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Modern Centerpieces

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Color:  Red
Italian Venetian Red Murano Glass Centerpiece with Submerged Gold, 2000s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Venetian red Murano glass centerpiece with submerged gold 2000s. This outstanding piece of art will bring a true touch of Venetian beauty into...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Modern Daniele Papuli for Dilmos Vase Vinyl Red Sculpture Handcrafted
Located in Milan, IT
Red vase designed by Daniele Papuli for Dilmos Edizioni. The sculptural vase is in lamellar structure made of flexible vinyl sheet in red color. Each red stripe is carefully cut by...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Acrylic

Nunki Carlo Moretti Contemporary Mouth Blown Murano Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Moretti Nunki contemporary mouth blown Murano glass vase in clear glass with red stripe overlay. Part of the I Piccoli collection, small in size but gives a considerable amoun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Novel Carlo Moretti Contemporary Mouth Blown Murano Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Moretti Novel contemporary mouth blown Murano glass vase in clear glass with blood red and bright red detail. Part of the I Piccoli collection, the objects are small in size b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

21st Century Red Matt Hammered Bowl by Ceramica Gatti, designer A. Anastasio
Located in Faenza, IT
Made in Italy high hammered bowl, in Indian red matt color, this pottery peace was designed by Andrea Anastasio at the historical Bottega Cercamica Gatti 1928 in Faenza, Italy, specialized on creating ceramic art, that goes perfect for people passionate on home decor. Year of production: 2020. Made in cast with liquid clay and airbrush, painted with engobes. From Bottega Gatti's portfolio it has being selected a collection of vases, bowls and candlesticks from early '50, specially interesting for their soft shapes and their matt enamels that evokes the "Nature Morte" of Morandi. These pieces can make any room pop in color and design, such as for a lovely dining table decor...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Small Red Centerpiece by Arik Levy George
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant and expressive, this stylized ceramic centerpiece was turned on a lathe of white refractory clay with a cylindrical base supporting a bowl-shaped top. A two-tone finish enric...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Bubble Centerpiece in Hand Blown Murano Glass by Luca Nichetto & Gianpietro Gai
Located in Venezia, IT
Cased blown and hand-formed glass elements. Limited edition: 101 pieces.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Nail Varnish, a black & red glass sculpture with platinum by Asa Jungnelius
Located in London, GB
'Nail Varnish' is an oversized sculptural version of its functional counterpart by the Swedish artist Asa Jungnelius for Kosta Boda. Monumental in scale, this hand-blown artwork in b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Platinum

Related Items
Colosseum I Copper Centerpiece by Jaime Hayon
Located in Milan, IT
Colosseum I is a copper centerpiece (or fruit bowl). The product is part of the collection New Roman, by Jaime Hayon, a series of containers which reference the shapes of ancient c...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Copper

New Modern Centerpiece in Red Levanto Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
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Contemporary Blue Yellow Fruit Vase Blown Glass Handcrafted Natalia Criado
Located in Milan, IT
The azul vase is an extension of Natalia Criado's wonder crystals project. this series of blown glasswares is a testament to timeless craftsmanship. Meticulously handcrafted by skill...
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Vase Vessel Decorative Sculpture White Onyx Marble Hand-carved Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
Luxurious small vase sculpted by hand from a solid block of white onyx. Vase dimensions: D 13, H 22 cm. The polished finishing underlines the transparency of the onyx making this a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Onyx

Sculptural Murano Iridescent Mirrored Glass Vases
Located in Austin, TX
Italian handblown Murano glass vases with white interiors and iridescent mirrored exteriors. We stay captivated by the organic,"caught in fusion” scu...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

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21st Century by Feix & Merlin "WENTWORTH" Marble Egg Cup
Located in massa, IT
Marble Egg cup designed by Feix & Merlin. Size: Diameter cm 8 x 8 height Materials: White Carrara Designed by: Feix & Merlin.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Marble

'Tentacle Vase' Hand Blown Glass Vase by Simone Crestani
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
'Tentacle Vase' A Hand Blown Glass Vase by Simone Crestani Tentacle Vase is one of the pieces from the Polpo Collection. "The enveloping elegance of th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

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Carlo Moretti Vase Marbled Agate Glass Purple White Italian Studio Glass
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Purple and white marbled art glass vase by Carlo Moretti from the 1970s. This is a stunning piece of Venetian studio art glass that reflects the unique style and creativity of the ar...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

21st Century Large Ceramic Bowl in White Handmade
Located in Milan, IT
Vietri collection - O'Cornicello - ceramic plates, created following a lengthy and complex production process. The first phase involves shaping the clay on the wheel, from which the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Ceramic

Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Heigh...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Aluminum

Contemporary Collectible Vase Gold Handcrafted Ceramic
Located in Roma, RM
This dust and gold vase, .... ... Vase, 31 x 23 x 31.5 H cm Dust & Gold collection Hand painted 24-karat gold hand painted Made in Italy The Dust & Gold collection was pres...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Clay

Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte Vase Model 2665
Located in New York, NY
Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte rare large graphic colored crystal vase consisting of dark blue central square cylinder with attached brown tria...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Art Glass

Previously Available Items
Hermès Porcelain "Balcon du Guadalquivir" Rectangular Platter, France, Modern
Located in Cagliari, IT
An elegant Hèrmes porcelain rectangular platter made with the "Balcon du Guadalquivir". The graphic, bold scenery recalls the ironwork of Andalusi...
Category

2010s French Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Porcelain

Bosco Carlo Moretti Contemporary Mouth Blown Murano Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Moretti Bosco contemporary mouth blown Murano glass vase in orange. Bosco can be combined with other Bosco vases, sizes and colors, harmoniously. Carlo Moretti: An arti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Modern centerpieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern centerpieces 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 centerpieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern centerpieces made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original centerpieces, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Ivan Colominas, Andrea Anastasio, and Barberini & Gunnell. 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 centerpieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $70 and tops out at $153,375 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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