The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
Anchor Hocking Green Uranium Glass Large 2 Liter Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Anchor Hocking, a green Uranium Glass pitcher from the Circle Line, circa 1930-1934. A large and heavy piece holding 80 fluid ounces, or a bit over t...
Glass
Cranberry Glass Stemmed Champagne Coupes, Set of Six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six stack-stemmed glass Champagne coupes with Cranberry colored bowls, circa 1940s. Gorgeous color! The cranberry glass bowls join a multi knobbed, stacked stem of colorl...
Glass
Vintage Cut Crystal Whiskey Decanter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cut crystal whiskey decanter, circa early 1980s. Square in shape with a large round star cut stopper. Heavy weight crystal, cut with a linear pattern on all sides, a star-cut on t...
Crystal
1960s Cobalt Pitcher and Tumblers Sangria Set- 7 Pieces
Located in Pueblo, CO
Cobalt Sangria set, pitcher 6x6x9 and eight shot tumblers 1.5x1.5x3. Hand blown glass with hand pained enamel work, fish, flowers, birds, and an owl, zoom in, it is really stunning....
Art Glass
Vintage Cut Crystal Ship Captains Liquor Decanter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage cut crystal decanter in the Ship Captains shape, with a top round stopper, circa early 1980s. The term “captains decanter” refers to the historical “ship’s decanter” used ...
Crystal
Amber Cut-Glass Whiskey Decanter by Ludwig Moser, Wiener Werkstatte
Located in Vienna, AT
A striking whiskey decanter by Ludwig Moser, crafted in finely cut amber-colored glass. The piece reflects the refined geometric elegance associated with the Vienna Werkstätte tradit...
Cut Glass
German Mid-Century Hand Stitched Black Leather Glass Flask / Shot Glass Set
Located in New York, NY
German mid-century fine hand stitched black leather covered glass flask bottle with 4 shot glasses.Top snaps off to reveal shot glasses over bottle top. Label attached, UTH Offenbach...
Silver Plate
Stieff Sterling Silver Liquor Collar Tag, Rye – 1930s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Stieff Silver Company in Baltimore, Maryland, a sterling silver liquor collar tag, circa 1930s. The rectangular and curved tag is engraved, Rye, in a block type with a deep...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. New York Silver Plate Wine Bottle Coaster with Liner Insert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Tiffany & Co. New York, a silver soldered bottle coaster with a removable liner insert, circa 1950- 1960s. The liner fits into the coaster to prevent a chilled bottle of wine from dripping condensation into the coaster. A heavily chased roped design edges the coaster. Marked: Tiffany & Co. numbered, silver soldered extra plate...
Silver Plate
S. Kirk & Sons Sterling Silver Liquor Collar Tag, Engraved Scotch – 1860s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the S. Kirk & Sons Silver Company in Baltimore, Maryland, a sterling silver liquor collar tag, circa 1860s. The oval tag has a Repousse Rose and floral garland border, and is e...
Sterling Silver
Original Aubock glass carafe with a leather cuff and brass handle
Located in Vienna, AT
This colorless glass carafe by Carl Aubock was produced in 3 different sizes, our bitcher is the largest one. It comes with the original leather wrapped stripe with sewn in brass han...
Brass
Midcentury Val Saint Lambert Blown Glass Decanters, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Val Saint Lambert, a pair of blown glass decanters, Belgium, circa 1960s. In the ‘State Plain’ pattern, a pair of colorless glass decanters in a bulbous shape with ringed nec...
Blown Glass
Wine carafe of hand-blown borosilicate glass from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The wine decanter is an organically shaped hand-blown borosilicate glass carafe. The Pok collection celebrates the artistry of hand-crafted beadwork made by the Pokot women in Northwest Kenya. Influenced by the hand-carved African gourd...
Blown Glass
Carafe and set of glasses on a beech wooden tray from SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The wine service set is comprised of an organically shaped hand-blown borosilicate glass wine decanter and two glasses that nestle into a slender linear solid beech wood tray complet...
Ceramic, Blown Glass, Hardwood, Beech
Spirit Ships Decanter
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A spirit ships decanter. England, circa 1820. Measures: Height: 20 cm (7 3/4"). Diameter: 15 cm (6").
Glass
Set of Six Assorted Engraved Murano Glass Tumblers
By Salviati
Located in High Point, NC
Created in Murano, Venice, this elegant set of six clear glass tumblers by Salviati embodies the refined artistry and innovation for which the storied Venetian glassmaker is renowned...
Glass
$275Sale Price|21% Off
H 5.25 in W 6.5 in D 9.5 in
Clear Glass Modernist Margarita Martini Cocktail Pitcher
Located in Ferndale, MI
Bulbous body drinks pitcher.
Glass
$1,425 / set
H 8 in Dm 4 in
fferrone Contemporary Czech Minimal Carafe Pitcher with Six Tumbler Glasses Set
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary Czech glass set includes one Bessho Carafe Pitcher and six Bessho Tumblers Just as the small town is known for the healing properti...
Glass
$225 / set
H 3.88 in Dm 3 in
Set of Six Morgantown Chanticleer Figural Rooster Stemmed Glasses, Circa 1940s
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a distinctive set of six figural stemmed clear glasses by Morgantown Glass Company, American, circa 1940s. Each glass features a clear, gently flared bowl raised on a sculpt...
Glass
Vintage Regency Cut Small Crystal Decanter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your vanity or bar cart with this exquisite vintage Regency cut crystal decanter. Showcasing a finely crosshatched texture on its rounded base and a brilliantly faceted stopp...
Crystal
fferrone Set of 2 Contemporary Glass Handmade Tumblers
Located in Chicago, IL
Flight tumbler glass - Set of 2 The Flight tumblers from fferrone are glassware essentials that are great for serving water, soft drinks, and juice as well as serving cocktails and alcoholic drinks. A collection fully in character with fferrone design...
Glass
$325 / set
H 4 in Dm 3 in
Anchor Hocking Depression Glass Sandwich Patt. Forest Green 1950s - 23 Pieces
Located in Miami, FL
A grouping of 23 pieces of Anchor Hocking Sandwich Pattern in Forest Green glass. This pattern's design included stylized flowers and leaves on a background of numerous small dots or...
Glass
$18,500 / set
H 11.5 in Dm 5 in
Six-Piece Cut Crystal Liquors Set Four Decanters, Claret & Pitcher, 19th Century
By Baccarat
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and exceptional 19th century crystal drinks set attributed to Baccarat. The service consists of four matching decanters, a claret jug and a matching water pitcher. Eac...
Crystal
Vintage Bohemian Crystal Decanter, NOS, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Decorative clear crystal decanter with fluted spherical stopper. Made in Bohemia/Czech Republic during the 1970s. NOS - new old stock and has never been in use. It has a capacity of ...
Crystal
Art Deco Hauke with Label 6 Bohemia Liqueur Uranium or Vaseline Glass
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Deco Hauke with Label 6 Bohemia Liqueur Uranium or Vaseline Glass Tray is for Presentation Only does not Belong to this Sale Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any fur...
Glass, Uranium Glass
Waterford Crystal Ship Captain Decanter w/ Stopper
Located in Plainview, NY
Waterford Crystal Ship Captain Decanter with Stopper This elegant Waterford Crystal Ship Captain decanter is a timeless expression of Irish crystal craf...
Crystal
Sold
H 11.25 in W 8.75 in D 10.25 in
Vintage 1990s FRANCIS FRANCIS X5 Italian Espresso Maker, in Canary Yellow
Located in Philadelphia, PA
FRANCIS FRANCIS X5 Italian Espresso Maker, in Canary Yellow Francis-Francis Italian Espresso Maker - Designed by Luca Trazzi by Francis-Francis...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Pair of original Aubock leather wraped Hip Flasks
Located in Vienna, AT
Made in Vienna by Carl Aubock II. 2 Sculptural Vintage Flasks, sold as a lot. The biger bottle comes with two shot glases into the Screw cap and the sma...
Leather, Glass
Sold
H 7.4 in W 6.5 in D 5 in
1980's Mexican Hand Blown Glass Decanter with Mercury Glass Sphere Stopper
Located in New York, NY
1980's Mexican handblown ribbed glass decanter bottle with mercury glass sphere bottle stopper.
Blown Glass, Mercury Glass, Cork
Saint Louis "Tommy" Hand-Cut Crystal Ice Bucket, France, 2022
By Saint Louis
Located in Cagliari, IT
From its star-shaped base to the sparkling glints of the diamond, bevel, pearl and rim cuts, Tommy stands as a timeless collection since 1928. Its straight lines have afforded elegan...
Crystal
Sold
H 5.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Val Saint Lambert Kent York Mid-Century Belgian Crystal Champagne Coupes, Set 8
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of eight crystal champagne coupes in the Kent York pattern, from Val Saint Lambert, Belgium, circa 1956-1962. Val Saint Lambert is a Belgian crystal glassware manufacturer, fo...
Crystal
Sold
H 5.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Val Saint Lambert Kent York Pattern Mid-Century Belgian Crystal Goblets, Set / 8
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of eight crystal goblets in the Kent York pattern, from Val Saint Lambert, Belgium, circa 1956-1962. Val Saint Lambert is a Belgian crystal glassware manufacturer, founded in ...
Crystal
Sold
H 1.75 in Dm 1.25 in
Simons Bros, Sterling Silver Thimble Two oz. Jigger Measure or Shot Cup Bar Tool
By Simons Bros. Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sterling silver thimble jigger or shot glass bar tool for measuring out liquor when mixing cocktails. Showing the mark for Simons Brothers, c...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2 in W 3.75 in D 6 in
Henry Birks & Co Sterling Silver Double Jigger Ounce Measure Bar Tool Dated 1947
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sterling silver double jigger bar tool for measuring out liquor when mixing cocktails, Marked Birks Sterling with a date stamp of the letter ‘M’ for 1947. The jigger has both a one ounce and a half ounce measuring cup with a hollowware handle. The handle is joined to the cups with an ornate collar. Henry Birks...
Sterling Silver
Waterford Lead Crystal Star Cut Colorless Drink Coasters, Set of Six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six vintage Waterford lead crystal drink coasters with a center star shaped cut pattern and pie-crust cut raised rims. Crystal produ...
Crystal
Sold
H 5.5 in Dm 3 in L 5.5 in
Midcentury Boopie Royal Ruby Red & Colorless Footed Hocking Glass Goblets, S/14
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of fourteen Royal Ruby Red Boopie goblets, made by Anchor Hocking Glass, circa 1930-1940. Suitable for water or wine, the bell shaped g...
Glass
Set of Three Olive Green Wine Demijohns, Mecklenburg, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Free-blown bottles 5.L .10.L. 20.L. with rough pontils and applied lips manufactured in Mecklenburg, 19th C.Germany. Demijohn is an old word that formerly referred to any glass ...
Blown Glass
French Ice Bucket by Michel Dartois
By Michel Dartois, Paris
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Wonderful French pineapple shaped ice bucket by Michel Dartois, Paris, 1970s. Made of plastic, solid metal base stamped with 'Made in Paris', and adorned with beautiful metal leaves ...
Brass