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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Organic shaped Estremoz marble nickel Arizona small mirror by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
In the remote location of Coyote Buttes lies one of Arizona’s treasures. The absolutely surreal undulating patterns of ‘The Wave’ inspired the creation of the Arizona small mirror...
Marble, Nickel, Metal
Natural organic shape Estremoz marble brass Arizona small mirror by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
In the remote location of Coyote Buttes lies one of Arizona’s treasures. The absolutely surreal undulating patterns of ‘The Wave’ inspired the creation of the Arizona small mirror...
Marble, Brass
Nature inspired circular ebony veneer gold leaf Osani mirror by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Osani circle is a game played by Efé children of the Ituri tropical forest in the Republic of Congo. The round mirror represents the spirit of mutual help present in this tribe. The ebony wood captures the effect of the childrens’ outstretched legs around the center, and the aged gold leaf bring to mind the soles of their feet and sun-bleached heads. The round decorative mirror...
Gold Leaf
Vintage Silver Lacquer Sunburst/ Floral Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Silver Lacquer Sunburst/Floral Mirror A striking vintage silver lacquered sunburst or floral mirror, featuring a distinctive design that blends modern design with quality. M...
Mirror, Lacquer
$1,558Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ghidini 1961 Sunset Mirror Small in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This superb round small mirror will make a statement in any decor. The sides of the mirror are hugged by a symmetrical brass structure that creates...
Mirror
Modernist Sunburst Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Modernist sunburst mirror made with a wooden structure and a central circular mirror. The rays are all covered with black glass. The central mirror is framed with antiqued mirror and...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$1,776
A pewter mirror
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A unique pewter sunburst mirror
Pewter
Mid-Century Italian Carved Giltwood Sunburst Mirror with Convex Glass, C. 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Italian Carved Giltwood Sunburst Mirror with Convex Glass Italy, circa 1950s–1960s A sculptural and finely executed Italian sunburst mirror, carved in wood and richly wa...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,808Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ghidini 1961 Sunset Mirror Small in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This superb round small mirror will make a statement in any decor. The sides of the mirror are hugged by a symmetrical brass structure that creates...
Mirror
Modern Vintage Golden Metal Sunburst Convex Wall Mirror, France, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage sunburst wall mirror from metal with loops in golden color and konvex mirror glass 1970s, France. A stunning sunburst wall mirror in circular shape with konvex mirror ...
Metal
Italian White Carrara Marble Mirror, Modern Round Sunburst by Massimo Mangiardi
Located in New York, NY
Italian white Carrara marble mirror in handcrafted construction with open geometric pattern appearing elliptical which frames a large mirr...
Carrara Marble
$1,042Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 18.51 in
Flower Shaped Rattan Mirror, Midcentury Mediterranean Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lovely handcrafted rattan flower shaped mirror with all the taste of the Mediterranean coast style. France, 1960s. This piece is in excellent vintage condition. This mirror will be...
Cane, Rattan, Mirror, Bamboo
French Rattan Oval Sunburst Mirror with Gold Paint, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lovely rattan or wicker mirror with golden paint finishing, France, 1960s. This handcrafted sunburst mirror has a braided rattan frame. Painted in gold color to add a pinch of glam. ...
Wicker, Mirror, Rattan
Gold Gilt Sunburst Mirror
Located in London, GB
A carved and gilt Mahogany sunburst design mirror. The convex mirror distressed, within a rope twist border Contemporary.
Wood
Spanish Flower Shaped Sunburt Mirror in Rattan, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Flower Wall Mirror in Rattan A beautiful flower shaped mirror handcrafted in bamboo and rattan, Spain, 1960s. This stunning round mirror is framed by a bamboo ring accented by rattan...
Wicker, Rattan, Mirror, Cane, Bamboo
Monumental Hollywood Regency Silver & Gold Sunburst Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A focal point statement mirror in a super sized scale, intricately carved and gilded in silver and gold, with interior bevelled mirror 18” diameter. Truly sensational.
Wood
$2,250
H 15.36 in W 15.63 in D 0.99 in
Sunburst Starburst Mirror in Giltwood, Small Scale, Spanish Baroque
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Baroque Style Giltwood Sunburst Mirror , 1940s-1950s Lovely Baroque style small sized giltwood sunburst mirror with gold leaf finish. This gorgeous mini size sunburst mirror...
Gold Leaf
$4,264 / set
H 15.56 in W 15.56 in D 0.99 in
Pair of Giltwood Starburst Sunburst Mirrors, Small Scale, Spanish Baroque
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Spanish Baroque Style Giltwood Starburst / Sunburst Mirrors , 1940s-1950s Eye-catching Baroque style small sized giltwood sunburst mirrors with gold leaf finish. These gorge...
Gold Leaf
$1,606Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 13.39 in
Spanish Sunburst Giltwood Mirror in Baroque Style, Small Size
Located in Barcelona, ES
Small sized carved giltwood convex sunburst mirror, Spain, 1950s This carved giltwood sunburst mirror has a frame has a terrific patina showing it original gold leaf gilding in dark...
Gold Leaf
Large French Tudor Wall Mirror by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning French convex wall mirror by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s-1960s. A relatively rare model called "Tudor". Textured talosel construction with si...
Silver Leaf
Gold and Silver mid-Century Giltwood Vintage Sunburst Mirror
Located in Leesburg, VA
Gold and Silver mid-Century Giltwood Vintage Sunburst Mirror Granati Bois Sculptie, C.D.V. Brussels, Belgium; ca. 1970s Gold and silver giltwood Approximate size: 25.5 in. (diamet...
Wood
Vintage Giltwood Sunburst Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite gilded wooden sunburst mirror, dating from the early 20th century, is a fine example of timeless craftsmanship and artistic elegance. The mirror is shaped as a radiant...
Giltwood
Glass Covered Vintage Sunburst Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Sunburst mirror from Spain featuring a central circular mirror surrounded by a black glass frame. The mirror is made with a wood structure that has been gold-leafed. Each ray is cove...
Gold Leaf
Festoni Gold Leaf Starburst Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Festoni Gold Leaf Starburst Mirror Custom made in Italy
Mirror, Wood
Vintage French Sunburst Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful treasure from France, this classic sunburst mirror with a gorgeous gilded frame is a dynamic statement piece in any room.
Wood
Line Vautrin Inspired Vintage Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Modernist sunburst in the style of designer Line Vautrin made with a wooden structure and antiqued mirror rays. There are circular and rectangular rays emanating from a central circu...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Modern Rustic Starburst Wood Wall Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern rustic style wood wall mirror in starburst shape made with reclaimed wood. From the estate of Nina Griscom. Dealer: S138XX
Wood
Gold Glass and resin sunburst mirror in the manner of Line Vautrin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gold Glass and resin sunburst mirror in the manner of Line Vautrin
Glass, Resin
Golden Sun Burst Mirror, Metal, probably Italy, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Golden metal wall mirror in the shape of a sun from the 21st century.
Metal
Spanish Style Gilt Metal Sunburst Mirror
Located in Rochester, NY
Spanish style round gilt metal sunburst mirror. Framework w/ two layers of curved leaves. Interior beveled plate glass mirror. Overall beautiful original bright gilded gold leaf surface. Mirror frame measures 28" diameter x 2 3/4" deep / recessed mirror...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 27.96 in W 21.26 in D 0.79 in
Modern Vintage Wall Mirror Sunburst Mirror Circular Brass, 1970s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage wall mirror sunburst mirror circular form, Italy 1970s. An amazing wall mirror in circular shape with solid brass frame with w...
Brass
Gold Gilt French Sunburst / Sunflower Flower Mirror
Located in Huntington, NY
Gold gilt French sunburst / sunflower flower mirror natural form leaf gilt, patinated.
Metal
Large Sunburst Mirror Cast Bronze
Located in Rochester, NY
Modern sunburst mirror. Solid cast bronze. Highest quality. Beveled glass mirror. Measures: 40" diameter. See our other mirrors. Please, contact us for shipping options. Presented b...
Metal, Bronze
Round Mirror Made from Commercial Thread Spindles
Located in Chicago, IL
A bold American sunburst-style round mirror with a frame made from dozens of 20th-century wooden thread spindles from a commercial weaving factory.
Mirror, Wood
Large Sunburst Mirror Cast Bronze
Located in Rochester, NY
Modern sunburst mirror. Solid cast bronze. Highest quality. Beveled glass mirror. Measures: 40" diameter. Available as a pair. See our other mirrors. Please, contact us for shipping ...
Metal, Bronze