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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Maxalto Grey Velvet Two Seat Sofa, 2013
By Maxalto
Located in London, GB
Designed by Antionio Citterio for Maxalto B&B Italia, this two seater sofa seamlessly combines modern and traditional design.
Featuring a square frame sitting on a brushed black oak...
Category
2010s European Modern Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Pair of Car Designer Pininfarina for Reflex Angelo Occasional Chairs
By pinin farina, Reflex
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of RRP £1980 occasional chairs designed by the racing car manufacturer Pininfarina for Reflex Angelo
The chairs are simply st...
Category
20th Century German Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
21st Century Contemporary "Frog Cruet Set" English Silver
Located in London, GB
A charming solid silver cruet set modelled as three seated frogs. The set made up of a salt, pepper and mustard pot all with realistic garnet eyes. The mustard pot hinged at the frog...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver
Bolection Style Marble Effect Fire Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A smart bolection style fire mantel with an expertly painted marble effect finish. The simplicity and angular lines of this faux marble bolection firepla...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Grant Macdonald - Sterling Silver, Silver Gilt & Amethyst Rose Bowl - 1984
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1984 by Grant Macdonald, this wonderful, Sterling Silver Rose Bowl, features a gilt removable top with an inset Amethyst cryst...
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Large Handcrafted Leather & Oak Ottoman
Located in London, GB
Completely handcrafted large ottoman with a unique two tiered design. The framework is constructed from straight grained English oak for extra stability and covered in fine quality l...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
70s Hall Chair
Located in London, GB
Hall chair hand embroidered with circles motif employing bullion, beads, silk, and metallic threadwork. 70s style design.
This chair is part of a trio.
The other two chairs still hav...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metallic Thread
higashi VI
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
A bone china vessel with hand painted underglaze decoration by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pastille box I
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
A bone china lidded vessel with hand painted underglaze decoration by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Deep Green Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Two Drawers, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large deep green study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk has two steel drawers...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
higashi II
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
A bone china vessel with hand painted underglaze decoration by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
higashi IV
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
A bone china vessel with hand painted underglaze decoration by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Spatial Concept IV
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
a pair of thrown porcelain vessels on a glazed and gilded ceramic plinth by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Spatial Concept III
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
two thrown porcelain vessels on a glazed and gilded ceramic plinth by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Spatial Concept I
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
A thrown porcelain vessel on a glazed and gilded ceramic plinth by artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Spatial Concept V
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
a porcelain vessel on a glazed and gilded ceramic plinth by London artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Handcrafted Leather & Oak Sofa Table Footstool
Located in London, GB
Completely handcrafted large footstool/sofa table with a unique two tiered design. The framework is constructed from straight grained English oak for extra stability and covered in f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
Spatial Concept II
By Riggio
Located in London, GB
two thrown porcelain vessels on a glazed and gilded ceramic plinth by artist Christopher Riggio
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Set of 2 Brass Pole and Circle Wall Lights by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brass Pole and Circle Wall Lights by Square in Circle
Dimensions: W 4 x H 45 x D 7 cm.
Materials: brushed brass finish, white frosted glass globe, brushed grey metal.
Minim...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pablo Picasso "Before the Goading of the Bull" Gilt Framed Signed Lithograph
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Framed Offset Lithograph of the Linocut print entitled 'Before the goading of the bull' published in New York circa 70s/80s. Signed with a Stamped Signature...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Vintage Table Lamp in the Italian Carnival Style, Frédéric De Luca
Located in London, by appointment only
Table lamp by and signed Frédéric de Luca, Paris, 1985
A most unusual large scale porcelain vase decorated with gilt and bold red and white stripes, ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Infinity Star
Located in London, GB
The chair is hand embroidered and designed by Geraldine Larkin and handcrafted by David Linley with a walnut base and legs. the design on the back of the chair is inspired by art dec...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metallic Thread
Sculptural Rattan Wall Sconce
Located in Oxford, GB
Introducing the one-of-a-kind sculptural rattan wall sconce, handcrafted with care to achieve beautiful curves yet organic finish. Made from natural pencil reed rattan, this sconce a...
Category
2010s Philippine Modern Furniture
Materials
Rattan
Flute Pendant in Brushed Brass with Clear Glass Diffuser, UL Listed
By Tom Kirk
Located in London, GB
The Flute Pendant hangs from an adjustable stainless-steel cable and is crafted from hand-finished borosilicate glass. With options of clear, frosted or smoked glass and a selection ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Art Deco Barware - Cocktail Shaker & 6 Cocktail Cups Designed by Oliver & Bower
Located in London, London
Made circa 1930 by Oliver & Bower Ltd. This striking, Art Deco Period, Silver Plated Cocktail Set, comprises a cocktail shaker and six cocktail cups, each of a matching design, stand...
Category
1930s English Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Pomegranate Tree" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "POMEGRANATE TREE" motif finely painted.
Quantity: 10 tiles
Tile mural size: 11.8"W X 29.5"H (30cm X 75cm)
Tile size: 5.9"W X 5...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cup by Garrard & Co. London 1997 - Elizabeth II
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1997 by Garrard & Co., this handsome Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cup, measures 4"(10cm) tall, by 3.5"(9cm) in diameter, and weighs 7.2 troy ounces.
Category
1990s English Modern Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Stools, ebonized oak and clear resin.
Located in London, GB
Ebonised oak and resin stool.
Initialed 'JF' and numbered consecutively.
It can be paired with the coffee table picture.
Finish: Ebonized and white oil top
Category
2010s English Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Oak
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
Lee Broom - SPLIT MIRROR LONG
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
A precision cut slice, shifted from its original position reveals an oak trimmed section of the black frame on Split Mirror.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Lee Broom - Acid Marble Table Lamp
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
A layer of white Carrara marble and acid yellow tinted optical acrylic are sandwiched together to form an illuminated circular diffuser for this sculptural table Lamp. Set into a sol...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
Contemporary Black Forged Steel Sculpture Inspired by H. Bertoia - Two Forms 01
By Louis Jobst
Located in London, GB
Black forged steel, abstract sculpture. Composition of two abstract forms sit on a diamond shaped base. The forms are set at angles to one another to express a three dimensional rela...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel, Iron
Lee Broom - REQUIEM TUBE
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Requiem is an ethereal series of limited-edition pieces. Each sculpted by hand, by Lee Broom in our London factory. The collection takes inspiration from the marble drapery on ancien...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Opaline Glass, Plaster
Lee Broom - Aurora Ring 5
By Lee Broom
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, the hand blown glass bul...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tile Mural "Rooster" Signed by Artist
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "ROOSTER" motif finely painted.
Quantity: 8 tiles
Tile mural size: 23.6"H X 11.8"W (60cm X 30cm)
Tile size: 5.9"H X 5.9"W (15cm X 15cm)
Origin: Portug...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Lee Broom - SPLIT MIRROR ROUND
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
A precision cut slice, shifted from its original position reveals an oak trimmed section of the black frame on Split Mirror.
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Mighty Architectural Oak & Walnut Sofa Table
Located in London, GB
A mighty version of our architectural oak & walnut pillar table. Designed and handcrafted in England using traditional furniture and cabinetry techniques from 30mm thick prime straig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Lee Broom - Chant 4x4 Chandelier
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Inspired by the pressed glass bricks often used as an alternative to stained glass in places of worship during the 1970s, Chant is formed of blown glass cubes with a pronounced circu...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
1972 Olympic Poster by Oskar Kokoschka
Located in London, GB
This original vintage poster by Oskar Kokoschka is from the 1972 Olympic Games held in Munich, Germany. Posters were important for the marketing of this event, the XX Olympiad, which...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Lee Broom - Tube Wall Light
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Skillfully milled from a single piece of Carrara marble and finished at each end with brass or chrome bands, Tube contains a strip of LED bulbs resulting in what appears to be a soli...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble, Steel
Lee Broom - REQUIEM GLOBE
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Requiem is an ethereal series of limited-edition pieces. Each sculpted by hand, by Lee Broom in our London factory. The collection takes inspiration from the marble drapery on ancien...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Opaline Glass, Plaster
STELE Bedside Table
Located in Manchester, GB
A bedside table with hand-carved textured doors.
This piece is made in solid English oak. The oak is darkened using the traditional process of fuming, where the timber is exposed t...
Category
2010s English Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Mighty Architectural Oak & Walnut Low Console Table
Located in London, GB
A mighty version of our architectural oak & walnut pillar table. Designed and handcrafted in England using traditional furniture and cabinetry techniques from 30mm thick prime straig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Lee Broom - Chant 6x6 Chandelier
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Inspired by the pressed glass bricks often used as an alternative to stained glass in places of worship during the 1970s, Chant is formed of blown glass cubes with a pronounced circu...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Lee Broom - Ring Light
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
The iconic Ring Light by Lee Broom is relaunched as a brand new full-LED product for 2023. Featuring a polished gold sphere pierced by a dimmable LED tube to form the striking ring o...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lee Broom - Fulcrum Candlestick White Marble - Small
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 - Altar 4 - Light Short
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
Lee Broom - Carousel XL
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Inspired by the merry-go-round ride of a traditional British fairground, Carousel is a pendant light with a heavyweight presence that floats gently in space.
Cylinders of gold, chr...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lee Broom - Hanging Hoop Chair Brass
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:
Brushed brass pl...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Lee Broom - REQUIEM RING
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Requiem is an ethereal series of limited-edition pieces. Each sculpted by hand, by Lee Broom in our London factory. The collection takes inspiration from the marble drapery on ancien...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Opaline Glass, Plaster
Lee Broom - Tribeca Tables
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
The Tribeca Tables are a series of sculptural side and coffee tables, which mirror the same floating concept as the sofa, appearing to defy gravity.
Crafted in black silk marble an...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Marble
Lee Broom - Fulcrum Candlestick Black Marble - Small
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 - Chant 6x6 2-tier Chandelier
By Lee Broom
Located in New York, US
Inspired by the pressed glass bricks often used as an alternative to stained glass in places of worship during the 1970s, Chant is formed of blown glass cubes with a pronounced circu...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Spider Special 150 Ceiling Light Italian Design by Diego Mardegan
Located in London, GB
A very stunning bespoke ceiling light fixture Titled " Spider Special 150 " This ceiling light is composed of six ivory coloured silk on parchment shades held to a brass metal frame....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
Peter Voulkos American Studio Pottery Faces Tea Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning vintage American Studio Pottery tea bowl decorated with Expressionist faces by Peter Voulkos. The stoneware tea bowl stands on a narrow rounded unglazed foot with a rounde...
Category
20th Century Modern Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Set of 2 Brass Single Wall Lights by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brass Single Wall Lights by Square in Circle
Dimensions: W 14 x H 50 x D 7 cm
Materials: Brushed brass finish, black powder-coated metal
I...
Category
2010s British Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
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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