Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

6
to
6
6
6
6
6
183
91
53
46
43
Style: Modern
Creator: Bari Ziperstein
Ceramic Hex Planter in Iron Gate by BZIPPY
Located in Sun Valley, CA
Ceramic Hex Planter in Iron Gate. Made to order. BZIPPY ceramic goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions including furniture, planters and home accessories. Each...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Chrome Green by BZIPPY
Located in Sun Valley, CA
Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Chrome Green. Made to order. BZIPPY ceramic goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions including furniture, planters and home access...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Jade by BZIPPY
Located in Sun Valley, CA
Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Jade. Made to order. BZIPPY ceramic goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions including furniture, pl...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Acai Matte by BZIPPY
Located in Sun Valley, CA
Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Acai Matte. Made to order. BZIPPY ceramic goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions including furniture, planters and home accessor...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Cream by BZIPPY
Located in Sun Valley, CA
Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Cream. Made to order. BZIPPY ceramic goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions including furniture, pl...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Royal Danish by BZIPPY
Located in Sun Valley, CA
Three-Tier Ceramic Hex Planter in Royal Danish. Made to order. BZIPPY ceramic goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions including furniture, planters and home access...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Related Items
Chunky Tubular Ceramic Magazine Rack by BZIPPY in Silver Palladium Glaze
Located in Brooklyn, NY
BZIPPY accessories emerge from a vocabulary of shapes informed by the designer's interest in architecture, industrial design, and the many forms of urban infrastructure. A new functi...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Handmade Ceramic Matte Platter in White, in Stock
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Handmade and hand painted ceramics from one of the mother countries, Portugal, these beautiful pieces for your table will add a modern touch and are perfect to mix and match. This ma...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Handmade Ceramic Matte Bowl in White, in Stock
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Handmade and hand painted ceramics from one of the mother countries, Portugal, these beautiful pieces for your table will add a modern touch and are perfect to mix and match. This bo...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

XXL Hex Planter by BZippy Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
XXL Hex planter by BZippy Studio BZIPPY clay goods are one-of-a-kind stoneware / earthenware editions with variations in glazes depending on the high ...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

French Three-Tier Wire Planter
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique French tapering three-tier wire planter on scrolling tripod legs.
Category

19th Century French Antique Modern Ceramics

Materials

Wire

Vessel by Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Stan Bitters planter with incised floral motif on both sides. This vessel was designed by one of California's great ceramicist's and manufactured by Hans Sumpf.
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Chunky Tubular Ceramic Magazine Rack by BZIPPY in Lavender Milky Way Glaze
Located in Brooklyn, NY
BZIPPY accessories emerge from a vocabulary of shapes informed by the designer's interest in architecture, industrial design, and the many forms of urban infrastructure. A new functi...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

1970s Spanish Green Glazed Ceramic Urn Planter
Located in Marbella, ES
Vintage 1970s Spanish green glazed ceramic urn planter.
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Ceramic Amphora with Iron Base
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s ceramic amphora with iron base.
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Ceramics

Materials

Iron

1970s Ceramic Amphora with Iron Base
1970s Ceramic Amphora with Iron Base
H 40.95 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Royal Doulton Egyptian Revival Porcelain Jardinière
Located in Stamford, CT
Royal Doulton jardinière made during the Egyptian Revival period.
Category

Early 20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Handmade Ceramic Matte Creamer in Black, in Stock
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Handmade and hand painted ceramics from one of the mother countries, Portugal, these beautiful pieces for your table will add a modern touch and are perfect to mix and match. This mu...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

French Art Nouveau Longchamp Bronze Mounted Ceramic Planter
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large French Art Nouveau bronze mounted glazed ceramic planter or cachepot from Longchamp, Burgundy. Vibrant hand painted colorful flowers with bright green foliage and metallic go...
Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Bronze

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.

Recently Viewed

View All