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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Decorative Objects
Oak, Fiberglass
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Late 20th Century English Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
1960s Spanish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass, Nickel
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century British Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects
Travertine
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
2010s French Modern Decorative Objects
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Lacquer
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Clay, Terracotta
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
20th Century English Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
1990s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Decorative Objects
Oak
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century European Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Early 2000s American Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
2010s English Modern Decorative Objects
Cement
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1990s French Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Enamel
15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Antique Modern Decorative Objects
Stone
20th Century Sahrawi Modern Decorative Objects
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s Peruvian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Paper
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Pyrite
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Chrome, Gold Plate
2010s French Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
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.