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Modern Primitives

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Rare Vinyl Holder 45 Spins 70s - Orange Pop / Space Age
Rare Vinyl Holder 45 Spins 70s - Orange Pop / Space Age

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Plastic

Rare Cinevisor MUPI - Super 8 Viewer Vintage 1970s - Collectible Piece
Rare Cinevisor MUPI - Super 8 Viewer Vintage 1970s - Collectible Piece

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Plastic

Metal Heart Jewelry Box with Golden Bow Red Velvet Interior
Metal Heart Jewelry Box with Golden Bow Red Velvet Interior

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Metal

Gorgeous Set of 20 Hand-Cut Crystal Goblets (1985)
Gorgeous Set of 20 Hand-Cut Crystal Goblets (1985)

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Crystal

Prestigious Bronze Bust of Vincenzo Gemito "Alessandro" (Anastolè) 1890
Prestigious Bronze Bust of Vincenzo Gemito "Alessandro" (Anastolè) 1890

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 ...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Modern Primitives

Materials

Bronze

Berkel's Model 23 Vintage Flywheel Slicer - Berkel & Parnall's
Berkel's Model 23 Vintage Flywheel Slicer - Berkel & Parnall's

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...

Category

20th Century English Modern Primitives

Materials

Metal, Steel

Artistic Metal Turtle Sculpture
Artistic Metal Turtle Sculpture

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...

Category

20th Century Modern Primitives

Materials

Bronze

Lot 4 Vintage 70s Wallets - Genuine Leather
Lot 4 Vintage 70s Wallets - Genuine Leather

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Animal Skin

Elegant Ampoule in Pink Murano Glass and Golden Decorations - Handcrafted Workmanship
Elegant Ampoule in Pink Murano Glass and Golden Decorations - Handcrafted Workmanship

Elegant Ampoule in Pink Murano Glass and Golden Decorations - Handcrafted Workmanship

Located in Manzano, IT

Refined decorative cruet made of original mouth-blown Murano Glass. A beautifully elegant piece that marries the Venetian glassmaking tradition with a sleek, decorative design. Th...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Murano Glass

Tyrolean Hat CAPO Austria Original - New with Box - Waterproof
Tyrolean Hat CAPO Austria Original - New with Box - Waterproof

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Modern Primitives

Materials

Wool

Animal House arte animale
Animal House arte animale

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Primitives

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Bronze Sculpture: Oriental Knight on Horseback
Bronze Sculpture: Oriental Knight on Horseback

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...

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Modern Primitives

Materials

Bronze

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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...

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Antique Handmade Wooden and Metal Pitchfork
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Located in San Francisco, CA

This tool stands as a silent testament to decades upon decades of back-breaking labor and thrift. Handcrafted, and likely used for pitching hay, it was endlessly stressed under immen...

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Previously Available Items
Right Proper Handmade Black Leather Dust Pan
Right Proper Handmade Black Leather Dust Pan

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...

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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Primitives

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Right Proper Handmade Natural Leather Dust Pan
Right Proper Handmade Natural Leather Dust Pan

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...

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Modern primitives for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern primitives for sale on 1stDibs. 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.