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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Item Ships From: England
Style: Modern
The Lucia Armchair with frilled skirt upholstered in Fuchsia Linen Silver Leaf
Located in London, GB
The Lucia armchair is a beauty – soft and pretty inside and out, she most definitely takes centre stage. She’s a girly joyful thing, a sort of chubby take on the traditional Howard. The scale is both bold and neat; with ample curves, English arms and a gently raked back for the ultimately comfortable sit. Delightful in her detail with Turkish corners...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Natural White Quartz Rock Crystal On Stand
Located in Southall, GB
A highly decorative and dazzling natural rock crystal quartz cluster on a black stand. A excellent and rare example of rock crystal, a crystal that is associated with balance, energy...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South American Modern Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal

Vintage Swedish 3 Tier Coffee Table In Birch Plywood By Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in London, GB
Excellent example of 80's Swedish design, utilising bent birch ply with its crisp golden tone and smooth finish. An elegant piece that incorporates two lower tiers that are softened ...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Contemporary Black Forged Steel Sculpture Inspired by H. Bertoia - Two Forms 02
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

Set of Contemporary Turquoise European Sculptural Candlesticks 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. Each candlestick begins as hand-sculpted spheres which are used to create moulds in three sizes. Margit refers to these finished spheres as pearls. These highly original, eye-catching candlesticks come in three different sizes depending on the number of pearls: three, five and seven. The candlesticks are cast in resin and Jesmonite mixed with pigment at the start of the process, to ensure colour consistency. Some of the candlesticks are subtly finished with hand painted gold patina to reflect the shimmer of the candle. Each one is made with a solid brass drip catcher and can be cast in a variety of colors. Working from her studio in London, as well as candlesticks, Margit creates artistic lighting...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Enamelled Bronze Sculpture entitled "Surf" by Tim Cotterill
Located in London, GB
An attractive limited edition bronze study of a green frog in a stretched position with its head raised exhibiting very fine enamel colours and excellent tactile surface, signed Tim,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

21st Century Contemporary Bronze Sculpture entitled "Soldier" by Tim Cotterill
Located in London, GB
An attractive limited edition bronze study of a variegated blue metalic frog in a seated position with its head raised exhibiting very fine enamel colours and excellent tactile surfa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large French Malachite Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of large French malachite vases French, 20th Century Height 77cm, diameter 50cm Of campana form, this stylish pair of vases is crafted from malachite and gilt bronze. A malac...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Stone, Malachite, Ormolu

Planetary Wall Sconce
Located in London, GB
The Planetary Wall Sconce is a timeless variation on the Pendant design and is equally at home in hallway and reception areas, or as bedroom luminaires. The Planetary collection st...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel

On The Wing Grand Dining
Located in London, GB
On The Wing is an enduring part of the Nulty Bespoke brand. Having made solely custom versions of these suspended compositions for a number of projects o...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Stainless Steel

On The Wing 6M
Located in London, GB
On The Wing is an enduring part of the Nulty Bespoke brand. Having made solely custom versions of these suspended compositions for a number of projects o...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Stainless Steel

20th Century Enamelled London Underground Notting Hill Gate Station Sign c.1970
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb 20th Century enamelled London Underground station sign from Notting Hill Gate. Created in the 1970's, this sign would have been displayed on the station platform informing a...
Category

1970s British Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Savoir Nº5 Bed Set, Handmade in Wales, US Queen Size
Located in London, GB
Live fast, sleep slow. A bed for playing, for dreaming, for living. Made bespoke, for the everyday. The Savvy. A bed for real life. For delicious early nights, late nights, sleepove...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Wood

Established & Sons Wrongwoods Tray by Richard Wood & Sebastian Wrong
Located in London, GB
Relaunch 2009 in black and white and 2010 in pink and blue British artist Richard Woods is renowned for his work with garish and repetitious motifs. He h...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Mid century style steel sideboard - end table - customisable
Located in Leicester, GB
The sculptural low steel sideboard Robot Too is great as a media/AV stand. The slim pigeonhole shelf on top has a half-open back to allow for wiring and leads. Playful and elegant in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Fine Bone China Salad Plate with Organic Shapes and Delicate Green Colors
By Deborah M. Allen
Located in London, GB
Jenny Green, 1882 Ltd. with Deborah M Allen. Californian-based artist Deborah M Allen’s love of the water has always influenced her work, which often includes references to carved landscapes and the unexpected organic shapes and colors we prize in nature. The result? Gorgeous contemplations of space, fluidity and light. This collection of Fine bone china showcases...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Bone China Tall Vase Slip-Cast Hand Carved Plaster Models
Located in London, GB
Crockery White, 1882 Ltd. with Max Lamb. A collection of fine bone china tableware slip-cast from plaster models carved by hand, with glazed interior f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Bone China Salt and Pepper Slip-Cast Hand Carved Plaster Models
Located in London, GB
Crockery white, 1882 Ltd. with Max Lamb. A collection of fine bone china tableware slip-cast from plaster models carved by hand, with glazed interior for functionality and raw exteri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Bone China Jug Slip-Cast Hand Carved Plaster Models
Located in London, GB
Crockery White, 1882 Ltd. with Max Lamb. A collection of fine bone china tableware slip-cast from plaster models carved by hand, with glazed interior for functionality and raw exteri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

King Charles Spaniel, signed Alfred Daniels (1924 - 2015)
Located in London, GB
A well executed pastel and pencil drawing of a delightful King Charles Spaniel signed and by Alfred Daniels. The perfect gift - or treat yourself! We have had this bespoke framed b...
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Jean COCTEAU - Profile with Laurel Wreath, 1959
Located in Holmfirth, GB
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963), Profile with Laurel Wreath, 1959. Blue Ink on flyleaf of the book, "The blood of the poet". Signed, dated and dedicated in the centre. Provenance: Offered ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Paper

Handcrafted Bedside Table, Walnut & Oak
Located in London, GB
American black walnut hand-crafted nightstands or end tables in a midcentury modernist design. These are constructed from the finest American black walnut with the inner dovetailed j...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak, Walnut

20th Century Silver Plated Gucci Photograph Frame, Italy c.1980
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Enhance your cherished memories with this Gucci photograph frame in silver plate, crafted in Italy circa 1980. Its timeless elegance and versatile design, allowing for both vertical ...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

White Bookend Mould Project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
White bookend Mould project by Theodora Alfredsdottir Unique Materials: Jesmonite Dimensions: 110 x 80 x 180mm Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product...
Category

2010s English Modern Furniture

Materials

Cement

Contemporary Gilt and Silvered Bronze Animalier Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
Contemporary gilt and silvered bronze animalier coffee table Continental, 21st Century Height 58cm, width 160cm, depth 80cm This wonderful coffee table is after an example of JM David...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

American flag in mahogany presentation cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we present a traditionally folded American flag in mahogany glazed cabinet. Complete with certificate to say that the flag was flown over th...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Baccarat Crystal Glass Collection of Bottles and Trays
Located in London, GB
Baccarat crystal glass collection of bottles and trays French, 20th Century Largest: Height 4cm, width 24.5cm, depth 9cm Smallest: Height 1...
Category

20th Century French Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian Silver Cocktail Shaker Dated Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Italian Silver Cocktail Shaker Dated Circa 1970 Made of 800 standard silver of a good gauge The strainer comes out on a bayonette fitting to pour the cocktail in for straining purpo...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Silver

Savoir Nº5 Bed Set with Handcrafted Mattress, Box Spring & Topper US King Size
Located in London, GB
Live fast, sleep slow. A bed for playing, for dreaming, for living. Made bespoke, for the everyday. The Savvy. A bed for real life. For delicious early nights, late nights, sleepove...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Wood

Contemporary Hex Side Table in Oak or Walnut with machine turned solid brass
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Hex Side Table has a hexagonal tapering base giving rise to a precision engineered brass neck that supports either a round or hexagonal top. Shown here: in ebonised oak and machi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Handcrafted English Desk
Located in London, GB
A totally unique handcrafted modernist desk designed and made in England by our craftspeople using traditional woodworking and cabinetry techniques. The beautifully figured surface i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Contemporary U Lamp with Geometric Arched Steel, Brass Sphere and Linen Shade
Located in London, GB
Louis Jobst' U lamp is inspired by architectural features such as archways and pediments. U lamps are composed of simple geometric forms, an arch, a sphere and ...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair Of Cast Silver Pheasants Dated 1973 London David Shure
By David Shure and Sons
Located in London, GB
Pair Of Cast Silver Pheasants Dated 1973 London David Shure Good pair of cast silver pheasants made in Clerkenwell in 1973
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Code Contemporary Handknotted Wool Rug Rankin Rugs 'Green'
Located in Berkshire, England
Code by RANKIN RUGS - traditionally handknotted in Bulgaria using 100% locally-sourced Bulgarian wool (~125,000 knots per sqm) All rugs are handknotted in a small family-run worksho...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Bulgarian Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool

Savoir Nº5 Bed Set, Handmade to Order, US California King Size
Located in London, GB
Live fast, sleep slow. A bed for playing, for dreaming, for living. Made bespoke, for the everyday. The Savvy. A bed for real life. For delicious early nights, late nights, sleepove...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Wood

20th Century Leather Sofa In The Manner Of Le Corbusier, Italy c.1980
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A white leather sofa in the manner of Le Corbusier’s LC2 sofa, crafted in Italy in the 1980s. It captures the essence of vintage aesthetics and offers the same iconic look as its cou...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Kidney Shaped Desk in Walnut by Jonathan Field
Located in London, GB
The kidney-shaped desk in solid walnut was designed and made for a client's bay window home study; it has three main drawers of different depths that run on fully extendable Blum run...
Category

2010s English Modern Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Large Citrine Butterfly Crystal On Stand
Located in Southall, GB
Large, rare and wonderful natural citrine butterfly in two pieces, on a black metal stand. Citrine is associated with November and is a rich yellow ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South American Modern Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Scagliola Round Plinth
Located in Worcester, GB
Round scagliola plinth that combines highly polished surfaces with stone-like cracks and crevices formed during the casting process. Cast by hand and finished with natural oils and waxes. Pictured colourway - Carmine red, ivory white, midnight blue & raw Sienna. About Christopher Wall Design...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Cast Stone

Contemporary Glass Perfume bottle entitled "Naiade" by Lalique Glass
Located in London, GB
A stunning French Limited edition Crystal glass Flacon with a shaped stopper in the form of a sensual beauty wearing a loosley draped dress with her arms above her head, exhibiting f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Large Butterfly Amethyst On Stand
Located in Southall, GB
A fabulous Large Amethyst Butterfly style two part piece specimen on blackened metal stand. Beautiful deep purple colouration that glistens. Amethyst represents tranquility and calm....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South American Modern Furniture

Materials

Amethyst

Amethyst Elephant Ears On Stand
Located in Southall, GB
A large, rare and stunning natural pair of amethyst elephant ears on a black metal stand. This is a spectacular natural specimen, deep purple in colour. It catches the light beautifu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South American Modern Furniture

Materials

Amethyst

Azulejos Portuguese Hand Painted Tiles "Lady"
Located in Baldock, GB
Beautiful tile mural with the "LADY" motif finely painted. Tile mural size: 64.9"H X 41.3"W (165cm X 105cm) Tile size: 5.9"W X 5.9"H (15cm X 15cm) Origin: Portugal Production meth...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

DC-3 ‘Dakota’ Wingtip Desk
Located in London, GB
The Douglas DC-3 was designed in the mid-1930s as a passenger and freight aircraft, but built during the war years 1941-1945 in large numbers, as the DC-3 (C47) Transport Plane known...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

20th Century Leather Sofa In The Manner Of Le Corbusier, Italy c.1980
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A white leather sofa in the manner of Le Corbusier’s LC2 sofa, crafted in Italy in the 1980s. It captures the essence of vintage aesthetics and offers the same iconic look as its cou...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Studio Glithero Ad Hoc Cabinet On Gilt Bronze Bamboo Stand Les French Series 1
By Glithero
Located in Norwich, GB
A unique lacquered paper cabinet on gilt bronze bamboo stand, designed by Studio Glithero for Gallery Fumi, London. Labelled. Les French Series 1. Circa 2...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of ‘A 60 F’ armchairs for Thonet Mundus, Austria 1929
Located in London, GB
With their Bauhaus form this pair of ‘A 60 F’ armchairs by Thonet Mundus epitomise avant-garde design. Their arms and legs connect round to form a soft rectangular form, giving the c...
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Modern Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Bentwood

Micki Schloessingk Salt Glazed Studio Pottery Lidded Vessel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine vintage British studio pottery lidded vessel by renowned potter Micki Schloessingk (b. 1949) and made in Swansea, Wales. The stoneware vessel is of tall slightly graduated cyl...
Category

Late 20th Century British Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Anita Harris Vase hand made & hand painted and fully signed to the base, Ca 2010
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful hand made and hand painted Vase by renowned designer Anita Harris of Stoke on Trent, England, dating to circa 2010. The vase is very well potted in a cylindrical...
Category

Early 2000s Modern Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Bronze Cast Magnolia Twig Tea Light Holder with Light Patina, Tall
Located in London, GB
Original, unique and cast in bronze, creating sumptuous and unusual decorative elements for beautiful homes. Each of these splendid bronze Magnolia Twig T-light holders is handmade ...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Small Geometric Rug Handmade Grey Beige Carpet Rug Modern Wool Door Mat
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. The Subtle rustic colours make this a great piece for any room in your home. 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 Geometric rug...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Bolection Fireplace with Moulded Shelf
Located in London, GB
An English bolection fireplace with moulded shelf above. Shown in Italian Arabescato marble, could be made in other marbles or limestones if required. English, modern. N.B. May be su...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Lambert Werner. (Swedish, 1900–1983) Composition, mixed media, signed. 1958
Located in Saint Leonards-on-sea, England
Lambert Werner. (Swedish, 1900–1983) Composition, mixed media, signed. 1958 Lambert Werner was inspired by Gösta Adrian Nilsson’s colourful and d...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

English Bolection Fireplace in White Marble
Located in London, GB
An English bolection fireplace in white marble. The jambs and frieze with moulding throughout, surmounted by moulded shelf. Unusually deep ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble

Lambert Werner. (Swedish, 1900–1983) Composition, mixed media, signed. 1958
Located in Saint Leonards-on-sea, England
Lambert Werner. (Swedish, 1900–1983) Composition, mixed media, signed. 1958 Lambert Werner was inspired by Gösta Adrian Nilsson’s colourful and d...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

No.102 Stoneware Sculpture, Tonfisk by Ciona Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
No.98 stoneware sculpture, Tonfisk by Ciona Lee One of a Kind Dimensions: Ø 13 x H 19 cm Materials: White stoneware, satin cream glaze Variations of size and colour available ...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Our Myles Leather Sectional Sofa Finished Hand Dyed Coal
Located in London, GB
Our Myles sectional sofa is a new addition to our Signature Collection. Please note this listing price is per linear meter. This helps a client measure their space and calculate th...
Category

2010s British Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Architectural Fireplace with Moulded Shelf
Located in London, GB
An architectural bolection fireplace with moulded shelf. Shown in limestone, but could be manufactured in marble if required. English, modern. Additional information: Shelf Width: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Furniture

Materials

Limestone

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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