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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
Period: 1950s
René Perrot "The Great Waterfall" - Monumental French Wool Tapestry
By Bernard Perrot
Located in New York, NY
-The Great Water Fall (La Grande Cascade) by René Perrot
-Polychrome wool
-150 x 810 cm ; 5 x 27 ft
-circa 1950 for Atelier Pinton
-The label on the back i...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wool
American Water Color Brown Headed Nuthatch Perched on Pine Tree E. Dingle C 1950
Located in Charleston, SC
American water color brown headed nuthatch perched on pine tree matted under glass in a silver gilt frame. Edward Von Siebold Dingle, mid-20th century.
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
1955 Raymond Loewy for Hill Rom Co Rolling Bar / Utility Cart / Bedside Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1955 vintage rolling cart designed by Raymond Loewy and produced by the Hill-Rom Company of Batesville, Indiana. This example is one of a few variants desi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Salvador Ysart Paperweight Spaced Millefiori c1950
By Salvador Ysart
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Salvador Ysart Paperweight Space Millefiori c1950
Date : c1950
Origin : Scotland
Features : Large concentric millefiori canes in a two row concentric set up on a lilac gro...
Category
1950s British Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Vintage Suspended Lamp, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage suspended lamp is a design lamp manufactured in Italy, circa 1950s.
Elegant suspended three-lights lamp in lacquered metal, brass and glass.
...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Plaster Mounted Horse Rider Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a horse rider. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with ag...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1960s Brode Blindheim for Sykkylven Mobler Rosewood Gateleg Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Gateleg Dining Table, originally designed by Brode Blindheim for Sykkylven. This particular example dates to the 1960s. This piece is comprised of Brazilian rosewood and it...
Category
1950s Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
After Raoul Dufy, Ville De Nice Galerie Des Ponchettes, 1954
Located in Holmfirth, GB
Vintage Raoul Dufy Lithographic Poster created for an exhibition at the Musee des Ponchettes, Nice. Printed by Mourlot, Paris.
Artist: (after) Raoul Dufy...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
Plaster Jesus Christ Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Gilt Metal Wire Mesh Wall Mirror with Floral Decor, 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 1950s rectangular gilt metal wall-mounted mirror features interesting dimensional domed sides with raised detailing built with gilded metal mesh wire. You can position t...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Plaster Traditional Horse Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional plaster figure of a horse. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, prese...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1950s Original Pair Lounge Chairs 5-LC Lounge Chairs Katavolos Estelle Laverne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of gorgeous and original 5-LC New York Lounge Chairs, designed by Katavolos, Littel, and Kelley for Laverne (Erwine and Estelle Laverne). These are rare and...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
'50s unique Maxime Old Sideboard in metal, bronze and ash veneer
By Maxime Old
Located in Paris, FR
An exceptional and unique large metal and oak veneer sideboard forming a cabinet, composed by two parts. They also can be presented with an angle.
This piece was part of the furnitur...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Plaster Religious Baby Jesus Christ Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of baby Jesus Christ. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent wit...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Rare Round Oak Coffee Table with Entretoise by Emile Seigneur - France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Art deco inspired minimalist solid oak coffee table by Emile Seigneur for Berceau de France. Originally meant to be a children play room table. Remarkable design with two oak roads ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Oak
Blue Silk Velvet Lounge Chair "Digamma" by Ignazio Gardella
Located in New York City, NY
This modernist armchair was designed by Ignazio Gardella in 1957. It features a clever design with a three-position reclining back, minimalist lines, and Gardella's signature "duck" ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Steel
1950s Safari Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Canvas by Poul Hundevad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Safari armchair and coordinating ottoman, designed by Poul Hundevad for Vamdrup Denmark in 1950. The frames are constructed of teak and the set retains its original natural...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
C. 1954 Herman Miller Eames Wire LKX-2 Side / Lounge Chair with OG Bikini Pad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a LKX-2 side chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1951. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1954. The chair is comprised of ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Set of 8 Sculptural Italian Dining Chairs Attributed to Malatesta & Mason
Located in Stamford, CT
A set of eight ebonized dining chairs attributed to Malatesta & Mason. Italian circa 1950's
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of John Vesey "Maximilian Lounge Chairs"
By John Vesey
Located in New York, NY
The “Maximilian Lounge Chair” was John Vesey’s finest and most celebrated chair design — it was also his most expensive one to produce, and appeared in a 1959 issue of Vogue. The aluminum frame was wrought rather than cast, solid rather than assembled, and polished to a seamless satiny sheen. An industrial-aluminum screen supports the black-leather upholstery tufted in a pattern that harks back to the 19th century. So too does the chair’s form that’s based on low-slung Latin American planters’ chairs. One that belonged to the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian of Mexico...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
1952 Herman Miller Eames LCM Lounge Chair Metal Legs with Ebonized Wood Finish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a vintage Herman Miller LCM (Lounge Chair Metal), designed by Ray and Charles Eames. This example was produced circa 1952 and was later repaired by Herman Miller (...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
1950s T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Lounge Chair in New White Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Large Walnut Lounge Chair, Model WWZ, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture circa 1955. The elegant design features a frame of solid walnut (seemingly ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
Mid-Century "Atlas" Glossy Glazed Ceramic Sculpture Signed 50s Italy
Located in Palermo, IT
Glossy enamel porcelain sculpture, depicting Atlas holding the world. On the base, engraved, undeciphered signature.
Italian manufacture from the 1950s. There are some chips, visibl...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Plaster Traditional Spanish Figure of a Virgin, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a virgin. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Mid-Century Modern Oil on Canvas of the Rhone & Vatican by Rocco
By Franco Rocco
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Impressionist oil on canvas of the river Rhone with a canal boat and the Vatican in the background. Great colors and a fabulous style. Rocco was a Paris trained...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Linen Upholstered Oak Chair by Gio Ponti, Italy, circa. 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York City, NY
This exquisite chair perfectly showcases the sleek, sophisticated work of acclaimed Italian designer Gio Ponti. Newly reupholstered in deep mauve + light lavender linen fabrics.
6...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Linen, Oak
1950s Jens Risom C-106 Walnut Arm Chair in Original Brown Leather 3x Available
By Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single (three chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) C-106 chair, designed by Jens Risom and produced by Jens Risom Design Inc. in the late 1950s....
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Plaste Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use,...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Danish Modern Le Klint oak wood table lamp, 1950s, Denmark
By Le Klint, Esben Klint
Located in Værløse, DK
An oak wood table lamp in excellent vintage condition designed by Esben Klint in 1957 for Le Klint. It has a beautiful dark patina and is rare piece for a beautiful space.
* An da...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic, Oak
Barovier Flooted Bowl Murano 1950's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare Barovier and Toso double flooted bowl. Gold flecks and stripe decoration, heavy, made ca' 1950. Quite large at 11.5" wide.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Jean Miotte - Abstract composition
By Jean Miotte 1
Located in PAU, FR
Painting on canvas by Jean Miotte from 1959
Abstract composition in India ink on canvas without frame (sent rolled).
Dated and signed by the artist.
Unframed: 42.5 x 33 x 1.5 cm
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller 5259 X-Leg Dining Table with Walnut Top
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Soft Edge Curved Dining Table, model 5259, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1953. The piece has a walnut top and white enam...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel, Enamel
Guy Bourdin, Cat Drawing, Ink and Gouache on Paper, 1955
By Guy Bourdin
Located in CA, CA
During the early 1950s Guy Bourdin had established himself as an artist with the eye of a painter, working primarily on paper Bourdin created images containing fascinating stories and compositions. His early experimental work bridges the gap between Surrealism and his later photography which at the time was still in its infancy.
This early cat drawing...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
1950s Set of 6 Carlo Ratti for Industria Legni Curvi Teak Dining Chairs w/ Legs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six dining chairs designed by Carlo Ratti for Industria Legni Curvati in the 1960s. The chairs are formed from bent plywood with a teak veneer, and have black tubula...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of modern wingback lounge chairs by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, featuring iconic curved armrests. The chairs remain in their original, unrestored condition.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Timo Sarpaneva glass vase/ vessel for Littala "56"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Timo Sarpaneva glass vase made for Little , Finland , signed and dated 56 plus silver label .
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Plaster Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Pair Englander & Bonta Black White Stripe Arm Chairs, Argentina, circa 1950
Located in Houston, TX
Pair 1950s stylized Englander & Bonta armchairs featuring hand carved abstract lattice detail. Chairs newly upholstered in a black and white fine striped linen,
Category
1950s Argentine Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood
Pair of Stoneware Table Lamps by Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of tall stoneware table lamps by Jane & Gordon Martz. The teak turned wood light fitting is affixed to the matte light green stoneware base. B...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Stoneware, Teak
1950s Alvar and Aino Aalto for Artek Tea Cart 900 in Birch and Rattan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original ‘Tea Trolley 900’ Modern Cart, designed in 1937 by Aino and Alvar Aalto for the World Exhibition in Paris. The Aalto’s use of Finnish b...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Birch
The Embrace after Pablo Picasso
By Mourlot, Pablo Picasso
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
After Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)?The Embrace, offset lithograph in colours, on watermarked Arches paper, an impression aside from the standard edition of 125, published by Guy Spitzer...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Paper
EA-108 Desk Chair by C. & R. Eames for Vitra, 1960s
Located in Brussel, BE
Iconic swiveling desk chair in chrome and black Hopsack fabric, designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra in 1958.
-
Emblématique chaise de bureau pivotante en chrome et tissu Hopsac...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Metal Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional memorabilia metallic figure of virgin Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados. Made Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Plaste Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1950s Nanna & Jorgen Ditzel ND83 Leather Lounge Chair by Knud Willadsen & Selig
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a stunning ND83 lounge chair designed by Nanna and Jorgen Ditzel in 1952. This example was produced by Knud Willadsen and imported from Denmark ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
Antique Church Traditional Altar Cloth, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious altar cloth artwork of a Spanish church. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Salviati, Murano Sommerso Glass, Blue Cobalt and Uranium Giraffe Sculpture
By Salviati
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is part of a series called " Zoo" beautiful animals in sommerso glass .In black light you can see light uranium green glass .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Plaster Traditional Figure of a Saint, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a saint. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use,...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Eugenio Pattarino Ceramic Charger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A fantastic and rare ceramic charger by Eugenio Pattarino. Vibrant red color and Classic Italian Mid-Century style is represented very well in this piece. Eugenio Pattarino was born in 1885 and passed away in 1971. He was a master sculptor and model maker and taught in art schools in both Venice and Frankfort, Germany. In the late 1940s he opened his own studio in Florence. His factory used both “EPF” and “CAPEF” (Artistic Ceramics Professor Eugene Pattarino) to mark his pieces. His studio is best known for its large religious statutes, many of which reside in a number of churches in Italy and the U.S.
In the 1950s Pattarino had more than fifty artists working for him and some among them were considered the best ceramists in Italy. At this time Eugenio was joined by his son, Ranier, and the company began concentrating on more eclectic themes. These pieces, when new, were quite expensive when they were purchased but almost never garner anywhere near their original cost at today's auctions.
The factory claimed that the Vatican used Pattarino’s ceramics as gifts to famous visitors, including President John Kennedy, Andre Gide and Paul Sartre. Unfortunately there is no proof to back these claims. As a matter of fact I have discovered that the Pattarino name is almost generally unknown in Italy and even lesser known in Florence. His name is, however, recognized here in the United States and most of the factory’s output can be found in the U.S. where it was imported. In November 1966 the Arno River flooded its bank and inundated most of Florence. Work to restore damaged art...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
John Szarkowski, Silver Gelatin Print Black and White Photograph Nature, 1952
By John Szarkowski
Located in High Point, NC
An early original silver gelatin print by John Szarkowski. Black and white landscape photo of plants / leaves.
John Szarkowski is considered one of the most important individuals i...
Category
1950s Vintage Modern Furniture
1950s Merton Gershun for Dillingham 36x72 Nakashima - Like Dining Table in Birch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous extension dining table constructed from what appears to be solid birch and produced during the 1950s. It's a piece that we have owned and used personall...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Birch
Set of Three Traditional Plaster Figures, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 3 traditional religious plaster figures. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and u...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plaster
1958 Set of 4 Herman Miller Eames DKR-2 Wire Bikini Chairs in Yellow Naugahyde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DKR-2 wire dining chairs, designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1951. This particular set of four chairs dates to circa 1958. They have steel wir...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Naugahyde
A Pair of Brass Torcheres Ca' 1950's
By Lightolier
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylish vintage brass torchères in Paavo Tynell/Lightolier style. Elegant with nice patina and tarnishing, pull down chain switches. E...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
1950s French Modernist Live Edge Burl Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Immerse yourself in the harmonious blend of nature and modern design with this captivating French modernist live-edge table. Crafted from a remarkable slab section of burl wood, the ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Burl
1950s Bar Cabinet by Aldo Tura
By Aldo Tura
Located in Toronto, CA
This showstopper of a bar cabinet is by Italian designer Aldo Tura (1909 – 1963), known for his love of unusual materials, such as the lacquered goatskin used here. A rare piece with...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Brass
CARAFE WITH TWO TUMBLERS by Barovier & Toso
Located in London, England
Description: Made in the 1960s. The Barovier & Toso Bottle with Two Tumblers is an exquisite set that exemplifies the craftsmanship and elegance of the renowned Italian glassmaker B...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Rug & Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.
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