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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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: England
Style: Modern
Hayche HOS Desk - Oak & White, UK
Located in Liverpool, GB
The HOS Desk, standing for Home Office System, epitomizes adaptability and modern design. Featuring three mountable and dismountable wooden panels, each with three detachable solid w...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Beige Oval Vanity Fabric Stool With Wheels
Located in London, GB
This beige round fabric stool offers a compact and flexible seating solution. Whether used as additional seating for small spaces or as a footrest for relaxation, it smoothly combine...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric
A Large Tessellated Marble Coffee Table By Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A large rectangle shaped low coffee table in tessellated marble. The supports tapering and cylindrical. The edge with a "Bulls Nose" finish and decorative "Dental" worked edge. Image...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Paul Day (b. 1967) Plaster Street Scene Sculpture
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large and intricately detailed plaster sculpture of a street scene by celebrated British sculptor, Paul Day. Thought to be an original maquette – a model for a larger piece of scul...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
A unique free form blown Art Murano glass sculpture by Davide Dona made in ITALY
By Davide Dona
Located in London, GB
Unique free form blown glass sculpture
This is an unique art vase that showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of Murano glass and in particular the brilliant skills of Master David...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Pair of Maui sofas by Vico Magistretti for Kartell
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of maui sofas by vico magistretti for kartell circa 1980.
Designed by well known italian architect and furniture designer vico magistretti (1920 - 2006)
Moulded plastic seats ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Chrome
One of a kind hand made table lamp
By Rinat Design
Located in London, GB
A one of a kind sculptural column table lamp hand crafted in pigmented Scagliola - a painstaking process of crafting made stone in marbleised form. This technique entails multiple s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Scagliola, Stucco
Bespoke Dark Grey Leather Square Ottoman
Located in London, GB
This bespoke square ottoman is the ultimate all-in-one lounging accessory with an edgy rustic design & high-quality finish is extremely versatile.
Boasting double seaming diamond pa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
Small Contemporary Decorative Vase, English, Straw Silk Art Glass, Flower Sleeve
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small contemporary decorative vase. An English, straw silk art glass flower sleeve by Margaret Johnson.
Unusual and interesting technique matched with great colour
Display...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Bespoke Dark Grey Leather Square Ottomans, Set of 2
Located in London, GB
This bespoke square ottoman is the ultimate all-in-one lounging accessory with an edgy rustic design & high-quality finish is extremely versatile.
Boasting double seaming diamond pa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather
Lee Broom - Altar Wall Light
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Altar is an exploration into the angular forms of Midcentury churches and altars, which often looked to warmer natural materials for fonts and pews.
Altar’s elegant, fluted form is...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Utopia Console by Lara Bohinc in Verde Alpi
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Utopia Console by designer Lara Bohinc is the latest addition to Utopia, the body of work awarded the Miami Design District Commission in December 2023. It conceptualises a utopian f...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antoni Tapiès, "Suite 63 x 90" Lithograph sheet no. 10/90, 1980
Located in London, GB
Antoni Tàpies combined rich conceptual concerns with material experimentation and monumental scales. His work was variously informed by early modernists including Paul Klee and Joan ...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Maelstrom limited edition contemporary bronze resin sculpture by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
This limited edition of twelve wall mounted bronze sculptures is inspired by a fascinating natural phenomenon. In a maelstrom, hidden forces are in play in an alluring dance choreogr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Original Vintage War Home Front Recycling Poster Bones Make Explosives WWII
Located in London, GB
Original vintage World War Two Home Front recycling poster - Bones Make Explosives Put Out All Bones For Salvage - featuring a great modernist graphic design by Reginald Mount (1906-...
Category
1940s British Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Cartier, Paris - Vintage Sterling Silver Bowl c.1980
By Cartier
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning vintage (c.1980) solid silver / sterling bowl signed on the underside "Cartier" and "Sterling".
The bowl has just returned from my silversmiths workshop where it has been...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Alan Wallwork Studio Pottery Split Pod Sculpture
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stoneware studio pottery 'split pod' form designed by Alan Wallwork (British, 1931-2019) and dating from around 1980. The heavily made sculptural pod sta...
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Stud Coffee Table in Vulcanatta Marble and Polished Brass — Medium
Located in London, GB
A coffee table in Portuguese marble and polished brass. handcrafted to order in Northern England.
Measures: 1000 mm (L) x 640 mm (W) x 400 mm (H)
Bespoke sizes and finishes available.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Coble Dining Table - Solid Oak - seats 4-6
Located in London, GB
Inspired by the fishing boats traditionally used on the North East English coast. A made-to-order dining table designed by Lind + Almond and handcrafted in the UK.
Constructed from ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Coble Dining Table - Solid Oak — seats 10
Located in London, GB
Inspired by the fishing boats traditionally used on the North East English coast. A made-to-order dining table designed by Lind + Almond and handcrafted in the UK.
Constructed from ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Stud Coffee Table in Rosso Marble and Polished Brass — Large
Located in London, GB
A coffee table in Portuguese marble and polished brass. Handcrafted to order in Northern England.
Measures: 1200 mm (L) x 760 mm (W) x 400 mm (H)
Bespoke sizes and finishes available.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Stud Coffee Table in Rosso Marble and Polished Brass — Medium
Located in London, GB
A coffee table in Portuguese marble and polished brass. Handcrafted to order in Northern England.
Measures: 1000 mm (L) x 640 mm (W) x 400 mm (H)
Bespoke sizes and finishes available.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Stud Coffee Table in Vulcanatta Marble and Polished Brass — Large
Located in London, GB
A coffee table in Portuguese marble and polished brass. handcrafted to order in Northern England.
Measures: 1200 mm (L) x 760 mm (W) x 400 mm (H)
Bespoke sizes and finishes available.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Red Metal Cross Wall Cabinet 1st Aid Medicine Box, Thomas Eriksson Style 1990s
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
Cappellini style RED CROSS CABINET.
The original was designed by artist Thomas Ericksson in 1992
Symbolic design… Swedish designer Thomas Eriksson won several prices and his work ...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Metal Face Sculpture
Located in London, GB
An Anthony Calder-esque metal sculpture on a stand, made using scrap metal. Circa 1980's France.
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Monk Black Chair for Molteni, Italy, 1974
Located in London, GB
Formidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Bianchin Scarpa created interiors and furniture that embraced the materials of each design and the interplay of technology and ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair of JDV 3 wall lights brass with white enamelled shades by Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
Pair of JDV 3 wall lights brass with white enamelled shades by Diego Mardegan
Joie de Vivre 3 , Perforated metal cream color lacquered shades on brass metal. The 3 wall light shad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Lee Broom - Fulcrum Candlestick Black Marble - Large
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
A play on the concept of pivots and supports, Fulcrum is a sculptural and monolithic candlestick whose cylindrical stem appears to balance on a central sphere.
Includes large clear...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Lee Broom - Hanging Hoop Chair Black
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Suspended from above, two brass plated steel circular hoops join to create the Hanging Hoop Chair, with a seat and backrest upholstered in Kvadrat wool.
Finishing:
Satin black stee...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Scriptor Desk By Giorgetti In Macassar Ebony
Located in London, GB
Scriptor Desk By Giorgetti In Macassar Ebony.
Giorgetti scriptor desk designed by Leon Krier 2004. This executive desk comes in an ebony wood, with an original cone shaped base. Cyl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Set of 3, 1980s Red Mushroom shaped stools
Located in London, GB
A set of 3 Mushroom shaped stools, original black, red and blue colour upholstery. made in Italy ca.1980s
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Small Area Rug Door Mat, Beige Rug Handwoven Modern Rectangular
Located in Hampshire, GB
This fine wool mat is the perfect front or back door accessory. Woven by hand with fine wool and cotton that has been dyed with organic vegetable dyeing techniques. The design features a simple beige background with a modern square stripe design. Our mats are handmade, woven not printed & are finished with a non-slip backing that keeps them in place to perform better than any other entrance mat made today. Suitable for both classic and contemporary home interiors. Both the colour palette and design are sure to uplift any small space. Excellent condition, ready for use in any home or office environment.
Our team source only the finest interior accessories, with years of experience, let our team help you find the perfect accent pieces for your home interior. Our inventory includes a range of modern rugs, vintage rugs and antique rugs. With a huge range of colours and sizes available now.
Small area rug...
Category
2010s Chinese Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Planetary Pendant
Located in London, GB
The Planetary Pendant is a contemporary and elegant design that emits a radiant glow. Can be used individually or in multiples to suit the space.
The Planetary collection started l...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Large Handcrafted Nightstand, Walnut & Oak
Located in London, GB
An alternative version, in much larger proportions, of our American black walnut hand-crafted nightstands - end tables in a modernist design. These are constructed from the finest Am...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Handcrafted Drawers, Walnut & Oak
Located in London, GB
An American black walnut and English oak hand-crafted drawer table/nightstand/end table in a modernist design. These are constructed from the finest American black walnut with the in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Berndt Friberg Gustavsberg Miniature Celadon Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Berndt Friberg (Swedish, 1899-1981) joined Gustavsberg in 1934 and his work is considered as some of the finest examples of wheel thrown pottery of the 20th Century. Inspired by the ...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Maelstrom limited edition contemporary bronze sculpture by artist, David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
This limited edition of twelve wall mounted bronze sculptures is inspired by a fascinating natural phenomenon. In a maelstrom, hidden forces are in play in an alluring dance choreogr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Halitrephes limited edition contemporary bronze resin sculpture by David Tragen
By David Tragen
Located in Manchester, GB
Sheer delight coupled with some magical visuals of the Halitrephes Maasi, a rare jellyfish of the deep sea, spurred me on to create this limited edition handmade sculpture in its hon...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Copper, Bronze
1972 Olympic Poster by David Hockney
Located in London, GB
This classic David Hockney image was produced for the 1972 Olympics held in Munich from 26 August to 10 September. The XX Olympiad had 195 sporting events and over 7000 athletes atte...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
David Collins - A Brown Travertine, Bronze and Statuary Marble Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A contemporary brown travertine, bronze and statuary marble fireplace removed from the London residence of renowned interior decorator David Collins, the illuminated strip to the rea...
Category
Early 2000s European Modern Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Statuary Marble, Bronze
Set of Six Sterling Silver Goblets, Garrard & Co, 1971
Located in Glasgow, GB
A cased set of six Sterling Silver Goblets, by Garrard & Co, Birmingham, 1971. The goblet bowls are of tapering form, engraved with foliage swags, on spreading foot, in a fitted gilt...
Category
1970s British Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Contemporary Bulb Posy Vase, English, Art Glass, Decorative, Margaret Johnson
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a contemporary bulb posy vase. An English, art glass and straw silk decorative urn by Margaret Johnson.
Superb colour with the artist's signature fish shoal motif
Displaying...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Sergio Mazza ‘Pi Cavo’ pendants for Artemide, Italy 1962
By Sergio Mazza
Located in London, GB
Sergio Mazza’s ‘Pi Cavo’ lights, designed for Artemide, are part of a range of lighting designs named after letters in the Greek alphabet including Delta, Gamma, Kappa, and Tau. They...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Block & Pearl Sculpted Contemporary Yellow Candlestick Set by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
Margit Wittig has used her sculptural skills to create beautifully-crafted, well-proportioned candlesticks, which are compositions of her unique signature pearl-shaped designs.
Eac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Berndt Friberg Gustavsberg Miniature Square Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Berndt Friberg (Swedish, 1899-1981) joined Gustavsberg in 1934 and his work is considered as some of the finest examples of wheel thrown pottery of the 20th Century. Inspired by the ...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Case - Wall Small
By Marc Wood
Located in London, GB
Case comprises of delicate brass arms encased in crystal glass tubes. All joined with solid brass sphere connectors to
allow for multiple configurations and size options.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Four Aurum Silver Gilt 'College of Arms' Goblets, Hector Miller, 1984
Located in Glasgow, GB
A set of four Parcel-Gilt Sterling Silver Goblets, by Hector Miller for Aurum, London, 1984. The goblets are numbered 33, 34, 36, and 364, from a limited edition of 500. The goblets ...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Claes Thell Swedish Hoganas Modernist Wall Plaque
By Claes Thell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Claes Thell (Swedish, 1943-2019) was one of Sweden’s leading ceramic artists of the 20th /21st Century. He worked as a ceramicist at the Hoganas factory before starting his own studio where he gained recognition as an artist who experimented with both shapes and glazes leading to unique stoneware pieces. Examples of his work are in the National Museum in Stockholm.
An unusual modernist Swedish ceramic wall...
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Case - Wall Large
By Marc Wood
Located in London, GB
Case comprises of delicate brass arms encased in crystal glass tubes. All joined with solid brass sphere connectors to
allow for multiple configurations and size options.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Abara Round Table By Francis Sultana
By Francis Sultana
Located in Dublin, GB
Designed and produced in the uk by the leading furniture and interior designer Francis Sultana. The Abara round table is part of a collection launched in 2013. This bespoke Abara has a dining sized black lacquered table top which is trimmed with a chiselled oak...
Category
2010s English Modern Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass, Oak
Case - Wall XL
By Marc Wood
Located in London, GB
Case comprises of delicate brass arms encased in crystal glass tubes. All joined with solid brass sphere connectors to
allow for multiple configurations and size options.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Double Sphere Oak Disc Ceiling Mount
Located in London, GB
Double Sphere Ceiling Light
Brushed Brass Discs
Oak Flush Disc
2000K - 2800K 95CRI
1200 Dim to Warm Lumens
Flush mount Hard Wired
Sphere III Bulbs Included
Handmade in Hackney Wic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Brass, Glass And Chrome Peter Ghyczy Bar Cart
By Peter Ghyczy
Located in London, GB
A quality brass and chrome bar cart with two removable trays in glass, the top clear the bottom opaque. Marked with the Ghyczy stamp on each support. The X frame design in brass with...
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Large Architectural Walnut Nightstand, Handcrafted
Located in London, GB
Large handcrafted architectural American black walnut nightstand. Designed by Sum furniture and handcrafted in England using traditional furniture making techniques with the finest A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Architectural Walnut End Table, Handcrafted
Located in London, GB
Large handcrafted architectural American black walnut end or side table. Designed by Sum furniture and handcrafted in England using traditional furniture making techniques with the f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Abstract Pottery Alien Mock Dinosaur Egg-Shaped Display Vase Pot
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Egg-Shaped Display Vase Pot
This vase is an unusual piece of art that makes a great conversation starter. The vase is curved, with an abstract shape and raised detailing.
It's cra...
Category
20th Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Pottery
'Rat Dog' Sculpture in Fiberglass by Finn Stone
By Finn Stone
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
We love this piece! Number 2 from an edition of 2, the other was sold recently on Saatchi online, and honestly we don't mind rat dog hanging around, he eats no...
Category
2010s English Modern Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass
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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