International Style Furniture
The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
Late 20th Century French International Style Furniture
Glass
2010s Turkish International Style Furniture
Marble
1980s American Vintage International Style Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Thai Antique International Style Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Swiss Antique International Style Furniture
Pewter
Early 20th Century Norwegian International Style Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Furniture
Aluminum
1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
1960s Japanese Vintage International Style Furniture
Chrome
1940s Spanish Vintage International Style Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Polish Vintage International Style Furniture
Oak, Walnut
1960s Vintage International Style Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century English International Style Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Brass
1920s German Vintage International Style Furniture
Steel
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Metal
2010s North American International Style Furniture
Brass, Metal
1950s Slovenian Vintage International Style Furniture
Beech
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Furniture
Murano Glass
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Wood
1950s Kenyan Vintage International Style Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American International Style Furniture
Marble, Steel
1970s American Vintage International Style Furniture
Chrome
1990s American International Style Furniture
Steel
20th Century French International Style Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
20th Century Swiss International Style Furniture
Brass
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century International Style Furniture
Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Philippine International Style Furniture
Rattan, Resin, Coconut
Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Furniture
Velvet, Poplar
1960s Brazilian Vintage International Style Furniture
Wood
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Wood
1920s American Vintage International Style Furniture
Leather, Paper
1980s English Vintage International Style Furniture
Copper, Enamel
1920s American Vintage International Style Furniture
Sterling Silver
1920s French Vintage International Style Furniture
Iron
2010s American International Style Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century European International Style Furniture
Glass
1960s Swiss Vintage International Style Furniture
Brass
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Wood, Plywood
2010s Philippine International Style Furniture
Other
Mid-20th Century French International Style Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Furniture
Walnut
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Furniture
Murano Glass
1980s Mexican Vintage International Style Furniture
Metal
2010s Philippine International Style Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique International Style Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Furniture
Leather, Velvet
Late 20th Century Italian International Style Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century International Style Furniture
Paper
1950s Mexican Vintage International Style Furniture
Chrome, Sheet Metal
Late 20th Century American International Style Furniture
Leather
Early 1900s French Antique International Style Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian International Style Furniture
Silk
2010s Brazilian International Style Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique International Style Furniture
Sterling Silver
1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Furniture
Cement
2010s Turkish International Style Furniture
Leather