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.
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Functional Graphic Design in the 20's
By László Moholy-Nagy, Kurt Schwitters
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Eckhard Neumann’s pioneering study of modern graphic design, published in 1967 by Reinhold Publishing Corporation. Square 8vo (8.25” x 8.25”), 96 pages, profusely il...
Paper
Antonin Raymond's Architectural Details (First Edition, 1938)
By Le Corbusier
Located in New York, NY
First edition, first printing—one of 1,000 copies—of Antonin and Noemi Raymond’s exposition of cross-cultural architectural modernism. Antonin Raymond (1888-1976) was a Czech-American architect and designer who worked on Cass Gilbert’s Woolworth Building in New York and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial...
Burlap, Paper
Framed Lithograph 'Catalogo degli Istogrammi d'Architettura', 1969
By Superstudio
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Very Rare Framed Lithograph by the preeminent Italian Intellectual Architectural Practice. Lithograph "Catalogo degli Istogrammi d'Architettura," 1969 Signed, stamped and numbered ...
Paper
Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000 by Guiliana Gramigna (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A 2 volume set of hardback books in a slip case which covers Italian domestic furniture design in the second half of the 20th century. Volume 1 covers 1950-1979, with 269 pages and hundreds of black and white photographs of tables, chairs, other furniture and lighting. Volume 2 covers 1980-2000. 345 pages again having hundreds of black and white photographs of Italian...
Paper
Cabinet D'Architecture No. 12 by Eileen Gray for Classicon
By Eileen Gray
Located in Ravenna, IT
This piece is number 12 of the now closed edition of 25. The cabinet has several drawers of different sizes for storing tools and documents and has a folding shelf to provide a writi...
Steel
Contemporary Console Butterfly by Hannes Peer in Cement Handmade Resin Finish
By SEM, Hannes Peer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Contemporary console butterfly, Paesaggio collection designed by Hannes Peer for SEM. Wooden structure, concrete/cement handmade resin finish. Behind the natural iconography of furniture pieces names, there are hidden elements with a strong and defined identity, made possible by precise design and material choices. Butterfly console...
Cement
Bronze Sculpture Alto by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, French glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes. Measures: H 21 x L 18 x P 7 cm / H 8.3 x W 7.1 x D 2.7 inch Martine and Jacki Perrin scu...
Bronze
SOFO Modular Chair by Superstudio: Stackable Polyurethane Design
By Superstudio
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
SOFO is a seat to place in a row, like a train, or to stack to build solid, colorful mountains. It is simply a block made with an S—shaped cut from a cube of polyurethane, covered wi...
Fabric, Upholstery
City Planning Housing. Volume III: A Graphic Review of Civic Art 1922-1937
By William Lescaze, Eliel Saarinen, J.J. Pieter Oud
Located in New York, NY
A bright, well-preserved copy of Werner Hegemann’s monumental visual survey of interwar planning and housing, documenting the evolution of civic design between the City Beautiful era...
Paper
Andre Lurcat: Projets Et Réalisations
By André Lurcat
Located in New York, NY
Monograph on the work of Andre Lurcat, important French modernist architect, designer, urban planner, and younger brother of the textile artist Jean. ...
Paper
Bronze Sculpture Bolero by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, Galerie Negropontes, 2021 Measures: H 22.5 x L 19 x P 7 cm / H 8.7 x W 7.5 x D 2.7 inch Martine and Jacki Perrin sculpt together as one, forming ...
Bronze
Pair of French Post-War Modernist Oval Coffee Tables attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in London, GB
A Pair of French Post-War Chrome & Brass Coffee Tables Attributed to Maison Jansen Each table with an oval glass top and a mahogany rim, supported on a chrome base with curved legs ...
Brass, Chrome
Bronze Sculpture Nocturnal by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, French glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes, 2021 Measures: H 23 x L 19.5 x P 8 cm / H 9 x W 7.5 x D 3.14 inch Martine and Jacki Perr...
Bronze
New Orleans Architecture Vol. VII Jefferson City, First Edition
By Dorothy G. Schlesinger
Located in valatie, NY
New Orleans architecture vol. VII Jefferson City. Gretna: Pelican publishing company. First edition hardcover with dust jacket, 1989. 192 pp. ...
Paper
English Style, First Edition
By Stafford Cliff, Suzanne Sleisin
Located in valatie, NY
English Style by Suzanne Slesin and Stafford Cliff. NY: Clarkson N. Potter, 1984. Stated first edition hardcover with dust jacket. 288 pp. An intimate l...
Paper
Deep Design Nine Little Art Histories by Libby Lumpkin Art Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Deep Design: Nine Little Art Histories by Libby Lumpkin. January 1, 1995 In nine ambitious essays of uncommon erudition, art historian Libby Lumpkin constructs quirky condensed his...
Paper
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.13 in W 33.63 in D 1.13 in
Framed Lithograph Landscape with View of the Lake and Boats Signed
By Henri Martin
Located in Miami, FL
A very colorful lithograph professionally framed, signed. This interesting work of art is attributed to Bernard Gatner. Will enhance any space. Measures: 26 1/8" H x 33 5/8" W x 1...
Paper
Gio Ponti First Edition Book
$764Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1 in W 4 in D 1.25 in
1950s German Newspaper Advertising Tin Clips Midcentury Graphic Design Set
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Small collection of light duty metal clips, from German newspapers. Silkscreen on thin metal. All working. Kölnische Zeitung (Cologne Gazette) Frankfurter Rundschau Rheinische P...
Tin
$1,637 / item
H 17.33 in W 9.85 in D 47.25 in
Tadao 120 Concrete Contemporary Low Console, Ardesia Cement Made in Italy
By Gaia Rebecchini, Laura Mochi Onori, Lorenzo Rebecchini
Located in Rome, Lazio
The Tadao line, created in homage to the famous architect with whom we share a minimalist approach and the creative use of the material, is the perfect synthesis of our philosophy: o...
Concrete, Cement
Architectural French Modern Storage Cabinet by Jean-Louis Godivie
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by architect and furniture designer Jean-Louis Godivier during the 1980s, this striking French modern cabinet is a sculptural statement that seamlessly merges architecture w...
Metal
Móvel Moderno Brasileiro, Brazilian Modern Design, Book
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
The Brazilian modern design book extensively classifies the work of 15 of the most representative Brazilian furniture designers in the mod...
Paper
$150 / item
H 1.25 in W 9 in D 10.25 in
Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, Book by Karmason & Stacke
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, by Marilyn Karmason & Joan Stacke – Updated and Expanded edition, 2002. Out of Print. The first major work on the field, a com...
Paper
Architectural French oak bookcase / cabinet from the 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking and highly architectural French oak bookcase from the 1950s, most likely a unique, one-off piece by a skilled cabinetmaker. Executed entirely in solid oak, the design is d...
Oak
Cy Twombly Framed Abstract Gaeta Lithographs Group of 8
By Cy Twombly
Located in Atlanta, GA
Group of Eight Abstract Photolithographs on Vellum by Cy Twombly, from the limited edition "Gaeta" portfolio produced by Hine Editions, San Francisco, CA, circa 1987. They have been ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Pair of Italian Brass Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 1960’s brass wall sconces by Tobias Fraum. Created through the marriage of laquered metal base and brass folded sheet, it follows a tipical mid-century metal processing technique: calendering, a metal bending technique often used to create a “shade” for lamps. It was used in many furniture designs of the 50s and 60s in Europe, such as the famous Foglia sconces...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 20.87 in W 70.87 in D 35.04 in
Divano in pelle mod.Brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri per Knoll
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Divano mod. brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri e prodotto da Knoll nel 1976, struttura laccata bianca, un solo divano disponibile della coppia. Buone condiz...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 20.87 in W 90.56 in D 35.04 in
Divano in pelle bianca mod. Brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri per Knoll
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Divano modello Brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri per Knoll nel 1976, si tratta di una versione a tre posti da 230 cm con struttura laccata nera (la versione a due posti non è più di...
Leather, Wood
Large Travertine Coffee Table, France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Travertine Marble table made of multiple slabs interconnected to each other creating multiple levels. It can function as is or a glass could be added to increase the surf...
Travertine
The City of Tomorrow and its Planning 'Le Corbusier'
By Le Corbusier
Located in New York, NY
First American edition of Le Corbusier’s authoritative and influential tome on rationalist (read geometric) urban planning, wherein “the author has undertaken a close survey of the e...
Paper
Erté, 'Melisandre & Golaud' Signed and Numbered Serigraph
By Erté
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Erté (French, 1892-1990, formerly Romain de Tirtoff, Russian), 'Melisandre & Golaud' Original Limited Edition Serigraph Signed 'Erté' lower right Numbered 228/300 lower left P...
Paper
Erté 'TWINS, ' Embossed, Signed and Numbered Serigraph, 1987
By Erté
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Erté (French, 1892-1990, formerly Romain de Tirtoff, Russian), 'TWINS.' Original Limited Edition Serigraph Signed, 'Erté' lower right Numbered 194/300 lower left Paper measure...
Paper
Sold
H 36.25 in W 30.25 in D 1.5 in
Erté 'French' Manhattan Mary III, Signed and Numbered Serigraph, 1979
By Erté
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Erté (French, 1892-1990, formerly Romain de Tirtoff, Russian) Manhattan Mary III Serigraph in colors with metallic gold 1979 Signed in pencil and nu...
Paper
Sold
H 36.23 in W 78.75 in D 13.78 in
Contemporary Console Butterfly by Hannes Peer in Cement Finish - in stock
By Hannes Peer, SEM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Contemporary console butterfly, Paesaggio collection designed by Hannes Peer for SEM. Wooden structure, concrete/cement handmade resin finish. Behind the natural iconography of furniture pieces names, there are hidden elements with a strong and defined identity, made possible by precise design and material choices. Butterfly console...
Cement
Jansen Ebonized and Mahogany Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Commode, French
By Henri Jansen
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Jansen ebonized and mahogany bronze mounted marble-top commode, French, circa 1940.
Mahogany
Sold
H 31 in W 98.5 in D 16.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Art Deco Black Lacquer Parchment Credenza
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Mid-Century Modern Hollywood, Regency Art, Deco black lacquered credenza/sideboard with a Carrara Marble top, the black lacquered case with a shaped plateau top, raised panel molding...
Lacquer
Maison Jansen Eight-Light Crystal and Gilded Bronze Chandelier, French
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Maison Jansen eight-light crystal and gilded bronze chandelier, French, circa 1950 Measures: Diameter 23.
Crystal