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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Modern Decorative Objects
Oak, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Acrylic
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Enamel
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Onyx, Metal
1970s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Iron, Wire
1930s Dutch Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century French Modern Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Gold, Brass
1960s English Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Leather
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Shell, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl
2010s American Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Glass
2010s Ukrainian Modern Decorative Objects
Wood, Oak, Ash
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1970s Korean Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Walnut
20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Plastic
1990s French Modern Decorative Objects
Metal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Portuguese Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
2010s Argentine Modern Decorative Objects
Stone, Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Decorative Objects
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Marble
1980s Danish Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Ukrainian Modern Decorative Objects
Glass, Smoked Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century Uruguayan Modern Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century American Modern Decorative Objects
Crystal
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1960s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Acrylic
Late 20th Century Modern Decorative Objects
Lucite, Velvet
1980s American Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Animal Skin, Silk, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
1980s French Vintage Modern Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 2000s Danish Modern Decorative Objects
Stainless Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Mexican Modern Decorative Objects
Resin
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.