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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
$2,445
trunk from the 1800s
Located in Manzano, IT
A vintage trunk that tells stories of travel and adventure, perfect as a side table or luxury storage unit. This charming trunk dates from the second half of the 1800s (19th century...
Brass
Thomas Moser Solid Cherry Blanket Chest, Modern Design, USA, 2000
By Thomas Moser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Thomas Moser Solid Cherry Blanket Chest. Beautifully constructed and solid as a rock! Great Storage that looks great in so many environments! Primitive and Modern all rolled into ...
Cherry
Vintage Tessellated Travertine Marble Chest
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage tessellated travertine and marble chest with brass inlay and hardware.
Travertine, Marble, Brass
Modern Hanger Storage and Shelf in Hardwood and Nautical Rope
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Multifunctional hanger, storage and shelf in solid wood and exotic rope pattern, packs may functions in one solution to organize the outdoor and indoor space, this object is part of ...
Metal
$6,055 / item
Interlock Scarf Stand - Low By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
an elegant scarf stand that exudes a modern interpretation of asian sensibility. designed to integrate seamlessly into all interiors, it is crafted entirel...
Ash
$1,046Sale Price / set|30% Off
Modern Hand-Painted Pine Blanket Chest with Side Drawer Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Modern Hand-Painted Pine Blanket Chest with Side Drawers Cabinet in very good vintage condition. Hand painted on front and sides. Blanket chest measures 35 inches in width, 14.5" in...
Wood, Pine, Paint
$6,380 / item
Interlock Scarf Stand By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
an elegant scarf stand that exudes a modern interpretation of asian sensibility. designed to integrate seamlessly into all interiors, it is crafted entirel...
Ash
Complete Modern Italian Fireplace Accessories Set with Tools & Holder
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Modern complete Italian set of fireplace accessories, different from the usual - (See every size at the bottom of the page: it's impossible to wr...
Steel
Set of 3 Stack Storage Box by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 stack storage box by Kristina Dam Studio Materials: Solid oak & walnut with oil treatment. Dimensions: 34 x 50 x H 67.5 cm. Stack stor...
Oak, Walnut
Lovely Vintage Hardwood Ornately Carved Trunk Chest with Drawer Claw & Ball Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely solid mahogany trunk with single drawer and elegantly caved claw and ball feet A very nice looking and multi functional piece of fur...
Hardwood
Sarried Brass Trunk
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a two drawer brass chest with copper nailheads on bun wood feet in good vintage condition. The brass could use some brasso cream but would lighten the brass
Brass
Brazilian Modern Magazine Rack in Hardwood, Brazil, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian Modern magazine rack in Jacaranda hardwood is stunning! This magazine rack is made with Brazilian Rosewood which is also known as Jacaranda hardwood....
Hardwood
$1,507Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.56 in W 40.56 in D 16.54 in
Vintage Shipwright's Tool Chest, English, Cedar, Pine, Craftsman's Trunk, C.1940
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage shipwright's tool chest. An English, cedar and pine craftsman's work trunk, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1940. Wonderful maritime charm...
Cedar
$1,100
H 11.5 in W 25.5 in D 17.5 in
Camphor Blanket Chest with Distressed Patina and Brass Lock, Qing Dynasty Period
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing dynasty camphor wood blanket chest from the 19th century, with dark distressed patina and brass hardware. Immerse yourself in the rich history and timeless beauty of this Qing...
Wood
$575
H 11.5 in W 21 in D 11 in
Antique Indonesian Wood Decorative Box with Inner Red and Black Lacquered Decor
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Indonesian antique wooden decorative box from the early 20th century, with red lacquered interior lid, lateral handles and bracket feet. Created in Indonesia during the early years of the 20th century, this charming wooden box features a linear silhouette beautifully accented with dovetailed joints on the sides. The lid opens to reveal a convenient storage area with side box, but it is the lid's red and black lacquered decor...
Wood, Lacquer
Danish Modern Floating Teak, Brass and Steel Coat Hanger, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Simplistically composed teak rack and stainless bend wire hanger with brass 'socks'. Manufactured and designed in Denmark by Torben Orskov. Hidden sockets for mounting to the backsid...
Brass, Steel
$1,958
H 16.15 in W 42.13 in D 16.54 in
Midcentury French Riviera Storage Chest / Bench in Bamboo and Wicker, Italy 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning French Riviera style storage chest or bench, fully hand-made in bamboo, curved rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This incredibly stylish and unique piece was produced in Italy ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Velvet, Wood
$3,767
H 24.81 in W 51.19 in D 25.99 in
circa 1800 Extra Large Antique Original Paint German Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1800 hand painted German clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with Acanthus leaf painting I have recently purchased a very large collection of these original, antique painted wardrobes...
Pine
$1,725
H 17.5 in W 28.25 in D 16 in
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Blanket Chest with Iron Hardware and Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period blanket chest from the 19th century with iron hardware and distressed patina. Created in Japan during the Meiji period, this wooden blanket chest features a s...
Iron
European Pine Paint Decorated Blanket Chest Dated 1876
Located in Milford, NH
A nicely paint decorated large pine blanket chest dated 1876 on the front, with three foliate painted panels, and geometric designs on the top, with large strap hinges. The underside...
Pine
Antique French Wooden Floor Hanger, Hardwood, Country Style, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden floor hanger made in 1900s France. The edges of this free-standing coat hanger have been ever so worn with age, creating a glowing effect that hi...
Hardwood
19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Hand painted small Swedish trunk circa 1877. Good quality piece of rustic Swedish furniture, offering plenty of opportunities for storage in multiple rooms around the home, such as ...
Metal
Rustic Pine Chest, 1900s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A simple hand-crafted pine storage chest with dovetail joints, iron lock plate, and a charming scalloped base. Worn patina adds to its rustic character.
Pine
19th Century Hand-Painted Folk Storage Chest, 1880s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rectangular wooden chest painted in folk art style. The front panels are richly decorated with floral motifs in red, green, and yellow, adding a vibrant decorative touch
Wood
Sold
H 20 in W 37 in D 19 in
Rug & Kilim’s Persian Tribal Storage Chest with Colorful Geometric Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This storage chest is a collectible item in a rare new series from Rug & Kilim’s Modern Classics. Further on the Design: Keen eyes will note that all four sides employ recycled vi...
Leather, Wool, Wood
Sold
H 20 in W 37 in D 19 in
Rug & Kilim’s Persian Tribal Storage Chest with Colorful Geometric Patterns
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This storage chest is a collectible item in a rare new series from Rug & Kilim’s Modern Classics. Further on the Design: Keen eyes will note that all four sides employ recycled vint...
Leather, Wool, Wood
Danish Design Mahogany Chest Approx. 1960
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish design and master carpenter chest made in high quality. Nobel wood exterior with beautiful grain. Mahogany interior with sliding removabel tr...
Hardwood, Mahogany
Modern Brass and Leather Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern two-drawer brass and leather coffee table, covered in antique brown color leather with brass accents, this chest has a luxuriou...
Brass
Copper Whale Chest by Northwest Coast "Haida" Tribe
By Haida
Located in Denton, TX
The copper box is made by a group of Northwest Coast Indians who call themselves "the whale people" They are the Haida, We also have a “Certifi...
Copper
Sold
H 16.25 in W 31.25 in D 19 in
Coffee Table Chest in Tessellated Marble by Robert Marcius for Maitland Smith
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A well-crafted tessellated marble coffee table chest with gray, charcoal, mixed marble and inlay brass details to all sides. The inside is covered in a tight black velvet styled mate...
Marble
Sold
H 24.02 in W 35.83 in D 18.12 in
Very Rare Absolutely Sublime Mother of Pearl Chest of Trunk with Mahogany Lining
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very rare mother of pearl hand carved chest of trunk A rare and exquisite piece, highly decorative, the mother of pearl when catc...
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany
Sold
H 83 in W 36 in D 21.25 in
A Striking Pair of Cabinets Designed By John Dickinson For Dr. Leo Keoshian Home
Located in Stamford, CT
A true pair of limed oak dressing cabinets designed by John Dickinson for the home of Dr. Leo Keoshian. Produced in 1974 these Armoires were part of a time capsule of Dickinsons work that has just become available. The plans for these exact cabinets are currently housed in the SF MOMA.
Oak
Modern Four-Drawer Italian Parquetry Restored Rosewood Chest
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful modern four-drawer Italian parquetry restored rosewood chest, circa 1950s.
Rosewood
Maitland-Smith Tesselated Box
Located in Houston, TX
Maitland-Smith tesselated box.
Travertine