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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Modernist Abstract Figural Sculpture in Brushed Pewter Manner of Willi Gutmann
Located in New York, NY
This charming Modernist Abstract Figural Sculpture in Brushed Pewter Manner of Willi Gutmann originates from Switzerland, Circa 1970. Features a rectilin...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pewter

"Wrapped in Blue" Fluorescent Jellyfish, Murano Glass, Handmade in Italy, 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The jellyfish is the main element of the Mosche Bianche's "Medusa" Collection: fluid, delicate but also dangerous and deadly. It represents the water, the circle of life. The speci...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Lalique Nogent Crystal Compote Bowl
Located in Norwood, NJ
Lalique compote Nogent bowl. Signed on bottom. Designed by Marc Lalique in 1966, this small bowl has become a Lalique classic. The satin finish on the birds contrasts with the trans...
Category

1990s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Vivika and Otto Heino Monumental Pottery /Ceramic Studio Vase, Signed, Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a great size vase signed by Vivika and Otto and dated 91. Is a little over 14 inches diameter and just touch under 12 inches, like 7/8.
Category

1990s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

DeCastelli Jaipur 183 Vase in Stainless Steel by Stefano Dussin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Next stop, India: these oriental-style decorative vases are sculptural elements with generous yet simultaneously slim shapes. In addition to classic finishes, like corten and burnish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Just Andersen vase i disco metal
Located in Kastrup, DK
Just Andersen Small vase in green patinated disco metal, approx. 1920-1930. Signed on the bottom: JUST D1521. The top shows light traces of use from water, as the vase has been used.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Medium Dew Vase in Cast Bronze by Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Medium Dew Vase in Cast Bronze by Elan Atelier The Dew vase is made in our atelier utilizing the lost wax casting technique. Various sizes and custom finishes are available by reque...
Category

2010s European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Decorative Corn on the Cob in Malachite
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A pair of handmade corn on the cob in malachite intended for decoration.
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite

Raaquu Kumo 3 Pack Raku Pottery Vase - Smoked Raku - Handmade Ceramic Home Decor
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
You get : 3 Units of Kumo Vase Kumo ( 雲 ) ~ (n) cloud Our Kumo Vase is a flattened globe vase with a narrow base and a narrow mouth. Its contemporary shape promises to blend well...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Steuben Crystal Lion With Base & Original Box
Located in Toledo, OH
Steuben crystal laying lion with pedestal and original leather box. Designed by Lloyd Atkins circa 1986. No damage or scratches to crystal. Leather box ha...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Tsuri Raku Pottery Vase, Smoked Raku, Handmade Ceramic Home Decor Gift
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Tsuri ( ツリー ) ~ (n) Tree Our Tsuri vase is based on the classic bottle shape but with a wider mouth at the top. It would definitely look great when put together with other RAAQUU BA...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Striking Pair of Large Brass Sculptures of Giraffes
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of outstanding giraffe sculptures . The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting.
Category

1990s European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Fish head Lady Sea Motive. Unique Handmade and Hand painted. Ceramic 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The red and gold marine lady is inspired by many cultural reminiscence of Italy. Corals inspired by our mediterranean see, gold elements for luxury art. A gentle reinassance face emb...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Hana L Mini Vase Raku Ceramic, Obvara, Handmade Home Decor Gift
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Hana L ~ 花 Flower. Our Hana L mini raku vase represents a miniature urn with a bulbous top tapers slenderly to a smaller base. This vase makes for an adorable gift or a tabletop dec...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Yuri Zatarain, Sphere of Color from the Collection Named "Animal Instinct"
Located in Milano, IT
The sphere of color (that's its name) is part of a collection called "Animal Instinct", it includes around 35 spheres like that collection made between 2007 and 2009 mixed techniqu...
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin, Acrylic

Contemporary Mayan Stone Incense Burners by ACOOCOORO —COPALERA N.° 5
Located in Mexico City, MX
Part of ACOOCOORO’s Ceremonia special series, Copaleras (incense burners) create a play between their soft appearance, their ceremonial function and natural material: Yucatán Peninsula's Crema Maya...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Alioth Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alioth Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1983. The Venetian glass vase features blue fusions and black threads. Signed on the base. Ettore Sottsass was b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Brass Sailboat Sculpture by Curtis Jere
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful brass sailboat sculpture designed by Curtis Jere in the 1970s. The sculpture sits in a salad onyx base. Dimension: 40” wide, 47” ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Unique Modern, Amber-Colored Italian Murano Glass Vase Signed by Hand SALVIATI
Located in Salzburg, AT
Organically shaped vase with a matt surface (Velato, the glass surface is finely polished) in a warm amber color. The object has a conical shape with a steeply flattened mouth. The ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Large Copan Hand Carved Porcelain Pottery Vase
Located in New York, NY
Large urn form "Copan" design hand carved porcelain art pottery vase with midnight blue glazed feaather pattern from a Mayan ruler's cape all around. Handcrafted and signed by the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pre-Order Large Flower Vase, Obvara, Ceramic Raku Pottery Decor
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
This is a pre-order I am proud to share my latest Art Series vase shape : The Flower Vase. With a shape inspired from the tulip flower, the RAAQUU Flower Vase expresses a wonde...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Marble One Cut Table Clock, Moreno Ratti
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble One Cut table clock - Moreno Ratti Dimensions: D 9 x W 20 x H 20 cm Materials: Calcata Oro marble. The idea of this collection comes from the desire to take the concept of minimalism to the extreme, as in the Recisi series: a single cut of a geometric figure (the square) allows the creation of a functional object where the two pieces that compose it, respond to a need. The family consists of: a table lamp (Moon Lamp) with a touch-sensitive ignition system, a clock and a solifleur. Moreno Ratti "When I was young I played with pieces of marble, like now. There are a lot of marble waste...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pink Flamingo Ceramic Sculpture Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, new 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Pink Flamingo in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a pink different shades. The flamingo lives in Italy especially in Sicily. ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Derek Clarkson Brush Decorated Porcelain Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good and finely made studio pottery stoneware bottle vase of small size decorated with a repeat brush pattern of stylized insect like designs by Derek Clarkson...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Brass Vessel Set w/ Brass box
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our Brass Vessel Set with...
Category

2010s American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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

Micki Schloessingk Studio Pottery Yunomi, 20th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine vintage British studio pottery yunomi (teacup) by renowned potter Micki Schloessingk (b. 1949) and made in Swansea, Wales. The stoneware yunomi is of rounded cylindrical shape...
Category

20th Century English Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Pila Crystal Candle Holder Clear by Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The Pila Crystal Candle Holder presents a playful stacked arrangement in reference to the work of modernist architect Paul Rudolph. Reflecting the tension between built and organic f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Arbit Blatas Modern Art Foundry Bronze Sculpture of Mime Marcel Marceau
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine bronze sculpture. By Arbit Blatas. Depicting the legendary mime - Marcel Marceau. With a verdigris patina. Marked to the reverse for the Modern Art Foundry and #5. Simply a wonderful sculpture of the world...
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Red and Gold Lady. Unique piece of art. Handmade and Hand painted. Ceramic 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The red and gold lady is inspired by many cultural reminiscence of Italy. Corals inspired by our mediterranean see, gold elements for luxury art. A gentle r...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Luxury Vase #53 "Trophy". Porcelain. Handmade design and crafted in Italy. 2020.
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The heart collection is the result of the extravagant creativity of two innovative designers, who are inspired especially by the human body. The heart collection is inspired by the ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Hand Blown Murano Vase in Amethyst with Bubbles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite hand-blown Murano vase, rendered in a deep amethyst hue, is a true masterpiece that showcases the unparalleled artistry of Venetian glassmaking. The rich, vibrant colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Beige Resin Terrazo Bathroom Set by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Terrazzo bathroom set handcrafted in resin and marble. This unique mix of materials creates trendy pieces that will add visual interest to your bath space, and the minimalist design brings modern touch to any space. This set includes everything you need to upgrade the look and feel of your bathroom, helping you maintain a clean and organized space. Light colors provide a clean look that mixes easily with existing decor. The set can be customized, please contact us for further information. Set includes: 1 Round toothbrush holder 1 Round Liquid soap dispenser...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Ingeborg Lundin Orrefors Applet Expo Series 1964
Located in Toledo, OH
Ingeborg Lundin (1921-1991) for Orrefors Applet from Expo Series 1964. Signed.
Category

20th Century European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Opalino Glass Vase in Milk White Milk White Inside by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Pop Art Coca- Cola Bottle Embedded Lucite Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This pop art vintage lucite sculpture is a coca cola small bottle encased and embedded in a lucite column. The bottle is floating and was neve...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Lucite

Italian Attributed Stylish Corroso Amber Glass Signed Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Italian attributed art glass amber yellow satin corroso design vase of simple rounded globular shape signed to base and dating from the 20th century. The hand blown va...
Category

20th Century European Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Original Señora Floor Sculpture by Caralarga
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Señora Space Jewelry Floor Sculptures offer an attractive and unique standing sculpture decor piece that combine organic modern style with natural cotton macrame inspired styling...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Salta Flat Small Flower Vase, Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Vintage Raku Fired Vessel
Located in Denton, TX
Organic modern Raku fired hand sculpted vessel with colors of green, red, gray and textured glaze that shimmers in the light. stamped at the bottom.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

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

Medium Bowl in Pink Marbled Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our colorful bowl is handmade in traslucid white resin with marbled texture in pink and light pink. Its fun and colorful design makes it a statement piec...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Tondo Doni Boboda Power Vase by Mario Cioni
Located in Milan, IT
Part of the Boboda collection, this stunning vase is a superb decorative addition to any home and can be displayed alone or combined with the others in the same series. Its sinuous v...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Set/2 Pots, Ceramic Pots, Green, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chaucer Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes two waterproof ceramic pots with lid, perfect to be displayed together and enrich your room decor. Each piece has its own elegant silhouette in mint-green glazed ceramic with gloss finish plus hand turned beech wood base and lid lacquered in bronze gold-powder. Set of 2 Ceramic Pots Chaucer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Large Modern Giraffe Sculpture, American, Mid- Century
Located in Rochester, NY
A large and early sand cast aluminum Modernist sculpture of a giraffe by Cuban American artist Manuel Carbonell. Pedestal included. Height is 73” with base. Presented by Joseph Da...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Ceramic Vase "Eve" Handcrafted in Bronze by Gabriella B. Made in Italy
Located in Treviso, IT
EVE - Ceramic vase handcrafted in bronze code VS004 measures: Height 140.0 cm., diameter 45.0 cm.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Murano Modern Carved Black over Red Italian Art Glass Sculptural Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black over red core Italian art glass sculptural flower vase. The piece has carved circles, showing the red inside layer, and a "Battuto" hammered...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Lily Bowl Antico 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

Marble

Raaquu Urn Set, Full Copper Matte, Ceramic Raku Pottery
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
This is a set of 3 urns that are made of the following pieces : *Heiwa - Peace* Our Heiwa urn is a mid sized urn that has a unique lipped design where ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Modernist Bronze Female Torso Oskar Bottoli 1980 Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist female torso hand made by sculptor Oskar Bottoli 1980 Austria. A beautiful and expressive female torso made from patinated bronze. Oskar Bottoli (16.11.1921 Vienna - 19.9.1995 Vienna) Oskar Bottoli studied from 1945-1953 as first pupil by Fritz Wotruba in Vienna at the academy of Fine Arts after them he opened his own atelier in Vienna. He reactivated ancient bronze casting processes. He won many awards as Premier des 2 Salon Bosio Monte Carlo 1961 or Theodor Körner award 1966 as to mention a few. most important exhibitions: 1957 Linz, Neue Galerie Wolfgang Gurlitt Museum 1962 Secession Vienna...
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Koi Raku Pottery Vase with Gift Box - Smoked Raku - Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
This is a gift box and the vase comes in a RAAQUU branded wooden pine box (9 in x 5.1 in x 5.1 in). YOU GET : 1 Vase in the selected finish of your choice in a Wooden pine box wi...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Stephane Galerneau Paris Oversized Gilded Bronze Leaf Dish 1990s
Located in CA, CA
Stephane Galerneau oversized decorative leaf dish in gilded pewtebronzer. Galerneau's distinctive sculptural design is emphasised by the scale and the quality in this dramatic piece...
Category

1990s French Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti XL Vase Soft Resin Red
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti vase, red. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: XL - ø 30cm x H 56cm Other sizes available. Colours: Red. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Resin

Vintage Scandinavian Scrap Art Sculpture with Brass Car Horn
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual mounted object in the shape of a antique/1920s brass vehicle horn set on a brass rod and a patinated oak rectangular base. Unknown Danish sculptor/artist circa 1970-80. There...
Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Very Large Murano Art Glass Cobalt Blue and Green Sommerso Dolphin Sculpture
Located in Tustin, CA
Very impressive, hand made and mouth blown in Italy, Murano art glass sommerso figure or sculpture of a dolphin in a very vibrant cobalt blue color with fading green accents, clear fin and head. The word "sommerso" means submerged which involves submerging a blown glass article in a crystal clear molten glass of a different color. This technique was started in the 1930's by Carlo Scarpa. Murano sculptures with color are twice as expensive and more sought after than the all clear ones because the technique of doing so can only be done by a very experienced master glass blower. This is a very large and stately art glass sea life sculpture...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Horizon Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Planter Bowl Grande in Black Quartz
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Indulge in the captivating allure of Kathryn McCoy's Rock Crystal Collection, a masterpiece that seamlessly blends nature's raw beauty with exquisite craftsmanship. Available in vari...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal

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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