 2: Ø 32 cm x 30 cm Materials: brushed raw aluminium Also available in black powder-coated. Ada Planter was made in a metal spinning process out of aluminium, meant to be the new home for plants with roots. They come in four types, all can be filled from both sides, allowing for endless combinations from cactus as well as palm trees. The new edition is ready to order in brushed aluminium. The unpainted surface shows the raw material. Each plant pot is hand-turned and hand-brushed and is reminiscent of an untreated Industrial piece. The slightly reflective metal surface creates a beautiful contrast to the fresh green leaves. The new planter...
Category

2010s German Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Pablo Picasso, Bull, Turned round dish, 1957, edition Picasso, Madoura
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Pablo Picasso Taureau 1957. 22 janvier Plat rond tourné D. 38 cm R.A terre de faience rouge, décor à l'engobe, gravé au couteau, couverte partielle au pinceau Noir Tiré à 250 exemp...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

Small Picture Frame Round English style, early 1900s. Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small round frame with flat edge in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, English style, early 1900s. External diameter cm. 7.2, internal c...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

In Stock in Los Angeles, Grey 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 a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

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

"Gioia Crema" Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe
Located in New York, NY
Inside safe in shiny white. 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. Made in Florence, Italy since, 1949. VAT will be applicable to sales in the UK.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Bent Metal Table with Wood Legs in the Trompe L'oeil Style of John Dickinson
Located in Bronx, NY
Bent Metal Table with Wood Legs in the Trompe L'oeil Style of John Dickinson A truly unique and original console table crafted from solid wood and be...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel, Iron

Lily Bowl Travertine by Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
With softly undulating edges reminiscent of floating lily pads, the Lily Bowl brings a sculptural elegance to any surface. Carved from one of four types of natural marble, this desig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Travertine

Casa Planter No1
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
CASA PLANTER, designed in 2023. Artisanal planter created by skilled artisans in Project 213A's own workshop. Hand-sculpted ceramic with textured petal shaped finish. Each piece is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Pair of Stamped Edition Padilla Picasso Pottery Conical Face Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Stamped Edition Padilla Picasso Pottery Conical Face Vases After Pablo Picasso Each one stamped 'Femo 1944 Edition Picasso Padilla hv ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Micro Barcelona T wall clock
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Wall clock with double ring structure in black fiberglass that contains a graphite finished brass case and walnut hands in the center. The whole set is grouped and held by a support ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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

25 Astimelusa Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astimelusa Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, and made out of blown Murano glass. Signed “E.Sottsass...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller Floor Clock
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller floor clock. Black lacquer with half round chrome trim. Wood paneled front. Chimes need adjustment does not ...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Chrome

Large Heavily Textured Stoneware, Porcelain Black and White Clay Vessel
Located in London, GB
A large heavily textured volcanic vase with black, white and brown glaze and markings. Wide necked vessel with a bellied form. Made from black textured s...
Category

2010s European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

Tea Caddy - Elie Bleu Paris
By Elie Bleu
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful vintage tea caddy, made by the French brand Elie Bleu Paris. The box is made of beautifully veneered / greened wood with black piping. Th...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian 1960s Black Train Case in Leather
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1960s train case in leather.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crocodile

Small shaped Picture Frame Four-leaf clover turquoise Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Four-leaf clover shaped frame for oval photo in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with translucent turquoise fired enamel on guilloche, modern contemporary style. External cm. 8.5...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

1982 Howard Miller Limited Edition Mahogany Hourglass II Mantle Clock
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this 1982 Howard Miller Limited Edition Mahogany Hourglass II wall Mantle Clock. Hour glass II has a secret link with the futu...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Other, Iron

2 Puntos Premium Wall Clock
Located in NEW YORK, NY
2 puntos Premium wall clock It is the classic industrial style wall clock. It has the machinery case and rods made of polished brass, and the hands and rings in walnut wood. 2 punto...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

TRONADOR Rectangular Brown Onyx Stone Box
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Onyx

Contemporary Armored Jewelry Armoire Safe in White Maple Gioia Artico
Located in New York, NY
Armoured jewelry cabinet in polished white maple, 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. Safe can be anchored to the wall with metal screws that are supplied. Opening with digital t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple

Flow Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Turned wood and cast bronze made in Los Angeles. Design is inspired by the the natural flows of water.
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Lladró Spanish Pure Breed Horse Sculpture by Ernest Massuet. Limited Edition.
Located in New York City, NY
Limited edition sculpture of a Spanish horse trotting in position in matte porcelain, embellished with blue and gold lustre on the head, chest, saddle a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

New Modern Bowl in White and Black Marble, rotating, Designer Jacopo Simonetti
Located in Milan, IT
Bowl L in White Michelangelo and Black Marquinia marble Available also in the S version, and without a rotating mechanism. The hypnotic black and white stripes of the new Nova coll...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Arco Contemporary Armoured Jewelry and Watch Armoire in Canaletto Walnut
Located in New York, NY
Polished walnut contemporary armored armoire. Matte finish, 4-karat gold-plated accessories. Round handle with biometric opening device and emergency key integrated. Inside pull out necklace...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

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

Celine I Vase in White Porcelain with Glass Detail by Borek Sipek for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Four well managed “weddings” between different colors and materials: glass and porcelain, glass white and red. The union is sealed and divorce is not expected. Borek Sipek (1949-2016). Studied interior design at the school for Arts & Crafts in Prague from 1964-1968. He went to Germany to study architecture at the Kunsthochschule in Hamburg. He also studied aesthetics and philosophy. In 1983, he moved to the Netherlands and set up the design office that provided a base for his subsequent explorations of oriental and occidental arts and crafts. His fateful encounter with Driade resulted in furniture and objects. The ideas eventually found their way into the Eidos, Malastrana and Follies Collections. Sipek's systematic revisitations of traditional Craft techniques and materials have won several prestigious awards including, the Croix Chevalier Dans L'ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres from the French Government in 1991. In 1993, he won the Prins Bernard Fons Prize for architecture and arts. Sipek has an international reputation as an imaginative and versatile artist. He was appointed Prague castle architect by Czech president, Vaclav Havel. He worked from 1992-1996 on architectural detailing and other features of Joze...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Bowl Brass created by atelier Boucquet
Located in Roeselare, BE
A bowl in brass for several things as fruit or decoration (Christmas balls….) outside brass inside chemical blackened brass.
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique Bronze Ikebana Vase Japan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Ikebana Vase Bronze Bowl with floral relief Unable to read symbols Very old thick texturized patina present. Refer to images. 4.13 h x 5 diameter
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Black Candle Holder in Oak, Bunker by Arno Declercq
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary black candle holder in oak, bunker by Arno Declercq Dimensions: W 32 x L 32 x H 50 cm Materials: Burned and waxed oak Made by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Oak

Brass Plato Table Tray by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Plato Table Tray by Stem Design Dimensions: D 11.5 x W 20 x H 2.5 cm. Materials: Brass. Finish: Tumbled and burnished. Weight: 2 kg. Finished and assembled by hand in India. Also available in aluminum. Please contact us. A compact accent tray with tapered walls and rounded corners, Plato boasts a simple design to reveal an arresting surface texture. It is ideal for holding smaller objects like stationery, keys, watches, jewelry, or glasses. Imagined on your center table, console, or night-stand, the tray is sand-cast in aluminum and brass. The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime. Stem is a contemporary Indian product...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Set of Three Spheres circa 1990 Chromed Metal by Diego Matthai
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic set of three spheres circa 1990 chromed metal by Diego Matthai in perfect vintage conditions. The three spheres inscribed 'Mattai'.
Category

1990s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Murano Glass Double Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti, 1960s
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large and elegant Murano glass art sculpture representing two fish perched on molded base. This beautiful hand blown glass sculpture is made of translucent glass infused with color....
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Large brown stoneware ceramic vase sculpture by Dominique Garet La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Dominique Garet - La Borne Large sculptural stoneware ceramic vase brown stoneware ceramic glazes colors Original perfect condition signed Realised in pre-order in 2024 Height...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

French Modern Stitched Leather Rectangular Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Stitched leather Rectangular table box France, later 20th century French modern leather table box, reminiscent of Jacques Adnet works. This stately rectangular box ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Pair of Modernist Sterling Candle Holders by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of Modernist sterling silver candle holders were realized by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co, circa 1985. They feature circular bodies with curved raised sides and a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

American Studio Wafer Thin Turned Wood Bowl in Redwood Burl, 1963
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A thin-walled turned bowl in Redwood burl raised upon a shallow foot and signed to the underside, "Redwood burl, Studio 63, R. Hardin". Original surface.
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Burl

Nilo Vase, Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for the Collection Memphis Milano
Located in Beirut, LB
The Nilo vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano 1981-1988. Produced by Memphis in 2013-2014. A classic by Sottsass, the Nilo porcelain vase is par...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Nino Caruso, Abstract sculpture in glazed ceramic, Italy, 1974
Located in Argelato, BO
Nino Caruso ( Tripoli 1928 - Rome 2017 ) Abstract Sculpture in Black Glazed Ceramic. 1974, Signed and dated under the base. Italian ceramist, sculptor and...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

"Simone" Leather Desk Blotter Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Simone" is a leather desk blotter, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Multi-Functional Cigar Humidor Cabinet, by Massimo de Munari, Handmade in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) Multi-functional cigar humidor and bar, Handmade in Italy Designed by Massimo de Munari...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ebony

Iridescent Blue Bottle Shaped Art Glass Vase with Peacock Feather Trailing
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tall and stylish iridescent blue bottle shaped art glass vase with trailed peacock designs dating from the 20th century. The hand-blown vase is of tall slender shape and is beautiful...
Category

20th Century British Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Rare Swiss Made Cartier 'Les Must' Desk Clock * Free Worldwide Delivery
Located in Portlaoise, IE
A charming original desk clock from the iconic brand Cartier. This pocket size desk clock is presented in superb vintage condition. In oval form with white face and Roman numerals, t...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel

Arin Candleholder by Ayse Zelal Tugrul
Located in Geneve, CH
Arin Candleholder by Ayse Zelal Tugrul One of a Kind Dimensions: W 20 x H 60 cm. Materials: Copper. “Arin” refers to light or illumination in Kurdish. Zelal, born in Diyarbakir, in...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Archimede Seguso Large Vetri d'Arte Centerpiece/ Bowl, Murano Glass, Opalescent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great very large, centerpiece/ bowl by the well known glass Murano master Seguso, signed Vetri D'arte as shown. Nice opalescent / white glass ribbed Iridato glass.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Salvador Dali, Contemporary, Limited Edition ‘Invisible Personage’ Armchair
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Salvador Dali manufactured in Spain by BD. "Invisible Personage" is extracted from the "Singularities" painting, painted by S...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sheepskin, Upholstery, Lacquer

Leather Tray, Large B Retangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Savannah
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Color Number 1 Showtime Vase by Jaime Hayon
Located in Geneve, CH
Color Number 1 showtime vase by Jaime Hayon Dimensions: Diameter 19 x H 33 cm Materials: Made in two pieces in enameled stoneware porcelain; mono-color (interior and external in ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Brass Gazelle Antelope Sculpture Decorative Object, Tall
Located in New York, NY
A brass animal Gazelle antelope bust sculpture decorative object with tall antlers, circa late-20th century, 1970s. Dimensions: 21.5" Height.
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Sculpture, Stone Sculpture Representing the Eye of Providence.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, stone sculpture representing the Eye of Providence. Also known as the Omniscient Eye, this symbol has been used for centuries as a protective sign. Of Christian origin, i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Sandstone

Silver Plate and Wood Box with Agate Stone Slab Decor, circa 1980
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 1980s Italian modernist silver-plate lidded box has a design reminiscent of Gabriella Crespi's elegant production. The minimalist rectangular shape has Macassar wood si...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Agate, Metal, Silver Plate

Set Porteño Black & Cream Hand Painted Wood Boxes
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
8 " x 6" x 4" 12" x 8" x 4" 14" x 10" x 4" The urban and cosmopolitan Porteño family carries the spirit of the ones born in Buenos Aires city or “Porteño”, as they are commonly know...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Murano Glass Topaz “Pois” Vase
Located in Austin, TX
Vase made of hand-blown Murano glass from the island of Murano, Italy outside of Venice. This piece is made of a beautiful smoky topaz transparent color glass and showcases the quali...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

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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