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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Gabbianelli, Vase, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
Gabbianelli Vase An orange covered ceramic rectangular vase, with two convex and two concave sides. With a « G » monogram underneath. Produced by Ceramic Gabbianelli, Italy. 1960s....
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

White Organic Ceramic Kawa Vase 05, Leather Cast Porcelain Flower Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tactile and organic porcelain vase with leather textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. As a result of the production process each item is one-of-a-kind. Use individual...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Clay

Elongated Serving Platter in Hand-Painted Ceramic by Jurg Lanrein
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful elongated modernist serving platter was realized by the esteemed artist Jurg Lanrein in Switzerland during the latter half of the 20th century. It offers a rectangular form with raised sides and hand embellished organic striations running lengthwise from end to end. Reminiscent of a deconstructed Morris Louis painting...
Category

20th Century Swiss Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Bjørn Wiinblad Rosenthal Studio-Linie Boxed Solitaire Game
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage German Rosenthal Studio-Linie original boxed ‘Keramik-Solitärspiel’ (Solitaire Game) by renowned Danish painter, designer and artist B...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

American Modernist Organic Hand Painted Ceramic in Variegated Java Hues
Located in New York, NY
This elegant modernist vase was realized in the United States circa 1980. It features a conical form that flares dramatically at its shoulders before tapering to an economical circular mouth. The exterior of the piece has been hand glazed in java and cafe au lait ones against a warm tan back ground. The form recalls both antique African pottery...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

1960s Set of Two Modernist Italian Ceramic Jugs by Artigiana Ceramica Umbra
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Two multi colored ceramic huge jugs designed and hand-crafted in Italy by ceramica Artigiana Umbra, small manufacturer founded in 1956 in Città di Castello. They are in perfect condi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Contemporary Studio Pottery Fruit Bowl, English, Ceramic, Decor, Serving Dish
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a contemporary studio pottery fruit bowl. An English, ceramic decorative serving dish dating to the turn of the millennium. Unusual form, with a distinctive decorative fin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Paul Northmore Jackson Abstract Colorful Hand Painted Studio Pottery Mug, 1993
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
From an extensive collection of studio pottery we are pleased to offer this fine abstract form studio pottery mug by Cornish based potter Paul Northmore...
Category

1990s English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

David Heminsley 'Scottish, 1927-2007' Studio Pottery Lidded Conserve Jar
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very finely made studio pottery lidded conserve jar decorated in tenmoku glazes with a ribbon and bow pattern applied around the body of the jar by Scottish based potter David Hemi...
Category

20th Century Scottish Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Set of 3, White & Dark Red Small Ceramic Kawa Dish, Textured Porcelain Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An organic shaped porcelain dish with a tactile exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. Small & precious, yet surprisingly practical, the Kawa Dishes are equally well-suited a...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Ruth Duckworth Stoneweare Ceramic Large Monumemtal Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
Ruth Duckworth was an innovative Chicago sculptor, deeply engaged in the natural world and responding to artistic developments in the 1960s. Working in clay, she called herself a scu...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Studio Pottery Conical Bowl, Indistinctly Signed, Canada, circa 2006
Located in Chatham, ON
Superb Studio Pottery conical bowl - wheel thrown featuring a hand painted swirl pattern to the inside of the bowl in tan and turquoise - sand infused glo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

White Organic Porcelain Kawa Large Bowl, textured Ceramic Centerpiece
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tactile and organic large porcelain bowl with leather textured exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. The Kawa Bowls are expressive and lively. With their fluid forms and pro...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

White and Black Porcelain Freeform Sculpture Vase by Marc Uzan Midcentury
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Marc Uzan Elegant white and black ceramic vase or sculpture. Original porcelain freeform signed under the base UZAN Realised, circa 2000 Original perfect condition Mea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

"Buckskin Camaro" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming Community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Litchfield Lamp by Charlie Dumais
Located in Bantam, CT
Our stoneware Litchfield Lamp is handcrafted using slab-construction techniques. The lamp’s pattern is created by rolling the surface with textured rolling pins and rods. FINISH - Parchment & matte-black poured glaze - Antique brass fittings - Black-cloth cord - Full-range dimmer socket - Off-white linen shade, pictured with a paper shade LAMPING Provided with dimmable Tala LED light bulbs DIMENSIONS Lamp Height – 15” Lamp Base – 10” square tapering to 2” square Lamp Shade – 9” x 16...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware

Turid Mjelve, Blue and Black Table Lamp, Stoneware, Norway, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue and black stoneware table lamp designed and produced by Turid Mjelve, Norway, c. 1970s. Sold without lampshade. Dimensions of L...
Category

1970s Norwegian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Set of Three Ceramic Vases White and Grey by Lukas Richarz Signed French Design
By Lukas Richarz
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Lukas Richarz Set of three small ceramic vases Original white and grey ceramic colors, 21st century interior design Original perfect conditio...
Category

2010s French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Handmade Ceramic Spikes White Decorative Flower Vase III
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful decorative flower vase, perfect for showcasing your cherished blooms. Providing a unique perspective from every angle, this handmade ceramic vase blurs the line between fun...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery

Handmade White Ceramic Flower Vase, Kawa Vase #7, Organic Sculptural Porcelain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kawa Vase 07 Tall white ceramic vase with textured raw porcelain exterior surface and clear glazed interior. As a result of the production process each item is one-of-a-kind. Use i...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain

Ceramic plate by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic plate by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Fragile Structure#11 Norihiko Terayama Gertrud Lonegren
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
This series is made up of some glass and some ceramic works. These works are highly unique form and looking. Norihiko Terayama created them from damaged vases, coffee cups and so on....
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Lune Vide Poche
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The unique Solar collection conjures the spirit of the mystical universe. Natale’s solar candles encompass mysticism and pairs it with clean architectural lines in an evocative and e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Lune Vide Poche
Lune Vide Poche
$90 / item
Gemini Vase by Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Gemini vase in White Designed by Project 213A in 2020 Handmade Stoneware A beautiful flower arrangement can bring out the inner quality of flowers and plants, expressing emotion. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Abstract Colored Stoneware Ceramic Table Lamp by M Sauce Unique Piece, 2021
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Mathilde Sauce Unique piece, realised in 2021 Original stoneware ceramic table lamp by the french artist Colored ceramic design Original per...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Pink or Red Glazed Porcelain Ceramic Bowl or Cup by Marc Uzan, circa 2010
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Marc Uzan Elegant porcelain bowl with pink or light red ceramic glaze color Elegant porcelain form realized circa 2010 Signed under the base Original perfect conditions ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Number 1 Showtime Vase by Jaime Hayon
Located in Geneve, CH
Number 1 showtime vase by Jaime Hayon Dimensions: Diameter 19 x H 33 cm Materials: Made in two pieces in enameled stoneware porcelain; monocolour (in...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

White Carafe and Cups Set by Craig Barrow
Located in Geneve, CH
White carafe and cups set by Craig Barrow Dimensions: 7.5 x 10.5 x 20.5cm - 6 x 5 x 5.5cm Volume approx.: 400ml - 50ml Variations: Black porcelain, ...
Category

2010s German Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Helga Melnbarde, 'Portrait', Hand Painted Ceramic Plate, Latvia, circa 1988
Located in Chatham, ON
Helga Ingeborga Melnbarde - 'Portrait' - Important contemporary European studio ceramic plate - hand painted on a Czech porcelain 'blank' - featur...
Category

Late 20th Century Latvian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Enamel, Gold Leaf

Set of 3, White & Pink Small Ceramic Kawa Dish, Organic Textured Porcelain bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An organic shaped porcelain dish with a tactile exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. Small & precious, yet surprisingly practical, the Kawa Dishes are equally well-suited a...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Ceramic Bowl Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Salad Bowl. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, this feature distinctive scalloped-edg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Chevalier de Malte by Jean Cocteau
Located in Atlanta, GA
Jean Cocteau (French 1889-1963) Amazingly talented, Jean Cocteau was a visual artist, poet, playwright, film director, and designer. He was one of the foremost avant-garde a...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Elsa Benattar Large Glazed Lidded Studio Pottery Bottle Shaped Ewer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
From a very large collection of 20th and 21st century Studio Pottery we offer this large and stylish Studio Pottery streak tenmoku colored glaze lidded ewer by Elsa Benattar...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Brutalist Brown Stoneware Ceramic Sculpture Abstract Form by Hervé Rousseau
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Hervé Rousseau Abstract stoneware ceramic sculpture by the french artist. Elegant brown stoneware ceramic glaze with firing effects. Signed und...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 3, White Small Ceramic Kawa Dish, Organic Textured Porcelain Catchall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An organic shaped porcelain dish with a tactile exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. Small & precious, yet surprisingly practical, the Kawa Dishes are equally well-suited a...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Paidge Lamp - Contemporary handmade ceramic, neutral, brown, red, tan, textured
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind ceramic lamp, hand built and assembled by hand. The lamp base is made with red clay manufactured regionally to the East Coast with custom made white frothy glaze. This piece was inspired by seashells and smooth stones...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Brass

Vallauris, France, two ceramic bowls with yellow and green glazes.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Vallauris, France, two ceramic bowls with yellow and green glazes on a black base. 1960/70s. Marked. In excellent condition. Measuring: L 13.5 x W 10.0 x H 5.0 cm.
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 3, White & Speckled Blue Small Ceramic Kawa Dish, Textured Porcelain bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An organic shaped porcelain dish with a tactile exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. Small & precious, yet surprisingly practical, the Kawa Dishes are equally well-suited a...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Waylande Gregory Studios Black and Gold Ceramic Jar
Located in Houston, TX
A decorative black and gold ceramic lidded jar. A lovely catchall jar and can double as a contemporary vase. Waylande Gregory Studios was f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Flat Vase Project by 213A - Baby blue
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Flat vase in Baby blue. Designed by Project 213A in 2021. Handmade Stoneware. Creation demands destruction, taking the old and the typical to conceive the new and particular. The F...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

White & Dark Blue Small Ceramic Kawa Dish, Textured Porcelain Catchall Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An organic shaped porcelain bowl with a tactile exterior surface and a smooth glazed interior. Small & precious, yet surprisingly practical, the Kawa Dishes are equally well-suited as a jewelry dish, salt cellar, sauces & dips bowl...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Sheila Casson Chestnut Salt Glazed Studio Pottery Jug
By Sheila Casson
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
From a very large Studio Pottery collection we offer this stunning vintage British Studio Pottery jug by renowned potter Sheila Casson and made in Ross-On-Wye and dating from the sec...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Black, Red & Yellow Kati Tuominen-Niittylä Large Ceramic Dish, Morocco Series 1
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and unique ceramic art piece by Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, one of the most prominent modern Finnish ceramic artists and a member of the iconic Arabia Art Department. This b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Sheep Moneybox Pop Art, Red, Made in Italy, 2022, New Collection
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
These splendid ceramic creations are born from the artistic laboratory of Mosche Bianche. The piggy bank, a means that has always been used to remind us of the importance of savi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Candle Holder. Handmade in Italy 2021, Choose Your Pattern!
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
For more than 30 years this artist has revolutionized the way of thinking about stone. Their artisan techniques are the result of careful research and deep knowledge of the subject: ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Lava

Alfonso Vase, by Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This vase draws inspiration from the Icelandic volcanic rock formations which can be found by Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. It his sculpted by organically displacing seventeen indivi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Signed Luna Garcia Pottery 1992, Ebony black Ceramic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist handmade and signed matte black by California artist Luna Garcia.
Category

20th Century American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mike Dodd Studio Pottery Green Ash Glazed Teapot and Cover
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish English studio pottery teapot and cover decorated in green ash glazes by renowned potter Mike Dodd (British, b. 1943) and dating from t...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Monumental Pair of Marcello Fantoni Etruscan Sgraffiti Vases with Covers
Located in Skanninge, SE
An outstanding pair of vases with covers in the sgraffiti technique by the Italian master Marcello Fantoni. These ceramic masterpieces are in perfect condition and they are both sign...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

"Leaf Rambler" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Helga Melnbarde, 'Princess', Hand Painted Ceramic Plate, Latvia, circa 1990
Located in Chatham, ON
HELGA INGEBORGA MELNBARDE - 'Princess' - Important contemporary European studio ceramic plate - hand painted on a Wedgwood 'blank' - featuring an ...
Category

Late 20th Century Latvian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Enamel

Vessel 05 in Smooth Stoneware Clay. Handmade by Jade Paton for Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
For the La Terra collection, Lemon collaborated with renowned artist Jade Paton. Jade creates contemporary sculptures out of clay. Her main source of inspir...
Category

2010s South African Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Stylish Pair Graduated Brown Glazed Studio Pottery Moon Vases
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very well made and stylish pair graduated studio pottery moon vases believed to date from the 20th century and probably originating from the UK. The stoneware vases are lightly potted standing on flat narrow oval shaped bases and both are hand crafted in narrow round moon shape with short narrow funnel necks and slighted everted thicker opening. The vases are decorated in splashed tenmoku brown glazes on a red brown glazed ground with a linear pattern running diagonally across the bodies. Both vases have impressed marks which we have been unable to identify, one with a series of collectors paper labels suggesting possible makers. However we have been unable to verify any of these. The dimensions provided are for the larger vase and the smaller example measures: height 16 cm, width 12.5 cm and depth 4.5 cm. Absolutely stunning display pieces...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Rosenthal Vintage Wirkkala Ceramic Sculptural Do Not Litter Paper Bags Set of 3
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage set of 3 complete white glazed ceramic crushed bags of white porcelain were manufactured by Rosenthal and designed by Tapio Wirkkala in the 1970s. They are called " The ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Eric James Mellon Studio Pottery Experimental Glazed Cup 2006
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine stoneware cup decorated in experimental glazes by renowned ceramic artist Eric James Mellon (British, 1925-2014) and dated 2006. Trai...
Category

Early 2000s English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Decorative Ceramic Box Orange and Black Colors by Jean Grison
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Grison Elegant and delicate decorative ceramic box by the French artist. Many ceramic colors effects. Signed under the base, circa 2000. Original good conditions. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Tall White Ceramic Kawa Vases, Leather cast Porcelain, Organic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of tall and tactile porcelain vases with a leather textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. This specific set was inspired by skyscrapers in the city. As a resul...
Category

2010s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay, Ceramic, Porcelain

Raul Coronel ceramic / pottery decorative plate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful plate by the well known potter Raul Cornell .
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Signed Tan Ceramic Buckle Bag 90's
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing signed 1990's tan ceramic buckle bag sculpture resembles real leather. One needs to take a double look. The signature is not legible for interpretation. Even the buckle ...
Category

1990s North American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Sailor Vase Handmade Textured Glaze
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
The Sailor vase by project 213A has been designed in 2020 and was launched in 2021. This glaze has a rough almost sandy texture and comes in a soft brick colour Handmade in Portuga...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

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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