Modern Sterling Silver
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
Charles Crowley Sterling Silver Coffee Set, Enamel & Stand Modern Art Hollowware
By Charles Crowley
Located in Big Bend, WI
Charles Crowley Exhibition Piece. New York City NYC one-of-a-kind Metalsmith & Founding Top Dog Studio Gloucester, MA. Numerous awards National Fellowship Arts, Fortunoff Silver design competition. Some of Crowley's Items in permanent collection at Yale University Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA.
Charles Crowley.
This modernistic sterling coffee set...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Enamel, Sterling Silver
ALFRED DUNHILL 1986 London Perfume Bottle In Frosted Glass & 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
A perfume bottle designed by Alfred Dunhill.
This is a beautiful perfume bottle, created in London England by the Alfred Dunhill Company, back in the 1986. The perfume bottle has be...
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Modern Candlesticks
Located in VALENZA, IT
Pair of sterling silver candlisticks with one light.
The structure has been realized by a smooth sheet of silver.
The wave movement is realized with manufacturing by handmade.
On the...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Fisher Silversmiths (Co.) Serving Tray in Sterling Silver and Ebonite
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Fisher Silversmiths (Co.) serving tray in sterling silver and ebonite.
Stylish design, 1960s.
In very good condition.
Stamped.
Measures: 24 x 1...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Tranquility by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service for Six Set 41 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
Tranquility by International sterling silver flatware set, 41 pieces set. This set has a modern look with simple lines. This set includes:
Six knives, 9 1/8"
Six forks, 7 3/8"
Six s...
Category
1940s Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
A Silver & Enamel Mezuzah Case by Dudik Swed Israel, 1996
Located in New York, NY
A Stunning Silver and Enamel Mezuzah case by Dudik Swed, crafted in Israel in 1996, is a notable example of contemporary Judaica.
Dudik Swed is recognized for his unique and artist...
Category
1990s Israeli Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver bracelet by Isaac Cohen with green stone.
By Isaac Cohen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Scandinavian Modern Sterling Silver bracelet by Isaac Cohen with green stone.
Beautiful slim bracelet with beautiful green stone.
The bracelet is also signed, see the photo.
Isaac...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Jade by Contempra House Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set 42 Pieces Modernism
Located in Big Bend, WI
Jade plain by Contempra House (division of Towle) sterling silver flatware set of 42 pieces. This pattern was designed by noted Modernist midcentury designer, Earl Pardon, in the yea...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
C G Italian Leather Belt with Sterling Silver Buckle
Located in Toledo, OH
C G Italian leather belt with sterling silver buckle, end tip and belt loop. Size: 28. Very good condition. Dimensions: .25" depth x 35" W x 1.5" tall.
Category
20th Century European Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare and Stunning Sterling Silver Pitcher by Tane Orfebres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modern sterling silver pitcher designed and crafted by Tane Orfebres in Mexico. The pitch is decorated with features of the mythical Quetzalcoatl design on the handle, base and lid a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Charming Novelty Sterling Silver 'Emperor Penguin' Condiment Set, London, 1996
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1996 by Meiling & Gartrell, this wonderful, and very charming, sterling silver condiment set, is modelled to resemble Emperor Penguins...
Category
1990s English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Damian Garrido 2002 Spain Modernist Geometric Figure Vase .925 Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Eometric modernist vase designed by Damian Garrido.
A beautiful sculptural piece, created in Madrid Spain in the silversmith workshop of Damián Garrido, back in 2002. This archite...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Hans Hanssen necklace Silver, 14k gold with diamond
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Hans Hanssen necklace Silver, 14k gold with diamond
Beautiful silver necklace, very beautiful thin chain (snake link) with a silver pendant with gold triangle and diamond (a...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Silver ring hand forged Alexander van den Hoven, Netherlands
Located in Oirlo, LI
Silver ring hand forged Alexander van den Hoven, Netherlands
Alexander van den Hoven works in Arnhem and once designed this beautiful ring.
The ring is reminiscent of tree bark, wh...
Category
1980s Dutch Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Silver
Antique George V Sterling Silver Photograph Frame (1911)
By E.F. Braham Ltd
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver photograph frame; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This exceptional antique George V sterling silver photograph frame has a rounded rectangular form with an incurved, domed upper portion and a plain rectangular internal window.
The surface of this George V silver photo frame is plain and embellished with a paralleling embossed decorated border to the rim.
This antique silver photograph frame...
Category
1910s English Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Animalier Pattern Frame hand painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with hand-painted fired enamel spotted tiger fur type in a modern contemporary style. External measurements cm. 14 x 17.5, i...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Bread Knife in Silver Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver plated bronze bread knife 35/42 microns
Length: 348 mm, weight: 200 gr
This knife is the work of French designer Richard Lauret.
These pieces ...
Category
2010s French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Sculptural Silver Center Bowl with Relief Surface Graziella Laffi
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning sterling silver vessel in the form of a stemmed bowl crafted by Graziella Laffi, Lima, Peru, Circa 1965. Marked on the rim: G. Laffi, PERU. The vessel was designed as a modern rendition of ancient pre-Columbina drinking vessel used in ceremony. The piece projects a regal and substantial aura due to its thick double wall construction with seamless craftmanship. The exterior surface was decorated with high relief roundels protrusion alternated with a radiating design that resembles star fish or a blooming flower. It has an impressive presence with its unique form and ornamentation that appears both modern and ancient at the same time.
Graziella Laffi was born in 1923 in Florence, Italy to Gino Laffi, a silversmith and artist. Following her family tradition, Graziella enrolled in master classes after elementary school, focusing on design and painting. She next attended Escuela de Bellas Artes de Puerta Romana for three years, where Gino taught, and then to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, where she concentrated in architecture until the start of World War II. In 1947, Graziella, then twenty-four, immigrated with her parents to Peru. Gino later created a silversmith studio and showroom called Fabrica Laffi on Avenue Mexico, where Graziella initially learned her Craft. The Pre-Columbian culture in her adopted country inspired Graziella to travel and collect, which ultimately influence her design in the silver pieces. Graziella learned the metalworking techniques of the ancient Peruvian civilizations and rejected the current technology. She mostly used hammering, rolling and creating joints as the ancients do. As an ambassador of Peruvian culture, her work promoted the indigenous Peruvian art and rekindled the interest in its ancient heritage throughout South America, the United States and Europe. She exhibited her growing collection of Peruvian artifacts...
Category
1960s Peruvian Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 3 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
GWEN Set of 3 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze by Richard Lauret
Set of 3 pieces (Table spoon, table/fish forks, table knife or meat/fish knife) ...
Category
2010s French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Tranquility by International Sterling Silver Flatware Service for 6 Set 41 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
TRANQUILITY BY INTERNATIONAL sterling silver flatware set - 41 pieces set. This set has a modern look with simple lines. This set includes:
6 KNIVES, 9 1/8"
6 FORKS, 7 3/8"
6 SA...
Category
1940s Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Oryx Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
ORYX set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze.
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns.
It is possible to order...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Lovely Sterling Silver Keepsake Box with Engraved Flowers
Located in New York, NY
Lovely sterling silver keepsake box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed. Cover top has engraved border with dense and overlap...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Stratus Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece
Table spoon
Table fork
Table knife/meat knife...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Villa D’este Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
VILLA D’ESTE Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece
Table spoon
Table fork
Table knife/meat knife...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Modern Sterling Silver and Glass Inkwell on Stand
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver and glass inkwell on stand, circa 1920. Lobed melon-form glass bowl; sterling silver cover domed with overlapping ovoid ring finial. stand has well and large l...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Modern Sterling Silver Sugar Caster
By J. Collyer Ltd
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth II sterling silver sugar caster. Made by J Collyer Ltd in Birmingham 1958. Upward tapering neck and curved bowl on short foot. C...
Category
1950s English Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modern 20th Century Sterling Silver Watering Can - London 1991
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1991 by Whitehill Silver & Plate Company, this attractive, Sterling Silver Watering Can, would make an ideal piece...
Category
1990s English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Victorian Modern Sterling Silver Decanter in Christopher Dresser Style
Located in New York, NY
Victorian modern sterling silver and glass decanter. Made by Edgar Finley & Hugh Taylor in Birmingham in 1884. Clear glass cylinder on round...
Category
1880s English Antique Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair Sterling Silver Gerald Benney Entree Dishes Vegetable Serving Dishes 1967
Located in London, GB
A pair of magnificent Gerald Benney Entree Dishes with an elegant, understated rectangular design. The fitted lid can be inverted for use as a serving dish if desired. These Silver V...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modern Enamel & Sterling Silver Child's Set from 1995
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1995, this fabulous, modern, Elizabeth II, sterling silver child's set comprises of an egg cup, an egg spoon and a napkin ring, decorated with yellow and red ...
Category
1990s English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modernist Hand Hammered Arts & Crafts Silver Ladle Millennium Hallmark Date 2000
Located in London, GB
Modernist hand hammered Arts & Crafts silver ladle, Millennium Hallmark, date 2000
The bowl of the spoon is beautifully formed with hand hammering and nice fluting.
The bowl also h...
Category
1990s English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Silver Plate Sea Lion Wine or Champagne Cooler
Located in London, GB
This stylish modern wine cooler is a charming piece of luxury barware, carefully sculpted in the form of a sea lion and finished in silver. The sea lion is modelled in a sitting pose...
Category
20th Century English Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver Plate
Modernist, Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter, Amethyst Crystal, Peter Casswell
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1972 by Peter Casswell, this handsome, Modernist design Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter, is plain in style, and features an u...
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Modernist Sterling Silver & Rosewood Tea & Coffee Service, Mexico, ca. 1940s
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT
This elegant Modernist large six-piece sterling silver service for coffee and tea is of a superb workmanship and consists of a tray, a coffee pot, a tea pot, a hot milk or cho...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
English Silver Water Jug
Located in London, GB
An English sterling silver water jug of unusual design.
This lovely water jug has a wood handle.
Made in London, 1933 by Edward Barnard & Sons.
Category
1930s English Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
.925 Modern Silver Espresso / Demitasse Spoon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An espresso spoon for the modern coffee connoisseur - crafted with passion and precision by Heath Wagoner of HW. Studio in Brooklyn.
Made with high-...
Category
2010s Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modern Sterling Silver Olive Spoon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver Olive Spoon is used to serve olives without them drying out. An elegant touch to serving the savory fruit of the Mediterranean, it will elevate any Taking a note from historical dining when each guest would have an individual utensil for olives during an olive course, this update allows you to serve olives in any form.
Fabricated in sterling silver and then finished by hand in his Brooklyn, NY studio, this piece is the creation of silversmith and jewelry designer Heath Wagoner...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
SONIA Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order all produc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
OCEAN Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece
Table spoon
Table fork
Table knife/meat knife...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Jardins De Giverny Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
JARDINS DE GIVERNY Set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece
Table spoon
Table fork
Table knife/meat knife...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
RUBAN Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
RUBAN Set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
METROPOLIS Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
METROPOLIS set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze
Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns
It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece
Table spoon
Table fork
Table knife/meat knife...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Bronze
Gabriel De Vecchi - Solid Silver Vase Italian Design Xxth
By De Vecchi 1
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Solid silver vase contemporary Italian design
dated and signed.
Dimensions: height 24 cm - width 10 cm
the base 14.5 cm X 9 cm
Material: 1st grade silver...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Unique Necklet in Silver, 1930s, France
Located in Stockholm, SE
Unique necklet in silver, made in France, 1930s.
Apart of the exhibition “Essenzialmente la Mano”/ “Just the Hand”, seen in the catalogue edited by Alfonso Pluchinotta.
Category
1930s French Vintage Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Modern sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern sterling silver 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 sterling silver created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern sterling silver made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sterling silver, popular names associated with this style include Tiffany & Co., Arval Argenti Valenza, Graziella Laffi, and Missiaglia 1846. 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 sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $57,336 while the average work can sell for $1,947.