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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 French Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Steel, Iron
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Terracotta
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1990s American Modern Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Paint
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Other
1980s Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
1980s German Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Early 2000s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Silver
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
20th Century European Modern Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
2010s Malaysian Modern Decorative Objects
Copper
1980s British Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Wood, Driftwood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
1980s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Wood, Hardwood, Ebony, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Cedar, Fir,...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Concrete, Cement
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Croatian Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Scandinavian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Japanese Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Silver, Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Amethyst, Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Concrete
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
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.