Modern Religious Items
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 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.
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Style: Modern
Plaster Mounted Horse Rider Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a horse rider. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with ag...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Large and Very Rare Silver-Inlaid Antique Judaica Tray
Located in London, GB
A large and very rare silver-inlaid antique Judaica tray
Jerusalem, c.1900
Height 2.5cm, diameter 62cm
This large and remarkable work is a copper and silver-inlaid antique Jewish tray, featuring meticulous and exceptional metalwork, and was made in Jerusalem around the turn of the twentieth century.
It features a twelve-fold repeating pictorial decoration, which is set between two circles, that of the central ring in which a large menorah...
Category
Early 1900s Israeli Antique Modern Religious Items
Materials
Silver, Brass, Copper
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Modernist Aluminum and Mother-of-Pearl Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist aluminum and mother-of-pearl menorah, circa 1970s. The menorah is in very good vintage condition and measures 9.25"W x 3.75"D x 9.5"H. The candle holder accents are remov...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Religious Items
Materials
Aluminum
Wooden Traditional Figure in a Niche of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious signed plaster figure of a virgin in a wooden niche. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wea...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Wood
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Set of Four Traditional Plaster Figures , circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 4 traditional religious plaster figures. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Baby Jesus and Antique Book Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Baby Jesus plater figure and antique book artwork. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the production of sculptures and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Vintage Shepherd Dog Figure: Charming & Rustic, circa 1980
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embrace the charm of this vintage shepherd dog figure, a delightful addition to your home decor or collection. Made in Spain circa 1980, this rustic canine statue exudes character an...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Metal
Plaster Religious Handpainted Traditional Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster handpainted wall artwork. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Church Traditional Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster wall artwork of a church. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with a...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Jesus Christ Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Religious Baby Jesus Christ Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of baby Jesus Christ. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent wit...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Traditional Spanish Figure of a Virgin, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaste Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use,...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Metal Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional memorabilia metallic figure of virgin Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados. Made Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Metal
Plaste Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Antique Church Traditional Altar Cloth, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious altar cloth artwork of a Spanish church. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Fabric
Plaster Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use,...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Large Plaster Saint Traditional Sculptural Figure, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious signed plaster figure of a Saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier, Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and u...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Hand Painted Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious hand painted plaster figure of a Saint. Originally stamped. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1940. Olot has a long tradition i...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Set of Three Traditional Plaster Figures, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 3 traditional religious plaster figures. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and u...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Metal Patinated Ceramic Jesus Christ Memorabilia Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jesus Christ metal patinated ceramic statue. Made Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Signed by M...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Metal
Plaster Jesus Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a young Jesus with a fish. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consis...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Plaster Saint Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Cabinet of Curiosities Antique Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster baby Jesus on a wooden stand. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the production of s...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Plaster Traditional Figure, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure. Made in traditional Catalan atelier, Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a b...
Category
1930s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Cabinet of Curiosities Drawer Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden niche. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the product...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Plaster Crown Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Plaster crown on a stand artwork. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the production of sculptures and religious imager...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Large Plaster Virgin Traditional Sculptural Figure, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious signed plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier, Spain, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
1930s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster
Huge Steel Crucifix
Located in London, GB
A huge 7ft 8” steel crucifix. Created in the modernist style circa 1970’s. This enormous steel cross was an unfinished project rescued from a now defunc...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Religious Items
Materials
Steel
Plaster Virgin Traditional Figure in a Wooden Altar, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin in a wooden altar.
Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1940.
In original condition, with minor wear consisten...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Bier judaica hammered silver Tzedakah Charity box , marked
By Bier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jizchak Bier founded in 1950's the Bier Judaica studio, to produce high quality silver judaica .
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Silver
Postmodern Contemporary Menorah in Blue Anodized Aluminum by Luigi Del Monte
Located in Troy, MI
Ultramodern "Flat Arch" menorah by Italian designer Luigi Del Monte 1999
Featured in the MoMa gift catalog and design store Winter 2000
Sleek design in blue anodized aluminum with i...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Religious Items
Materials
Aluminum
Cabinet of Curiosities Drawer Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden niche. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the product...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Antique Church Traditional Altar Cloth, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious altar cloth artwork of a Spanish church. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Fabric
Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Corner Wall Shelving Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden drawer. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the produc...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Israeli Hand-Made Silver Spice Box
Located in New York, NY
This late 20th-century Israeli silver spice box showcases a handcrafted aesthetic by a local silversmith, though the maker’s signature on the base is partially illegible. The rectang...
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Silver
Handcrafted Sterling Silver Kiddush Cup and Plate Set Signed Israel, 1980
Located in New York, NY
A stunning example of handcrafted Judaica, this sterling silver Kiddush cup and matching base were made in Israel in 1980 and are both signed by the artisan. Elegantly designed and r...
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Silver
Set of 6 sterling silver kiddush cups on a tray - Birmingham 1976 & 1986
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1976 by A. T. Cannon Ltd & Birmingham 1986 by R. E. Porter, this charming Elizabeth II, Sterling Silver Set of 6 Kiddush Cups on Tray, are plain in design...
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Religious Items
Materials
Sterling Silver
A Purim Grogger by Jacobs late 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Purim Grogger by Jacobs, made in the late 20th Century.
Grogger (noisemaker) is shaped in the figure of a red and blue clown with his arms and legs outstretched and connected to t...
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Metal
Zelig Segal’s Modernist Aluminum Hanukkah Lamp
Located in New York, NY
This striking Hanukkah lamp, crafted by the renowned Israeli artist Zelig Segal, exemplifies a fusion of tradition and modernist design. Made from aluminum, the lamp features a minim...
Category
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Aluminum
Modern Tzedakah Box by Gruss
Located in New York, NY
This tzedakah (charity) box, crafted by Brooklyn-based artists Lorelei and Alex Gruss in the year 2000, is an exquisite example of Judaic artistry. The design features a silhouette of a cityscape, likely evoking Jerusalem, rendered in gold-toned metal with intricate cutouts. The background is inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl, lending the piece a luminous, ethereal quality.
Beneath the cityscape, the Hebrew word “צדקה” (tzedakah) is prominently displayed, symbolizing the Jewish practice of charitable giving. Two decorative blue gemstones, set into two stars of David, enhance the front, adding a touch of color and sophistication. The box’s wooden structure complements the gold-toned metal and mother-of-pearl inlay, creating a harmonious blend of materials.
This beautifully crafted tzedakah box...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Religious Items
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Contemporary Brass and Aluminum Israeli Purim Noisemaker
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Brass and Aluminum Israeli Purim Noisemaker
This noisemaker features a modern, minimalist design with a combination of metal and colored elements. The central cylindri...
Category
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Painted Aluminum Hannukah Lamp by Luigi Del Monte
Located in New York, NY
This minimalist Hanukkah lamp created in 2002 by the Italian designer Luigi Del Monte, is made of painted aluminum in a striking blue finish. The lamp’s design features a linear arra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Religious Items
Materials
Aluminum
A Purim Grogger by Jacobs late 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Purim Grogger by Jacobs in the late 20th Century
Grogger (noisemaker) is shaped in the figure of a metallic fish with tan and red fins and attached to the m...
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Metal
Late 20th Century Silver Mezuzah Case by Shuki Freiman
Located in New York, NY
Late 20th century silver Mezuzah case handmade by the artist Shuki Freiman. The base of the mezuzah case is adorned with floral engraving throughout, while the cylinder is decorated ...
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Modern Religious Items
Materials
Silver
Modern religious items for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern religious items 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 religious items created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with plaster, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern religious items made in a specific country, there are Europe, Spain, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original religious items, popular names associated with this style include Ivan Voitovych, Ken Landauer, Arval Argenti Valenza, and Bier. 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 religious items differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $96 and tops out at $57,336 while the average work can sell for $836.