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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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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Item Ships From: Chicago
Style: Modern
MId-20th Century American Faux Grained Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century American mirror exudes rustic charm and chic sophistication with its hand-etched frame, skillfully mimicking the organic patterns of wood grain or deer antler m...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Furniture
Materials
Composition
Joan Miro Cover of Volume III of the “Journal De Gravure” Etching Framed
By Joan Miró
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Joan Miro Cover of Volume III of the “Journal De Gravure” Etching Framed
Miro, Joan - Journal d'un Gravure
1964-75
Etching in color on black ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Vintage 7.5 Foot Black Wood Guess Cultural Advertising Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage 7.5 Foot Black Wood Guess Cultural Advertising Sign
Vintage 7.5 foot wood black "Guess Parfum" signature question mark advertising sign. This sign would be perfect for a fas...
Category
1990s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Modernist Wood Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
A chic and handsome early 20th century French Modernist wood lamp of organic shape, and with a custom-made burlap shade, newly wired for U.S. with a gol...
Category
1930s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Burlap, Wood
fferrone Contemporary Decanter with two Wine Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
Boyd Decanter of the Boyd Collection is well-suited for water or spirits and is an ideal bedside carafe. Inspired by Brutalist architecture that stressed the stark presentation of ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
fferrone Contemporary set of Six Champagne Coupes
Located in Chicago, IL
Margot Champagne Coupe is the ideal toasting glass for someone who loves generous details in their table setting.
The Margot, a maximalist collectio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Nicos Zographos Monumental Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Monumental Custom Table designed by Nicos Zographos. Gorgeous book matched earth toned marble with solid stainless steel propeller bases. A true statement piece of any interior. Ca...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Stainless Steel
The Margaux: A Modern Small Stone Dining Table with Round Top and a Conical Base
Located in Chicago, IL
The Margaux is a smaller, modern stone dining table, with a round top, and a bullnose edge detail. The base is also rounded, but tapers as it goes...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Multifunctional Silver Vessel, Sculptural Object by Raju Peddada - "Jupiter"
By Raju Peddada
Located in Chicago, IL
Legendary astronomer's postulation sets the renaissance in motion. Here, small moons, fixed in their heliocentric orbit, reveal fantastic journeys of the future. "Jupiter" is a re...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mr. Brainwash (Thierry Guetta) Mona Lisa, 2009
Located in Chicago, IL
Mr. Brainwash (Thierry Guetta, French/American b. 1966) Mona Lisa, poster for Toronto art show 2009. Screenprint in colors with acrylic hand-embellishments on news print paper, signe...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
The Amandine: A Modern Stone Dining Table with an Oval Top and Conical Bases
Located in Chicago, IL
The Amandine is a bold modern dining table. The top is made from an elegant thin oval stone slab. Each base is circular, but tapers up into a large conical shape supporting the top...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Rainbow Bridge - airbrushed acrylic painting
Located in Chicago, IL
This is part of an airbrush series Larry created on wood panel.
The frame is also customized by him.
Larry did a large scale version of this airbrush on a garage door in Chicago - ou...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Acrylic, Wood, Paint
Pair of 20th Century Life Size Pink Striated Marble Baby Giraffes
Located in Chicago, IL
This extraordinary pair of life-size striated salmon pink marble baby giraffe calves have been hand-carved. Both sculptures were diligently carved from a single slab of marble. The s...
Category
20th Century Chinese Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Silver Vessel, Fruit Bowl Sculptural Object by Raju Peddada - "Wotan"
By Raju Peddada
Located in Chicago, IL
Organic and industrial shapes fuse in this inverted and fierce warrior helmet of the Norse warlord. Playfully malevolent tension -arrests the bowl atop the dagger like legs. This m...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Modern Contemporary "Lap" Side Table in Walnut by Casey Lurie USA
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Minimalist and sophisticated, lap table is a versatile piece that can easily function as a side table, end table, or nightstand with an angled shelf for book...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Wood, Walnut, Oak
The Chloe: A Modern Stone Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
The Chloe is a playful, smaller coffee table, full of curves. Each of the 3 legs are rounded and taper up into a conical shape. The table top's triangular shape continues the theme...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage Post Modern Donghia Luciano Lounge Chair & Ottoman Newly Upholstered
By Donghia
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Post Modern Donghia Luciano Lounge Chair & Ottoman Newly Upholstered in a "Steel-Blu" Italian Mohair - 2 Piece Set
This is a stunning and s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Furniture
Materials
Mohair
Rick Owens Swan Neck Cast Bronze Vase
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze swan neck vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection.
This is shown in the black patina.
Originally designed in 2012.
Each br...
Category
2010s French Modern Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Multifunctional Silver Vessel, Sculptural Object by Raju Peddada - "Mangrove"
By Raju Peddada
Located in Chicago, IL
A metaphoric tree! As a bowl, it is a Mangrove tree with its tentacle like roots in the water. As a vase it is a tree on the land, with many branches bearing color. Every part of ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Modular Loveseat by Marden in Blue Mohair
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Made in Chicago by Marden. Reupholstered in premium navy mohair.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Mohair
'Strangers in Taos' Artist's-Proof Serigraph by Louis de Mayo
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century artist-proof serigraph by Arizona artist Louis de Mayo (American, 1926-2016) titled, 'Strangers in Taos,' and depicting three figures standing at back of the San Franc...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Ruth Duckworth Stoneweare Ceramic Large Monumemtal Vessel
By Ruth Duckworth
Located in Chicago, IL
Ruth Duckworth was an innovative Chicago sculptor, deeply engaged in the natural world and responding to artistic developments in the 1960s. Working in clay, she called herself a scu...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
fferrone Contemporary Modern Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Candle Wall Scone
Located in Chicago, IL
Strikingly simple and minimal, the contemporary, modern, asymmetrical candle wall sconce, made from mirror polish stainless steel, reflects the light doubling it’s effect which perfe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Murano Lamps
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking and sohiticated pair of Italian mid-20th century Murano table lamps blown with a chic laticcino swirl pattern that creates a wonderful optic effect. These have been newly...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Linen, Murano Glass
Cast Resin 'Pebble' Low Table, Coal Stone Finish by Zachary A. Design
Located in Chicago, IL
Like a stone from a stream, smoothed for millennia by the passing currents. The fluid potential of natural power emanates from its presence.
Dimensions: Diameter 48 in. (122 cm). He...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass
The Elodie: A Modern Stone Coffee Table with a Square Top and Four Square Bases
Located in Chicago, IL
The Elodie is a bold stone coffee table that can anchor any seating area: Its top is a thick square slab, and four chunky square bases are below, one in each corner. A thinner squa...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Transitional Carved Limestone Fireplace Mantel
Located in Chicago, IL
This fireplace, with its deep concave curved profile is simple but elegant. Designed by Elizabeth Scott, Principal at Elizabeth Scott Design Group, and hand-carved by Atelier Jouvence Custom Stoneworks, in Silverdale Limestone, at their Chicago shop...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Limestone
fferrone Contemporary Liqueur Decanter with Large and Medium Finger Bowls
Located in Chicago, IL
The Margot Collection, a maximalist collection expressed through the introduction of fluted borosilicate glass with generous proportions was designed in response to Ferrone’s first c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Vintage Basket Weave Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Solid oak coffee table with glass top. The table has a laced wood top in a basket weave pattern with black speckles throughout. The table i...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
Coasters Set of Four. Formed from Brass Sheets and Handcrafted in Chicago
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-formed from a sheet of brass, emphasizing the material’s pliable characteristics expressed through the process of production, each piece is then tarnished or darkened giving it ...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Bud Vase Collection, Including Four Vases and Watering Can
Located in Chicago, IL
Each of these delicately, handcrafted bud vases is perfect as an individual home accessory or whimsical series. Made of brass and hand tarnished, each bad vase has its own unique for...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
The Madeleine: A Modern Stone Dining Table with a Rectangular Top and Bases
Located in Chicago, IL
The Madeleine is a sleek modern dining table. The top is made from an elegant thin rectangular stone slab. Each of the two legs are also rectangular, but feature fluting on the outward-facing sides, along with a smaller rectangular cut-out through the middle of each leg. The same stone is used throughout. The table is available in our cream travertine, white marble or black marble - all durable stones that will hold up well with time. This table would work wonderfully well in both contemporary and more traditional Dining...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
The Lucie: A Modern Stone Coffee Table with Round Top and Base
Located in Chicago, IL
The Lucie is a modern stone coffee table, with a generous round top, and a bullnose edge detail. The short rounded base is artfully made fro...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Silver Water Vessel, Sculptural Object by Raju Peddada - "Ganga"
By Raju Peddada
Located in Chicago, IL
"Ganga" is a remarkable example of minimalist design and natural form. The mythological name for eternity in India. Ancient grindstones, chakras and ceremonies are evoked in this fo...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Revers Chair by Andrea Branzi for Cassina
By Cassina, Andrea Branzi
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1993. Designed by Andrea Branzi for Cassina. Sculptural Bentwood on metal frame.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Banker Chair by Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Upholstered in purple/grey contract fabric. Bentwood construction.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric
fferrone Contemporary Set of 8 Liqueur Glasses in 4 styles
Located in Chicago, IL
These espresso/liqueur glasses can be used to serve after-dinner liqueurs or coffee. These original espresso glasses are an original choice for design lovers. Inspired by the archite...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
The Pauline: A Modern Stone Coffee Table with Rounded Legs
Located in Chicago, IL
The Pauline is a traditional stone coffee table with a twist: its 4 legs are all perfectly-turned cylinders. The 4 stone legs support a slim rectangular stone top that notches aroun...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Dutch Interior, Based on Miro - Vanity Mirror & Painting, Objet D'art
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, repurposes objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece, based on a series of paintings by famed artist Joan M...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Reclaimed Wood, Paint
Tell Me That You Love Me, Objet d'Art Box with Opening Door and Small Portraits
By John Seubert
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, repurposes objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece, with it's titled "Tell Me That You Love Me" embossed ...
Category
2010s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Reclaimed Wood, Paint
Custom area rug - Volterra - art rug - modern rug - abstract rug - red rug
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautifully hand crafted rug is derived from the original artwork by the late artist, Larry Roberts.
All works have been meticulously hand tufted and/or hand knotted by the mo...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
Wall Mounted Vanity Console by Nanda Vigo
By Nanda Vigo
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall Mounted Vanity Console by Nanda Vigo in a beautiful contrapposition of burgundy red laquered wood and nero marquina custom marble top. The beautifu...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal
Plastic Coat Rack by Koziol
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. Fun plastic coat rack made in Germany. Each hanger is moveable on the pole. Base is good for additional storage.
Category
1990s German Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
fferrone Contemporary Cocktail Carafe with 2 Low Medium & 2 Tall Medium glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
The Rasori Collection, named for Ferrone’s favorite street in Milan, Rasori is a playful combination of materials and form. Inspired by the proportions of mid-century tableware, the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
"Jophiel, " Mixed Media Mosaic, 2022
By Toyoharu Kii
Located in Chicago, IL
In the series “Heavenly,” Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles. In others, irregular shapes cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
fferrone Contemporary Flight set of Six Tumbler Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
The Bessho Collection is inspired by a trip to the healing hot springs of an onsen in Bessho, Japan, the Bessho Collection is an exploration by Ferrone that challenges handcraft tech...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
"Raguel, " Mixed Media Mosaic, 2022
By Toyoharu Kii
Located in Chicago, IL
In the series “Heavenly,” Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles. In others, irregular shapes cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage Modern Brass Swing Arm Reading Table Lamp with Glass Shades - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Modern Brass Swing Arm Reading Table Lamp with Glass Shades - Pair
A vintage modern pair of reading table lamps made of brass with frosted glass shades. Very well made, hea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Italian Lounge Chairs in Gray Wool In the Style of Angelo Mangiarotti, 1
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 1970s Italian lounge chairs in the style of Angelo Mangiarotti. These chairs were freshly reupholstered in an elegant gra...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool, Wood
Bronze Vessel, Sculptural Object by Raju Peddada - "Giraffe"
By Raju Peddada
Located in Chicago, IL
A remarkable example of minimalist design and natural form, this bronze vessel is both beautiful and functional. This proto-type by designer Raju Peddada is a shift in contemporary ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
"Gamaliel, " Mixed Media Mosaic, 2023
By Toyoharu Kii
Located in Chicago, IL
In the series “Heavenly,” Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles. In others, irregular shapes cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Curtis Jere Pop Art Strainer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1993, signed and dated, great vintage condition. Supersized C. Jere metal strainer wall sculpture from the company’s kitchen utensil series.
Category
1990s American Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of ‘Elmyre’ Lounge Chairs in Teddy Alpaca by Guillerme et Chambron, France
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of ‘Elmyre’ lounge chairs by Guillerme et Chambron. These chairs have sculptural oak frames with cutout details and sit low to the ground. They have thick removable cushions n...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Alpaca, Oak
Aquaring, Sculptural Polished Silver Decanter, Made In Italy
By Raju Peddada
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning example of minimalist design and natural form, this silver decanter is both beautiful and functional. Fabricated in Italy, this proto-type by designer Raju Peddada is a s...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
fferrone Contemporary Decanter with two Champagne Coupes
Located in Chicago, IL
Boyd Decanter of the Boyd Collection is well-suited for water or spirits and is an ideal bedside carafe. Inspired by Brutalist architecture that stressed the stark presentation of materials and structure, the Boyd Collection is characterized by bold shapes and visual weight countered by delicate details expressed through minimal straight lines and inner fluting.
Frances Coupe of the Frances Collection is the ultimate toasting glass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
"Matriel, " Mixed Media Mosaic, 2022
By Toyoharu Kii
Located in Chicago, IL
In the series “Heavenly,” Toyoharu Kii honors the fullness of life and its continual rebirth. In some works, white tesserae assume abstract profiles. In others, irregular shapes cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
'Lauriana' Chair in Cognac Leather By Afra + Tobia Scarpa For B&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of ‘Lauriana’ chairs designed by Afra + Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia in 1978. These chairs retain their original patinated cognac leather upholster...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather
fferrone Contemporary Cocktail Carafe with Large and Medium Finger Bowls
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by a trip to the healing hot springs of an onsen in Bessho, Japan, the Bessho Collection is an exploration by Ferrone that challenges handcraft techniques by creating a ribb...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech 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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