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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Creator: Venini
Creator: Frigerio
Fazzoletto Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with pinched rim in aquamarine designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1948. Perfect for indoor home decor as container, vide-poche or statement piece for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Gray by Fulvio Bianconi and Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Anelli Crystal Glass with Mint Green & Red Bands by Venini Riedizione
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“The master skilfully plays with sheer glass: four red rings alternating with four light blue or blue ones, running its full length. A new glass star is born in 2019: Anelli. Color is hot-applied before blowing the glass, thanks to the exclusive Fasce (bands) technique.” Additional Information: Material: Crystal glass Color: Crystal with mint green & red bands...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Incise Glass Bottle in Prune by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Fazzoletto Bicolore Large Vase in Powder Pink & Green River
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Paladini Limited Edition Vase in Multicolor by Emmanuel Babled
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Eternal and motionless, frozen in a proud and wise pose, they turn into glass in the hands of the master glassblowers. They are the paladins of the ancient art of glassblowing. Thei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Battuti Large Bowl in Cipria Pink Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From the solid blown glass base grow shapes with undulating edges. Transparencies that thicken with furrows and lines carved by the glass masters’ beating of the grindstone. Addit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Odalische Small Glass Vase in Rio Green by Leonardo Ranucci
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sensual movements dance mysteriously in enchanted oriental nights. Additional information: Material: Blown opal Color: Green river Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 34 cm Available in othe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Glass Vase in Green & Crystal by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with round body and glass glasses sculpture. Featured in red colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. Di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Medium Black Belt Triangular Glass in Crystal and Black by Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in transparent crystal with black decoration designed by Peter Marino in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also avai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Peter Marino Cilindro Small Pendant in Crystal and Black Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cilindro Murano glass small pendant in crystal with black bands by Peter Marino for Venini. Bold shades of black blend together with the hues of crystal or tea of the cylindrical sha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Satin Medium Vase in Horizon Crystal Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Satin medium vase in glazed horizon/crystal Murano glass by Venini. Sheer glass is hand blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, whi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Monofiore Balaton Glass Vase in Grey with Red Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in grey designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Peter Marino Cilindro Small Pendant in Crystal and Black Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cilindro Murano glass small pendant in crystal with black bands by Peter Marino for Venini. Bold shades of black blend together with the hues of crystal or tea of the cylindrical sha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Tiaraluce Small Table Light in Grey by Francesco Lucchese
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiaraluce Table lamp, designed by Francesco Lucchese and manufactured by Venini, is available in two different sizes and colors. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 18 cm, H 35 cm.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Palpito Glass Vase in Clear with Bronze Flakes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palpito glass bowl and vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, feature a crystal body with metal decoration. Limited edition of 49 art pieces (per version). Indoor use only. Di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

1950s, Venini Glass Spiraling Obelisk
Located in Roma, IT
Spiraling clear-glass obelisk with red flame-like intrusions made by Venini. One of the most celebrated models of Venini. This type of glass is called "Vetro Sommerso", model 4256 fr...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Small Black Belt Triangular Glass in Crystal and Black by Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in transparent crystal with black decoration designed by Peter Marino in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also avai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Abaco Applique Wall Light in White by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wall light in handmade-blown glass. Year of manufacture: 1998 Metal: White painted Color: Milk-white, sphere gray-milk-white Measurements: 15.75” 8.27” H 13.78"" Code: 823.02 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Large Black Belt Triangular Glass in Crystal and Black by Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in transparent crystal with black decoration designed by Peter Marino in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also avai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Double Lens Vase in Blue and Horizon by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini double glass vase in aquamarine and horizon blue designed by Ron Arad in 2018. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in ot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Gemme Triangular Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with shaped body and neck in aquamarine designed in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Italian modern Decorative bowl in green light blue Murano glass by Venini 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Decorative bowl in green light blue Murano glass by Venini, 1990s Decorative bowl with a round base in light blue aqua-green Murano glass. Perfect as a centerpiece or ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Modern Murano Glass Ratrih Floor Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Venini 1994
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern steel, marble and Murano glass Ratrih floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Venini in 1994. Ratrih model floor lamp, with round marble base...
Category

1990s Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Steel

Italian Murano Low Bowl by Charles Lin Tissot for Venini
By Charles Lin Tissot, Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Low bowl with inclined walls in zanfirico glass designed by Charles Lin Tissot and produced by Venini in 1980. Signed. Biography Charles Lin Tissot (1904-1994), the American designe...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Zanfirico pencil neck Murano Glass vase , signed " Venini Italia"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Venini vase in this canes twisted work, zanfirico technic that makes lattice patterns . This vase has a neck shape and is signed in bottom diamond point "Venini Italia" .
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

21st Century Fantasmino Rechargeable, Dimmerable, Touch Table Lamp Red
Located in murano, IT
Skillful glasswork gives back this object a slight movement, as if it were suspended in space. Its iconic silhouette comes from an exclusive archival prototype and brings a playful t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Murano Signed Venini Turquoise, Sapphire Blue, Orange Green Rare Glass Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This unbelievable rare vintage glass Italian Murano object or sculpture or glass sword has the most gorgeous colors, signed Venini Murano Itlalia". A piece de resistance. It looks even more amazing in person; the color saturation and brilliance is exquisite. The range of colors are: sapphire blue from the middle to the tip turquoise, emerald green, red, amber/orange, black with gold aventurine, white, etc. Most likely one of a kind. It is fantastic! This could be great displayed in a custom lucite box...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Vico Magistretti, Chandelier Model Saturno, Venini, Out Production, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
A chandelier model Saturno designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Venini, Murano, 1990. Out production.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Italian modern blue Murano glass pair of vases by Venini, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern blue Murano glass pair of vases by Venini, 1990s Pair of round base vases in blue Murano glass. The structure is curved and s...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Modern Elegant Venini "Bluino" Chandelier Crystal Glass and Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Modern elegant VENINI "BLUINO" chandelier crystal glass and brass.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Murano glass bottle designed by Tapio Wirkkala and produced by Venini. Signed and with original label. Biography Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) became famous in the early 1950s, Followi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Italian Murano Glass Vase Sogni Infranti Model by Mario Bellini for Venini.
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Sogni Infranti iridescent glass with application of processing scraps polychrome glass, 1994. Designed by Mario Bellini. Signed.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

"Kelo" Art Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
"Kelo" Italian art glass vase by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini & Co. Glass, clear, black, white and red. Marked: Venini 90 Sarpaneva (engraved).
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Italian Murano Glass Vase Model Medusa by Ettore Sottsass for Venini.
Located in Milan, Italy
A beautiful Murano vase designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Venini in 1997. Limited edition 99 piece. Signed and numbered 71/99. Original label. Model out production. Exposed...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Cipria Pink by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Sapphire Red Thread by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Grey Red Thread by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini by Emmanuel Babled 2004 Women Torso Tall Vase in Cased Art Glass
Located in Miami, FL
Art glass vase designed by Emmanuel Babled (1967-) for Venini. An extremely rare artistic vase, created in the island of Murano by the sculptor Emmanuel Babled, back in the 2004. This sculptural tall vase is part of a limited edition of only 9 piece made by the Venini company from Venice. It is made in the shape of a sublime woman torso, blown in 3 colors of cased glass and finished with a delicate wheel carving. Technique: Blown art glass, triple cased, etched and carved at the wheel. Measures: 450.85 by 196.85 mm (17.75 by 7.75 Inches) Edition: Number 4 of 9. Signatures: Etched at the bottom, "Venini 2004 4/9 EMM. BABLED". with the original Venini decal label. Emmanuel Babled was born in France in 1967. He studied Industrial Design at Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, graduating in 1989 and founding his own design studio in 1992. In 2010 Emmanuel Babled Studio moved to Amsterdam after many years in Milan. Since the start, he has developed a wide range of unique pieces and limited editions in self-production and for prestigious manufacturers such as Venini, Baccarat, Rosenthal and Covo. These pieces are part of private and public collections around the world. At the same time he has also designed Industrial products, furniture and lighting. His clients include Baccarat, Rosenthal, Venini, Bulgari, Iittala, Dupont de Nemours, Fontana Arte, Oluce, I&I, Laurent Perrier...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Indigo Red Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Grey Red Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Balaton Short Glass Vase in Orange Red Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Sapphire Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Amber Murano Glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Indigo by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Sapphire by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Grey by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Grey with Ox Blood Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in cobalt blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Orange with Red Thread Rim by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in cobalt blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Grey Ox Blood Thread Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton large vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini from 1970 lies in its name: Ballot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Zoe Small Swing Light by Doriana e Massimiliano Fuksas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Swing light in handmade-blown glass. Available colors: Red – Violet – Gray Alogene 1 x max 70W E27 Suitable for CFL Measurements: Ø 7.87"" H 13.97"" ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Riflessi Large Vase in Multicolor Glass by Michela Catta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Endless shades of lagoon water enliven, like strokes of paint, the glass surface in all its forms. These unique creations, blown and crafted free-hand with the skilful Canne techniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Rio Green Glass by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Large Vase in Opaline Ox Blood Red Milk White inside Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Amber Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Grape Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Large Vase in Opaline Grape Milk White inside Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a Classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. PIGME...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Italian Murano Glass Vase Simira Model by Alessandro Mendini for Venini.
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Simira filigree glass and solid glass base molded to the wheel, circa 1987- 1988. Signed. Biography Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. After a long experience...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

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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