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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Damascus Steel Blade Knife Wood Handle
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a knife featuring a Damascus steel blade and a composite wood handle. Damascus Steel: This type of steel is known for its distinctive wavy patterns of banding...
Steel
Two-sided Maple Wood Cutting Board and Serving Plate, Quadrato, Made in Italy
Beauty meets function. This two-sided cutting board is made with European maple butcher block and carved at the corners with an ergonomic shape for easy lifting and handling. It’s a dinner party staple accommodating your laborious food preparation on the broad, flat side of the board while your appetizer compositions can take shape on the distinctly scalloped side. Designed in Brooklyn by Italian-born architect Ale Preda for Miduny, this artisanal product is made in Italy by master craftsmen. This board design comes in two versions. Quadrato, the square version featured in this listing, measures 15.75" x 15.75" x 1.6" thick. It feels large, heavy and professional. Food safe finish. Maple from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified mill. You’ll be confident to show off those German knife...
Maple
$224Sale Price|20% Off
Dansk Butcher Block with Tile Inset
By Dansk
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice Dansk cutting board with an inset floral tile.
Ceramic, Wood
Modern Cone-Shaped Kitchen Block with Drawers in Solid Wood & Steel
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Cone-shaped kitchen block with drawers Kitchen block - Design Furniture Measures : Ø 50cm H: 85,5cm Weight : 100 kg Materials : Solid Wood - Steel
Steel
Border, Solid Oak Wood Rectangular Kitchen Board
Located in Orlando, FL
Suitable for the use of two people, serving board. It is produced from the solid oak tree. It collects the juices of food on the canals of its edges. Each tree is different in patter...
Wood, Oak
$185 / item
H 17.75 in W 10.25 in D 0.45 in
Large Maple Cutting Board from the Deborah Ehrlich Collection
Located in Accord, NY
Designed by Deborah Ehrlich and made in Rhode Island by the same master craftsman who makes her chairs - the simplicity and elegance of this maple cutting board speaks to the collect...
Maple
English 19th Century Bread Board
Located in Haywards Heath, GB
A stunning English 19th Century hand carved sycamore bread board. In lovely original condition, Circa 1880.
Wood
Mid-Century Butcher Block Table, Refurbished with Internal LEDs, 1950s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round Mid-Century butcher block, Internal Lightbulbs and Refurbished.
Lucite
$219 / item
H 1.6 in W 15.75 in D 23.5 in
Two-sided Maple Wood Cutting Board and Serving Plate, Rettangolo, Made in Italy
Beauty meets function. This two-sided cutting board is made with European maple butcher block and carved at the corners with an ergonomic shape for easy handling. It’s a dinner party staple accommodating your laborious food preparation on the broad, flat side of the board while your appetizer compositions can take shape on the distinctly scalloped side. Designed in Brooklyn by Italian-born architect Ale Preda for Miduny, this artisanal product is made in Italy by master craftsmen. This board design comes in two versions. Rettangolo, the rectangular version featured in this listing, measures 23.5" x 15.75" x 1.6" thick. It feels large, heavy, and professional. Food safe finish. Maple from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified mill. You’ll be confident to show off those German knife...
Maple
"Egg Pebble" Maple Wood Cutting Board
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by smoothed over, water-worn rocks, Noah Spencer's pebble cutting boards are a study in organic form. Whether hung on a wall in multiples to create a mosaic or piled on a co...
Hardwood, Maple
$165 / item
H 15.5 in W 9.25 in D 0.45 in
Medium Maple Cutting Board from the Deborah Ehrlich Collection
Located in Accord, NY
Designed by Deborah Ehrlich and made in Rhode Island by the same master craftsman who makes her chairs - the simplicity and elegance of this maple cutting board speaks to the collect...
Maple
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.25 in W 15 in D 17 in
Solid Teak Massive Double Sided Butcher Block Cutting Board Danish Modern
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid teak double-sided cutting board. with rounded corners and side handles one side can be used for meat cutting the other flat side for crackers and ch...
Teak
Large Flow Round Contemporary Carved Walnut Ebonized Tray / Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large flow round contemporary ebonized serving board by Vincent Pocsik Carved walnut cutting board with ebonized finish. Natural food safe oil and wax finish. Vincent Pocsi...
Walnut
"Hexagon Pebble" Maple Wood Cutting Board
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by smoothed over, water-worn rocks, Noah Spencer's pebble cutting boards are a study in organic form. Whether hung on a wall in multiples to create a mosaic or piled on a co...
Hardwood, Maple
$115
H 0.75 in W 7 in D 11.5 in
Dansk End Grain Teak Lollipop Shaped Serving Board with Built in Knife
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage lollipop shaped serving/cutting board with a built-in stainless steel knife hidden in the handle. Constructed in solid end-grain teak. Designer: Jens Quistgaard Manufa...
Stainless Steel
$1,500
H 0.79 in W 14.18 in D 17.33 in
Don Shoemaker Large Serving Tray /Cutting Board Made with Different Woods
Located in Mexico City, MX
This is a Mexican wood tray, cutting board or serving platter made in 1960s in Michoacan, Mexico by Don Shoemaker. It is in excelllent condition and...
Hardwood
Small Flow Round Contemporary Carved Walnut Ebonized Tray / Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small flow round contemporary ebonized serving board by Vincent Pocsik Carved walnut cutting board with ebonized finish. Natural food safe oil and wax finish. Vincent Pocsi...
Walnut
Miniature Butcher Block in Teak, Trip Trap, Denmark, 1990s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Novel yet useable butcher block in stacked solid teak. Use it for herbs, caviar or oyster display etc. It was designed and manufactured by Trip Tra...
Teak
Studio Craft Turned Wood Cutting Board / Serving Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A studio craft turned wood cutting or serving board. The beautifully patinated oakwood is constructed in a butcher block pattern with a flattened foot. Add your own selection of chee...
Oak
fferrone Contemporary Rectangular Wood Serving Tray Chopping Serve Board
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary serving board, conceived of as a centrepiece, chopping board, serving board, or tray, the Doppio is elegant when in use and when simply sitting on a table or counte...
Maple, Walnut