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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Color:  Beige
Alan Wallwork Studio Pottery Split Pod Sculpture
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stoneware studio pottery 'split pod' form designed by Alan Wallwork (British, 1931-2019) and dating from around 1980. The heavily made sculptural pod sta...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

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

Katerina Evangelidou Greek Stoneware Hand Built Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A hand-built squat studio pottery vase of slight tapering rhombic form in matte pink glazes by Katerina Evangelidou (Greek, c.1960). The four sided vase has two erupting vertical sea...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

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. Trained at the Central School of Arts and...
Category

Early 2000s English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Takeshi Yasuda 'Japanese, b.1943' Creamware Studio Pottery Hand Thrown Bottle
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Interesting hand thrown Japanese studio pottery creamware vase with a craquelure glaze by Takeshi Yasuda (Japanese, b.1943) dating from the 1980’s. The ...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Sonia Lewis Studio Ceramic Craquelure Glazed Miniature Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning studio ceramic porcelain squat shaped miniature rounded vase decorated in a brown stained craquelure glazed finish on a white ground by renowned Cambridgeshire based potte...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Peter Simpson Signed British Uk Studio Pottery Bowl Organic Nature Form Vessel
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful free-form organic bowl vessel by acclaimed British potter Peter Simpson. Simpson's works, such as this early piece, are inspired by organ...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Eric James Mellon Studio Pottery Ash Glazed Vase with Nudes
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish British studio pottery vase painted with nude figures by renowned potter Eric James Mellon (1925-2014) and dating from around 2000. The vase is of cylindrical shape and pot...
Category

Early 2000s English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Hen in Perpetual Motion, Ceramic Pop Art, White, Handmade in Italy, 2022
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
These splendid ceramic creations are born from the artistic laboratory of Mosche Bianche. In this casket you can keep small objects of value, born as the materialization (and unive...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Sheep Moneybox Pop Art, Set of 2 Pieces, 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

Warwick Parker English Salt Glazed Studio Pottery Bottle Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine quality salt glazed studio pottery bottle flagon shaped vase by Dorset based potter Warwick Parker (b.1940) dating from the 20th century. Th...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Otto Heino Signed Imperial Chinese Yellow Glaze Vase Vessel
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful example of Otto Heino's famous Chinese Imperial yellow glaze - thought to have been lost for years and rediscovered by Heino. A very rare and highly coveted glaze and textured shape. Sure to brings years of aesthetic pleasure. This piece has a great feel and heft to it. A fantastic work by all accounts. Signed and dated (2002) by Heino on the base. Would make for a fantastic addition to any modern ceramics and pottery collection or an eye-catching Stand-alone work in about any setting.  Otto and his wife Vivika worked in ceramics side by side for many years until her passing. The couple is winners of the following awards: Gold Medal from the sixth Biennale internationale de céramique d'art, in Vallauris, France, (1978). Silver medal from the International Ceramics Exhibitions in Ostend, Belgium, (1959) Their work can be found in the following collections: American Craft Museum, New York City, NY County Art Museum and Craft Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA De Young Museum, San Francisco, CA Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA Picasso Museum in Vallauris, France Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC Craft & Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles Mingei Museum, San Diego Ventura County...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Robin Welch Studio Pottery Panel Glazed Stonware Graduated Cylindrical Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage British studio pottery stoneware vase of simple graduated rounded shape decorated in grey, pink and textured glazes by renowned potter Robin Welch...
Category

20th Century English Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Vase Tulip High, Ceramic, Brass Metal Finish, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
In Bassano ceramics have been produced for 300 years. In fact, from the 17th century this art has been developed in Veneto thanks to the presence of plastic clay, solder and kaolin i...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Otto and Vivika Heino Monumental Ceramic Stoneware Pottery Tile Wall Plaque 1988
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and exceptionally rare hand painted, earthenware three tile/panel plaque/ wall hanging by ceramics masters husband and wife artists Vivika and Otto Heino. Quite heavy and substantial in size. The couple was best known for their inspired designs and distinctive glazes. This massive 3 tile plaque, which shows clear signs of Asian influence, is attached to a board for hanging. Again exceptionally rare in both scale and design. We have never seen another like this by the couple. The work is signed and dated (1988). Would be the crown jewel in any Heino collection and sure to stand out in any setting, modern or otherwise. Very unique. Very rare. Dimensions: 47.5" high, 18" wide, 1.5" deep. The piece is quite substantial and weighs 44 pounds. The couple are winners of the following awards: Gold Medal from the sixth Biennale internationale de céramique d'art, in Vallauris, France, (1978). Silver medal from the International Ceramics Exhibitions in Ostend, Belgium, (1959). Their work can be found in the following collections: American Craft Museum, New York City, NY County Art Museum and Craft Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA De Young Museum, San Francisco, CA Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA Picasso Museum in Vallauris, France Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC Craft & Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles Mingei Museum, San Diego Ventura County...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Vase Psiche di Capua in Ceramic, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
VG presents a collection of classic sculptures which revisits the techniques of pop art. The original work is taken apart; a few details are then removed and highlighted, becoming t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vase 'David by Michelangelo' Mouth, White and Gold Ceramic, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The “Andy” ceramic collection VG presents a collection of Classic sculptures which revisits the techniques of pop art. The original work is taken apart; a few details are then remove...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

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Previously Available Items
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Anne A. E. Hirondelle Signed Modern Large Ceramic Pottery Glazed Vase Vessel
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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 folk art, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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, Italy, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original ceramics, popular names associated with this style include VG-VGnewtrend, Mosche Bianche, Marco Segantin, and Eric James Mellon. 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 $94 and tops out at $19,500 while the average work can sell for $702.

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