The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
Italian Faïence Pottery Fleur-de-Lis Hand Painted Plates, set of six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A charming set of six hand painted earthenware plates in the Italian la campagna country style, circa 1940-1950. Brightly painted with a central deep red Fleur-de-lis surrounded by...
Earthenware
Minton Porcelain "English Rose" Pattern Part Dinner Service, 20th Century
By Minton
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Minton porcelain 'English Rose' pattern part dinner service 20th century. Comprising nine dinner plates 10¾ in. (27.3 cm.) diameter. Nine 6 1/8 in.(15.5cm.) bread and butter...
Porcelain
Portuguese Topazio Cazenovia Silverplate Salt Cellar with Spoon
By Topazio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage four-piece salt cellar from Topazio Cazenovia Abroad, Portugal, circa 1980s. In silver plate with a raised grape leaf motif, the set includes the outer cage, a glass inser...
Silver Plate
Copeland Spode Fernleigh Pattern Earthenware Floral Plates, Set of Six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Copeland Spode – in the Fernleigh pattern, a set of six plates, Stoke-On-Trent, England, discontinued in the early 1960s. Made of Earthenware and transfer printed with hand-col...
Earthenware
Royal Bayreuth Bavarian Porcelain Figural 7 Inch Lobster Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Royal Bayreuth, founded in Bavaria, Germany in 1794, a large water or juice pitcher formed as a bright red lobster, circa 1920s. Made of hand-painted hard paste porcelain, this...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Era Northern Italian Faïence Majolica Fish Service, Set of 7
By Nove, Italy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the Barrettoni già Antonibon pottery in Nove, Northern Italy, a Mid-Century Modern Era earthenware fish service consisting of a large serving platter and six individual plates. ...
Earthenware
1920s Fenton Celeste Blue Stretch Glass Plates, Set of 12
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of twelve luncheon sized plates, Celeste Blue Iridescent Stretch Glass, the Fenton Glass Company, circa 1920-1930. The Fenton Art Glass Company wa...
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Italian Yellow Lemon and Green Leaf Earthenware Platter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in Italy, a serving platter showing a border of green leaves and lemon slices, circa 1960-1970. An oval platter with a shaped rim following the leafy border. Raised and molded ...
Earthenware
Antique Minton Majolica Green Glazed Earthenware Leaf Plate
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Minton, a classic English majolica glazed overlapping green leaf plate with a basket weave rim. Showing the date cypher for 1905. 7.5 inches in diameter x .75 inches high. In v...
Earthenware
Early Production Aino Aalto glass Jug Pitcher, Karhula, modernist 1930's
By Aino Aalto
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A rare original 1930's early Production clear Pressed glass Aino Aalto Jug / Pitcher, for Karhula Glassworks. Designed in the mid 1930's, exhibited at the Milan Triennale in 1936 an...
Glass
ceramic tile panel "triennale" design Gio Ponti for Marazzi
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
ceramic panel composed of four iconic and famous "triennial" tiles also known as "four times curved," designed in the 1960s by Gio Ponti and Alberto Rosselli for Ceramiche Marazzi. T...
Aluminum
Mexican Sterling Silver Highball or Iced Tea Sipping – Stirring Straws, Set of 4
By Taxco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of four hand made Sterling Silver highball or iced tea hollow sipping and stirring straws with ridged shell shaped bowls. Mexico, Circa 1940s. The bowls are shaped as stylized...
Sterling Silver
Anchor Hocking Green Uranium Glass Large 2 Liter Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Anchor Hocking, a green Uranium Glass pitcher from the Circle Line, circa 1930-1934. A large and heavy piece holding 80 fluid ounces, or a bit over t...
Glass
Meissen Blue Onion Plate by Documented Cabinetmaker, Germany, 1880
Located in Roma, IT
Period Meissen Signed Blue Onion Plate Wonderful and very elegant square plate made by the Meissen manufactory with "Blue Onion" decoration. Available a pair This refined plate, whi...
Porcelain
Bordallo Pinheiro Green Grape Vine & Basket Weave Green Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage Bordallo Pinheiro Vine and Basket Weave plate, Portugal, circa early 1980s. The Portuguese Bordallo Pinheiro ceramic factory was founded...
Earthenware
Staffordshire Crownford China Blue Calico Gravy Boat & Underplate
By Crownford China Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Blue Calico transfer printed gravy boat and underplate, Staffordshire, England, circa 1940 – 1960s. Crownford China Co. was a New York-based importer and distributor that marketed Staffordshire transferware china...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Crystal Cup by Baccarat, France, Elegant Design, 1950s
By Baccarat
Located in Roma, IT
Important and rare cup from the world's most prestigious crystal manufacturer: Baccarat. Signed “BACCARAT” in the center. Features one of the most elegant designs from the famous Fre...
Crystal
Antique Silver Judaica Spice Container with Vermeil Flag
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite silver Judaica spice container, crafted in 19th-century Prague, is a superb representation of artistry and cultural significance. Designe...
Silver
Vintage Cut Crystal Square Whiskey Decanter and Stopper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cut crystal whiskey decanter, circa early 1980s. Square in shape with a large round star cut stopper. Heavy weight crystal, cut with a linear pattern on all sides, a star-cut on t...
Crystal
Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Napkin Rings by Arte de Mexico, 1930s
By Arte de Mexico
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of Estate Sterling Silver napkin rings, Mexico, circa 1930s. 925 quality silver. Heavy weight, beautifully hand made with rolled rims. No engraving. 1.5 inches in Diameter...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Sterling Silver Napkin Rings Mixed Set by Frank Whiting, 1920s-1930s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of four vintage Sterling Silver napkin rings, various makers, circa 1920s – 1930s. Wonderful examples: A ring is engraved with the initials ‘MSL’ showing two inse...
Sterling Silver
Bordallo Pinheiro Green Grape Vine & Basket Weave Green Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage Bordallo Pinheiro Vine and Basket Weave plate, Portugal, circa early 1980s. The Portuguese Bordallo Pinheiro ceramic factory was founded...
Earthenware
Attractive Set of 12 Demitasse Spoons & Sugar Tongs .925 in Fitted Fanshaped Box
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An attractive set of 12 demitasse spoons and sugar tongs in fitted fan-shaped box, by Thedeodor Olsens in Bergen, Norway. Done in .925 sterling silver with different colored guilloch...
Enamel, Silver
Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Tea Pot
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Spode, England, a Fleur De Lys-Red Tea Pot in the fluted Chelsea shape. The Fleur de Lys pattern was introduced in 1961 and remained active until 1994, now discontinued. A bone china tea pot...
Ceramic
Center piece in Murano glass rubi hand molded with gold
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece in rubi Murano glass hand molded with gold.
Murano Glass
Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Coffee Pot
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Spode, England, a Fleur De Lys-Red Coffee Pot in the fluted Chelsea shape. The Fleur de Lys pattern was introduced in 1961 and remained active until 1994, now discontinued. A bone china coffee...
Ceramic
Two-Tier Silver Plated Pedestal Table Epergne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A silver plated two-tiered Epergne, American, circa 1920-1930. An Epergne is an ornamental centerpiece for a dining table or sideboard, typically used for holding fruit or flowers....
Silver Plate
Carl Auböck Bottle Opener, Austria, 1950s — Woven Bast Handle, Stainless Steel
Located in Vienna, AT
A classic mid-century bottle opener from the Carl Auböck workshop, crafted in the 1950s. The handle is tightly wrapped in natural bast, giving the piece its unmistakable tactile warm...
Stainless Steel
2 Porsgrund Serving Dishes “Bogstad Straw” patern close to Royal Copenhagen
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A LOT OF 2 PORSGRUND SERVING DISHES “Bogstad Straw” patern close to Royal Copenhagen Norway, green printed marks, early 20th century. Includes; An Oval Reticulated Basket. 10" in....
Porcelain
Long Coconut Palm Leaf Centerpiece in International Style, Indonesia
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Very rare this long coconut palm leaf, from Indonesia, where it is used by the indigenous people as eating vessel. It's a perfect centerpiece on our table...
Palmwood
Large Venini Murano Glass Light Coralo 1950 Vase
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big vase i Murano glass attributed to Venini circa 1950
Murano Glass
Picture Frame Silver Sterling Enameled on guilloche Red and Green Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large rectangular photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamels fired on guilloche in two colors, in a modern contemporary style. External cm. 18 x 22,...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1970‘s Limoges Porcelain Ashtray Indian Elephant
By Limoges
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern porcelain square orange and gold ashtray with depicting an Indian elephant in the middle. Signed „peint a la main“, Handpainted ! Use it as an ashtray, vide poche or for deco...
Porcelain
Wine carafe of hand-blown borosilicate glass from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The wine decanter is an organically shaped hand-blown borosilicate glass carafe. The Pok collection celebrates the artistry of hand-crafted beadwork made by the Pokot women in Northwest Kenya. Influenced by the hand-carved African gourd...
Blown Glass
Vintage Cut Crystal Faceted Ship Captains Liquor Decanter and Stopper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage cut crystal decanter in the Ship Captains shape, with a top round stopper, circa early 1980s. The term “captains decanter” refers to the historical “ship’s decanter” used ...
Crystal
Archimede Seguso vase in Murano glass "Opalino Costolato" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano vase circa 1950 in "Opalino Costolato".
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass attributed to Aureliano Toso 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible big Murano vase bicolor with bubbles and "costolato" perfect conditions
Murano Glass
Simons Bros. Sterling Silver Thimble Two oz. Jigger Measure Bar Tool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sterling silver thimble jigger or whiskey shot cup bar tool for measuring out liquor when mixing cocktails. Showing the mark for Simons Brothers, circa 1900. A play on the express...
Sterling Silver
Barovier&Toso Murano glass with "venturina" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barovier &Toso center piece with "venturina"in Murano glass circa 1950
Murano Glass
Set of 24 Elegant Brass Coasters, Italian contemporary tableware
By CASPAL, FEDERICA PAOLI
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This set of 24 handcrafted coasters showcases the essence of contemporary Italian design through refined materiality and minimalist form. Meticulously crafted from high-quality brush...
Brass
Large Archimede Seguso italian bicolor 1950 Murano Glass Cornucopia
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bicolor with gold cornucopia by Archimede Seguso in Murano glass circa 1950, fantastic.
Murano Glass
Set of 12 Brushed Brass Coasters by Federica Paoli, Italian Design
By CASPAL, FEDERICA PAOLI
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This set of 12 handcrafted coasters showcases the essence of contemporary Italian design through refined materiality and minimalist form. Meticulously crafted from high-quality brush...
Brass
Salviati Pair of candlesticks in Murano glass attributed circa 1930
By Salviati
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of candlesticks in Murano glass attributed to SALVIATI circa 1930
Murano Glass
Ornate Floral Design Handmade Silver Pastry Server, Early 20th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A marvelous estate find, a heavy, hand-made, silver pastry server, circa early 20th century. The server is a large and impressive piece with a purity of 875. 875 is roughly equivale...
Silver
Large AVeM Murano Glass Multicolor center piece 1950
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM)
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AVeM multicolor Murano Glass Center Piece circa 1950
Murano Glass
Estate Wallace Sterling Silver Liquor Collar Tags, a pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of decanter liquor collar tags, Wallace Sterling, circa 1940s. Two similar tags, Sherry and Brandy, made to hang from the sterling chains on any decanter, or bottle, adding t...
Sterling Silver
Antler cutlery set 1960 Blackforest
Located in Vienna, AT
Description: Mid-20th-century cutlery set dating to around 1960, featuring knife blades made of stainless steel with an etched stag motif. The handles are crafted from antler, giving...
Stainless Steel
Hand embroidered linen napkins from the SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
This set of two hand-embroidered linen napkins from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, is made with the softest linen and features playful pockets for a creative place setting of cutlery. These highly ornate and decorative napkins enrich any table setting. The Blakiston’s fish owl...
Linen, Natural Fiber
Archimede Seguso vase in Murano glass with applied glass
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso circa 1950 with applied glass.
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso 1950
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano vase by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso 1950.
Murano Glass
Dino Martens Italian Multicolor 1950 Murano Glass Center Piece
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece in Murano glass by Dino Martens circa 1950 fazzoletto model with applied glass and venturina. Fantastic.
Murano Glass
Anchor Rogers Estate Silverplate Cream Soup Spoons, set of 12
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Anchor Rogers Silver Company, a set of twelve silver-plated cream soup or bouillon spoons, circa early 1900s. A shorter handled spoon with a rounded bowl, the handle showing a ...
Silver Plate
Midcentury Val Saint Lambert Blown Glass Decanters, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Val Saint Lambert, a pair of blown glass decanters, Belgium, circa 1960s. In the ‘State Plain’ pattern, a pair of colorless glass decanters in a bulbous shape with ringed nec...
Blown Glass
Wooden pepper grinder in walnut wood from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The SoShiro Pok collection pepper grinder is crafted from walnut wood, embedded with glass pearl beads, and fitted with all-ceramic, non-oxidizing or corroding grinding mechanisms of...
Ceramic, Hardwood, Walnut, Beads
Wooden Salt mill in beech wood from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The SoShiro Pok collection salt mill is crafted from beech wood, embedded with glass pearl beads, and fitted with all-ceramic, non-oxidizing or corroding gri...
Hardwood, Beech, Beads
Vintage Sterling Silver Napkin Rings Mixed Set by Gorham & Wallace, 1920s
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An assembled set of four vintage wide band Sterling Silver napkin rings, various makers, circa 1920s – 1930s. Wonderful examples: A super heavy ring is engraved with the initials ‘...
Sterling Silver
Bowl in Murano glass in style Venini circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bowl in Murano glass style Venini circa 1960
Murano Glass
Dino Martens Italian Multicolor 1950 Murano Glass "Fazzoletto"
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible multicolor vase with applied glass attributed to Dino Martens 1950 fazzoleto model.
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Crystal Cup by Baccarat, France, Elegant Design, 1950s
By Baccarat
Located in Roma, IT
Important and rare cup from the world's most prestigious crystal manufacturer: Baccarat. Signed “BACCARAT” in the center. Features one of the most elegant designs from the famous Fre...
Crystal
Vase in Murano Glass bicolor attributed to Fratelli Toso circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big vase bicolor in Murano glass attributed to Fratelli Toso circa 1950
Murano Glass