Skip to main content

International Style Ceramics

INTERNATIONAL STYLE

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.

to
5
1
1
1
6
1
2,859
1,015
976
653
312
253
140
116
84
65
64
34
30
18
9
3
3
2
7
4
4
4
1
6
1
7
6
7
2
7
5
1
1
1
Style: International Style
Limoges French Porcelain Sea Shell Dish W/ Hand Painted Lily-of-The-Valley Motif
Located in New York, NY
Limoges white porcelain sea shell dish with hand painted lily-of-the-valley and butterfly design, c. mid 20th century, France. Signed Limoges France on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European International Style Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

ceramic tile panel "triennale" design Gio Ponti for Marazzi
Located in taranto, IT
ceramic panel composed of four iconic and famous "triennial" tiles also known as "four times curved," designed in the 1960s by Gio Ponti and Alberto Rosselli for Ceramiche Marazzi. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Aluminum

Honey and sugar canister jar set in ceramic from the SoShiro Ainu collection
Located in London, GB
The ceramic canister jars with lids from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, are generously sized and can be used ...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Kaolin

Bento inspired ceramic serving platter from the SoShiro Ainu collection
Located in London, GB
The Bento serving platter with two chopstick stands from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, is a sophisticated and artistic take on the sectional bento. The moveable ceramic rod can be removed to create a serving dish for any type of food. The chopstick rests make great supports for serving utensils. This ceramic piece is cast and hand-finished in the Veneto region of Italy, renowned for its rich heritage in ceramics. On the white glazed ceramic is a Blakiston’s fish owl...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic tray from the Soshiro Ainu collection
Located in London, GB
The white ceramic tray or English salver from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Kaolin

Matcha bowl in ceramic from the SoShiro Ainu collection
Located in London, GB
The matcha bowl from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, is the perfect ceramic tea war...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Kaolin

Contemporary vase in white ceramic from the SoShiro Ainu collection
Located in London, GB
This ceramic table vase from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, has an organic incorporated handle for an easy gr...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Kaolin

Related Items
Vintage Porcelain Ashtray Limoges Hand-Painted Dish France 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Limoges Porcelain Ashtray bridge poker, ace poker card games square cube design with gold top bowl. Hand-Painted Dish France 1970s. Limoges porcelain Vintage Ashtray Dish with the ac...
Category

Late 20th Century French International Style Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of White & Blue Chinese Ceramic / Porcelain Spoons, Double Happiness
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully hand-painted pair of Chinese blue & white ceramic spoons circa 1850. They bear double happiness signs and wonderful, sculptural shape. A gr...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Porcelain Ashtray Limoges Hand-Painted Dish France 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Limoges Porcelain Ashtray Hand-Painted Dish France 1960s. Vintage Ashtray dish with hand-painted design and writing French text:" Selon L'oiseau le nide, selon La femme le logis". Which translate in english" according to the bird the nest, according to the woman the home". 1960s Limoges France ashtray...
Category

Mid-20th Century French International Style Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Mid Century Design Ceramic Wall Tile Decoration, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1960s - Good original condition - Marked jr.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Robert Picault Ceramic Vallauris France Ceramic Platter Mid Century
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Robert Picault (1919 - 2000) French ceramist in Vallauris Robert Picault has contributed to the revival of culinary ceramics by updating traditional local forms decorated with lines and geometric designs. His identity style has been a great success and continues to decorate the table today. His personal pieces are sought after by art collectors. A former student of the School of Applied Arts in Paris, Robert Picault arrived in Vallauris in 1946. He created with his school friends Roger Capron (1922-2006) and Jean Derval (1925-2010), the Callis workshop. In this village of a hundred potters, they met the neighboring ceramists André Baud, the 4 potters and among others the Madoura workshop, where he frequented the famous painter Picasso from 1949 to 1955. He also became friends with Jean Cocteau, Fernand Léger, Louis Aragon...
Category

1950s French Vintage International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

French Porcelain Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Porcelain Flowers Oyster Plate Limoges, circa 1900. 8.5 inches diameter.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique International Style Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Majolica Lily of the Valley Tumblers, Handmade in Italy, S/4
Located in West Chester, PA
Majolica Lily of the Valley Tumbler, Set of 4, Handmade in Italy for The Mane Lion The Mane Lion was born in 1979 in the heart of Philadelphia's fabled Ma...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Roger Capron Painted Ceramic Dish with Flower Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful ceramic painted dish with three small ceramic feet by Roger Capron from France, 1950's. Hand painted blue, green and white flower motif. Great desk accessory or catch-all. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Robert Picault Ceramic Vallauris France Ceramic Platter, Mid-Century
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Robert Picault (1919 - 2000) French ceramist in Vallauris Robert Picault has contributed to the revival of culinary ceramics by updating traditional local forms decorated with lines and geometric designs. His identity style has been a great success and continues to decorate the table today. His personal pieces are sought after by art collectors. A former student of the School of Applied Arts in Paris, Robert Picault arrived in Vallauris in 1946. He created with his school friends Roger Capron (1922-2006) and Jean Derval (1925-2010), the Callis workshop. In this village of a hundred potters, they met the neighboring ceramists André Baud, the 4 potters and among others the Madoura workshop, where he frequented the famous painter Picasso from 1949 to 1955. He also became friends with Jean Cocteau, Fernand Léger, Louis Aragon...
Category

1950s French Vintage International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Stoneware Bowl Longquan Celadon, Early Ming Dynasty Circa 1400
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very old interesting Chinese Export stoneware Longquan Celadon bowl, which we date to the early Ming or later Yuan Dynasty, circa 14...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique International Style Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Georgian Masons Ironstone Serving Platter in rare Chrysanthemum pattern, Ca 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative small rectangular serving platter by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England in the stylised Chrysanthemum pattern, dating to the very early period of Mason'...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ironstone

Plate by Gio Ponti from 1930 small boat on the waves the blue sea San Cristoforo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Plate by Gio Ponti from 1930 with a small boat on the waves of the blue sea San Cristoforo
Category

1930s Italian Vintage International Style Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Previously Available Items
Ancient Italian Maiolica Covered Fish Dish, Nove Di Bassano, 1890-1920
Located in Milano, IT
Maiolica covered fish dish. Nove di Bassano, 1890-1920. It measures: 5.76 in x 25.39 in x 7.87 in (14.6 cm x 64.5 cm x 20 cm). It weighs 5.751 lb (2.609 kg). State of conservatio...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian International Style Ceramics

Materials

Maiolica

International Style ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style ceramics 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 ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, clay and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style ceramics made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original ceramics, popular names associated with this style include SoShiro, and Limoges. 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $2,703 while the average work can sell for $266.

Recently Viewed

View All