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Modern Urns

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Large Vintage Demijohn Style Dark Green Blown Glass Wine Bottle, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A large pair of vintage dark green blown glass Demijohn style bottles of wines. The bottles are sturdy and very decorative. Embellish you r...
Category

20th Century Modern Urns

Materials

Blown Glass

Large Japanese Ceramic Oribe Sculptural Vessel by Shigemasa Higashida
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large ceramic lidded vessel with striking sculptural form by contemporary Japanese potter Shigemasa Higashida (1955-). Hand-built and with drasti...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Volume 1 Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Volume 1 vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D11 x H15 cm Materials: Glaze, porcelain Handmade in the Czech Republic. Also available: Different colors and patterns Established own st...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Leopard Urn Pair , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of Leopard Urns The Pair of Leopard Urns is an extraordinary ceramic decorative art piece that captures the fierce beauty and elegance of South Africa's wildlife. Crafted by Lov...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Medium Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D12 x H22 cm Materials: Glaze, porcelain Handmade in the Czech Republic. Also available: Different colors a...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Set/8 Ceramic Vases, White & Peach, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/8 Ceramic Jars, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. This beautiful set includes eight waterproof ceramic vases, perfect to be displaye...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Kaiser - K. Nossek, Vintage Porcelain Urn and Cover, Germany, Mid-20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
KAISER (manufacturer) - K. Nossek (designer) - Desiree (product line) - vintage fine porcelain urn and cover - featuring shaded enamels and flor...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Blue Marble Urns Vases, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial pair of urn style blue marble vases, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Marble has black veining and is beautifully carved and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Urns

Materials

Marble

Urn Form White and Transparent Clear Art Glass Vase after Vittorio Zecchin
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful clear/transparent and white urn form art glass vase, circa mid to late-20th century. Attributed to Vittorio Zecchin. Piece is transparent with very thin white spiral line...
Category

20th Century European Modern Urns

Materials

Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Monolith by Bravo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolith by Bravo Studio Monolith BBB1 Materials: Cobarbalita stone Dimensions: Ø 7.5 × 20 cm Monolithic objects in Cobarbalita stone This new series of objects developed b...
Category

2010s Chilean Modern Urns

Materials

Stone

Monolith by Bravo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolith by Bravo Studio Monolith FF1 Materials: Cobarbalita stone Dimensions: Ø12.5 × 2.5 cm Monolithic objects in Cobarbalita stone This new series of objects developed b...
Category

2010s Chilean Modern Urns

Materials

Stone

Ceramic Leopard Urn, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the magnificent Ceramic Leopard Urn, a masterpiece born from the skilled hands of Senzo Duma Ceramics in the heart of South Africa. Crafted with meticulous attention to ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Dora Maar Urn
Located in New York, NY
Porcelain Reverie. Our Dora Maar Urn gives good face from every angle, an unglazed finish highlighting the muse's flawless features in fabulously delicate detail. Inspired by Dora Ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Dora Maar Urn
Dora Maar Urn
$415 / item
Irena Ceramic Black Vase by Malwina Konopacka
Located in Geneve, CH
Irena ceramic black vase by Malwina Konopacka Materials: Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 20 x 25 cm Comes in a simple and compact spherical shape topped by a stout cylindrical neck. Made ...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Urn by Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Urn by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 34 x W 34 x H 57 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 37 kg available in Black finish or Nitrate (Dark Brown) finish. Rick Owens is a California-born f...
Category

2010s French Modern Urns

Materials

Bronze

Urn by Rick Owens
Urn by Rick Owens
$19,893 / item
Modern Brass, Duco Turned Timber & Resin Primal Candlestick Set
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This modern candlestick is part of the egg designs luxury Decor collection and is a great addition to any home. The body of this candlestick is a cast resin base with a black duco-s...
Category

2010s South African Modern Urns

Materials

Brass

Ceramic Chameleon Vase, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Chameleon Vase by Love Art Ceramic is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of South African Hand-sculpted by Sabelo Ntshalintshali and meticulously hand-painted by Winnie Ne...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Marble Vessel with Brass Inset Bowl, Apparatus
Located in Tulsa, OK
Neo Vessel Nero Kinitra by Apparatus Made of Italian marble with a brass inset bowl, this vessel distills the visual language of ceremonial objects to i...
Category

2010s American Modern Urns

Materials

Marble

Green and Brown Glazed Ceramic Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Large ceramic urn with a brown glaze on the bottom half, a green glaze on the upper half, and two looped handles
Category

20th Century American Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Beige Glazed Ceramic Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Large ceramic urn with a matte dark beige glaze on the bottom half, a light beige crackle glaze on the upper half, and two small looped handles
Category

20th Century American Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Modernist Bowl by Lorenzo Burchiellaro
Located in New York, NY
A modernist bowl by artist Lorenzo Burchiellaro. Textured cast aluminum colored in earth tones. Signed underneath Burchiellaro.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Urns

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel

Volume 3 Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Volume 3 vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D 27 x H 27 cm Materials: Glaze, Porcelain Hand-made in the Czech Republic. Also available: different colors and patterns Establi...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Volume 2 Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Volume 2 vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: d 15 x h 24 cm Materials: Glaze, Porcelain handmade in the Czech Republic. Also available: different colors and patterns Establis...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Small Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Small vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D10 x H22 cm Materials: Glaze, porcelain Hand-made in the Czech Republic. Also available: different colors and patterns Established own studio August 2009 – Focus mainly on porcelain, developing own glazes. Mould makings, and Slip casting. Milan Pekar is an award-winning product designer. Assistant professor at Studio of Ceramics and Porcelain...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Souvenir De Pompéi Unique Piece by Frederic Mulatier
Located in Geneve, CH
Souvenir de Pompéi unique piece by Frederic Mulatier. 2020 Unique Dimensions: D 48 x H 30 Materials: Terracotta wicker A legend that I thought I had written: The story of the ...
Category

2010s French Modern Urns

Materials

Terracotta, Wicker

Volume 5 Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Volume 5 vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D 32 x H 48 cm Materials: Glaze, Porcelain Hand-made in the Czech Republic. Also available: different colors and patterns Establi...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

SILVER CUP Naples- Italy early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
SILVER CUP Naples- Italy early 20th Century in 800 thousandths silver, with openwork decoration of Gallo-Roman inspired centaurs from the Berthouville Treasury. With Italian contras...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Urns

Materials

Silver

Modern Cast Brass, Resewn Oak Timber & Resin Dawa Ice Bucket
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This modern ice bucket is part of the egg designs Dawa luxury bar collection and is a great addition to any home cocktail bar, or simply as a place t...
Category

2010s South African Modern Urns

Materials

Brass

Volume 4 Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Volume 4 vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D 19 x H 52 cm Materials: Glaze, Porcelain Hand-made in the Czech Republic. Also Available: different colors ...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Monolith by Bravo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolith by Bravo Studio Monolith GGG1 Materials: Cobarbalita stone Dimensions: Ø 13 × 16 cm Monolithic objects in Cobarbalita stone This new series of objects developed by...
Category

2010s Chilean Modern Urns

Materials

Stone

Tall Vase by Milan Pekař
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall vase by Milan Pekar Dimensions: D11 x H36 cm Materials: Glaze, porcelain Handmade in the Czech Republic. Also available: different colors and patterns Established ow...
Category

2010s Czech Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

ROYAL WORCESTER - Small Bone China Urn & Cover - United Kingdom - Circa 1990's
Located in Chatham, ON
ROYAL WORCESTER - Model No. 3863 - Bone china urn and cover - featuring hand painted flowers with gold gilt stems and leaves on three sides of both the urn and lid - finished with a ...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Sky Blue Ceramic Vases Contemporary 21st Century Italian Unique Piece
Located in London, GB
Violante Lodolo D'Oria, pair of sky blue squarish vases with niches, 2022, glazed stoneware, multiple glazes, measures W 17cm x H 28cm. New stunning pieces created by ceramic artist Violante Lodolo d' Oria. The layering of different glazes creates shimmering and ever-changing effects under different lights. The handmade original sculptural shapes of these beautiful objects make them distinctively unique. Violante Lodolo D’Oria (Genoa, Italy, 1971) is a London based Italian artist. She studied in Paris and New York, where she graduated in Fine Arts. Before returning to the ceramic medium in 2010, Violante has worked as a painter for a decade, developing a peculiarly refined sense of colour: her painting background is remarkable in her glazing technique and use of colour combination. Violante creates one-off sculptural ceramics inspired by the great Italian baroque architecture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Impressive Pair of Artisan Neoclassical Malachite Urns 20th-Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of beautifully crafted Neoclassical style urns in polished malachite, Italian from the second half of the 20th century. These are absolutely magnificent and would be showstopper...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Urns

Materials

Malachite

Lorin Marsh Marble & Cut Crystal 24K Gold Painted Trophy Urn Vase Cassolette 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional marble, cut crystal 24 karet gold painted urn or vase by Lorin Marsh. Features a removable lid and white marble body with acanthus and fluted designs. A nice statement...
Category

20th Century Modern Urns

Materials

Marble

19th Century Continental Style Hand Decorated Covered Decorative Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exquisite 19th-century Continental style covered urn is a testament to the intricate artistry and craftsmanship of its era. The urn's exterior is adorned with a vibrant and deta...
Category

1850s Antique Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

19" Marquis By Waterford Crystal Covered Urn
Located in Germantown, MD
Marquis By Waterford Crystal Covered Urn or vase. Use it just as ornament or as candy or just as storage. Measures 18.5" tall, 11.5" tall without cover, 8" in diameter. Opening is 3....
Category

Late 20th Century Northern Irish Modern Urns

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Wood and Heavy Plastic Urns
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a modern pair of unique looking urns. The urns are made of a heavy plastic and have solid wood lids and bases. The urns inset into the wood bases. The lids are acorn shaped.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Urns

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Artisan Made Ceramic Lidded Vessel with Agate Finial
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dramatic modern ceramic cream colored lidded urn having sensual and large shape with gorgeous organic agate finial.
Category

Early 2000s North American Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Modernist Urn Form Ceramic Vase with Streamlined Detailing and Platinum Glaze
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful modernist urn form vase was realized in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. It features a conical body that flares to an angled collar where ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Extra Large "Garden" Design Hand Carved Porcelain Art Pottery Vase
Located in New York, NY
Extra large "Garden" design hand carved porcelain art pottery vase. Slip cast from a pottery mold, the smooth pearlescent surface is the background for it...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

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 Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Modernist Tall Urn Form White Ceramic Vase
Located in New York, NY
This refined modernist urn form vase was realized in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. It features a conical body that flares to an angled collar where it recedes meeting the neck that once again flares to a circular mouth. The neck of the piece is adorned with sculptural rectilinear embellishment that cantilever from the conical body of the piece, imbuing the piece with an undeniably graphic sensibility. The piece is finished with a stunning white glaze that highlights the stunning formal aspects of the vessel. With its clean modernist lines and impeccable craftsmanship, this piece would be a winning addition to any style of interior from Classic Mid-Century Modern to contemporary. While it is a perfectly functional vase...
Category

20th Century American Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Les Lawrence New Vision Mona Lisa Porcelain Decanter
By Les Lawrence
Located in Houston, TX
Les Lawrence mastered silk screening onto thin porcelain slabs which he used to produce an ongoing series of work, the "New Vision Series." Images on vessel to include Mona Lisa art,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Ruby "English Rose" Hand Carved Porcelain Arts & Crafts Pottery Vase
Located in New York, NY
"English Rose" hand carved porcelain modern Arts & Crafts pottery vase with ruby glaze. Vase is slip cast into plaster mold. Handcrafted and signed by the artist Christopher Brody. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Modernist Urn Form White Ceramic Vase
Located in New York, NY
This elegant modernist urn form vase was realized in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. It features a conical body that flares to an angled collar where it...
Category

20th Century American Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Love Art Ceramic Zebra Urn, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Zebra Urn by Love Art Ceramic is a stunning embodiment of African craftsmanship and culture. Hand-sculpted by Sabelo Ntshalintshali and hand-painted by Zinhle Nene in South Afric...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

One of a Kind Full bodied Vessel - Handcrafted with Smooth and Textured Contrast
Located in London, GB
This handcrafted sculptural vessel sculpture , part of the 'Volcanic Vessels' series, is a solid, full-bodied piece. Though it echoes the form of a vessel, it is entirely closed, se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Urns

Materials

Jute, Scagliola, Fiberglass, Resin

Ceramic Tiger Urn, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the magnificent "Tiger Urn," a breathtaking piece of ceramic decorative art crafted with exceptional skill by Love Art Ceramic in South Africa. Sculpted by Motsamai Sello...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Modern Brass, Duco Turned Timber & Resin Primal Candlestick Extra Small
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This modern candlestick is part of the egg designs luxury Decor collection and is a great addition to any home. The body of this candlestick is a cast resin base with a black duco-s...
Category

2010s South African Modern Urns

Materials

Brass

Modernist Bowl by Lorenzo Burchiellaro
Located in New York, NY
A modernist bowl by artist Lorenzo Burchiellaro. Textured cast aluminum colored in earth tones. Signed underneath Burchiellaro.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Urns

Materials

Enamel, Aluminum

Proto Bauhaus Hammered Silver & Copper Vase or Wine Cooler by Hutscheneruther
Located in New York, NY
Elegant early German modern (Proto Bauhaus) handcrafted vase or wine & champagne cooler in hammered silver with an under-layer of copper / bronze by Hutscheneruther Stamped on rea...
Category

Early 20th Century German Modern Urns

Materials

Silver, Bronze, Copper

Ceramic Elephant Urn , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Elephant Urn Hand-Painted by Jabu Nene and Sculpted by Sabelo & Sondy This exquisite ceramic elephant urn, standing at 20 inches high and measuring 11 inches in length and width, is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Italian Marble Vases
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of carved and polished Italian marble vases from the 1980s. The larger one has is light gray with a little blush. The smaller on...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Urns

Materials

Marble

Rene Lalique Charmilles Vase
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Rene Lalique Charmilles Vase This vase measures: 13 wide x 13 deep x 14 inches high This Vase is in Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our ph...
Category

2010s French Modern Urns

Materials

Glass

Ceramic Monkey Urn , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Monkey Urn Hand-Painted by Jabh, Sculpted by Sfiso & Motsamay Love Art Ceramic, South Africa, 2023 The Monkey Urn is a captivating piece of ceramic art that celebrates the playful s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Flamingo Urn , hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
Flamingo Urn: Hand-Painted by Zinhle Nene and Sculpted by Sbusiso Ndaba Introducing the stunning Flamingo Urn, a striking ceramic decorative art piece born from the creative collabo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Love Art Ceramic Monkey Urn Pair, hand made in South Africa
Located in North Miami, FL
The Monkey urn pair, meticulously crafted by Love Art Ceramic in South Africa, epitomizes the fusion of artistry and cultural symbolism. Hand-sculpted by the skilled hands of Zimhle,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Le Sang De La Terre by Frederic Mulatier
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Sang de la Terre by Frederic Mulatier 2019 Unique Dimensions: D 54 x H 48 cm Materials: Terracotta wicker A legend that I thought I had written: The story of the first pott...
Category

2010s French Modern Urns

Materials

Terracotta, Wicker

OKO Face Ceramic Vase by Malwina Konopacka
Located in Geneve, CH
OKO face ceramic vase by Malwina Konopacka Materials: Ceramic Dimensions: ø 19 x 42 cm It was first presented in 2014 as part of Tokyo Designers Week and has since had numerous ...
Category

2010s Polish Modern Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Modern urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern urns 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 urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern urns made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include RAAQUU, Greenapple, Cappellini, and Milan Pekar. 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 urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $82 and tops out at $21,281 while the average work can sell for $909.

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