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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Two Modern Murano Table Lamps by Ettore Sottsass for Venini, Signed ca. 1994
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Beautiful table lamp in white and blue swirl hand-blown Murano glass. Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Venini and manufactured in 1994. The glass shade is signed "Venini ". Priced ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Tiara Large Vase in Horizon and Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara large vase in horizon and amber Murano glass by Francesco Lucchese for Venini. The art of glassmaking meets the endless potential of light. A jewel-like creation that carries a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Monofiore Sapphire Yellow Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiori glass bottle collection, designed by Laura de Santillana and manufactured by Venini, features six different shaped bottles. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 9 cm, H 15 /...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Incisi Glass Vase in Bronze by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Apparently, Paolo Venini had a knack for experimenting with Incisi. They are countless. The vase owes its name to the "Incisione a Freddo" glassmak...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Deco Small 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

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Gemme Triangular Glass Vase in Red by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with shaped body and neck in red designed in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors on 1st...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Battuti/Canoe Bowl in Aquamarine Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
It reveals itself like a shell gaping open, in tones of crystal, aquamarine and shaded pink Alexandrite. Its translucent appearance is the result of t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Small Vase in Glazed Red 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

Hollywood Regency Italian Venini Murano Brass Crystal Prism Spiral Chandelier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive Italian spiral chandelier produced by Camer in the 1970s. It features gold-plated brass framing with crystal glass prisms in a spiral form. Tested and working....
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Venini Martinengo Twenty-Light Chandelier in Crystal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Majestic chandeliers in handmade-blown glass. Metal: Chromium Plated Color: Crystal 20 lights x max 60W E14 Code: 99.50.01.20.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Deco Medium Vase in Cipria Pink 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

Fazzoletto Bicolore Large Vase in Ox Blood Red & Cipria Pink
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 Abaco Five-Light Suspension Light by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Abaco five light suspension light by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin. Suspension: Ø 7.48” H 231.89” 5 x max 40W E14 – dimmer Year of manuf...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Horizon 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

Venini Tiara Small Vase in Horizon and Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tiara small vase in horizon and amber Murano glass by Francesco Lucchese for Venini. The art of glassmaking meets the endless potential of light. A jewel-like creation that carries a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Grey/Horizon 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

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Small 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

Tapio Wirkkala Cup Filigrana for Venini Murano Signed, 1980s
Located in Milano, IT
Rare Murano hand blown dark amethyst/black "Filigrana Nera" cup. Excellent and very fine cylindrical cup with "black filigree" designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini, Murano, circa 19...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano 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

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 Tessuti Battuti Vase in Red by Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tessuti Battuti vases, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, feature a blown handmade glass body with bicolored “Filigrana” stripes then...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

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

Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Ox Blood Red 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. PIGMENT is proposed in a rich colour palette and is created in two sizes. Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Glazed ox blood red Dimensions: Ø 14.5 x H 36.5 cm Available in other color options: Glazed amber, glazed red, glazed amethyst, glazed grape, opaline amber, opaline red...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Small Vase in Opaline Red 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. PIGMENT is proposed in a rich colour palette and is created in two sizes. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Opaline red...
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 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

Venini Firenze Flush Light in Crystal & Sapphire by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Firenze flush light in handmade blown glass with decorative elements in opaline and transparent glass and white painted metal finishes. Fun and colorful ceiling light...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Venini Large Argea Table Lamp in Straw Yellow w/ White Shade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp hand-blown glass, with submerged gold leaves. Year of Manufacture: 2000 Metal: Gold Plated Color: Crystal with gold leaves, shade Straw Yellow glass Light Source: 1 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown 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

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

Kukinto Short Glass Vase in Multicolor by Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With grace and harmony, glass appears as if floating in the air. It comes to life and starts to move. It moves from tones of Red to Apple Green and Sapphire blue, before ending on cl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Fazzoletto Bicolore Large Vase in Cipria Pink Glass
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

Incise Glass Bottle in Blue Iron 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

Venini Zoe Large 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 11.81"" H 20.66""...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Labuan Vase in Milk-White 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

Venini Murrine Romane Multi-Color Vase by Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Romane vase in multi-color by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. These Murrine are called “roman” due to their graphic signs and because the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Venini Opalino Medium Vase in Amber Murano Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opalino Medium Vase in Amber Murano Glass by Venini. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional O...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Milk-White 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

Pigmenti Large Vase in Opaline Amber Glass Milk White inside 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. PIGMENT is proposed in a rich colour palette and is created in two sizes. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Opaline amber...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Small 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 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 Small Vase in Opaline 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 Small Vase in Glazed Amethyst 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 Small Vase in Opaline Ox Blood Red 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 Small Vase in Opaline 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. Pigment is proposed in a rich colour palette and is created in two sizes. Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Opaline amber...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of White Venini Murano Glass Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish set of large scale Venini Murano glass vases date to the 1980s and they retain their original labels.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Incisi Glass Vase in Brass by Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Apparently, Paolo Venini had a knack for experimenting with Incisi. They are countless. The vase owes its name to the "Incisione a Freddo" glassmak...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

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

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 Incisi Short Glass Vase in Steel 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 Deco Glass Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in red designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors on 1stdi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Anelli Crystal Glass with Marine Blue & 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 marine blue & red bands...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Red 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

Fuochi Boreali Glass Vase in Blue 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

Pigmenti Large Vase in Glazed Amethyst 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 Amethyst 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. PIGMENT is proposed in a rich colour palette and is created in two sizes. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Opaline amethyst Dimensions: Ø 14.5 x H 36.5 cm Available in other color options: Glazed amber, glazed red, glazed ox blood red, glazed amethyst, glazed grape, opaline amber, opaline red...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

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

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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