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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Grey Acquamarine Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Horizon 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

Venini Abaco Three-Light Suspension Light by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Abaco three light suspension light by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin. Measurements suspension: Ø 7.48 ""H 217.72"" 3 x max 40W E14 - dimme...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian 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

Fazzoletto Opaline Large Vase in Rio Green, Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo 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 Clessidra Hourglass in Amber and Pink Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in grape and pink Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Riedizione. Limited edition in 99 art pieces each. Little grains of sand, im...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Amber Horizon 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 Anni Trenta Terra Floor Light in Straw Yellow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Anni Trenta terra floor lamp, designed and manufactured by Venini, features sinuous lines, clearly reminiscent of the 1930s. Indoor use only. Dimensio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Abaco 5-Light Pendant Light by Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Abaco Suspension lamp, designed by Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin and manufactured by Venini, is available with 5 lights (823.00). "One the one hand, the sphere: the most ubiqu...
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

Venini Monofiori Amethyst Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Monofiori glass vase in amethyst by Laura de Santillana. “Monofiori” blown handmade glass with stoppers in various forms and colors. Item labeled as “03”, as shown in the imag...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Monofiore Apple Green Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Monofiori glass vase in apple green by Laura de Santillana. “Monofiori” blown handmade glass with stoppers in various forms and colors. Item labeled as “05”, as shown in the i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Monofiore Sapphire Blue Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Monofiori glass vase in sapphire by Laura de Santillana. “Monofiori” blown handmade glass with stoppers in various forms and colors. Item labelled as “02”, as shown in the ima...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Murrine Romane Multicolor Bowl by Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Romane bowl in multicolor by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. These Murrine are called “roman” due to their graphic signs and because they...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

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 Testosterone Happy Pills Vase in Horizon Blue & Yellow by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Happy pills in testosterone by Fabio Novembre. Numbered Edition handmade-blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Color: Testosterone D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and thin funneled neck with textured hexagonal shaped pattern atop surface of glass in aquamarine. Featured in aquamarine colored glass and designed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Labuan Vase in Black with Blown Opal Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. Drawing inspiration from exotic destinations in the Far East, Paolo ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Lele Candleholder in Transparent Red Balloton Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Catfish candleholder in transparent red balloton glass by venini, 2020 Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Transparent red Dimension: Ø 8 x H 18 cm Candle provided.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Night in Venice Candleholder in Tea Balloton Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The warm glow of candles meets glass etched using the special Balloton technique. Its light flickers and dances, casting a multitude of reflections on the refined tea, red, grape or ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Night in Venice Candleholder in Grape Balloton Glass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The warm glow of candles meets glass etched using the special Balloton technique. Its light flickers and dances, casting a multitude of reflections on the refined Tea, Red, Grape or ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Two Scorza Model Murano Glass Appliques by Toni Zuccheri for Venini, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
Two wall lights in blown glass, hand-shaped with irregular reliefs, milky white and transparent. Zest model. Design Toni Zuccheri for Venini, produced in the 70s. Biography Italian ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Monumental Ruby Red Italian Murano Art Glass Vase by Venini
Located in Atlanta, GA
This spectacular and beautiful hand-blown Italian Art glass vase was designed by Venini, Murano. The extra tall sculptural amphora shape has scalloped "fazzoletto" edges, an iconic d...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass, Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Horizon 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

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Red/Opaque Pink 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

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

Deco Large Vase in Ox Blood 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 color and in three sizes. Rhythm" ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Extra Large Vase in Amber Horizon Thread Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton extra 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: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Small Vase in Amber Horizon Thread Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton 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 1...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Idria Large Vase in Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Idria large vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. The Ancient Greek water vessel sheds its skin, as terracotta gives way to glass, thanks to Venini. Its design speaks of bygone days ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Monofiore Balloton Vase in Amber Horizon Thread Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton small vase in amber Murano glass by Venini. Monofiori breaks with tradition in 1970 and then does it again in 2016. But its essen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Amber Horizon Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Tits Applique Wall Sconce by Studio Job
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tits applique wall sconce, designed by Studio Job and manufactured by Venini, is part of the Mae West collection named after the prehistoric sex symbol, it refers to Salvador Dali’s ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Idria Large Glass Vase in Red
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Idria glass vase series, designed and manufactured by Venini, features three different shaped vases. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 26, H 36 cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Clessidre Glass Hourglass in Pink and Gray by Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidre Hourglass, designed by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi, was originally designed in 1957. Available in different colors, the grey / mint green version is a limited edition ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Tea
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Carnevale glass vase collection, designed and manufactured by Venini, features two different shaped vases. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 13 cm, H 12 cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Ossitocina Happy Pills Vase in White & Yellow by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Happy Pills in ossitocina by Fabio Novembre. Numbered edition handmade-blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Color: Multi-color Dime...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Regina Vase in Gray Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Regina glass vase in gray by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower part is gla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Re Vase in Milk-White Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Re glass vase in milk-white by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower part is ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown 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

Venini Adrenalina Happy Pills Vase in Red and Green by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Adrenalina happy pills by Fabio Novembre. Numbered Edition Handmade-blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Dimensions: Ø 11.5 cm, H 33 cm Year of manufacture: 2012 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Oman Vase in Gray, Red & Aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Oman glass vase in Gray/red/aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass. Handblown glass. Numbered edition for year Color: Gray/Red/Aquamarine Dimensions: Ø 33.5 cm, H 40 cm Year of ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown 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

Coppetta Carnevale Glass Bowl in Green by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass bowl in green with geometric textured surface. Perfect for indoor home decor as container, vide-poche or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors on ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Yemen Geometric Glass Vase in Multi-Color by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with geometric, circular shaped body and triangular neck and base. Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1994. Featured in coral red, milk-white, black and light green col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Fungo Pendant Light in Gray and White by Massimo Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass hanging pendant or suspension light with an interesting shape and two-tone coloring. Its sleek design and muted color pallette make it a modern, simple and understated lighting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Veronese Glass Vase in Apple Green and Crystal by Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with cylindrical body and crystal decorative base. Featured in apple green colored class with crystal designed in 1921. Perfect for indoor home decor as container o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art 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

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

Clessidra Glass Hourglass in Grey and Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass hourglass in grey and red. Perfect for indoor home decor or as a statement piece for any room. Limited edition of 199 pieces. Also availab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art 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 Bolle Tall Glass Vase in Grey and Blue-Green by Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in grey and blue-green designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1966. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Dimensions: 10 cm diameter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Indigo/Orange by Fulvio Bianconi & 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

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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