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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: 1960s
Ceramic owl vide-poche by Olivier Pettit, France, 1960's
By Olivier Pettit
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic owl vide-poche by Olivier Pettit, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Four ceramic boxes by Cloutier, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Four ceramic anthropomorphic boxes by Cloutier. Two "smalls" Diam. 12.5 cm, H. 19 cm Two a bit bigger Diam. 15cm, H. 21 cm
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic vide de poche by Chambost
Located in Paris, FR
Green ceramic vide de poche by Chambost
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic bear paw by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Yellow bear paw by Georges Jouve, signed, 1960's
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic vide de poche by Juliette Derel, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic vide poche by Juliette Derel, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic plate by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic plate by Roger Capron, Vallauris, France, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic plate by Roger Capron, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Large plate by Roger Capron, centaure decor, 1060's, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Small ceramic vase by Ruelland, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
small ceramic round vase by Ruelland, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Small ceramic vase by Ruelland, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Small ceramic vase by Ruelland, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

David Leach Lowerdown Pottery Linear Scroll Pattern Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage Lowerdown pottery studio pottery vase of square form with abstract linear scroll designs by David Leach (British, 1911-2005) and dating from the 20th century. The tall stone ware vase has a square shaped body with rounded corners narrowing...
Category

1960s English Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Large Scale Tile Work by Harris G. Strong
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a master work by the artist Harris G. Strong, circa 1960. The pieces measures 43" x 73". In the original wooden frame.
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

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Ceramic Animal Sculpture Turtle by Accolay circa 1960 Orange Glaze Color
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Category

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Materials

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Category

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Vallauris Midcentury Ceramic Pottery Tray Dish in the Manner of Picasso, 1954
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Category

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Category

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Materials

Ceramic

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Category

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Materials

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Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
Goat Ceramic by Dominique Pouchain
H 13.39 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
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Located in High Point, NC
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Category

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Materials

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Vintage French Ceramic Bottle
Vintage French Ceramic Bottle
H 16.9 in W 13.8 in D 3.1 in
Large Danish Ceramic Giraffe, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Danish ceramic giraffe, 1960s. In beautiful blue and brown tones.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Danish Ceramic Giraffe, 1960s
Large Danish Ceramic Giraffe, 1960s
H 16.15 in W 4.73 in D 5.12 in
Previously Available Items
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Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Ceramics

Materials

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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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