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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Tyrolean Hat CAPO Austria Original - New with Box - Waterproof
Located in Manzano, IT
Authentic Tyrolean/Alpine style hat made by the prestigious Austrian brand Capo. This is a high-quality accessory, perfect for amateurs of the genre or as a valuable souvenir. Mai...
Wool
Rare Cinevisor MUPI - Super 8 Viewer Vintage 1970s - Collectible Piece
Located in Manzano, IT
Iconic Cinevisor MUPI, a jewel of Italian industrial design produced in Florence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This device, with a distinctive "Space Age" aesthetic reminiscen...
Plastic
Rare Vinyl Holder 45 Spins 70s - Orange Pop / Space Age
Located in Manzano, IT
For true lovers of vintage and music! Gorgeous original record rack from the 1970s (Space Age), featuring a vibrant bright orange color and iconic design. The item is a gusseted b...
Plastic
Bronze Sculpture: Oriental Knight on Horseback
Located in Manzano, IT
A richly detailed work of art, perfect for discerning collectors and luxury spaces that want to make a style statement. Thissculpture captures the dynamic power of a Knight or Warri...
Bronze
Gorgeous Set of 20 Hand-Cut Crystal Goblets (1985)
Located in Manzano, IT
Exclusive service of 20 wine glasses made of fine crystal. Produced in the mid-1980s, these glasses represent the excellence of craftsmanship at the time. The design features fine d...
Crystal
$22,738Sale Price|20% Off
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
Lot 4 Vintage 70s Wallets - Genuine Leather
Located in Manzano, IT
Gorgeous set of 4 original wallets from the 1970s, a true example of Italian craftsmanship and vintage style. Made of high quality genuine leather with different textures and elega...
Animal Skin
Prestigious Bronze Bust of Vincenzo Gemito "Alessandro" (Anastolè) 1890
Located in Manzano, IT
Fine bronze sculpture bearing the signature of the celebrated master of Neapolitan verismo, Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929). The work depicts a young boy with the distinctive features ...
Bronze
Artistic Metal Turtle Sculpture
Located in Manzano, IT
Magnificent decorative sculpture in the shape of a turtle, made of high quality metal, ideal for enriching your garden, terrace or indoor environment with a touch of elegance and ori...
Bronze
$363 / item
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
$549
H 3.94 in W 3.15 in D 1.97 in
Rare Antique Victorian Natural Shell & Silk Needlework Pin Cushion C.1890s
Located in Honolulu, HI
An authentic antique late Victorian era handmade pin cushion crafted from a natural scallop shell, dating to the late 19th century (circa 1890s). Embodying the popular Victorian tra...
Shell
Vintage Dutch Girl Kitchen Towels Set, Hand-Embroidered Folk Art
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Charming vintage set of seven Days of the Week kitchen towels, featuring hand-embroidered Dutch girls, with one towel representing each day of the week. Each towel is made from a cr...
Cotton
Swedish 100% Original Painted Trunk Art
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% Original Painted Swedish Trunk Art dated 1818. the trunk was found in a barn resting on its back in mud, it was in such bad condi...
Pine
$880 / set
H 4.2 in W 2.2 in D 0.3 in
Set of 10 Antique Miniature William Shakespeare Books Bound in Leather
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Elegant set of ten antique miniature books featuring works by William Shakespeare. With their small format, leather covers, and distinctive cha...
Leather, Paper
Antique French Primitive Cutting Board, 19th Century
Located in BORGO, FR
A beautifully timeworn antique French cutting board hand-carved from a single thick piece of hardwood. This authentic primitive kitchen object features a substantial rectangular form...
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
$10,000
H 29.53 in W 49.22 in D 3.94 in
Arko Wall Art 4, Contemporary Art Craft Rice Straw wall sculpture Japandi
By ARKO
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hand-sewed rice straw art by Arko. Title: A head-sea over the night sky (Small model) This work has the feelings of contemporary, tribal art, contempora...
Canvas, Thread, Straw
Vintage Wooden Butter Mold and Press, Rectangular Box, Folk Art
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A wonderful vintage wooden butter mold and press, constructed as a rectangular box with its original removable lid and fitted wooden plunger. Originally used to shape freshly churned...
Hardwood
$4,500
H 20.25 in Dm 8.75 in
English Royal Navy Leather Gun Charge Carrier with Coat of Arms, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
English Royal navy leather gun charge carrier with a centered coat of arms depicting lion and unicorn and the original tacked leather handle, Mid-19th...
Leather, Paint
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
19Thc Original Blue Painted Bail Handled Pantry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing 19thc Original blue painted bail handled pantry box in fine as found condition. This fine pantry has a wonderful undisturbed patina and early nails.
Wood
Vintage English Fishmonger’s Bucket With Painted Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage English wooden bucket with later painted fishmonger’s decoration, 20th century. The tapered, stave-built body widens toward the mouth and is reinforced with encircling meta...
Wood, Paint
Swedish 100% Original Trunk Art
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% Original Painted Swedish Trunk Art dated 1814. the trunk was found in a barn resting on its back in mud, it was in such bad condi...
Oak
$968 / set
H 11.8 in W 7 in D 1 in
Vintage and Antique Whisk Hand Brooms Collection, Folk Art Primitive Decor
Located in Coral Gables, FL
This unique collection brings together eleven assorted vintage and antique whisk hand brooms, individually collected and arranged as a sculptural composition inspired by Folk Art and...
Metal, Wire
$414
H 22.84 in W 10.44 in D 1.58 in
19th Century French Rustic Oak Cutting Board with Angular Shoulders
Located in Buisson, FR
Dating back to circa 1850-1880, this rustic French cutting board is hand-hewn from a single solid piece of dense oak. The piece features a distinctive silhouette with clean, geometri...
Wood
Metal Heart Jewelry Box with Golden Bow Red Velvet Interior
Located in Manzano, IT
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your dresser with this charming heart-shaped jewelry box. Main Features: Unique Design: A beautiful heart shape made of sturdy metal with a matte...
Metal
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