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Modern Ceramics

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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:  Pink
Elizabeth Anderson Harbour Pottery Studio Pottery Jug and Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and finely made studio pottery jug and vase decorated in trailed glazes by Elizabeth L Anderson and made at the Harbour Pottery at South Quay Studios in Maryport, Cumbria a...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Terra Stone, Contemporary Tall Vase / Vessel in coral and red by Nic Parnell
Located in London, GB
This vessel is created by applying multiple coats of liquid plaster over carefully textured surfaces. Each calculated coat of colour is eventually revealed by carving and lathing tho...
Category

2010s British Modern Ceramics

Materials

Marble

21st Century Ceramic Set of 6 Pieces Serving Round Dishes Handmade Made in Italy
Located in Milan, IT
Six concentric ceramic serving round dishes - trays handmade and hand-decorated of shades of red and warm colors and varying diameter and height, and that, once they are inside each...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Eugenio Pattarino Ceramic Charger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A fantastic and rare ceramic charger by Eugenio Pattarino. Vibrant red color and Classic Italian Mid-Century style is represented very well in this piece. Eugenio Pattarino was born in 1885 and passed away in 1971. He was a master sculptor and model maker and taught in art schools in both Venice and Frankfort, Germany. In the late 1940s he opened his own studio in Florence. His factory used both “EPF” and “CAPEF” (Artistic Ceramics Professor Eugene Pattarino) to mark his pieces. His studio is best known for its large religious statutes, many of which reside in a number of churches in Italy and the U.S. In the 1950s Pattarino had more than fifty artists working for him and some among them were considered the best ceramists in Italy. At this time Eugenio was joined by his son, Ranier, and the company began concentrating on more eclectic themes. These pieces, when new, were quite expensive when they were purchased but almost never garner anywhere near their original cost at today's auctions. The factory claimed that the Vatican used Pattarino’s ceramics as gifts to famous visitors, including President John Kennedy, Andre Gide and Paul Sartre. Unfortunately there is no proof to back these claims. As a matter of fact I have discovered that the Pattarino name is almost generally unknown in Italy and even lesser known in Florence. His name is, however, recognized here in the United States and most of the factory’s output can be found in the U.S. where it was imported. In November 1966 the Arno River flooded its bank and inundated most of Florence. Work to restore damaged art...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

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Red Vase by Dimorestudio
Located in Milan, IT
This striking vase has a simple, rectangular shape, highlighted with a brass strip at the bottom and two different solid finishes, one large strip in pink and a vivid red top. The pi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Brass

Red Vase by Dimorestudio
Red Vase by Dimorestudio
H 14.97 in W 8.27 in D 3.55 in
White Tall Textured Twin Spout Vase, Denmark, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Danish tall textured white ceramic vase with two round spouts on a base of two round spheres. Very sculptural in design. Smaller version available S5602 Two available an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Ceramics

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Ceramic

Wide Sandstone Vessel Vase by Moïo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Wide Sandstone Vessel vase by Moïo Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: W 38 x D 38 x H 32 cm Materials: White glaze and porcelain on tan stoneware Moïo Studio is the Berlin-based c...
Category

2010s German Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Wide Sandstone Vessel Vase by Moïo Studio
Wide Sandstone Vessel Vase by Moïo Studio
H 12.6 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Peter Shire Exp Signed Post Modern Ceramic California Pottery Splatter Cup, 1979
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memph...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed
Located in Voorburg, NL
Very sophisticated ceramic jug designed and made by Klaas Mobach for ‘Mobach Utrecht’ in the 1940s with black and blue reduced fired glaze. Execution Mo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Handmade Set of 2 Hexagonal Black Marquina Marble Plates / Serving Dishes
Located in Carrara, IT
Set of 2 hexagonal black Marquina marble plates / serving dishes. Big plate diameter 40 cm, small plate diameter 30 cm. Each piece is in a way unique (every...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Marble

Peter Shire Exp Signed Post Modern Ceramic California Pottery Splatter Cup, 1979
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memph...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Contemporary White Ceramic Serving Dishes and Plate Complete Handmade Set
Located in Milano, IT
Contemporary white ceramic serving table dishes and plate complete handmade set UltraBold is a collection of three ceramic serving dishes: fla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Robert Maxwell Signed Large Mid-Century Modern California Studio Pottery Charger
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully made and beautifully designed Mid-Century Modern pottery charger by famed California potter and sculptor Robert Maxwell. Maxwell co-founded Earthgender pottery with fellow potter David Cressey. This charger/platter was made at his Venice beach, California Pottery studio in the early 1960s as verified by his wife. It is a very rare piece in respect to design, pattern, and sheer Size/heft (it is a very heavy work). We have not seen another quite like it. Apparently, he only made a few with some filled with melted glass to create the design/pattern. Signed by Maxwell on the base. Would clearly be a great addition to any mid-century pottery/ceramics collection...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Peter Shire Exp Signed Ceramic Pottery Splatter Tall Mug Sculpture, Dated 1981
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memphis Group, an international design movement that came out of Italy during the 1980s (1980-1988), and specialized in postmodern furniture, lighting, fabrics, carpets, ceramics, glass, and metal objects. This work is from 1981 and is signed with Shire's customary "EXP" pottery (Echo Park Pottery...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Ceramic Fish Set, English, 1930s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Super art deco pottery fish set Comprising 4 plates and a serving dish By Shorter & Sons, Stoke On Trent. All in good condition The measurement re...
Category

1930s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Ceramic Fish Set, English, 1930s
Vintage Ceramic Fish Set, English, 1930s
H 1.5 in W 14.75 in D 11 in
Peter Shire Exp Signed Ceramic California Studio Pottery Glazed Cup, 1979
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and extremely rare/scarce early work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore S...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Modern ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern 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, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern ceramics made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, 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 Monika Patuszynska, Mosche Bianche, Richard A. Hirsch, and LAAB Milano. 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 $20 and tops out at $50,348 while the average work can sell for $614.

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