Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Christies May 2005, 20th Century Decorative Arts, Paris, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Christies May 2005, 20th Century Decorative Arts, Paris, 1st Ed. 66 lots on 88 pages photographed in color and described. With results.
NPT Books, a division of Trent Antiques, has...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1970s Gucci Gilt Brass Shoehorn with Swinging Horsebit Ring, Italy
By Aldo Gucci
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1970s Gucci Gilt Brass Shoehorn with Swinging Horsebit Ring, Italy
A rare and refined 1970s Gucci gilt brass shoehorn, produced by the Parfums division of the iconic Italian house. ...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ormolu
Modernist Faceted Aqua and Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous designer ring in 18 kt gold with a interesting faceted aqua in a modernist setting. This is a classical look but exceptional design.
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Ruhlmann, Art Deco Genius, French Book, 2002 Exhibition in Museum des Années 30
By Rhulmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Ruhlmann, Genie de l'Art Deco (Ruhlmann Art Deco Genius), a special edition of the French magazine L'estampille, L'Objet d'Art published during the exhibition at the Musee Des Années...
Category
Early 2000s French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of Silver Gilt Torah Finials or Rimonim by Moses Salkind, London, 1925
Located in London, GB
A pair of silver gilt Torah finials or Rimonim by Moses Salkind
London, 1925
Height 41cm, diameter 9cm
Moses Salkind & Co., based on Mulberry St. London, were leading makers of ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Unique sterling silver model of a huntsman & hounds made in 2018 by I. Franks
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 2018 by I. Franks, this very handsome sterling silver model, comprises a horse and rider accompanied by five hounds in various poses. The huntsmen on his hors...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Raoul Dufy Original Lithograph Book - 9 Lithograph
By Raoul Dufy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dufy Treasures of the French Painting book. Original Raoul Dufy lithograph book containing 9 plates. Each plate could easily be framed. Very rare Raoul Dufy d...
Category
1940s French Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Constantin Bookends, C by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Constantin Bookends by Colé Italia, C with Agustina Bottoni
Dimensions: H.20 D.7 W.7 cm
Materials: The body is a cube in Marquina black marble with white veins. The top is in solid...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Walnut
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
Vintage 1970s Original YSL Faceted Crystal Multi Jeweled Opera Necklace
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and rare vintage YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) opera style necklace in jeweled colored faceted crystal beads. This beautiful necklace is constructed and fashioned following the Ha...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
Bicycle Figurine by Designer Marcel Wanders
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
This small bicycle was designed by Marcel Wanders for Randstad Group. Randstad Group is big employment agency. Since 2018 Marcel Wanders designs a bicycl...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool
30's Mechanical Football Toy Game by Chester-Pollard Amusement Company-New York
By New York Furniture
Located in Madrid, ES
"30's Mechanical Football Toy Game"
Manufactured by CHESTER-POLLARD AMUSEMENT COMPANY - New York City
Mechanical football toy game from the 30s very rare cafe bar pub.
See phot...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Engine Order Telegraph. Fenya, Ferrol, Spain, circa Mid-20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Engine order telegraph. Fenya, Fabricaciones Eléctricas, Navales y Artilleras, S.A., El Ferrol, Spain. Ca. Mid 20th century.
Metal, glass, carved wooden base.
Electric control bridge...
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Other
Wood and Green Beechwood Foosball Table, Made in France
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products.
Made in France from solid beech wood, this foosball / Babyfoot is the one you will find in F...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Harrier 'Jump' Jet Tailplane Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning desk made from an original Harrier 'Jump' Jet Tailplane Horizontal Stabiliser that has been stripped of its paint and polished to a mirror finish. Three aluminium legs and...
Category
Late 20th Century British Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
[1st ed] Kids: A Film by Larry Clark (Signed)
By Larry Clark
Located in New York, NY
First edition of this cult classic, “the teenage movie that…America never made,” published by Grove Press in 1995 in conjunction with director and photographer Larry Clark’s first mo...
Category
1990s American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
![[1st ed] Kids: A Film by Larry Clark (Signed)](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/1st-ed-kids-a-film-by-larry-clark-signed-for-sale/f_8285/f_441742421742768038287/f_44174242_1742768039041_bg_processed.jpg?width=240 "[1st ed] Kids: A Film by Larry Clark (Signed)")
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
C. 1966 Three Books by President Lyndon B. Johnson to Gordon Bunshaft of SOM
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are three books signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and inscribed to Gordon Bunshaft. Bunshaft and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill Architects (SOM) designed the Lyndon B. Johns...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
April 1985 Magazine from Gordon Bunshaft ft. National Commercial Bank of Jeddah
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an issue of Interiors Magazine that dates to April 1985. This came from Bunshaft's Travertine House in East Hampton. It came to us directly from the heirs of Gordon and Nina ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Superior Lapin Husky Plush by Muchi Decor, Made in Italy
Located in Poviglio, IT
This Collectible Plush Husky Dog was conceived by Muchi Decor as refined but light-hearted decoration for your room. This plush is made of real Superior Lapin fur with 100% natural ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Large Hardstone, Quartz, Gold, and Lapis Lazuli Model of an Alpine Flower Bed
Located in London, GB
Large hardstone, quartz, gold, nephrite and lapis lazuli model of an alpine flower bed
Continental, 20th Century
Measures: Height 7cm, width 37cm, depth 27cm
A beautiful objet d'art, this exceptionally fine flower bed model is a 20th century continental precious stone and metal model, made from a host of precious materials and assembled with great poise, skill, and artistry. The quartz base underpinning the miniature garden...
Category
20th Century European Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Gold
Semi-Precious Stone and Silver Model of a Cockerel
Located in London, GB
Semi-precious stone and silver model of a cockerel
Continental, 20th Century
Height 12cm, width 10cm, depth 10cm
This objet d’art is made from a selection of high quality material...
Category
20th Century European Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Amethyst, Marble, Silver, Other
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
1939 The WPA Guide to New York City: The Federal Writers’ Project Guide
Located in Stamford, CT
1939 The WPA Guide to New York City: The Federal Writers’ Project Guide. Rare Hardcover 1st edition.
Category
1930s American Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Tom Wesselmann: New Metal Paintings (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Catalog accompanying an exhibition of Tom Wesselmann paintings held at New York’s Sidney Janis Gallery from October 15th to November 14th, 1992. Horizontal 8vo (10.25” x 8.25”), prin...
Category
1990s American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Normandie, The Epic of the Giant of the Seas, French Book by Bruno Foucart, 1985
Located in Atlanta, GA
Normandie, L'Epopé du Géant des Mers, (The Normandie, the Epic of the Giant of Seas). A French book by Bruno Foucart, 1985.
The Normandie, that French quality liner, also named Float...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
David Rago & John Sollo Auction Catalogs, 20th C Modern 3/2002, 10/2003
Located in valatie, NY
David Rago & John Sollo Auction Catalogs, 20th c Modern 3/2022, 10/2003. A pair of 1st Ed softcover auction catalogs 20th c modern. 2002 catalog with results. A total of 1796 lots ph...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Pair of 20th Century Italian Geese
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 20th Century Italian Geese
metal
45cm high x 25cm
perfect condition, like new
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
KAWS Brian Donnelly Hand Signed First Edition Contemporary Art Book New Fiction
By KAWS
Located in Studio City, CA
A KAWS (Brian Donnelly) rare hand-signed first edition/ first printing hardcover fine art book "New Fiction" published by The Monacelli Press, 2023 and based on Kaws' blockbuster 202...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
KeyRing - Conceptual Wearable Modern Key Chain Jewelry
By beeep
Located in Philadelphia, PA
KeyRing, a gold-plated silver keyring with a kitschy play on words, combines precious quality with practical functionality as a fashionable accessory. Available in two sizes, small a...
Category
2010s American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
Colorful Italian Silver Pendant Bracelet with Murano Glass Beads
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Colorful double roped bracelet in 925 sterling silver set with 10 Murano beads in Glass and 925 sterling. Made in Italy circa 1990-2000s. Each of the 10 beads are stamped: 925, Italy...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Richard Meier Architect Volume 4
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
"Richard Meier, Architect, Vol. 4: 2000-2004,"
Soft cover 1st publication by Rizzoli Publishing; 432 pages
Book contains no markings on any sort on its pages.
No loose pages. Bin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Claes Oldenburg "Gayety" Happening Rare Original Poster
Located in Sharon, CT
One of the original ephemeral Pop Art events of the 1960s, Claes Oldenburg's "Gayety" happening, is documented with this rare poster advertisement, and including a mimeo list of deta...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Lladró Beautiful Catrina Figurine by Raul Rubio. Limited Edition.
By Lladro, Raul Rubio
Located in New York City, NY
Limited edition Mexican Bella Catrina figurine in black gloss finish porcelain, adorned with three handmade flowers. The people of Mexico have a special relationship with death, to the point that it is part of the culture and daily life of this North American country. The Bella Catrina, conceived in the imagination of the artist Jose Guadalupe Posada...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
LLadro Porcelain Figurines, a Set of 4
By Lladro
Located in Plainview, NY
A set of 4 Lladro (Spain) porcelain figurines. One figurine of a woman feeding ducks, one figurine of a woman holding a lamb, one of a group of ducks and the last one is a clown. Each figurine is signed in the bottom.
Figurine 1: 5” L x 3.75” H x 2” D (ducks only)
Figurine 2: 5” L x 10” H x 3” D ( woman holding lamb...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Presidential Seal with Calvin Coolidge Signed Document
Located in Houston, TX
Signed document signed by Calvin Coolidge with an attached president seal. There is a photo of Calvin Coolidge on top of the document. The second signature is by Frank Kellogg. The w...
Category
1920s American Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
New Architectural Pleasures, French Book by George Pompidou Art Center, 1985
Located in Atlanta, GA
Nouveaux Plaisirs d'Architectures (New Architectural Pleasures), French book published by The National Center of Art and Culture Georges Pompidou in Paris, 1985.
Les pluralismes de l...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Santiago de Compostela Traditional Memorabilia Figure
Located in Barcelona, ES
Santiago de Compostela memorabilia metallic figure. Made Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
21st Century Olimpia Round Bathroom Set Handmade in Italy in Artic Leather
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Olimpia, in all its beauty.
Our small tray, together with a soap dispenser and a toothbrush holder. A complete set with all the bathroom essentials presented here in a round shape...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Industrial Vintage Metal Aircraft Plane Model Desk Item Statue, circa 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An Industrial plane model made in the 1980s. This unique object is made of metal and has a chrome finish. A nice Industrial sculpture for displaying them on a cupboard, credenza or d...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
Lladró Winged Beauty Woman Sculpture by Francisco Polope. Limited Edition.
Located in New York City, NY
Limited edition, gloss finish porcelain sculpture of a woman with beautiful white wings, embellished with blue and white enamel. Half woman, half goddess, the protagonist of this pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Vintage Cut Crystal Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful cut crystal clear glass ashtray decorated with a cut star design.
Wonderful fashionable glass multifaceted ashtray or decorative object
Heavy clear handcut etched crystal...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster
New York Vertical, Photographs Book by Horst Hamann, 2000
Located in Atlanta, GA
New York Vertical, English Book by Horst Hamann, 2000.
This book offers a new perspective on New York, the American metropolis. This award-winning pictorial tribute to the world's mo...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
20th Century Plastic Jewelry, English Book by Roseann Ettinger, 2007
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century Plastic Jewelry, English book by Roseann Ettinger, 2007.
Explore designs for jewelry in natural and synthetic plastics throughout the 20th century. This fun and visually...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, paper and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Gufram Furniture, A$AP Rocky, dlsc, and Lladro. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7 and tops out at $96,443 while the average work can sell for $986.