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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 Opalino Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Fulvio Bianconi
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

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Puzzle Vase in Coral & Aquamarine Glass by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Puzzle glass in coral/aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered edition for year. Hand-blown glass. Color: Coral/Aquamarine Technique: Opal Dimensions: Ø 27 cm, H 40 cm Ye...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opaline Large Vase in Amber/ Milk white Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opaline large 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

Wonderful Vintage Venini Opalino Blue Art Glass Signed Dated Tall Vase
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Vintage Venini Art Glass Blue Vase, Signed And Dated On Bottom Of Vase & Still Retains Sticker On Side H 14 1/4" x W 6"
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, Murano Glass Bottle / Decanter, Signed, Label
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an original bottle without stopper, by the well known designer Fulvio Bianconi, has 3 acid marks and on top original foil label as shown in pictures.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Apple Green 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

Venini Anni Trenta Ceiling Light in Milk White with Black Chrome Hardware
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceiling light in handmade-blown glass. Year of Manufacture: 2002 Metal: Black chromium plated gold-plated Light source: 6 x max 60W E14 Color: Milk-White Measurements: Ø 20.08...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Musa Glass Sculpture Light in Red by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Musa glass sculpture table lamp, designed by Fabio Novembre and manufactured by Venini, features a handmade glass sculpture with a metal cage and a Carrara marble base. Available in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Small Argea Table Lamp Straw Yellow with White Shade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp handblown glass, with submerged gold leaves. Metal: Gold plated Year of manufacture: 2000 Color: Crystal with gold leaves, shade straw yellow glass Light source: 1 x...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini 3-Piece Veliero Table Lamp in White & Clear by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Veliero Tavolo Table lamp, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is available in 2 different versions. "The strictly ruled geometry becomes a Wave with soul that gains c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Dama Glass Vase W & Milk-White & Black Murrine Geometric Pattern
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Dama glass vase in milk-white/black. Handmade blown glass with “Murrine” technique. Color: Milk-White/Black Technique: Murrine Dimensions: Ø 20...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Replicanti Table Light in Sapphire with Glasses
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Replicanti Table lamp, designed and manufactured by Venini, features an handmade blown glass body wearing different types of accessories. Limited edition of 99 art pieces. Indoor use...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Apple Green Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in Horizon Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color uniqu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Opalino Glass Vase in Horizon Milk White Inside by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Double Lens Vase in Mint and Green by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini double glass vase in mint green and grass green designed by Ron Arad in 2018. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in oth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Opalino Sabbiato Glass Vase in Black by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. It appears in refined colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Occhi Vase in Red by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Occhi vase collection, designed by Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, consists of three different vases made of crystal murrine and coral glass. Indo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Clessidra Hourglass in Bamboo and Aquamarine Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfectly balanced between two different colours, the sand flows through the sleek glass chambers made using the Incalmo technique, taking on its colour an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Tobia Scarpa Battuti Vase in Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battuti vase in Amber Murano glass by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz De Santillana for Venini. It evokes a lily standing tall, in tones of Amber and Grape. Its translucent appearance...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Argea Large Table Lamp in Gold by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp in handblown glass with submerged gold leaves and gold plated metal finishes. Beautiful atop any table, desk or credenza. Also available in various sizes and colors. Li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Labuan Small Glass Vase in Indigo by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Orange 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

Venini Vittoriale 6-Light Chandelier in White & Crystal by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chandeliers and wall light in handmade-blown glass. Year of Manufacture: 1926 Metal: Gold Plated with chain Colors available: milk white...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Opalino Large Horizon Milk White Inside Glass Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Satin glass vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, features the same shape of the iconic opalino vase with a frosted finish. Indoor use only. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Deco Glass Vase in Apple Green by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in apple green designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. 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

Modernist Hand Blown Murano Translucent and Smoked Glass Camer Sconces
Located in New York, NY
This outstanding pair of modernist hand blown glass Camer sconces were realized in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Venini Abaco Ceiling Light in Milk White by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceiling light in handmade-blown glass. Year of manufacture: 1998 Metal: Chromium-plated Light source: 6 x max 60W E14 Color: Shade: Milk white Spheres: Crystal “Filigrana” mil...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Mappamondo Table Light in Horizon and Sapphire by Sandro Chia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mappamondo Table lamp, designed by Sandro Chia and manufactured by Venini, is a table sculpture in handmade blown glass. Limited edition of 99 art pieces. Indoor use only. Dimensi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

1960s Venini Pendant Chandelier Diameter 75, H 80cm
Located in IT
Suspension chandelier with gilded metal rosette produced by Venini in the 1960s. The chandelier is made of 'triedri' shaped glass worked in Murano, Venice. The chandelier has a fre...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Fasce Orizzontale Bottle with Stopper by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
Located in New York, NY
Hand blown incalmo glass decanter in red and green with stopper. Unsigned. Bottle top appears to have been neatly ground down at some point. Provenance: ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Apple Green Red 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

Eight Murano Stackable Glass Vases for Venini
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Eight stackable glass vases attributed to Timo Sarpaneva for Venini. Each glass vase measures about 6.5" high and 5" diameter.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Clessidra Hourglass in Gray and Red Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfectly balanced between two different colours, the sand flows through the sleek glass chambers made using the Incalmo technique, taking on its colour and becoming a part of it. Grains of sand, impalpable and imperceptible as a whole, yet so real, like time passing. Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini sealed it in the Clessidra in 1957 Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. Clessidra – designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1957 – evolves in 2015, taking on a more sinuous, feminine appearance. Perfectly balanced between two different colors, sand flows through sleek glass, crafted using the Incalmo technique; as it flows, it gradually colors and becomes an integral part of the glass. Additional Information: Material: Glass, sand Color: Gray/red Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 28 cm Available in other color options: Green river /Powder pink...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Incisi Thin Glass Vase in Marine Blue by Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Incisi glass vase collection, designed by Paolo Venini and manufactured by Venini, feature an engraved surface. Originally designed in 1956. Numb...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Small Vase in Red 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Opalino Small Vase in Acquamarine Milk White Inside Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Op...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Medium Vase in Horizon Red Thread Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton medium vase in amber Murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini 'Where Are My Glasses?' Single Lens Glass Vase in Green by Ron Arad
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim shaped neck and black glass glasses sculpture. Featured in grass green colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Belboi Table Lamp in Milk White, Crystal, and Red with Gold Hardware
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp in handmade-blown glass. Shade realized in milk-white glass. Arm in crystal color glass with colored inner part. Year of Manufacture: 1985 Metal: Gold-plated Light so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Zoe Small Table Lamp in Red by Doriana & Massimiliano Fuksas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“A lantern, a shelter of desires. The magic of glass that at the same time reflects, embodies and reveals, partially. A signal and a sign of events. A paradigm of meetings that emit aromas and remote flavors. Remembrance of a Venice suspended between East and West, a door to knowledge and oblivion… A memory of desert crossing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Bolle Vase in Grass Green, Amber-Yellow and Violet by Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vase turns into a bottle for Tapio Wirkkala. Apple green, yellow and purple. Three distinct spaces of colour that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by whi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Medium Bolle Glass Vase in White and Green by Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in white and green designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1966. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Tea, Red and Gray by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Cosmos vase, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is made of three vases that create a sphere when united. Crystal version is available ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Port Vase in Black Glass by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Port vase in black by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Limited Edition in 30 art pieces Color: Black Technique: Opal Dimensions: Ø 30 cm, H 40 cm Year of Manufacture: 201...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Apple Green 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

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Anatre Glass Duck Sculpture in Black & Crystal by Toni Zuccheri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Anatre sculpture by Toni Zuccheri. Numbered edition for year. Sculpture hand-blown glass. Technique: Beaten, Canes and Filigree, Engraved Dimensions: Ø 30 cm, H 19 cm Y...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Stelle Filanti Pendant Light in Violet by Atelier Oï
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stelle Filanti suspension lamp, designed by Atelier Oï and manufactured by Venini, features a leather structure. Available in three different colors. Indoor use only. Dimensions: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Opalino Small Vase in Red Milk White Inside Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Argea Wall Light in Milk White with Chrome Hardware
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wall light in handmade blown glass. Year of manufacture: 2000 Metal: Chromium-plated Light source: 1 x max 100W E27 Color: Milk white/crystal silver leaves Measurements: 9” 4....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Fuochi Boreali Glass Vase in Red and Crystal by Giorgio Vigna
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Explosions of colour casting thousands of different hues, in glass like in nature. Flowers, with their countless shapes and long stems, inspired Giorgio Vigna...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Opalino Glass Vase in Black black inside by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Abat Jour Terra Floor Lamp in Violet Amethyst & Wisteria with White Shade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Floor lamp with elliptical elements in handmade-blown glass with the “balloton” technique. Fabric shade: White Metal: Chromium-plated Light source: 1 x max 75W G9 Color: Viole...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Murana Face Glass Vase in Wistaria by Fabio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with oval body and neck and engraved facial expression designed by Fabio in 2016. Featured in wistaria colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Ando Time Hourglass in Crystal and Aquamarine by Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando time hourglass, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is a limited edition of 49 art pieces (per color) plus an additional 20 P.d.A. a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Estrogeno Happy Pills Vase in Violet & Stra Yellow by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Happy Pills in estrogeno by Fabio Novembre. Numbered Edition Handmade-blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Color: Estrogeno Dimensi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown 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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