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Modern Furniture

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Color:  Black
Louis Poulsen Panthella 250 Table Lamp by Verner Panton
Located in New York, NY
Verner Panton (1926-1998) is famous for his inspirational and colorful personality. A unique person with a special sense for color, shape, light function and space. Over the course o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Established & Sons Extra Large Store Storage Container by Estd Collection
Located in London, GB
The gently obtuse angles to be found on this collection of storage jars are inspired by the forms of space capsules. The unlikely homage to all things space age is continued in a pal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Bouroullec Modern Black Hardwired Small Aim Light Hanging Pendant, for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS AIM Small Hardwired Pendant Light in Black by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Like the others in the AIM family created by the Bouroullec brothers in 2010, the AIM-Small ceiling light...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

USM Haller Media O2 Storage System
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With two drop down doors and one cable cut out. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome-plated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Leather and Brass Coaster Set of 6, Black
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. Our leather and brass coaster set...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #2 Bookend
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ombres de Chats by Angelo Barcella are poetic objects, delicate table sculptures. Shadows of curious, busy, sore, angry or bored cats, instants which are made eternal when transforme...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Opinion Ciatti Henry II Triangular Corner Wall Shelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Well defined with contemporary lines, a geometric design and unusual shapes in order to surprise and astonish. Henri is the collection of shelves designed by Bruno Rainaldi, characte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Opinion Ciatti XXX Small Round Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
What is immediately clear when we look at the XXX coffee table range designed by Lapo Ciatti is the contrast between the fine finishes and the shapes that are purposely irregular and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Circular Coffee/Side Table Organic Black Modern Contemporary Blackened Steel
Located in Bronx, NY
TABLE NO. 15 - COFFEE TABLE J.M. Szymanski d. 2019 This Noguchi-inspired coffee table is handcrafted in 3/8” thick steel, with a natural black patina and wax finish, to create an u...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel, Iron

Agresti Il Mio Tempo Chest for 28 Watches
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest for 28 watches on holders and laying down. Available in briar or polished ebony.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Agresti Cassette Del Tempo Chest for 9 Watches
Located in New York, NY
Chest for 9 watches. Available in elm briar or polished ebony.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Michael Anastassiades Modern Floor lamp in Black Steel Base and Glass for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS IC Lights F1 Floor Lamp in Black by Michael Anastassiades Radiant light, delicate balance: Like the other pieces in his IC light series, the IC lights F-floor lamp showcases designer Michael Anastassiades love of Industrial simplicity as well as his profound technical skill. Emitting a warm and beautiful diffused light, this contemporary indoor floor lamp features a blown opaline glass diffuser. The body is brass- or chrome-finished steel. There is a dimmer on the power cord. IC lights F comes in two models and is available in brass or chrome finish: - IC lights F1 height 53" - IC lights F2...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Michael Anastassiades Modern Minimalist Black Steel S1 Pendant Light for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS IC Lights S1 Pendant Light in Black by Michael Anastassiades Like the other pieces in his IC Light Series, the IC Lights S balances designer Michael Anastassiades’ love of indu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Lumina Daphinette LED Table Lamp in Black by Tommaso Cimini
Located in New York, NY
Table standing lamp in metal with an articulated arm and a diffusor pivoting on 360°. Available with halogen or LED light source. On/Off switch. On/Off Switch Source: 1× 4W LED ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Established & Sons Large Font Clock by Sebastian Wrong
Located in London, GB
The iconic calendar clock, with its distinctive form and flip mechanism, has an established following in design circles. Sebastian Wrong deliberately increases our attraction to its retro look by introducing an ever-changing display. The font clock...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

21st Century Concrete Contemporary Side Table, Dark Grey Glossy Cement
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...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Schumacher X Porter Teleo Binary Embroidery Black Cotton Pillow
Located in New York, NY
The face of this 20" x 20" pillow features binary embroidery in black with Barnett in Noir on the back. A stylish study of geometric shapes, this graphic black-and-white pattern by Porter Teleo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Linen, Acrylic

Schumacher Iconic Leopard Animal Print Ink Blue Two-Sided Linen Pillow
Located in New York, NY
We first introduced this sexy pattern in the 1970s. Iconic leopard is endlessly chic and versatile. Now featured as a Schumacher decorative accent, this is sure to bring timeless sty...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Linen

e15 Jean Stool Wood by Stefan Diez
Located in New York, NY
The bar stool jean is a natural development of the dynamic chair family Houdini. Jan consists of a seat with circumferential brim, which provides comfort and hold when seated. Betwee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

FLOS Taccia Small Table Lamp in Black by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Castiglioni brothers often created designs that challenged our perspective, and the Taccia, which gives the illusion of an upside-down hanging lamp, is an inspired example of tha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

New Modern Large Vase in Black Marquinia Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
A vase that’s an homage to design and to marble itself: the Marquinia veins look skyward, toward the crater defined by round shapes and sinuous profiles, toward the reinterpretation ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

ClassiCon Set of 3 Bow Coffee Table by Guilherme Torres
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by 1970s lines and designs, Brazilian Guilherme Torres presents a side table or coffee table of casual elegance. The metal-covered surface of the body also quotes futuristic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

FLOS Mod 265 Wall Lamp in Black by Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Seeming to defy gravity, the Mod 265 wall lamp by designer Paolo Rizzatto is in a category all its own. The lamp head—which rotates 360-degrees so that it can ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

FLOS Taccia Led Diffuser Lamp in Black by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Castiglioni brothers often created designs that challenged our perspective, and the Taccia, which gives the illusion of an upside-down hanging lamp, is an inspired example of tha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS Tatou F Floor Lamp in Bronze by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its name is French for “armadillo,” the unassuming animal whose brilliant structure keeps it protected and makes it unique. Designer Patricia Urquiola conceptualized this floor lamp to play on the filtration of light, with remarkable results. The Tatou-F offers diffused light and has an exterior diffuser in PC (polycarbonate). Its internal diffuser is injection-printed opal PC. The support and base are painted steel. Inspiration behind the design: “The process began by looking for different ways to reconstruct membranes, conceived like Japanese armor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

FLOS Spun Light Floor Lamp in Shiny Black by Sebastian Wrong
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Sebastian Wrong in 2003, the Spun Light-F floor lamp reflects the best of modern manufacturing technology combined with elegance, craftsmanship, and dynamic fluid aesthet...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

FLOS Kelvin Edge LED Table Lamp in Black by Antonio Citterio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The newest addition to the popular Kelvin LED family, the Kelvin Edge offers the innovation and sleek design of the collection in a smaller package—without sacrificing output. Featur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Bouroullec Modern Black Hanging Pendant Small Aim Five Light & Canopy for FLOS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS Aim Small Black Five-Lamp Light Set w/ Canopy by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Created by the Bouroullec brothers in 2010, the AIM ceiling light is a design stripped to its most bas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Bouroullec Modern Black Pendant Aim Three Light Set w/ Canopy for FLOS, in stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FLOS Aim Black Three-Lamp Light Set w/ Canopy by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Created by the Bouroullec brothers in 2010, the AIM ceiling light is a design stripped to its most basic—an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

FLOS May Day Table Lamp in Black by Konstantin Grcic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This versatile offering from designer Konstantin Grcic is a brilliant blend of utility and sophistication. It features an injection-molded, tapered opaline polypropylene diffuser. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Resin

FLOS Superloon Floor Lamp in Black by Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The serene, harmonious glow of the moon inspired this innovative and first-of-its-kind design from artist Jasper Morrison. Using revolutionary Edge Lighting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Lumina Daphine Parete 35 LED Wall Lamp in Black by Tommaso Cimini
Located in New York, NY
Wall lamp made of steel with an adjustable, pivoting arm. The head can rotate 360°. Light Source: 4WLED, with an On/Off switch. The maximum energy absorption is 5.3W. On/Off Switc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Lumina Daphine LED Table Lamp in Black by Tommaso Cimini
Located in New York, NY
Table standing lamp of metal with an articulated pivoting arm, the head can rotate 360°. The light source is a 8W-LED controlled by a switch which can be set in ways: on/half light/o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Shale Mirror in Black by Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Bringing the serenity of the outdoors into the home, the Shale mirror has a distinct texture carved across the frames surface that seems to reach beyond it's limits. The solid ash surface is scored vertically across the grain, and the drawing of Simon Johns’ textures of a crumbling cliff's facade is delicately carved into it. Patterns within the carving and the wood's grain create optical illusions depending on the lights orientation, making it as striking from afar as from up close. Due to the hand-carved facade...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Ash

New Modern Small Pot in Black Marquinia Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Pyxis pot, jar or container for multiple uses. Size: 12.6 x 11 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Pyxis S, Pyxis collection by the Spanish designer Ivan Colominas. Available also...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Diamond Ottoman 22" in Chocolate Brown Leather by Moses Nadel
Located in Oyster Bay, NY
Featured with diamond banded detailing, the Diamond Ottoman is inspired by fundamental geometry. These structured and supportive round ball ottomans are designed to function as a tra...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Venini Feniletilamina Happy Pills Vase in Black and Orange by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Happy Pills in feniletilamina by Fabio Novembre. Numbered Edition Handmade blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Color: Feniletilamina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

"Attilio" Riveted Leather Tray Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Attilio" is a leather tray, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the availa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Ballroom the Wall Short Army Green Black Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish design from Design by Us The spherical ballroom sconces with translucent hues will create a subtle warm glow in your interior.  Material: Mouth blown and hand painted glass ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass, Glass

Fazzoletto Glass Vase in Apple Green by Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with pinched rim in apple green designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1948. Perfect for indoor home decor as container, vide-poche or statement piece for ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

SLAMP Aria Extra Large Pendant Light in Black Shade by Zaha Hadid
Located in Pomezia, Rome
Zaha Hadid’s luminous architecture is visionary, fluid and dynamic, infusing the revolutionary and iconic semantics of the celebrated architect into domestic and public interiors; th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Other

Tekna Quay 90° Wall Light with Black Lacquer Finish and Clear Glass
Located in New York, NY
Wall light in copper with reflector, 90° right angle arm and clear glass. For outdoor use (IP44). Lamp LED 230V E27 4W 2700K Retro A60. Main power 230V 50Hz.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

New Modern Vase in marble, creator Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in white Michelangelo, red Levanto and black Marquinia Marbles. Size: 27.3 x 38.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Pietro, Homage Collection by the Italian designer...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Orbis Black Tinted Round Frameless Contemporary Mirror, Small
Located in London, GB
Charming and minimalist round frameless black tinted mirror with a floating effect. Quality design that ensures the mirror sits perfectly parallel to the wall. Designed and made in L...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Orbis Bronze Tinted Round Frameless Minimalist Mirror, Small
Located in London, GB
Charming and minimalist round frameless bronze tinted mirror with a floating effect. Quality design that ensures the mirror sits perfectly parallel to the wall. Designed and made in ...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

New Modern Vase in red and white Marble, creator Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
small vase in red Levanto and white Michelangelo Marble. Size: 16.3 x 4 x 10.6 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Arturo, Homage collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Cibic. Made in Italy, hand finished. This is not a vase but a card holder. Or perhaps a pen holder. Or maybe it is a vase, but with a mouth and ears. The important thing is understanding that one can be mistaken but still smile; like Cibic’s creations, which never renounce anthropomorphism and good cheer...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Modern Circular Steel Wheel Hanging Chair
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The Wheel hanging swing chair is sculptural and dynamic. Its striking circular shape lends itself for use as a functional art piece. The pattern detail is inspired by nature and rem...
Category

2010s South African Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Tube Wall Light and Sconce, Made of Patinated Brass, Handcrafted in Chicago
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the art of Sumi-e, Japanese black ink drawing, the lamp flows as if stroked in one consecutive line. The dimmable LED wall light is all handcrafted and designed in Chicag...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Analog Nights Designer Screen Printed Wallpaper in Eclipse 'Gold and Soft Black'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This best-selling graphic wallpaper is available to order by the roll or sample—the perfect décor for kids, adult, your home or business. Samples a...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper, Paint

Orbis Black Tinted Round Contemporary Frameless Mirror, XL
Located in London, GB
Charming and minimalist round frameless black tinted mirror with a floating effect. Quality design that ensures the mirror sits perfectly parallel to the wall. Designed and made in L...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Maharam Pillow, Checker Split by Alexander Girard
Located in New York, NY
Maharam Pillow Checker Split by Alexander Girard 001 Black/White Checker Split exemplifies Alexander Girard’s lifelong exploration of geometric motifs. Designed for the Herman Mill...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Polyester

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Black Leather 21st Century Modern
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with the sheets of soft leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable experie...
Category

2010s South African Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Cactus Spirit Designer Wallpaper in Contrast 'White and Black'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Give your home a taste of the Southwest with this graphic, oversized cactus repeat! This pattern combines saguaros, aloe, agave, peyote, prickly pear, San Pedros and more, the perfec...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper, Paint

Ballroom Molecule Black/Green Chandelier Black Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish design from Design by Us The Ballroom Molecule chandelier features five spheres, available in different translucent hues, they mer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Leather and Antique Brass Dining Chair with Blackened Steel Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A steel and leather chair with a comfortable seat, easily stackable to save space when needed. This version has a blackened steel frame, a brass backrest, and a black leather upholst...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

UNA Dining Chair in Black Stained Oak with Leather Back by Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The UNA chair intersects a round wooden seat and legs with a leather upholstered cylindrical back. Using these fluid shapes allows greater focus on the detai...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Oak

Margaretta Coffee Table in Vintage Walnut, by Petersen Antiques
By Kylee Shintaffer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This custom walnut coffee table is seen here in 44" x 56", however it can be built in any size. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los Angeles workshop you can influence al...
Category

2010s American Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Murano Glass Black Sputnik Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Wonderful sputnik Murano chandelier with multiple smoked "Triedi" stems shooting out from a brushed nickel sphere. This piece is iconic and will be a show stopper in your home. This ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Rug & Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. 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.

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