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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Travertine
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
1930s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Cement
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1990s Polish Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Sandstone
2010s Brazilian Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Granite
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century Japanese Modern Decorative Objects
Pottery
2010s Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Fiberglass, Wood
1880s Italian Antique Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Granite
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ash
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine, Marble
20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
2010s Ukrainian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 2000s European Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Art Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver Plate
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Leather
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf, Iron
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
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.