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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Berkel's Model 23 Vintage Flywheel Slicer - Berkel & Parnall's
Located in Manzano, IT
magnificent and rare vintage Berkel's Model 23 flywheel slicer, a true gem of engineering and design. This model was produced in the historical period between 1928 and 1936, and is p...
Metal, Steel
$361Sale Price / item|40% Off
Animal House arte animale
Located in Manzano, IT
Sotto il titolo Animal house, che richiama il famoso film ma con il quale non centra, Naka ha raccolto una serie di opere dove l’animale è protagonista in un contesto antropico. Il p...
Plastic, Wood
Fine Traditional French Provincial Dark Stained Armoire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very fine traditional antique French armoire with a useful and hard to come by 12” depth. A carved bonnet over a frieze with carved cross motif. With the Classic shaped and carved burled door panels with patinated metal escutcheons (lacking a key). Five newer custom shelves...
Wood
Senufo Crocodile Headdress, Africa
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Large openwork crest mounted upon a woven basketry cap. The large, square decorative panel bears a central reptilian or stylized crocodile depiction with alternating squared painted ...
Wood
Pine and Oak Rocking Cradle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a charming, very rustic hooded rocking cradle with an interesting and unusual “bird house” with a circular opening, built into the shallow hood,...
Oak, Pine
Primitive Cupboard Two-Door Farm House Jelly Rustic 19th Century
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Another wonderful early Rustic two-door original blue/gray cupboard with a great amount of storage space. It has four shelves inside. True antique pieces...
Pine
Pair of 20th Century East African Grain Bowls with Handles
Located in Wainscott, NY
20th century East African grain bowls with handles pair (two pieces in set). From left to right A) 10.5" height x 10" diameter B) 8.5" height x 9" diameter.
Wood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 15.75 in D 16 in
Late 19th Century American Handmade Burled Wood Chair
Located in Wainscott, NY
Late 19th century American handmade burled wood chair Great looking accent chair with beautiful patina and wood grain. Dimensions: 37 in. H x 15....
Wood
Burmese Tribal Markers Wooden Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Two Burmese chin state tribal markers. Tribal Territory markers collected within the chin state Burma (Myanmar). Each piece is primitively carved with a face and a collection of item...
Hardwood
$495
H 15.75 in W 16.13 in D 7.13 in
Handcrafted Wooden Tool Caddy, Primitive Ziggurat Design, USA, 1940s
Located in Round Top, TX
Handmade wooden tool caddy featuring distinctive stepped ziggurat details that give it sculptural presence and architectural charm. Originally conceived as a functional carrier, its ...
Wood
Antique Carved and Decorated Ship's Figurehead
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique carved and decorated ship's figurehead, circa 1890, depicting a regal bird with a beak. The sculpture is in original paint. Although there has been much paint loss and age cr...
Wood
$1,430
H 45.58 in W 21 in D 13 in
Hand-Carved Primitive Folk Art Spool Shelf, Rustic Charm, Circa 1860s
Located in Round Top, TX
A Primitive Folk Art Spool Shelf. Fantastic patina and surface throughout. A very collectible rustic piece that immediately adds character and charm. This would be perfect for short ...
Wood
Contemporary Ebony Makonde African Wood Carving
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful contemporary collector piece of Makonde ebony tree of life art carving with unbelievable detailed wood carving.
Ebony
Collective Human Figures Terracotta Sculpture, Mexican Folk Art”
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
A powerful hand-sculpted clay artwork representing a procession of human figures, each joined in a continuous rhythm of movement and unity. This piece reflects the essence of Mexican...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Right Proper Handmade Black Leather Dust Pan
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade by artisans in rural Kentucky, our Right Proper black leather dustpan was crafted with Shaker design principles in mind: “Don't make something un...
Leather
Right Proper Handmade Natural Leather Dust Pan
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade by artisans in rural Kentucky, our Right Proper leather dustpan was crafted with shaker design principles in mind: “Don't make something unless i...
Leather