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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: Late 20th Century
Gabbianelli Walt Disney
Located in Lugo, IT
Three bowls with saucer and pitcher attributed to a Gabbianelli production. Good conditions. Thank you
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Collection of Two Ceramic Glazed Vases by Warren Mackinzie
Located in Atlanta, GA
An assemble of two stemmed cylinder-shape stoneware vases by American studio potter Warren MacKenzie (1924-2018). The two vases have a complementary form and silouette and display ni...
Category

1990s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Large Japanese Studio Ceramic Vessel c1960s
Located in Oakland, CA
Absolutely stunning vintage Japanese studio ceramic vessel made by an incredibly talented unknown artisan c1970s. Most likely came in a wood box. Amazing form and glaze work.
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Bruno Gambone, Ceramic Table lamp, Italy, 1980s
Located in Paris, FR
Bruno Gambone (1936-2021) Table lamp A light grey ceramic table lamp, with a cylindrical body decorated with a black line at the rim, surmounted with a trumpet shape stem. With a light grey fabric shade. Signed underneath « Gambone, Italy ». Italy, 1980s. Dimensions Lamp alone Height : 26 cm Diameter : 17,5 cm Lamp with shade Height : 52 cm Diameter : 35 cm Bruno Gambone (1936-2021) Bruno Gambone was born in Vietri sul Mare in 1936. His father, Guido Gambone, a famous ceramist soon trained him in his workshop in Firenze. During the 50s, Bruno went to work with Andrea D’Arienzo...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Portafoto in ceramica attribuito a Tommaso Barbi
Located in Lugo, IT
Portafoto in ceramica attribuito a Tommaso Barbi Buone condizioni Grazie
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Blue Stoneware Open Bowl By Dansk
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Blue Stoneware Open Bowl By Dansk
Category

1990s Japanese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Nantucket Home Royal Blue Hand Painted Vase Urn
By Nantucket Home
Located in Germantown, MD
Royal blue hand painted vase urn. Fine porcelain by Nantucket Home. Suitable for flowers or ice bucket. Two handy handles. Measures 7.5" in diameter and 6.5" tall. Excellent condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Lucie Rie, Austrian-born British potter. Unique large modernist vase
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Lucie Rie (b. 1902, 1995), Austrian-born British potter. Unique large modernist vase in glazed ceramics / stoneware. Museum quality. Beautiful glaze in pink and purple shades. Trumpe...
Category

1970s British Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Modernist Ceramic Centerpiece Geometric Bowl, Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Modernist Ceramic Centerpiece Geometric Bowl, Signed Offered for sale is a large ceramic centerpiece bowl with glazed patterns and incised borders. The blow is gray, blue, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Sangre-de-toro fruit bowl by Gustav and Ulla Kraitz, Sweden
Located in Klintehamn, SE
Beautiful fruit bowl in a sangre-de-toro glaze by Swedish ceramist couple Gustav and Ulla Kraitz. Normal signs of use. No chips or cracks. Gustav Kraitz f...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Italian Glazed Ceramic Vessel, Bottle Green, Black, Charcoal, Off White
Located in North Miami, FL
This large Italian glazed handsome ceramic bottle or vessel is in the style of Fantoni and and has elements of wide bands of colors and patterns. The colors range from green, black, ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Signed Denby English Ceramic Round Box Tan, Mustard Yellow, Red, Green
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely vintage signed ceramic round box with a top is marked Denby Made in England. It is a combination of glazed and unglazed colors of wide st...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Signed Yuri Zatarian Ceramic Vessel Sketchbook And Equation Diagram Series
Located in North Miami, FL
This contemporary fabulous highly sophisticated ceramic vessel is signed Yuri by the artist. It is off white matte porcelain colored glaze ceramic covered with with charcoal black gr...
Category

1990s Mexican Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Cardew Wenford Bridge Large Combed Pattern Studio Pottery Dish
By Michael Cardew
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive studio pottery stoneware dish decorated with a combed design by Michael Cardew (British, 1901-1983) and made at Wenford Bridge ar...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Decorative Umbrella Stand, English, Blue & White, Ceramic, Hall, Planter
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative umbrella stand. An English, blue and white ceramic hallway rack or planter pot, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Vibrant colour from the t...
Category

Late 20th Century British Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Lusterware Bowl with Metallic Glaze by Beatrice Wood
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large ceramic lusterware bowl by American artist and studio potter Beatrice Wood (1893-1998). The piece, circa 1980s, is of an upright deep form typical of a rice bowl, supported b...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

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

1970s German Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Ceramic Leaf Bowl with Banded Glaze by John Ward
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large stoneware glazed bowl in a rare leaf form by British studio potter John Ward (1938-2023) circa last quarter of the 20th century. The impressive, oversized bowl features a dis...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

ROSENTHAL Studio Line Wolf Bauer - Porcelain Vase - Germany - Circa 1970's
Located in Chatham, ON
ROSENTHAL Studio Line Wolf Bauer (Designer) - Mid Century gilt and floral decorated vase - signed in the design - Rosenthal stamp to the base - Germany - circa 1970's. Excellent/m...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Bowl with Flanged Rim by John Ward
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stoneware glazed bowl by British studio potter John Ward (1938-2023) circa 1980-1990s of the last quarter of the 20th century. The bowl features a distinct form with a wide flanged...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

English Butter Dish by Denby Pottery
Located in Bradenton, FL
A modern earthenware English butter dish made by Denby, a traditional English pottery company in the village of Denby, Derbyshire. A traditional re...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

Ceramic Bowl with Expressive Glaze by Beatrice Wood
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic bowl by American artist and studio potter Beatrice Wood (1893-1998). The elegant bowl has a deep half-hemisphere form that is supported by a sho...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Raku Fired Ceramic Island Bowl by Jerome Heck
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic bowl by Jerome Heck crafted in the Raku firing technique. This one of a kind piece stands on four legs and develops and opens upwards. The glaze has variations of greens that ondulate in shape around the bowl. Inside the bowl, different designs come forward (turtle figure...
Category

1990s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Peter Voulkos Signed Large California Studio Pottery Stoneware Charger Plate
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly fantastic, large, heavy charger/plate/platter by American master potter/artist Peter Voulkos who is known for his abstract expressionist ceramic pottery pieces and sculptures...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Ceramic Geometrical Vase with Black Metallic Glaze Beatrice Wood
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic vase by American artist and studio potter Beatrice Wood (1893-1998). The piece, circa 1980s, is of a columnar form with a small bulged-out ring around midbody. Highly geome...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1980s Mangiarotti Style Modernist White Ceramic Round Italian Ashtray
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A two pieces ceramic round ashtray designed and manufactured in Italy in the manner of Angelo Mangiarotti, it has normal signs of use and age, it's marked on the bottom. This Italian...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vallauris, France, Modernistic Four-Person Coffee Service in Ceramics
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Vallauris, France. Modernistic four-person coffee service in ceramics consisting of four coffee cups with matching saucers, coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl and three small plates. ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Morris Cotter Massive Charlie Chaplain Vase, circa 1970s, California
By James Morris Cotter
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic and rare massive Charlie Chaplin vase by noted Bay Area potter, Morris Cotter, circa 1970s. Morris Cotter (1940-2021) was born in Albany, California. His first interaction with clay was when he asked his high school teacher in Yuba City, California, if he could use the wheel that lay dormant in their classroom. From high school, he studied at University of Nevada Reno, where he spent a couple years before matriculating at CSU Chico, where he received his undergraduate degree in art followed by a teaching credential. He attended the CCAC for one year, where he was a student of Vernon...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Clay

David Gilhooly Cheeseburger Frog, Ceramic/Pottery Sculpture, Funk Movement
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an other great sculpture by one of the creators of the Funk movement, David Gilhooly. Title, Cheeseburger Frog.
Category

1970s American Vintage 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

Wood, Porcelain

Anne-Marie Trolle Danish Royal Copenhagen Zenit Ceramic Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish Danish Royal Copenhagen Zenit pattern ceramic art vase designed by Anne-Marie Trolle (b. 1944) and dating from around 1980. The vase is of tall oval shape standing on ...
Category

1980s Danish Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Bruno Gambone, Ceramic Bottle, Italy, 1980s
Located in Paris, FR
Bruno Gambone (1936-2021) Bottle A light grey ceramic bottle, with a rectangular body decorated with a low relief grid on the front and back, the trumpet shape bottle neck closed with a conforming ceramic cap. Signed underneath « Gambone, Italy ». Italy, 1980s. Bruno Gambone (1936-2021) Bruno Gambone was born in Vietri sul Mare in 1936. His father, Guido Gambone, a famous ceramist soon trained him in his workshop in Firenze. During the 50s, Bruno went to work with Andrea D’Arienzo...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Bernard Lombot, French Ceramist, Unique Ceramic Sculpture, Standing Green Man
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bernard Lombot, French ceramist, unique ceramic sculpture, standing green man. Approx. 1980s. In perfect condition. Signed BL. Dimensions: H 25.0 x D 13.5 cm.
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Judith Gilmour Scottish Large Slip Decorated Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive slip decorated and painted studio pottery vase by renowned Scottish ceramic artist Judith Gilmour (British, 1937-2003) dating fro...
Category

1980s Scottish Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage hand painted cream white and brown ceramic vase, made in italy, 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Offered for sale is a vintage ceramic vase, in the shape of a stepped sphere. Based on its style, finishing and preservation state, it likely dates back to the early 1970s. Its irreg...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

LOUIS MATHE - Vintage Studio Pottery Vase - Signed - Canada - Circa 1992
Located in Chatham, ON
LOUIS MATHE - Vintage studio pottery vase with applied medallion handles with engraved Muskox - thick matte two tone grey glaze over the st...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Roger Michell Two Studio Pottery Marbled Clay Miniature Teapots
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish pair vintage miniature studio pottery marbled clay teapots of egg shape with tall loop kettle style handles by Roger Michell and dated 1984. The teapots are press molded with marbled clay, this is colored clay pressed and rolled together to give these beautiful colored and marbled designs. One teapot combines contrasting black and white clays while the other combines colored clays both with a black clay ring foot, spout and loop handle. The teapots have incised signatures to the lower body below the handles and are dated 84. An unusual and stylish pair of studio pottery teapots. Provenance: The Joseph...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Roger Michell Two Studio Pottery Marbled Clay Miniature Teapots
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish pair vintage miniature Studio Pottery marbled clay teapots of egg shape with tall loop kettle style handles by Robert Michell and dated 1984. The teapots are press molded with marbled clay, this is colored clay pressed and rolled together to give these beautiful colored and marbled designs. One teapot combines contrasting black and white clays while the other combines colored clays both with a black clay ring foot, spout and loop handle. The teapots have incised signatures to the lower body below the handles and are dated 84. An unusual and stylish pair of Studio Pottery teapots. Provenance: The Joseph...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Karen Ann Wood Studio Pottery Red Glazed Spot Design Lidded Teapot
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and stylish English studio pottery teapot and cover decorated in red glazes with blue spot designs by Kent based potter Karen Ann Woo...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

1970s Pippo Pozzi Alessandria/Biella Italy Ceramic Plate
Located in Biella, IT
Pippo Pozzi, Alessandria 1910 / Biella 1999, Italy in years 1960 ceramic plate design measure diameter 13 inches x 1,2" deep, in perfect condition A is very rare. signed in t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Glazed Ceramic Bowl/Centerpiece, Alessio Tasca 1970s
Located in Vicenza, VI
Large bowl/table centerpiece made of polychrome glazed ceramic by Italian ceramic artist and designer Alessio Tasca (Nove 1929 - Heilbunn 2020) around the 1970s. The centerpiece f...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Susan Bennett English Glazed Thrown Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish thrown and glazed stoneware studio pottery vase with a ribbed body attributed to Susan Bennett (b.1954) and dated 1977. The vase has a bell sha...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Judit Nádor for Zsolnay, Cubist Cat in Glazed Ceramics
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Judit Nádor (1934-2016) for Zsolnay. Cubist cat in glazed ceramics. Beautiful luster glaze in red shades. 1970s. Measures: 23 x 7 cm. In excellent cond...
Category

1970s Hungarian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

1970 Pino Castagna Italian Ceramic Set of 12 Plates
Located in Brescia, IT
Perfect condition Artist sign on the back.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Brown and White Stoneware Ceramic Pitcher La Borne circa 1990 Pottery
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne Original french stoneware ceramic pitcher Brown and white pottery colors Signed Original perfect condition Measures: h...
Category

1990s French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

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

Gold Leaf, Enamel

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

Tall Studio Pottery Ceramic Glazed Vase Warren Mackinzie
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall cylinder shape stoneware vase by American studio potter Warren MacKenzie (1924-2018). The vase displays a slightly ambiguous shape between circle and sqaure and it features tw...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Style Ceramic Tea Pot and Cup Contemporary Zen
Located in Miami, FL
A very nice contemporary Japanese style ceramic tea pot and tea cup. This zen teapot has three parts that allow for perfect tea brewing. Glazed. Ce...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ilona Romule, 'Sax', Erotic Porcelain Plate, Hand Painted, Latvia, C.1995
Located in Chatham, ON
Ilona Romule - 'Sax' - Important studio ceramic semi-erotic porcelain plate - hand painted with gold details - signed and dated upper centre - Latvia - circa 1995. Excellent cond...
Category

Late 20th Century Latvian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Enamel, Gold Leaf

Ceramic Vase with Volcanic and Metallic Glaze by Beatrice Wood
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken ceramic vase by American artist and studio potter Beatrice Wood (1893-1998). The piece, circa 1960-80s, is covered in a beautiful turquoise color volcanic glaze with splas...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

John Bergen Studio Canada Hand painted Glazed Round Ceramic Vase Contemporary 80
Located in Miami, FL
Marked and Numbered John Bergen Studio Canada round Ceramic Vase, Vessel made in the 1980. Hand-painted and glazed in mellow pastel colors. The opening ...
Category

1980s Canadian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

La Borne 1970 Brown and Black Checkerboard Large Ceramic Bowl or Cup
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne Realised circa 1970 original black and brown large stoneware ceramic bowl or cup Perfect condition Signed at the base Measures: Height 14 cm Large 25 cm.
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Julia" porcelain plate with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Va...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti porcelain plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped "2, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" to the underside.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Goebel Large Ceramic Figure of a Cockerel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine German large ceramic cockerel figure dating from around 1970. The cockerel stands on a round pedestal base with incised and molded detailing wi...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

White & Black W/Green Accent Ceramic Lidded Vessel Signed Pritchard Spring 75
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage white, green, & black ceramic lidded vessel signed Pritchard Spring 75. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of u...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Plate with Vegetable Face Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fornasetti Porcelain Plate with face made with arranged vegetables. Stamped "6, Fornasetti-Milano, Made in Italy, Arcimboldesca'" and "Arzberg Germany...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

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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