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.
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
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
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
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
Vintage Cassetti "Lighthouse" pepper shaker, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage lighthouse-shaped pepper shaker by Cassetti, Italy, crafted in rich ebony and chrome-plated brass. This exquisite mid-century design, dating from circa 1950–1970, exemplifies...
Brass, Chrome
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
Pair of Gucci Silver-Plate Tankards with Stag Handles, Original Box
By Gucci
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of vintage silver-plated tankards by Gucci, each with a sculptural leaping stag serving as the handle — a striking equestrian motif characteristic of Gucci's 1970s barware and...
Silver Plate
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Archimede Seguso "doppio opaco" ashtray in Murano glass circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful Archimede Seguso ashtray in Murano glass "doppio opaco" circa 1950.
Murano Glass
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
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
Picture Frame Silver Sterling Enameled on guilloche Red and Green Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, 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
Ansolo Fuga 1950 Murano glass bottle.
By Ansolo Fuga
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bicolor bottle in Murano glass attributed to Ansolo Fuga 1950
Murano Glass
Original Aubock glass carafe with a leather cuff and brass handle
Located in Vienna, AT
This colorless glass carafe by Carl Aubock was produced in 3 different sizes, our bitcher is the largest one. It comes with the original leather wrapped stripe with sewn in brass han...
Brass
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
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
Set of 24 Elegant Brass Coasters, Italian contemporary tableware
By FEDERICA PAOLI, CASPAL
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
Salimbeni Purse Cigarette Case Two-Color Enamel Stripes Blue and White
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Purse cigarette case, oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-color enameled stripes. Early 20th century English style. Measures 9 x 4.3 x 2.6 cm. Weight 96 g. ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
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
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
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
Murano Vase by Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, circa 1952
By Dino Martens
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Rare original vase by Dino Martens to Aureliano Toso repertoire in the book Dino Martens by Marc Heiremans model 5412.
Art 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
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
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
Reed & Barton Silver Plate Harlequin Rose Condiment Set, 5 pieces
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Reed & Barton, a five-piece silver plated condiment set, circa 1960s – 1980s. Known as the Harlequin Rose set, perfect for serving hors d’oeuvres or condiments. The set includ...
Silver Plate
Cranberry Glass Stemmed Champagne Coupes, Set of Six
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of six stack-stemmed glass Champagne coupes with Cranberry colored bowls, circa 1940s. Gorgeous color! The cranberry glass bowls join a multi knobbed, stacked stem of colorl...
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
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
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
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
Large Fratelli Toso 1950 center table Murano glass
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible big center piece in Murano glass with bubbles inside the glass.
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso Murano glass "Ad Agnelli" with gold 1950 set Jar and 6 cups.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible set of Archimede Seguso Murano glass set of Jar and 6 tall cups in Äd Agnelli" serie circa 1950.
Murano Glass
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
Zecchin Martinuzzi circa 1930 Murano glass
By Zecchin Martinuzzi
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass original to the period attributed to Zecchin Martinuzzi circa 1930.
Murano Glass
Vase in Murano Glass by Silvanni to Fratelli Toso 1990
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass from 1990 made by Silvanni to Fratelli Toso
Murano Glass
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
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
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
Vase in Murano Glass by Seguso Vetri d'Arte 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible vase in Murano glass by Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1950
Murano Glass
Amber Cut-Glass Whiskey Decanter by Ludwig Moser, Wiener Werkstatte
Located in Vienna, AT
A striking whiskey decanter by Ludwig Moser, crafted in finely cut amber-colored glass. The piece reflects the refined geometric elegance associated with the Vienna Werkstätte tradit...
Cut Glass
Wedgwood Hand Painted Burgundy & Green Leaf Earthenware Plates, set of 10
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of ten Burgundy and Green Leaf bordered plates, Wedgwood, England, circa 1910-1920. An earthenware mold with a running border of large green leaves on a lattice ground. Hand-...
Earthenware