Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

3
3,582
846
285
to
170
4,713
52,682
52,411
4,713
1,659
2,939
7,856
7,149
4,713
4,309
4,180
1,846
1,455
1,066
976
944
912
712
706
576
562
495
380
335
3
6
837
3,867
37
189
407
4
2
7
12
9
47
54
109
100
89
2,003
1,427
1,013
792
729
4,200
2,921
724
651
293
361
118
101
88
63
Item Ships From: England
Style: Modern
Pair of Oak Bedside Tables 'Beehive Design' Bespoke.
Located in Uppingham, GB
Pair of Bedside Tables 'Beehive' Design (Garners Bespoke) Mitred tops with Vase shaped 'Beehive pedestals' resting on a platform base. Solid Oak with Walnut finish. Long establishe...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Pair of contemporary lounge armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stylish and elegant pair of contemporary armchairs. Straight back with a fixed drop arm construction allowing  the open back design.  Standing on stained black ash tapering legs. S...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Ash

'Mayfair' Contemporary Chandelier, Brass with Sculpted Spheres by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
This contemporary three-tier chandelier by Margit Wittig features sculptural components with organic and subtle textures, all cast and treated with multiple layers of patina in her L...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

NEA Wall/Ceiling 50 Brushed Brass by Kaia
Located in Geneve, CH
NEA Wall/Ceiling 50 Brushed Brass by Kaia Dimensions: D2.8 x W8 x H50 cm max. 60 W, S14d, our suggestion: 4.9 W, 1x linear opal LED, 2700 K, 470 lm, Mains (Ph...
Category

2010s English Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mulberry Brown Leather Ladies Handbag With Original Maroon Mulberry Dust Bag
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Mulberry Brown Leather Ladies Handbag With Large Loop Handles. Complete With Original Maroon Mulberry Dust Bag
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of six Rainer Daumiller solid pine dining chairs for Hirtshals Savvaerk
Located in London, GB
Drawing from the traditional Danish milking stool, designer Rainer Daumiller carefully balanced design and comfort. The seat, mimicking that of th...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Lisbon Portugal" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "PRAÇA DO COMÉRCIO LISBON PORTUGAL" motif finely painted. Quantity: 143 tiles Tile mural size: 76.7"W X 64.9"H (195cm X 165cm) Tile size: 5.9"W X 5.9...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Contemporary Alabaster Pendant in Antique Brass by Tigermoth Lighting
Located in Reading, GB
A stunning individual pendant light hewn from solid alabaster. When lit, the alabaster shade offers a stunning diffuse light and displays a fascinating marbled texture. Each alabaste...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Alabaster, Metal, Brass

Allessandro Mendini Venini Cased Black & Green Art Glass Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and beautifully hand-made Venetian Murano art glass vase in green and white glass cased in a mirror black glass finish p...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Huge Steel Crucifix
Located in London, GB
A huge 7ft 8” steel crucifix. Created in the modernist style circa 1970’s. This enormous steel cross was an unfinished project rescued from a now defunc...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Modernist American Walnut Vanity Table
Located in London, GB
Modernist American black walnut vanity table designed and produced in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Cédric Ragot for Roche Bobois Brown Nautil 3 Seat Sofa
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Cédric Ragot for Roche Bobois in 2013, the Nautil sofa gives a contemporary update to the iconic styles of the 1970s. Constructed from a solid wood frame, t...
Category

2010s French Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Raindrop Side Table Set, 300, 400, 500, Oak / Oak
Located in London, England
With their circular profiles, varying proportions and potential to be nested, these versatile tables evoke the pattern of raindrops in a pool of water when placed together. Bought...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Duet Delight Oval Center Table
Located in Coulsdon, GB
The Coffee Table seamlessly integrates high-quality materials, incorporating a fusion of wood and marble. This powerful pairing of durable marble and the natural warmth of wood creat...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tiles for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Outdoors
Located in Baldock, GB
44 Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles - 1m². Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production method: Handmade, hand painted, XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries origina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Set of 3 Handmade Cast Brass Textured T-light Candleholders
Located in London, GB
Each of these original brass tealight holders is handmade individually. Cast and textured using very traditional techniques, they are polished revealing...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Distressed Green Convex Mirror
Located in London, GB
A green distressed convex mirror with bronze patinated banded frame. Contemporary.
Category

2010s English Modern Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Alfonso Bini Firenze Italian Carved Head Orange Squeezer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and unusual vintage Italian Firenze blonde wood orange or grapefruit squeezer modelled as a man’s head by renowned Italian wood carver Alfonso Bini and made around 197...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Christofle, Paris - Large Talisman Champagne Bucket - Laque De Chine
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous vintage Champagne bucket or wine cooler made from silver plate by the top-notch silversmith's, Christofle of Paris. This is the larger of the two sizes made in this desig...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair Kazuhide Takahama Kazuki Chairs for Simon Gavina International, Italy 1969
Located in London, GB
Set of four or six available. Kazuhide Takahama was born in Japan in 1930 and after completing his studies in Architecture in Tokyo he started working in Kazuo Fuioka’s studio. In ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Stilnovo etched glass wall lights, Italy, 1950s
Located in London, GB
A pair glass globed wall nickel plated wall lamps by Stilnovo, in the manner of Luigi Caccia Dominioni and Sergio Mazza. They attach to the wall by a nickel mount, which holds clever...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Fondation Maeght Joan Miro Abstract Poster 1968
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Joan Miro vintage poster – Galerie Maeght 23 Julliet au 30 Septembre 1968 Saint-Paul 06, Fondation Maeght. France circa 1968 Maeght Editeur- Arte Paris.
Category

1860s French Antique Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Blossom, a Piece of 3D Sculptural Cream Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Blossom: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of cream leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 21 x 21 inches or 54 x 54 cm. Th...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Disks, A Piece of 3D Sculptural White Leather Wall Art
Located in Margate, GB
Disks: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of white leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 21 x 21 inches or 54 x 54 cm. One, s...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Grape Harvest" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "Grape Harvest" motif finely painted. Quantity: 160 tiles Tile mural size: 94.4"H X 59"W (105cm X 240cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Silk Cushions Starburst Hand Embroidery Swarovski Crystals Silk Colour Grey-Gold
Located in Hamburg, DE
1 Pair Cushions with starburst design, hand embroidery with Swarovski crystals and silver thread on silk satin colour grey-gold, cushion size 50 x 50cm, cushion cover with cotton lin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Furniture

Materials

Silk

Handmade silk velvet pillow by Beaumont & Fletcher
Located in London, GB
Made entirely by hand, Beaumont & Fletcher's Kyma cushion has a striking flame stitch fabric on the front and contrasting silk velvet back and piping. The flame stitch fabric harmon...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Feathers, Down, Velvet, Silk

Quadris Ceiling Suspended Rectangular Mirror with Brushed Copper Frame
Located in London, GB
Stunning modern rectangular mirror with a copper frame. This piece is part of our original and fully customisable collection of Ceiling Suspended mirrors, designed and handcrafted i...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Azulejos Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Outdoors
Located in Baldock, GB
44 Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles - 1m². Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production method: Handmade, hand painted, XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries origina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Wave. A Piece of 3D Sculptural Gold Leather Wall Art.
Located in Margate, GB
Wave: A piece of 3D sculptural wall art designed and made from two layers of gold leather, woven together by Louise Heighes. Measurements are 21 x 21 inches or 54 x 54 cm. This pie...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Fado" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "FADO" motif finely painted. Quantity: 180 tiles Tile mural size: 59"H X 106.2"W (150cm X 270cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portug...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Modernist Vanity Table, Handcrafted English Oak
Located in London, GB
Modernist vanity table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from fully quarter-sawn English oak. Hand dovetailed joi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

'Ripple' Black Walnut Desk by Tom Vaughan
Located in London, GB
'Ripple' black walnut desk by Tom Vaughan British, 21st Century Height 70.5cm, width 179cm, depth 81.5cm This intriguing contemporary desk was expertly designed and made by the Bri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Sharon Pearce Charcoal on Paper, No. 1, UK 2022
Located in London, GB
Charcoal drawing by Poole based artist Sharon Pearce, tethering an abstract expressionist aesthetic. Abstract shapes and marks merge to form intricate surfaces.
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

LUXURY PAIR OF CHAMPAGNE BUCKETS ON STANDS IN STAINLESS STEEl
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of decorative, Stainless Steel Champagne buckets on stands A good looki...
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Two-arm ceiling light, Italy, 1950s
Located in London, GB
Bifurcating out from the stem of this ceiling light are two cupped shades, reminiscent of Calla lilies. Pointed in opposing directions the shades project a warm glow across any room.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Organic AI Singularity Sculptural Metal Dining Chair
Located in London, GB
Singularity Dining Chair fuses geometric shapes with the organic efficiency of AI generative programming into a showcase chair design that’s brought to life in contrasting elements o...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Top Quality Modernist Walnut Pill Box In English Sterling Silver - 1985
Located in Bath, GB
A truly fine piece of modern silver, hefty and beautifully made from English solid Sterling Silver in the form of a walnut. The hinged box has a little cut-out in the front to help...
Category

1980s British Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Luigi Caccia Dominioni Bidone pendant, Azucena, Italy, 1960s
Located in London, GB
Luigi Caccia Dominioni, one of the world’s oldest practicing architects until he died in 2016 aged 103, was according to Pin Up magazine – “the architect’s architect”. Visible in eve...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sonia Lewis Studio Ceramic Craquelure Glazed Bottle Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning studio ceramic porcelain bottle shaped vase decorated in a fine red outline craquelure patterning by Cambridgeshire based potter Sonia Lewis acquired from a large collecti...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Hermes, Paris - Silver & Gold Plated Vase / Beaker / Desk Cup
Located in Bath, GB
A rare find, this stunning small vase / beaker / cup is perfect for a small bouquet, pens on a desk-top or perhaps cosmetic brushes on a dressing table; or simply enjoy it's modernis...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver Plate

Marzio Cecchi cantilevered bed frame for Studio Most, Italy, 1960s
Located in London, GB
Rare red enamel cantilever bed frame by visionary architect Marzio Cecchi (b1940 – 1990). Produced by his design practice Studio Most, his pieces were limited run made-to-order, and so are highly scarce and collectible. Cecchi could be said to be...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Bronze European Contemporary Sculptural Door handle by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
Margit Wittig has used her sculptural skills to create beautifully-crafted, well-proportioned door handles, which are compositions of her unique signature pearl-shaped designs. Each door pull begins as hand-sculpted spheres which are used to create moulds. Margit refers to these finished spheres as pearls. These highly original, eye-catching fixture comes in bespoke length, depending on the number of pearls. The door handles are cast in bronze. Margit Wittig is inspired by modern artists and sculptors such as Giacometti and Ivon Hitchens. Her work is constantly evolving using different textures as the driving force - intertwined with her work with color. Her functional art spreads the gamit from modern simplicity to rich and complex designs and color. Her pieces are placed with collectors around the globe. Working from her studio in London, as well as door handles, Margit creates artistic lighting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large Silver, Vermeil and Diamond Model of a Lion by Asprey
Located in London, GB
Large silver, vermeil and diamond model of a lion by Asprey English, c. 1980 Lion: Height 12cm, width 38cm, depth 13cm Case: Height 19cm, width 49c...
Category

20th Century English Modern Furniture

Materials

Vermeil, Silver

Pair Hand Woven Suede Cushions Colour Ginger Square Shaped
Located in Hamburg, DE
Hand woven Suede cushions colour GINGER, back side with Suede as shown on image, cushion size 43 x 38cm, silk lining, inner pad with new feathers.
Category

2010s German Modern Furniture

Materials

Suede

Mesa Daybed in Deerskin suede and fumed oak
Located in Norwich, GB
Drawing on our expertise in traditional joinery and leatherwork, the Mesa daybed celebrates contemporary craftsmanship in its rich detail and gathering of techniques. Exposed on the ...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Sheepskin, Suede, Wool, Upholstery, Ash, Elm, Oak, Sycamore

NEA Wall/Ceiling 50 Brushed Brass by Kaia
Located in Geneve, CH
NEA wall/ceiling 50 brushed brass by Kaia Dimensions: 2.8 x 8 x 50 cm Lamps 3 x linear opal LED S14d*, 3 x 7/4.5 W 2700K Mains ( Phase) dimmable 3 x opal 4...
Category

2010s English Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Azulejos Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Outdoors
Located in Baldock, GB
44 Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles - 1m². Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production method: Handmade, hand painted, XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries origina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Old Wine Press" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "OLD WINE PRESS" motif finely painted. Quantity: 104 tiles Tile mural size: 47.2"H X 76.7"W (120cm X 195cm) Tile size: 5.9"W X 5.9"H (15cm X 15cm) Ori...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Contemporary Folded Brass Wall Light in Bronze by Tigermoth Lighting
Located in Reading, GB
A folded bronze wall light, patinated to a dark bronze colour and hand-grained on the inside surface to reflect the light. Use singly or group together for impact. Designed and handmade by Tigermoth Lighting on the banks of the river Thames in the English countryside, this beautiful piece will add a note of understated elegance to any interior. Measures: Width - 4 3/4" Height - 14 1/2" Depth - 4" Light sources - 1 x E26 required, max 5W each Weight - 2.2lb Mounts onto 4" junction box Made to UL standards using UL recognised components. Should you require your light to be UL Approved, we can direct you to your local UL Field Engineer. Tigermoth Lighting is a trade secret amongst British interior designers. From our riverside workshop in the South of England, we create elegant...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Blue ‘Me’ Lamp
Located in London, GB
Blue matte finish lamp with mohair shade Estimated processing time is 2 weeks from order confirmation Pictured with a Mini Globe LED E27 Bulb. Bulb not included To pair this base ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Handcrafted English Oak Desk
Located in London, GB
A new freestanding modern English oak desk design. Designed and handmade in England using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from the finest full...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak

Lee Broom - Aurora XXL
Located in New York, US
A chandelier of multiple adaptations which projects layers of ethereal rings of light created from linear LED light bulbs. Created and produced by Lee Broom and made in UK, the hand ...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Ceramic Tiles "Gentleman"
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "GENTLEMAN" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 76.7"H X 47.2"W (195cm X 120cm) Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Azulejos Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Outdoors
Located in Baldock, GB
44 Hand Painted Portuguese Tiles - 1m². Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production method: Handmade, hand painted, XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries origina...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Milestone Console Table in Oak and Portland Stone
Located in København Ø, DK
The Milestone console table was designed with locality in mind. For this unique piece, the Oak wood is sourced from Hever in Kent, 40 miles south of London, and seasoned by Fallen & ...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Nephrite, Diamond, Gilt Metal Lamp with a Cheetah by Asprey
Located in London, GB
Nephrite, diamond, gilt metal lamp with a cheetah by Asprey English, c. 1980 Height 90cm, diameter 42cm This superb sculptural lamp depicts a cheetah elegantly sitting under a tree. Made in around 1980, by the well-known English firm of Asprey, the piece is an example of some of their finest work. Nephrite, a semi-precious stone is superbly carved in a dome shape and acts as the lampshade. Its green colouring with speckles of black superbly acts as the tree top and adds a vibrant pop of colour to the piece. When light shines through the nephrite, the patterns are emphasized and transform the appearance of the lamp as well as its surrounding. Gilt metal detailing tops the lampshade and decorates the rim. A gilt metal tree trunk connects the lampshade to the base. Several twisted branches extend at the top, appearing as if they are getting lost inside the leaves imitated by nephrite. The superbly cast texture of a tree trunk adds to the realistic feel of the piece. A gilt metal cheetah...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Furniture

Materials

Stone, Metal, Other

BT01 Contemporary Coffee Table in Aluminium and PMMA
Located in London, GB
BT01 is a coffee table characterised by simple and pure shapes. A sculptural/functional object realized by a unique shaped-by-hand aluminum base and a r...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

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.

Recently Viewed

View All